March 23, 2018
| Members Present: | Members Absent: |
|---|---|
| Representative Connie Bernardy | Senator Matt D. Klein |
| Representative Sondra Erickson | Senator Ann H. Rest |
| Representative Rick Hansen | |
| Representative Tina Liebling | |
| Representative Nels Pierson | |
| Representative Duane Quam | |
| Senator Michelle Benson | |
| Senator Nick A. Frentz | |
| Senator Mary Kiffmeyer | |
| Senator Warren Limmer |
Senator Kiffmeyer, Chair, called the Legislative Audit Commission (LAC) meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. The purpose of the meeting was to approve the evaluation topics selected by the Evaluation Subcommittee and to release the program evaluation, Guardian ad Litem Program.
Jim Nobles, Legislative Auditor, thanked the Evaluation Subcommittee members for their work in choosing a balanced list of topics to recommend to the LAC. Mr. Nobles introduced Judy Randall, Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Program Evaluation Division, to give specific information on the topics chosen by the subcommittee. Ms. Randall ran through the list of five topics recommended by the Evaluation Subcommittee, along with the topic chosen to satisfy the economic development incentive program evaluation required in statute.
Senator Limmer moved to adopt the list of evaluation topics recommended by the subcommittee, which were:
Minnesota Information Technology (MNIT) Services
Minnesota State Arts Board
MnDOT Financial Effectiveness
Public Facilities Authority: Water Treatment Infrastructure
Public School Debt Service Equalization Aid
The motion prevailed.
Senator Limmer then moved to adopt the economic development incentive program topic chosen by the subcommittee, which was the Economic Development and Housing Challenge Program. The motion prevailed.
Representative Hansen made a motion to recommend to the chairs of the State Government Finance Committees to repeal the statute that requires OLA to evaluate one economic development incentive program each year. After some deliberation, the motion prevailed by a 7 to 2 vote.
The meeting turned to the release of the Guardian ad Litem Program evaluation. Ms. Randall introduced Jodi Rodriguez, Evaluation Manager, to give a presentation. Ms. Rodriguez provided an overview of the report’s key findings and recommendations, and answered members’ questions.
Senator Kiffmeyer invited the Guardian Ad Litem Board representatives to address the commission. Crysta Parkin, Board Chair, and Kristen Trebil-Halbersma, Program Administrator, provided their response to the evaluation and answered members’ questions. They agreed with the findings, but said that resource limitations will impact their ability to implement some of the recommendations in a timely manner.
With no further business, Senator Kiffmeyer adjourned the meeting at 9:48 a.m.
Senator Mary Kiffmeyer, Chair
Shelly Gilb, Recording Secretary
