Miami Dade Transit "is working with the Federal Transit Administration to address financial issues pointed out in a preliminary review, and MDT is already taking immediate corrective actions.”
So said Harpal Kapoor in November 2010.
What was the effect of this "immediate and corrective action?"
In January of this year, the FTA cut off funding to MDT, calling it a "rare action'' that was taken "to protect the taxpayers' dollars.''
FTA auditors found "very serious financial management oversight and internal control issues'' at MDT, saying that "cutoff of grant funding would continue until federal auditors are satisfied that Miami-Dade has fixed the problems and adopted new procedures."
Six months later, MDT has not "fixed the problems," prompting the FTA to stop its review, citing they cannot determine "the veracity of [Miami-Dade Transit’s] information."
And yet, County Manager Alina Hudak continues to place her trust in Mrs. Llort and Mr. Kapoor.
After six months and with $185 million in federal funding on the line, Miami-Dade County taxpayers deserve to know what exactly is being done to protect their interests. Mrs. Hudak, Mrs. Llort and Mr. Kapoor must all be held accountable.
It is time that the County Commission initiate a full investigation into the practices and procedures at Miami-Dade Transit, including their compliance with all federal guidelines, to ensure that the same issues that have caused the FTA to doubt "the veracity" of MDT have not spilled over into other areas.
Begin a full investigation now, or the County Commission risks further losing the voter's trust.
