Follow-Up of Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Bus Pass Inventory and Revenue, December 2017

4 | A u d i t o f S C A T B u s P a s s I n v e n t o r y a n d R e v e n u e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 6 Additionally, a discounted 30-day pass (Liberty Pass) is offered for $8.00 to citizens who meet certain eligibility requirements. (Compliance with the requirements of the Liberty Pass program is the objective of a separate audit and results of that audit can be found on the Clerk’s website at www.SarasotaClerk.com/ComptrollerServices/Internal A udit.) Bus passes can be purchased from SCAT Administration and the Downtown transfer station as well as various third party agencies throughout the county. Eight of these third party agencies sell bus passes on a consignment basis. In fiscal year 2015, SCAT records indicate that passengers took 2,738,270 trips, averaging approximately 52,659 trips per week. The County financial records reflect revenue of $1,690,572 for fares collected for that year. Objectives, Scope and Methodology The objectives of this audit were to determine if SCAT’s internal controls related to bus pass inventory and related revenue are operating effectively and if they are in compliance with applicable policies and procedures. The scope of the audit included the time period of January 1, 2015, through December 31, 2015. To meet the objectives of the audit, the procedures performed included, but were not limited to, the following:  Conducted inquires of management and staff of the SCAT Administration Department.  Reviewed processes for managing bus pass inventory.  Evaluated internal controls related to the segregation of duties and safeguarding of the County’s assets; specifically for bus pass inventory and related receipts.  Reviewed procedures for reconciling bus pass revenue to receipts and bus pass inventory.  Performed a three-year trend analysis for bus pass revenue.  Evaluated processes for providing bus passes to third parties on a consignment basis.  Reviewed for compliance with County Resolution 2011-167.  Identified opportunities for improvement.