Summary of Report 99-019

December 1998

Report Number 99-019

Overall Conclusion

The Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (Commission) has made substantial progress in implementing recommendations from three previous audit reports. It has addressed significant issues about overall agency management, contracting, and oversight of water districts and utilities. We did not expect to find full implementation of all recommendations, particularly where the recommendations were ongoing or long-term in nature. In some cases, the Commission has taken corrective actions, the full effects of which are yet to appear.

We continue to have concerns about the following business systems, and we believe it is important for the Legislature to be aware of these concerns:

• The number of water systems inspections (surveys) has continued to decline. The Commission conducted 4,433 such inspections in fiscal year 1997 and only 3,595 in fiscal year 1998. By ensuring that water systems operate safely, these inspections help protect the public from potentially harmful chemicals and bacteria in drinking water.

• The management of key regulatory and financial information continues to be an issue for the Commission. All three previous reports identified problems in the Commission's information management. The Commission recognizes these problems and has made progress in identifying solutions, but the systems will take years to develop.

• Inconsistent contract monitoring and evaluation procedures make it possible that the Commission could rehire poor-performing contractors. The Commission accomplishes much of its work through contracts: it currently administers approximately 234 contracts totaling over $120 million.

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