OUTSIDE AUDITOR WILL TAKE OVER MODOT FINANCIAL REVIEW IN WAKE OF RECENT REFORMS

State Auditor Claire McCaskill's office found a few problems in its annual financial audit of the Missouri Department of Transportation, but nothing that appeared to be of any major consequence.

MoDOT's director, Henry Hungerbeeler, welcomed the findings and said the department will carefully evaluate and implement the recommendations in an effort to be cost-effective.

Because of a legislative change, the audit of fiscal year 1998 finances will be the last for the state auditor's office. Instead, the office will contract out the job, although the state auditor will retain oversight of the contracted auditing firm.

Outside contracting is nothing new to MoDOT. In recent years the department has contracted much of the preliminary studies and planning work for highway construction. The new approach seems to work. Outside auditing will add a new perspective to financial examination of the department.