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YELLOW SHEET Office of the State Auditor of Missouri |
October 26, 2001
Report No. 2001-110
Audit calls for cutting transportation
employees� equipment competitions; department suspends program for now
The Missouri Department of Transportation spent at least
$870,000 over calendar years 1999 and 2000 for employee competitions, known as �Roadeos,�
which test equipment-handling skills. �This audit reviewed various aspects of the competitions, which involve
state personnel and state equipment, and determined the contests are not an
effective use of state resources and do not significantly contribute to the
department�s mission. The following highlights the findings:
Competition costs steadily increase, total cost
unknown
Each of the department�s 10 districts holds a competition
and then advances winners to district and statewide contests.� Most competitions include gifts, prizes,
food, travel and lodging expenses for judges and participants. �In one year, the competition costs increased
by 40 percent, with at least $9,000 spent on retail store gift certificates for
winners.� In one district, the cost
tripled over three years. ��In addition, the estimated total costs reported
in this audit are conservative because the department did not track all costs
and cannot quantify others. �(See page 3
and 6)
Full state workday used for 30-minute exercise
In 2000, the 2,000 participating employees spent an average of 6 state hours at area
competitions and 6 state hours at district competitions.� Audit observations showed participants spent
less than 30 minutes actually operating or inspecting equipment in the four contest
events. �Employees charged more state
time to the statewide contest, including some employees who charged three
working days to the competition.� (See �page 4)
Competitions called training
Department officials consider the competitions part of
the safety training program, even though participation is not required.� Audit observations showed the events,
including using a backhoe to put a bowling ball in a box, often do not mimic
real situations. �The existing
department training on the machinery is more intense than the half hour spent on
equipment during these contests. �(See
page 6)
Other states canceled or did not hold competitions
The 2001 national Roadeo competition only had six states
participate.� Auditors contacted
transportation officials in other states and found many canceled the contests
due to fund-ing issues or higher priorities. �Some states called the competitions �morale boosters,� but did not
consider them safety training.� (See
page 6)
