Further Strengthens Accountability for County Property - Internal Audit Committee Formed Annapolis, MD (Dec. 12, 2003) - Today, the County's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Robert L. Walker, announced several new County policies and procedures that are being implemented as part of an on-going effort by the Administration to further strengthen the responsibility for and accountability of County property. The County Executive also established a new Internal Audit Committee comprised of the CAO, the Chief of Staff, and the County Executive. The Internal Audit Committee will review County policies and procedures to ensure risk assessment, management and internal control systems are effective in preventing and identifying fraud and abuse. The new County policy concerning asset control became effective on December 9, 2003. The policy concentrates on the separation and segregation of duties, the decentralization of processes and workload, and puts greater responsibility on department heads for inventory while mandating an annual inventory of 100% of assets. "The new policies and procedures are being implemented to strengthen accountability for government property," Robert Walker said. "When it comes to asset control, the County now has established a more quantifiable process and a logical chain of control for the asset's life cycle. It is our hope that these new policies strengthen the public's faith in County government's operations."
The new policy, shared with the County Auditor, will now require departments to conduct an annual physical inventory of all assets and reconcile findings by April 30th of each year. A system of bar codes and scanners will utilize the most effective technology for efficient record keeping. Training for employees will take place in the beginning of the year. The initial baseline inventory is due to be completed on or about June 30, 2004. Assets valued over $1,000, all furniture and sensitive items such as cameras will be inventoried. The Property Control and Asset Manager will perform random departmental inventories and spot checks. Under the new policy, personal computers, laptops, cell phones, pagers, and radios may only be transferred upon the approval of the Office of Information Technology. These changes come on the heels of revisions to the County's procurement card program. Department Heads will now ensure that non-capital assets (<$5,000) purchased with Procurement cards are added to the fixed asset inventory by Property Coordinators. All procurement card users with a credit limit above $1,000 must obtain three bids in writing. The CAO also implemented a zero tolerance on unauthorized use of a procurement card and mandated that no part-time or temporary employees will be permitted to have a procurement card. |
