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City auditor and DGS present fuel‑management follow‑up; department outlines multiple controls and camera roll‑out
Summary
A Department of Audits follow‑up found mixed implementation of prior recommendations on fueling controls. Department of General Services described new standard operating procedures, monthly anomaly reporting, WEX card automation, fuel‑site camera funding and a renewed inspection program.
The Baltimore City Department of Audits presented a follow‑up on Aug. 20 assessing implementation of recommendations from a prior fuel‑inventory and dispensing audit. The audit found one recommendation implemented, two partially implemented and two not implemented for the scope ending May 2025.
City Auditor Josh Pash summarized methods and findings: DGS had developed standard operating procedures and a SharePoint distribution mechanism, but auditors found inconsistent use by agency fleet coordinators and incomplete use of EJ Ward system controls for anomaly detection. Auditors flagged inconsistent reconciliations at fueling sites, incomplete independent review of emergency WEX cards, and a lack of cameras at several manual fueling sites. The audit team also confirmed recovery of $31,878 from two golf courses for fuel payments the city should not have paid.
Acting DGS fleet chief Shanae Williams and deputy chief Atila Birkay responded with a multi‑point implementation plan. DGS said it established a citywide fuel SOP, a monthly fuel “anomaly” report distributed to agencies, routine fleet‑coordinator meetings and an annual conference to reinforce controls. The department described an automated WEX card management workflow to create and deactivate cards and said it will receive weekly separation feeds so DGS can promptly deactivate cards when employees leave.
DGS reported that it has hired a fuel systems specialist and completed July/August recommended site visits. The department said it will fund camera installation at remaining manual fuel sites and provide agency access for incident review. DGS also said it worked with real estate/portfolio staff to verify that remaining fuel sites are on active city‑owned properties.
Auditors and DGS agreed work remains. The board noted the improvements and said it would continue to monitor implementation milestones scheduled through FY27. The department committed to keep prior versions of the SOPs and to log revisions for auditability.
