Clarno issues report on DAS budget transparency

Oregon Secretary of State Bev Clarno released an audit report Wednesday highlighting three areas in which the Department of Administrative Services can improve efforts to enhance transparency and promote lawmakers’ ability to make informed decisions about how taxpayer dollars are spent.

The findings are outlined in the report, entitled: “Enhanced Transparency in Key Budget Practices Would Improve Government and Inform Decision-Making for State Spending.”

“Legislators and the public need to know how agencies use taxpayer dollars,” Clarno said. “As the administrative function for the state, DAS’s oversight of and guidance to agencies can help enhance the quality and availability of this information. I believe these 16 recommendations will help enhance Oregon’s transparency efforts.”

While Clarno said her office sincerely appreciates the cooperation extended by DAS during the audit, government auditing standards require a response when an audited entity’s comments are inconsistent or in conflict with the findings, conclusions or recommendations in the report.

They have included a rebuttal to the agency’s response at the end of the report, which is intended to provide additional information and context for citizens and stakeholders.

Read the full report on the Secretary of State’s website: (http://sos.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx).