Sally Pederson
State Public Defender's Office
Sharon Caulum
State Public Defender's Office
George Esser
Department of Transportation
Christine Smith
Department of Transportation
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Madison
December 9, 1996
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
This report is transmitted as required by sec. 20.002(11)(f) of the Wisconsin Statutes, (for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under sec. 13.172(3) Stats.), and confirms that the Department of Administration has found it necessary to exercise the "temporary reallocation of balances" authority provided by this section in order to meet payment responsibilities and cover resulting negative balances during the month of November, 1996.
On November 1, 1996 the Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund balance was -$1 thousand. This shortfall increased to -$2 thousand on November 18, 1996 and continued through the end of the month. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On November 1, 1996 the Wisconsin Information Technology Services Fund balance was -$1.54 million. This shortfall continued until November 4, 1996 when the balance reached $114 thousand. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
On November 13, 1996 the Wisconsin Petroleum Inspection Fund balance was -$842 thousand. This shortfall continued until November 21, 1996 when the balance reached $7.21 million. This shortfall was due to the timing of revenues.
The Wisconsin Health Education Loan Repayment Fund, Information Technology Services Fund and Petroleum Inspection Fund shortfalls were not in excess of the $400 million ceiling and did not exceed the balances of the Funds available for interfund borrowing.
The distribution of interest earnings to investment pool participants is based on the average daily balance in the pool and each fund's share. Therefore, the monthly calculation by the State Controller's Office will automatically reflect the use of these temporary reallocations of balance authority.
Sincerely,
Mark D. Bugher
Secretary, DOA
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
Madison
December 18, 1996
To the Honorable, the Legislature:
We have completed a best practices review of local government operations as required by s.
13.94(8), Wis. Stats. Privatization of local government services was selected as the topic of our review with the assistance of the Local Government Advisory Council, which consists of representatives of counties, cities, villages, and towns.
Nearly 50 percent of the local governments responding to our survey reported that within the past seven years, they had initiated at least one contract for services with a private vendor. Survey respondents most often reported contracts for solid waste collection, recycling, building inspection, and road and street repair services.
Local governments commonly consider contracting with private vendors as a way to reduce service costs; however, careful assessment is necessary to ensure desired benefits will be achieved. In particular, before entering a contract, the full costs of government service delivery must be measured and compared to estimated contracting costs. In addition, service delivery decisions need to take into account whether a delivery system is consistent with the local government's goals and objectives for the service, including quality, control, and long-term stability, as well as the requirements of existing laws and legal obligations.
Based on the contracting experiences of several counties and municipalities, as well as professional and academic literature, this report identifies best practices to follow when contracting for public services. Specific practices are identified for local governments to consider in selecting vendors, specifying service expectations and administrative responsibilities, and establishing monitoring procedures.
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We thank the Local Government Advisory Council for its assistance in selecting the topic for our review, and we appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by local government staff.
Respectfully submitted,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Claims Board
Madison
December 18, 1996
To the Honorable, the Assembly:
Enclosed is the report of the State Claims Board covering the claims heard on December 4, 1996.
The amounts recommended for payment under $5,000 on claims included in this report have, under the provision of s.
16.007, Stats., been paid directly by the Board.
The Board is preparing the bill(s) on the recommended award(s) over $5,000, if any, and will submit such to the Joint Finance Committee for legislative introduction.
This report is for the information of the Legislature. The Board would appreciate your acceptance and spreading of it upon the Journal to inform the members of the Legislature.
Sincerely,
Edward D. Main
Secretary, Claims Board
