(The Center Square) — A financial report of the boards, commissions, and similar entities of the Louisiana Division of Administration found several issues.
The audit reviewed the financial statements from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 for 491 total boards and commissions, which is a net increase of eight from the previous year.
Of those 491, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office identified 13 Boards that did not respond to requests for personnel data and financial information. The Division sent notices of noncompliance to the respective legislative committees, and one of these such boards failed to respond to requests in the prior year.
The auditors said in the report that the Legislature may consider taking action against the boards that failed to comply with the reporting requirements in state law. This includes the Domestic Violence Prevention Commission, Iberia Parish Levee, Hurricane and Conservation District Board and Rural Water Infrastructure Committee.
Eighteen of the 491 were noted as inactive, meaning they did not appear to be fulfilling their established functions. Of these inactive Boards, 12 were also identified as inactive in the prior year.
The auditors recommended that the Legislature consider abolishing these boards or taking other actions like additional legislation, appropriations, or board appointments to assist them in fulfilling their established functions.
These stagnant commissions include the Floodplain Evaluation and Management Commission; Housing and Transportation Planning and Coordinating Commission; and Parks and Recreation Commission.
Not all boards that responded had operations up to the audit’s standards. Thirty four did not report any meeting notices or minutes subsequent to Dec. 31, 2020. Also, six of these Boards have no board members identified on their website.
This includes the Ambulance Service District Commission, Oil Spill Interagency Council and Sentencing Commission.
The division responded to the report saying they’ll use these recommendations to ensure the needs of the auditors are met in the future.
