Mayor Karl Dean called for the hiring of an independent auditor to conduct a full review of the more than $450,000 Metro has spent on communications for the proposed convention center project.
Dean also announced Monday the auditor would conduct a “sample review” of all predevelopment spending so far by the Metro Development and Housing Agency. So far Metro has spent $16 million on predevelopment activities for the proposed Music City Center project.
The mayor’s office said the independent audit — which was first called for by District 6 Metro Councilman Mike Jameson on Aug. 6 — would be in addition to action already taken by the finance department on the matter.
According to the mayor’s office, Metro Finance has already requested a full review of all contracts, amendments and payments to date; requested a list of unpaid invoices; requested that MDHA return $1.6 million advanced for August invoices; and begun working to identify and assign workers to oversee and control all future spending until transitioned to the staff of the proposed Convention Center Authority.
Metro has its own internal audit department, but the audit will be conducted by an outside firm that has not yet been hired.