DDA board defends operations after city audit; senator’s letter prompts separate Tallahassee review
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Summary
A recent city-conducted audit found policy and internal-control issues but no fraud; a Nov. 10 letter from State Senator Mac Bernard led to a legislative auditing committee request and prompted DDA staff to travel to Tallahassee to respond. Board members criticized public allegations and emphasized correcting procedures.
The Downtown Development Authority discussed the fallout from a recent city-conducted audit and a separate request for review by the Florida Legislative Auditing Committee after a Nov. 10 letter from State Senator Mac Bernard.
Staff told the board the city audit — presented to the City Commission earlier in the week — identified limited areas for improvement, primarily policy and internal controls, and the auditor reported no findings of fraud. "The audit found that there were minimal things that needed to be worked on by the DDA, namely policy and some internal controls," a staff presenter told the board.
Board members and staff expressed frustration that a subsequent letter to Tallahassee referenced press coverage and public comments and asked the legislative committee to open an operational audit. "Senator Bernard had asked for the legislative auditing committee at the state level to conduct an operational audit on the DDA," a board speaker said, and board staff Laura and Jim were in Tallahassee that day to respond.
Several board members said the letter and related public statements by the mayor had unfairly suggested impropriety. One member said the mayor "made many, many disparaging remarks about the DDA implying improprieties," and urged an apology; another board member called the internal-audit findings a prompt to adopt city policies and tighten controls.
Staff and board members discussed one missing receipt reported in the audit — described by staff as a small restaurant bill for a band that related to a rider agreement — and said the DDA would adopt recommended policies and improve recordkeeping. "That one receipt is actually for dinner at Rocco's Tacos for a band that was based on a rider agreement," a staff member clarified.
Board members said the extra Tallahassee review would be disruptive to daily operations and could divert staff time from programming, while others urged engagement with the Commission to explain the DDA's mission. The board asked staff to monitor the committee's actions and report back to the board on next steps.