The Capital Metro Board of Directors held a public hearing on January 31, 2025, focusing on recent audits and recommendations aimed at improving operational efficiency and compliance. The meeting highlighted key findings from an audit conducted by Weaver and Tidwell, which assessed the agency's cost efficiency, compliance with state laws, and administrative processes.

During the discussion, officials noted that the agency had faced challenges such as increased wages to attract operators, supply chain issues affecting costs, and fluctuations in ridership due to the pandemic. Despite these challenges, the audit revealed no significant findings regarding cost efficiency, although two recommendations were made: to enhance service reliability and to continuously evaluate cost effectiveness.

The audit also reviewed compliance with nearly 400 state laws, with the agency found to be compliant with approximately 172. However, one area of deficiency was identified: the inability to provide documentation for a prior submission to state authorities. The agency has since implemented a standardized process to prevent similar issues in the future.

In terms of administrative oversight, the audit concluded that the agency had qualified personnel but suggested improvements in contract management and departmental procedures. Recommendations included refining the agency-wide framework for contract management and standardizing departmental procedures, both expected to be completed by mid to late 2025.

Additionally, the agency was encouraged to continue enhancing professional development opportunities for staff, which had not been a focus during the audit period but has since gained attention.

Overall, the meeting underscored the agency's commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to audit recommendations, setting the stage for future enhancements in service delivery and operational practices.