Halifax lagging on auditor general recommendations

Halifax has followed up on less than half of the recommendations made by the municipalauditor general between March 2014 and January 2016.

During that time period, ninereports were done on a number of serious issues, including permits and inspections for building standards, cost overruns for the Washmill Lake underpass, an equipmentfuel program and a fuel spill at the transit garage in Dartmouth.

According to the current auditor general, Evangeline Colman-Sadd, 54 per centof significant issues 14 of 26 are still outstanding. They include:

• No procedure manual for building permits and inspections.
• No project-management office for high-value, one-time capital projects.
• No policy for the use of fuel fobs at HRM fuelling locations.

"We are putting in a new process for follow-up and will be going backin 18 months," saidColman-Sadd. "It takes a concerted effort on everyone's part."

The assessment was presented to the audit and finance committeeon Wednesday.

Coun.Steve Adams, a committee member, said he was taken aback by the lack of progress.

"Disappointed is mild, shocked is a better description," said Adams. "Residents want to make sure they're getting good value for their dollars."

Adams has asked chief administrative officerJacques Dubfor a detailed explanation. He said he wants to know if there have been a lack of resources or a lack of direction.