DEL.ICIO.USAuditors: DOT’s deficit grows to $456 million
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Over the summer, state auditors looked at the Department of Transportation’s budget and breathed a sigh of relief. The deficit appeared to be headed in the right direction.
[ Submit your comments below. ]Then, just three weeks ago, as the audit was winding down, DOT staff found a stack of contracts and change orders in a file cabinet. Turns out the pledged dollars in that paperwork had never been entered into the state’s accounting system.
And it represented a lot of money — $360 million.
On Wednesday, auditors officially reported the bad news to the DOT board: The department now has a $456 million deficit and must find that money to close the gap.
Auditors piled on more bad news: The right-of-way office, which acquires land for road development, has forced people to sell their land and then let it languish.
That office doesn’t even know how much land it owns.
In one case, for a project on Ga. 316 and Ga. 81 in 1999, DOT told a man it needed land that he had bought less than six months before, intending to build a gas station.
It usually takes years for a project to arrive at the construction stage, and the man asked DOT if it would let him build his station and make what profit he could until the agency was ready to build its ramps.
DOT refused, saying the project was “imminent,” and condemned his land.
“Eight years later, GDOT continues to have no formal construction plans for the project and the project is not on GDOT’s Long Range Program,” according to the audit.
The audit, requested by DOT Commissioner Gena Evans, also raised questions about the qualifications of DOT’s appraisers and found that 52 percent of people who fought the DOT appraisal received more in a settlement.
DOT has more than 5,000 employees, and is the state’s chief transportation agency, doling out hundreds of millions of gas tax dollars every year for road construction statewide.
DOT’s deficit means the state agency now must find the money in its budget because the department constitutionally cannot run a deficit, said John Thornton, who audits state government.
Where the money will come from isn’t clear yet. DOT board members said they would meet next week to discuss solutions, but some possibilities were traded privately: layoffs — or cutting back even more transportation projects. DOT’s annual budget is about $2.3 billion a year.
Board member David Doss argued with Thornton over the validity of the deficit. Other board members seemed to accept it.
One board member, Sam Wellborn, said “now we know” DOT’s financial situation.
The department would fix the problems, Evans said. But some of them, such as computerizing DOT’s land inventory, would take time.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Evans said, “and this is a long-term fix.”
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Comments
By GATAXPAYER
Oct 2, 2008 6:08 PM | Link to this
The large $$$$ salary GDOT management in Atlanta & State Government are the blame for this huge budget shortfall & sloppy use of tax payers money.The only area so far the Department has cut back or hung on the cross is in the hourly maintenance employees who do the actual work on Georgia roads & try to give the taxpayers something for their money. They are the ones in the public eye every day & are tired of getting that mean look from taxpayers for something the top ranking DOT & State Government officials caused to begin with.The reduction of finger pointers, cheese eaters & large salary positions would make more of an impact on the budget.Hell, they are the reason we are in this mess now & need to take credit for a job well done!!! Cutting back on vacations to Europe, building jet plane hangers, buying new office furniture & wasting money on personnel that only have a position & no job would also help.This proves that good common sense is far better than a Doctors Degree if the one with the pencil & pressing computer keys does not have some knowledge of how the actual activities of the GDOT are preformed. Put some good ethical, reliable & trustworthy people in these positions.The Department has had enough bashing & been in the news headlines to much the last two years.Strange it operated without glitches from the 1970's until 2006. GOOD COMMON SENSE!!!
By European Vacation
Sep 30, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
I understand the DOT Commissioner is on a honeymoon in Europe at this time. I bet the state of Georgia is paying for this trip through some initiative.
By Obfuscationl
Sep 23, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
When there is no defense, just change the topic. Providing confusing or unrelated information does nothing to help understand the issues.
Ignorance on the issues does not beg for unrelated postings.
By Important - Davis
Sep 23, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Since Davisý trial, seven of nine key prosecution witnesses who testified against him have recanted their testimony. But the state Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied clemency to Davis.
Chatham County prosecutors say they are certain that Davis fired the fatal shots into MacPhail, before the officer could draw his gun. MacPhail, 27, a father of two, was working off-duty as a security guard when he was gunned down in a Burger King parking lot in Savannah.
Today, a number of groups plan to picket Rainbow Medical Associatesý offices in Jonesboro. Rainbow Medical provides medical personnel for state executions at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.
Phone calls to Rainbow Medical this morning were not returned.
Rainbow Medical provides two physicians and two registered nurses for each execution, Department of Corrections spokesman Paul Czachowski said. The company is paid $4,000 if the execution occurs on time and $6,000 if it is delayed for more than two hours. It makes $2,000 if the execution is stayed and not carried out, the spokesman said.
The companyýs nurses prepare the intravenous lines for the lethal injection and the doctors do not participate in the execution, Czachowski said. They are there to check on the inmate to make sure he is deceased and are there for any emergency, he said.
Picketing at Rainbow Medicalýs offices will be representatives from Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, the NAACPýs Georgia chapter and other opponents of capital punishment.
ýAs long as the state continues this futile and brutalizing exercise in vengeance, we will continue to take a public stand against killing Troy Davis in our names,ý Sara Totonchi, chair of Georgians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, said.
