Building and construction audit finds state inspections lacking, Auditor Galloway says
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway has released an audit of the Office of Administration’s Division of Facilities, which is responsible for building and construction oversight. According to the audit, due to inadequate funding, state facility maintenance had been delayed and some inspections were not completed, as required by law.
“Regular inspections are necessary to identify and address issues before they become problematic, which minimizes upkeep costs and ensures buildings are safe,” Galloway said. “The longer maintenance is delayed, the more expensive those updates become, and that costs taxpayers more in the long run.”
Auditors found state officials delayed repair needs due to lack of funding, creating a backlog of deferred maintenance of nearly $600 million. The division also failed to prepare long-range plans for capital improvements for more than a decade. Some facilities had not received required inspections in years, although Missouri law mandates annual inspections for improvement planning and maintenance, as well as repair inspections at least once every four years.
The audit also found cases where the state did not comply with the prevailing wage law. The audit, which received an overall performance rating of “good,” can be read online here.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.