CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Division of Highways Performance Audit finding that new initiatives could save the department $25-50 million was a welcomed sight for Delegate Brian Kurcaba (R-Monongalia). But, more would be better.
“That’s a number that was smaller than I think all of us hoped we would see,” said Kurcaba. “I think those dollars would be able to be turned around and put back into the roads. But, I think there’s other efficiency issues that kind of tie back into making sure we’re using the dollars more efficiently.”
The financial advisor said it was even more eye-opening that there has been money, more than $325 million over the last three years, not being used.
“That’s a lot of money that’s left on the table. The explanation was that there’s projects that got delayed. The money was earmarked for certain things,” Kurcaba explained. “That’s a concern that so many dollars hadn’t been spent.”
Kurcaba, who’d had a couple of weeks to review the audit before it was presented to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance Sunday afternoon, focused in on operations improvements that were brought to light. For instance, he is unimpressed with how the DOH determines its priorities.
“They’ve always told us they use a miles traveled on a road is there way they decide if they’re going to do which road and what-not. That is a huge deal that they’re really not following something like an actual formula,” expressed the Delegate.
Kurcaba said a cumbersome hiring process was also uncovered in the audit.
“There are 13 points in the procedure to hire someone on to the Department of Highways. Thirteen decisions made and sign offs along the way to get that through,” Kurcaba indicated.
Kurcaba, a guest on MetroNews affiliate WAJR’s Morgantown AM Monday, said there is no question the DOH needs increased revenue.
But, before the state legislature can tackle bills to bring in money, the department must address internal hiccups.
“You can give them all the money in the world, but if they can’t get the work done because there’s administration issues and those types of things, then what difference does it make?” questioned the delegate.
Last summer, a 58-page report released by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways painted a bleak picture of West Virginia roadways. The report concluded that one-third of the state’s highway system is considered to be in poor condition.
According to Kurcaba, some of the corrections needed within the DOH cannot be corrected through legislation.
“We need to sit down as a collective group and identify what is that we can do legislatively to address this issue and consolidate it into a couple of bills that can really hit it hard,” Kurcaba summarized.
The 2016 legislative session begins Wednesday.