On Monday, Totonchi called for prison officials and medical personnel who help carry out the execution in Jackson to call in sick today. But Czachowski said no one had done so.
Early this afternoon, opponents of Davisý execution plan to stage a ýDie-Iný at the state Capitol. Tonight, vigils are planned at the Capitol, Athens, Americus, Jackson, Augusta, Clarkesville, Dawson, Marietta and Savannah.
By By Jim
Sep 23, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Georgiaýs own Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for president, improved his fund-raising record in Georgia, pulling in more than $14,000. Overall, he raised $33,000 in August.
Former Georgia congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, the Green Party candidate for president, did not file a monthly report with the Federal Election Commission.
OBAMA
Raised through July 31: $390.65 million
Raised in August: $67.51 million
Total contributions: $458.16 million
Raised in Georgia through July 31: $4.17 million
Raised in Georgia in August: $531,208
Total Georgia contributions: $4.7 million
Top Georgia zip code in August: 30309 (Ansley Park), $26,693.72
McCAIN
Raised through July 31: $159.7 million
Raised in August: $53.29 million
Total contributions: $212.99 million
Raised in Georgia through July 31: $2.3 million
Raised in Georgia in August: $982,875.2
Total Georgia contributions: $3.29 million
Top Georgia ZIP code in August: 30327 (West Paces Ferry), $50,638
BARR
Raised through July 31: $628,456.55:
Raised in August: $224,350.54
Total contributions: $854,171.54
Raised in Georgia through July 31: $33,056
Raised in Georgia in August: $14,027
Total Georgia contributions: $47,083
Top Georgia ZIP code in August: 30324 (Lindbergh Drive), $3,350
ALL CANDIDATES
Raised through July 31: $1.122.6 billion
Raised in August: $101.1 million
Total contributions: $1.223.7 billion
Raised in Georgia through July 31: $13.2 million
Raised in Georgia in August: $1.43 million
Total raised in Georgia: $14.63 million
By Rob
Sep 23, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
Will Commisioner Evans hold more open meetings with the GDOT staff to update them on these latest findings? I admire the tough situation she has taken on as well as her open approach to the staff. Discussions with employees directly on deficits, layoffs, cleaning up the processes, and IT mismanagement(maybe one of her hand picked is needed in IT) are necessary to stop rumors, and to build the GDOT team spirit
By tvlisting
Sep 22, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
ý ýDancing With the Starsý 8 p.m. AB C (season debut) ý The motley crew this fall includes Kim Kardashian, Cloris Leachman, Lance Bass and Warren Sapp. Weýll all be watching the 82-year-old Leachman and marvel her grace, hoping at the same time she doesnýt break anything.
ý ýHeroesý 9 p.m. NBC (two-hour season debut) ý After an 8 p.m. clip show, we find out who shot Nathan Petrelli while Sylar visits Claire to pick her brain. Literally.
ý ýThe Big Bang Theoryý 8 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Penny and Leonard have their first date and the ýknowledgeý gap causes problems.
ý ýHow I Met Your Motherý 8;30 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý The always adorable Sarah Chalke plays Stella, who may or may not say yes to Ted. In the meantime, the ever randy Barney canýt stop thinking about Robin.
ý ýTwo and a Half Mený 9 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Charlie meets a child that resembles him a wee bit too much for comfort.
ý ýWorst Weeký 9:30 p.m. CBS (new series) ý Think ýMeet the Parents,ý minus the humor.
ý ýCSI: Miamiý 10 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý When in doubt, shoot the main character. But who shot Horatio?
Tuesday
ý ýHouseý 8 p.m. Fox ý House hires a private investigator to spy on Wilson now that his former BFF left the roost.
ý ýNCISý 8 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý A murder of a Navy officer reveals a link between the NCIS team and the investigation.
ý ýThe Mentalistý 9 p.m. CBS (new series) ý Simon Baker is a more serious version of Shawn from ýPsych.ý In other words, a very observant detective minus the wisecracks.
ý ýWithout a Traceý 10 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Steven Weber of ýWingsý fame plays the new head of the Missing Persons squad.
Wednesday
ý ýKnight Riderý 8 p.m. NBC (new series) ý The star of this show is KITT, the updated car, voiced by Val Kilmer.
ý ýThe New Adventures of Old Christineý 8 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Barb is up for deportation but thanks to Californiaýs gay laws, her BFF Christine asks Barb to marry her to keep her around. How romantic!
ý ýGary Unmarriedý 8:30 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Jay Mohr tries his hand at sitcoms by playing a newly divorced dad grappling with being single. Mohr and the supporting cast are reasonably funny in the pilot, at least.
ý ýCSI: NYý 10 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Where is Mac? Maybe weýll find out.
Thursday
ý ýMy Name is Earlý 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m. NBC (season debut) ý Earl has returned to his list.
ý ýSurvivor: Gaboný 8 p.m. CBS (season debut) ý Doctor and former Atlantan Marcus Lehman makes his mark this season.
ý ýUgly Bettyý 8 p.m. ABC (season debut) ý Did Betty pick Gio or Henry ý or will a third guy come along?
