Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Ninety-Ninth Regular Session
The Chief Clerk makes the following entries under the above date.
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services
June 18, 2010
The Honorable, The Legislature:
I am pleased to submit to the Legislature the enclosed report as required by Chapter
153, Wisconsin Statutes. S.153.05(2m)(b) directs the Department of Health Services to biennially review the performance of the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), the entity under contract to produce the reports under s.
153.05 (2m), and to report to the Legislature on the timeliness and quality of the reports produced by the Wisconsin Hospital Association Information Center (WHAIC). The WHAIC produced all required reports.
Sincerely,
karen e. timberlake
Secretary
__________________
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
June 23, 2010
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As required by s.
13.94(1)(dm), Wis. Stats., we have completed our annual financial audit of State Fair Park. We have issued an unqualified opinion on State Fair Park's fiscal year (FY) 2008-09 financial statements. In addition, we have continued to monitor its financial condition and efforts to improve its financial performance.
In FY 2008-09, State Fair Park's revenue exceeded expenditures by $828,000 on a cash basis. Primarily because of a successful 2008 Wisconsin State Fair, State Fair Park was able to reduce its accumulated cash deficit to $7.8 million on June 30, 2009. However, operations of the Milwaukee Mile racetrack continue to be a challenge. State Fair Park has been unable to find an external promoter and has managed racetrack operations internally since July 2009. In addition, the State of Wisconsin purchased the Wisconsin Exposition Center building in December 2009 for $13.9 million, and State Fair Park now has the added responsibility of managing that facility.
As part of this year's audit, we reviewed the use of in-kind support, such as equipment or advertising, that State Fair Park solicits from businesses in exchange for tickets to the Wisconsin State Fair and advertising exposure on the fairgrounds. In-kind support allows State Fair Park to meet its operational needs and increase its advertising without a cash outlay and is therefore an important component of cost-effective operations. However, State Fair Park does not effectively monitor and report this activity, which increases the risk of inappropriate use. We have reported this issue as a material weakness in internal controls, along with certain other issues that are discussed in the Report on Control and Compliance included in this report.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by staff of State Fair Park. A response from State Fair Park's Executive Director follows the appendices.
Sincerely,
janice mueller
State Auditor
__________________
The committee on Health, Health Insurance, Privacy, Property Tax Relief, and Revenue reports and recommends:
Relating to the implementation of benefit changes mandated in
2009 Wisconsin Act 28; specifically, domestic partner benefits and the expansion of health insurance coverage to adult dependents up to the age of 27 years.
No action taken.
Relating to carbon monoxide detectors in hotels, motels, tourist rooming houses, and bed and breakfast establishments, and affecting small businesses.
No action taken.
Jon Erpenbach
Chairperson
