Sound Transit appoints acting CEO; receives clean audit for use of federal funds

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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The Sound Transit Board officially designated Sound Transit Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mike Harbour as acting CEO as Joni Earl continues her medical leave. Harbour has been deputy CEO since October, 2012.

 

“As Joni recovers, she has the Sound Transit Board’s strong support,” said Sound Transit Board Chair and King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Mike Harbour has our complete confidence in this role to keep Sound Transit on track to serve our region’s commuters.”

Harbour said, “We are very well positioned to continue making critical investments in the region’s transportation system. I am honored to step into this role until Joni returns and want to relay her appreciation for our support as she recovers.”

Upcoming priorities include preparing to launch construction of the East Link light-rail extension in 2015 and opening of University Link in early 2016, which is six to nine months ahead of schedule and about $150 million under budget.

Additionally, Sound Transit has received its 20th clean annual audit of how the agency manages and spends federal funds. Known as an A-133 audit, or Single Audit, the agency has had no material weakness findings since the agency began soliciting the audits in 1994.

The results for the 2013 Single Audit were presented to the Sound Transit Audit and Reporting committee; the audit was conducted by the independent audit firm, KPMG.

These type of audits include an examination of a recipient’s financial records, financial statements, federal award transactions and expenditures, the general management of its operations, internal control systems and federal assistance it received during the audit.
Sound Transit received about $147 million in federal funds in 2013.

 

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