ý ýGreyýs Anatomyý 9 p.m. ABC (season debut) ý ýJourneymaný star Kevin McKidd pops up as a military vet doctor who might end up hooking up with Cristina.
ý ýThe Officeý 9 p.m. NBC (season debut) ý Jim misses Pam, who is in art school all summer. Michael hits on new HR rep Amy.
ý ýERý 10 p.m. NBC (season debut) ý This is the showýs final season. Abby wakes up in the aftermath of the ambulance explosion.
Friday
ý ýAmericaýs Toughest Jobsý 8 p.m. NBC ý The contestants try bull riding tonight.
ý ýGone Countryý 8 p.m. CMT (season finale) ý Sean Young & Co. perform their country songs tonight. None look like real viable country stars so who knows who John Rich will pick this time around.
ý ýPresidential debateý 10 p.m. major broadcast and news channels ý Jim Lehrer moderates the first debate on domestic policy at the University of Mississippi in Oxford.
ý ýStargate Atlantisý 10 p.m. Friday ý Michael Shanks reprises his role as archaeologist Daniel.
By applepie
Sep 22, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Abraham, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, spoke about the reforms sheýs undertaking within the agency and her excitement in the stateýs new transportation plan thatýs underway.
ýWhat I have is about 15 different transportation plans with 9,000 projects on the books,ý she said. Her department is going through the different projects to determine their priorities and how they would fit with an interconnected state transportation plan.
She also said she hopes to be able to keep some money that GDOT collects that currently is going to the stateýs general fund. One example is the fourth penny that the state collects as part of the motor fuel tax. That would bring in $176 million a year.
Abraham also made a special note of her hope to implement commuter rail from Atlanta to Griffin as part of a pilot program. There are some hurdles, such as meeting the regulations of the American Disabilities Act and figuring out how to pay for longterm operating and maintenance costs of the service.
ýI will know more in the next 60 to 90 days,ý she said.
That was music to the ears of Dick Hodges, a Rotarian who has been a longtime advocate for more rail transportation in the region. He said he is encouraged that the DOT commissioner has commuter rail on her agenda.
Abraham also was asked about whether there should be one regional transit agency rather than many separate groups.
ýThe governor and his staff are currently working on who is going to do what. Thereýs no clear picture on who is going to be the transit authority,ý she said, adding that the Atlanta region doesnýt have one regional transit authority like Illinois. ýThereýs a void in our governance structure. If I do nothing else before I leave the department, if we could get it organized as to who does what, we will have made tremendous progress.ý
At the beginning of the meeting, Stephen Rogers, formerly head of the Arthur Anderson office in Atlanta, introduced a former Anderson colleague as a new Rotary member ý Mark Oshnock.
Oshnock is the relatively new president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Health System.
Oshnock told Rotarians that Visiting Nurses serves 6,000 clients every day, which is at least as many as all the hospitals in Atlanta combined.
By bus001
Sep 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Commissioner Evans loves to browbeat the DOT employees in the media and paint them as dishonest irresponsible crooks. There are many hardworking DOT employees who have worked day and night to help the Governor and Transportation Board achieve the goals in a timely manner in the Fast Forward Program.
So, to beat every one like a rented mule in public, should not be done if you do not fully understand the process of roadbuilding.
Perhaps a novel approach would be to build the road first and then acquire the necessary rights of way. That way, there would be no excess properties purchased.
By Gena is the problem
Sep 20, 2008 12:58 AM | Link to this
GDOT bought 60 or so 50 inch Sony Bravia TVs at 3000$ each, for their new building, instead of shopping around and getting Vizio TVs for half the cost. The I.T sept spends money like a drunken sailor at a whorehouse. Besides these little boxes of treasures that pop up that cost those millions, the people of Georgia if they saw how much paper GDOT wastes and uses would have a heart attack. The I.T. dept is run by a good ole boy Jeff Hill with a High School diploma, the 2nd biggest state agency in the state the I.T. director is a high school graduate. No College, and he gave his squeeze Debbie Poss the applications directors job, the whole I.T. dept know their having a affair even though she's married. So what goes for the Commissionner must be fine for the directors. The goold ole Boy system is still alive and well at GDOT. The AJC should do a in depth look at GDOT's I.T. dept. They would find so many things shoved under the rug, that cost millions to the tax payers of georgia they would flip. Botched software that cost millions to make that could be bought for 2/10ths of the price and the software not working so badly they end up scrapping it. Sonny put Limmenkohl in place and then threw him under the bus for his mistakes, like he's putting a hypocrite like Gene Abraham Evans In a position, she has no clue to run. Gdot was in the top 10 of all the DOTs in the United States and a lot of time number 1 before Gena Evans, lets see what its like when she gets done with it. She has started off by hiring all her buds and giving them 6 figure incomes and basically saying to all the employees of GDOT. I don't trust you. We as the employees did not screw it up, Gdot MISMANANGEMENT did and still is and all from Sonny Purdue. Fire all the managers that would be a start and have a outside audit not controlled by the state. Isn't is really a conflict of interest for a Gdot commsioner to marry a land developer?
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