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State Auditor Recommendations Being Addressed

TPWD has committed considerable resources to fully address recommendations made in a State Auditors Office (SAO) Report issued in March of 2007. The report followed a lengthy study, which included an assessment of financial processes within TPWD. Weaknesses in financial controls and visitor-use data collection methodology were identified as areas needing improvement in the operation of state parks. As a result, TPWD management has made the agency's response to this audit its top priority.

TPWD has submitted the first of several progress reports to the SAO, Legislative Budget Board (LBB) and Governor's Office with a second implementation plan to be submitted by the end of August. The implementation plan describes detailed improvements to processes related to financial controls, budget development and monitoring, business development, visitor-use data collection and project prioritization. Many of the improved processes have already gone into effect with many more in the coming months. Staff training of new business practices is scheduled for August and September of this year.