An audit of more than 500 California special funds found most money accurately accounted for and no other instances of problems similar to those in the state parks department, state Finance Director Ana Matosantos said Friday.
State officials ordered the audit after The Bee found that the state parks department had stockpiled $54 million while community groups struggled to find funds to keep parks open.
Finance officials said they'll adopt new procedures to coordinate information between the state finance department and the State Controller's Office.
Beginning with the 2013-14 January budget, they said they will work to reconcile special funds in collaboration with the controller, as they do with the budget's general fund.
Gov. Jerry Brown issued a statement pledging to work with the state Legislature to use additional parks money to keep facilities open and fix some serious maintenance problems.
"The disclosure that the Parks department had millions in additional revenues is mixed--it's better to have more money than less, but it's totally unacceptable for Parks personnel to squirrel away public funds," Brown said. "I extend my deepest appreciation for the donors who have come to the aid of our parks in this time of need. I ask for their patience as we take all necessary steps to make sure this never happens again."
Find the audit overview here.
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