Meridian should invite performance audit

By Staff
Oct. 6, 2002
The systems and processes under which Meridian city government operates are clearly not failsafe and in too many cases tend to leave observers wondering whether favoritism or some other factor is at work here. This is an unfortunate impression. We like to believe that the wonderful projects going on or planned in Meridian can help create a higher quality of life for our residents.
In light of recent events including the city budget process and the manner in which contracts are awarded the entire business of government as it is practiced in Meridian needs a professional review by an independent party.
In other Mississippi cities, at the invitation of their mayors or city councils, State Auditor Phil Bryant has conducted what is called a performance audit. A team of auditors is dispatched to review systems and procedures and processes to identify how city government might operate more effectively and productively.
Performance audits are not designed to lay blame. Auditors don't come in looking for illegal or inappropriate activities. They come in looking for ways to show local officials how they might improve city operations, achieve new levels of efficiencies, save money and time, and provide better services to the people.
In a time of tight budgets and frayed relations, we believe the operations of Meridian city government could benefit enormously from this sort of approach. We encourage the mayor or council to invite Bryant and his team to Meridian for a performance audit. We suggest it be done as soon as possible and that all findings and recommendations be made public. We support the notion that a performance audit can identify and suggest ways to resolve managerial and operational issues.