State Senator Nell Soto (D -- Pomona) and Assemblyman Joe Baca, Jr. (D -- San Bernardino) today called for a performance and financial audit of the regional transit agency Omnitrans.

In a letter to San Bernardino County Auditor/Controller-Recorder Larry Walker, the two Inland Empire lawmakers said revelations in area ewspapers “suggest a recent history of mismanagement” by officials of the county’s mass transit provider.

“We believe there are multiple reasons for auditing the financial and contracting practices of Omnitrans,” the legislators wrote. “We believe such an audit should review contracting and purchasing practices. We also believe that Omnitrans internal management practices need a thorough review.”

Among the issues and events of concern to Soto and Baca:

• A 2003 audit by the Federal Transit Authority which found deficiencies in eight of 23 areas;

• Omnitrans’ commitment to a five-year agreement with Comshare, Inc., that pays Comshare for maintenance of software that either was never installed or has been used infrequently;

• Omnitrans’ decision to pay $216,000 to Firestone for “not-transit” related tires, even though usage of such tires may compromise safety;

• The firing of a contracts manager who questioned Omnitrans contracts.

“In addition,” Soto and Baca wrote, “there are reports that Omnitrans may engage in whistle blower retaliation that may be illegal, or at least threatens the integrity of the public agency.” They noted Omnitrans’ decision to fire Bill Truppe, president of the union representing Omnitrans bus drivers, last November after Truppe criticized the awarding of lucrative contracts as well as the agency’s decision to purchase what appeared to be sub-substandard tires.

The lawmakers believe that the multi-jurisdictional nature of Omnitrans makes accountability at the transit agency difficult. In other words, while the agency’s board of directors is comprised of elected officials from the county and cities, Omnitrans’ structure may actually prevent appropriate oversight from within.

“There are few tools to evaluate if Omnitrans can accomplish its goals at less cost,” Soto and Baca asserted. “In this regard, we request that the County Auditor make recommendations on ways Omnitrans can improve its contracting and procurement practices.