Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Friday, the Internal Audit Division of the Mississippi Department of Transportation notified the City of Hattiesburg that its audit suspension has been lifted.
MDOT issued the decision after receiving the City’s Fiscal Year 2016 and 2017 audits and examining the City’s corrective action plans surrounding six audit findings. The suspension began on July 7, 2017, after the City missed its June 30, 2017 deadline to turn in the Fiscal Year 2016 audit. At the time, the City had not completed an audit since Fiscal Year 2014.
With its suspension lifted, the City of Hattiesburg can now receive all reimbursement payments currently held by MDOT and pursue other Federal Highway Administration grant programs.
In regard to this matter, Mayor Toby Barker issued the following statement:
“This is another significant step forward in regaining the City’s financial footing. The lifting of this suspension allows us to be reimbursed for portions of projects already completed. Most importantly, it affords us the opportunity to compete for grants that can help fund much-needed infrastructure projects throughout our city. This stretches the tax-payer’s dollars and our capacity for equity of progress across all of Hattiesburg.
This accomplishment comes through the hard work of our administrative team, led by CAO Ann Jones and CFO Connie Everett, as well as from the support of the entire City Council.”
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Notice of Lifted Suspension from MDOT: