Some matters have already been taken care of. Others are in the process. One they have a disagreement about. But overall the county’s internal audit of the TDC is looked at as a way to help improve the organization. And there are no hidden yachts or homes. Here is a follow-up to the recent Walton County Tourist Development Council’s internal audit.
The financial audit was conducted by Walton County’s Internal Audit Department through Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller Alex Alford’s Office. Alford says the program accounts were reviewed from January of 2010 to October of 2012. They looked at the TDC’s internal controls to see of they are working properly and to make sure they were following the laws, rules, policies and procedures.
The report, already presented to and accepted by the Walton Commissioners, has an opinion the controls over the TDC revenue and expenditures were adequate during the audit period. The only exception is the area of document retention for a gift card program. This was a program to help bring tourists back after the BP oil spill. The TDC purchased 4,900 $250 gift cards, valued at $1,225,000 to be used for tourists who booked and paid for a minimum of a three night stay at certain rental locations. In addition they purchased 4,040 BP gas cards for a similar program. The audit says, because of inadequate documentation, the audit could not ensure the cards were distributed as intended.
Another area cited was with funding the Biophilia Center so it could stay open additional hours for visitors. The Audit said the facility is outside the TDC subcounty special taxing district and thus does not follow the State Statute. This matter continues to be looked at by the TDC and the County, both seeking legal opinions on how TDC funds can be spent to aid tourism. Part of the thought is the tourists want an expanded plate of opportunities in the area, sometimes outside of the TDC district. Since they are using these attractions to bring in tourists, many feel it is TDC destination marketing. TDC Director Jim Bagby says the matter should go through legal opinions, not the auditor opinion.
Other report notes include: using TDC dollars for the Turtle Watch monitoring and a Code Enforcement Officer; certain vehicle repairs, tests and maintenance tracking; an agreement with the Florida Department of Emergency Management signed by the director; the TDC gift shop not issuing receipts unless requested and not using the cash register properly; a TDC Plan not being updated; and splitting wine glass purchases into two orders to prevent going over the $25,000 spending limit.
Alford said they even looked for any spending such as a yacht, making the statement due to the problems with the Okaloosa County TDC recent issues. Bagby told the commissioners they welcome any help in improving the organization. The audit covered a period prior to Bagby’s time as TDC Director.