A performance audit published August 26 revealed significant gaps in Salt Lake County’s oversight of the Discovery Gateway Agreement. The report, issued by the Office of the Auditor, identified six findings and 17 recommendations to strengthen contract administration, maintenance documentation, and reporting processes.
The audit, which covered the period from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2024, identified two high-risk findings regarding preventive maintenance scheduling and facility condition reporting. While no instances of fraud, waste, or abuse were found, auditors noted that formal processes have not kept pace with how the long-standing agreement operates.
Regarding preventive maintenance, only 36% of the 116 required activities were completed as required. The audit found that 30 activities were not scheduled, 22 were scheduled but canceled without work being performed, and 11 could not be confirmed due to missing documentation. Several unscheduled activities involved life-safety systems, including fire alarms, smoke detectors, and elevator inspections.
Facility condition reporting also showed significant delays. Of the seven quarterly reports reviewed, only one arrived by the deadline, while others were between three and 387 days late. Additionally, a required independent audit report arrived 79 days after completion, exceeding the 30-day limit set by the agreement. The most recent facility condition assessment was conducted in 2017, limiting visibility into current asset conditions and future capital needs.
The audit also identified opportunities to improve work order oversight and conflict-of-interest documentation. While no conflicts of interest were identified, auditors recommended a routine process to document periodic reviews to ensure transparency. Furthermore, the audit noted that the agreement lacks performance measures or specific processes for resolving identified problems.
Facilities Management and Community Services agreed with all 17 audit recommendations. Agencies outlined corrective actions, including establishing clear accountability for preventive maintenance, implementing annual verification processes, and completing a new facility condition assessment in 2026.
