Report of the State Auditor 1993

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18 Water Conservation Board Construction Fund Performance Audit-February 1993 cannot demonstrate that Construction Fund monies are being used effectively without a comprehensive plan. The projects financed mayor may not be the most important ones. We recognize the Board's expertise in the area of water resources. Also, projects helped by the Board have benefited different areas of the State. However, the Board needs to ensure that Construction Fund monies are directed to those projects that provide the greatest overall benefit. Currently, projects financed mayor may not be the most important ones. , Recommendation No.1: The Board should develop a formal, systematic program or process which provides a long- and short-term framework for the use of the Construction Fund consistent, with the broader Departmental plan. This process should: a. Identify critical water issues and develop broad policy statements. b. Establish goals and implementation plans to meet those goals. c. Develop performance measures which monitor the effectiveness of the activities sponsored through the Construction Fund. Colorado Water Conservation Board Response: Agree. The CWCB has already begun the process of developing this program and procedure, which will include an opportunity for public comment, the establishment of Board policies for the use of construction fund monies, and the setting of goals and performance measures to assure that the goals are being achieved. While fiscal pressures on state government have increased, the complexity of developing Colorado' s interstate entitlements to water resources and the competition for scarce water developmen~ funds have also increased. The eWCB agrees that more sophisticated management guidelines are needed to assure the Construction Fund resources continue to be directed to Colorado's most important water resources protection and development priorities.