State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
March 18, 1997
The Honorable, The Legislature:
We have completed an evaluation of the Department of Transportation's management of the highway program as part of our ongoing audit of the Department. Our limited review of other functions in the Department suggests that the highway program presents the best opportunity for improved efficiency. In fiscal year (FY) 1996-97, the Department will spend $1.58 billion, including $867.9 million, or 54.9 percent of the total, on state and local highways. Cost-effective management of these funds is important, especially when demands for increased transportation funding exceed available revenues.
The cost of design and construction engineering has increased 35.8 percent above inflation since FY 1987-88, but only part of this increase can be explained by salary adjustments and increased workload. While the Department has developed some measures of performance, decreased the ratio of managers to staff, and reorganized to place greater emphasis on a balanced transportation program, cost increases have not been analyzed to provide managers with information on how efficiency can be improved. More detailed cost analysis, holding design engineers accountable for design quality, systematic evaluation of engineering and construction contractor performance, and development of more useful performance measures are needed to limit project cost overruns and improve program management.
Routine maintenance of state highways, which is performed by counties under contracts with the Department, appears adequate. However, county concerns about the 9.3 percent decline in maintenance funding over the past ten years call into question whether the current funding level will continue to be sufficient.
If management improvements are made, some millions of dollars may be saved. However, because more than 64 percent of expenditures for the highway program will pay for construction costs, achieving substantial savings will require slowing the pace of major improvements, limiting the scope of rehabilitation projects, or modifying construction standards to emphasize cost reductions.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by Department of Transportation staff and county highway commissioners. A response from the Secretary of Transportation is Appendix II.
Sincerely,
Dale Cattanach
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
February 27, 1997
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Sullivan, Michael J.,
of Madison, as a member of the Prison Industries Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2000.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Health, Human Services, Aging, Corrections, Veterans and Military Affairs.
executive order #307
Relating to the Creation of the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Stewardship Program
WHEREAS, Wisconsin's natural resources have always been important to the social, economic and cultural welfare of the state; and
WHEREAS, the State's natural resources must be preserved and protected for future generations; and
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WHEREAS, the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program has played a substantial role in preserving, protecting and providing opportunities for enjoyment of these resources for the future; and
WHEREAS, the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program will expire June 30, 2000; and
WHEREAS, Wisconsin must continue to secure opportunities for future generations to enjoy, protect and preserve the natural resources of the state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TOMMY G. THOMPSON, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of this State, and specifically by Section
14.019 of the Wisconsin Statutes, do hereby:
1.
Create the Governor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Stewardship Program (hereinafter the "Task Force") to evaluate the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program and propose alternatives for the future of this program; and
2.
Provide that the Task Force shall consist of not more than twenty-five (25) members appointed by the Governor to serve at the pleasure of the Governor and that the Governor shall designate one (1) member as chair to serve in this capacity at the pleasure of the Governor; and
3.
Require the Task Force to prepare and submit a report to the Governor detailing its findings and proposing alternatives for the continuation of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program, or the creation of a similar program; and
4.
Require the Task Force to address and consider the following issues:
a.
The effectiveness of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program in preserving, protecting and providing opportunities for enjoyment of Wisconsin's natural resources; and
b.
Identification of long-term natural resources needs; and
c.
Funding alternatives for a stewardship program; and
d.
Enhancement of the State's agricultural and rural economies; and
e.
The role of local governments in achieving Wisconsin's natural resources objectives; and
f.
The role of land trust partnerships; and
g.
The role, if any, of a stewardship program in local land use decision making; and
5.
Require the Task Force to submit its final report to the Governor not later than July 1, 1998; and
6.
Direct the University of Wisconsin System and other state agencies to provide assistance to the Task Force at the request of the chair; and
7.
Direct the Department of Natural Resources to provide staff assistance to the Task Force; and
8.
Direct the Secretary of the Department of administration to provide the Task Force with such sums of money as are necessary for travel and operating expenses in accordance with Section
20.505(3)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes; and
9.
Provide that the Task Force shall dissolve when its final report is accepted by the Governor.
IN TESTIMONY WHERE OF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the city of Madison this fourteenth day of March in the year one thousand nine hundred and ninety-seven.
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
By the governor:
DOUGLAS LA FOLLETTE
Secretary of State
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Relating to the definition of prison industry.
Submitted by Department of Corrections.
Report received from Agency, March 18, 1997.
Referred to committee on Health, Human Services, Aging, Corrections, Veterans and Military Affairs,
March 20, 1997 .
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The committee on Agriculture and Environmental Resources reports and recommends:
Relating to reimbursement procedures for regional and local hazardous materials emergency response teams when a person responsible cannot be found or when the person responsible is unable or unwilling to pay.
No action taken.
Relating to sharp-tailed grouse hunting.
No action taken.
Alice Clausing
Chairperson
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Senator Risser, with unanimous consent, asked that the Senate adjourn pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Adjourned.
10:01 A.M.
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Senate amendment 1 to Senate Bill 17 offered by Senator Moen.
