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Audit flags missing museum receipts and change‑fund weaknesses at state parks; agency installs POS system
Summary
Legislative auditors reported $3,500 missing from a museum rental program at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, a $100 missing camping drawer at Daisy State Park and an $80 overage at War Memorial Stadium; Parks officials said they have implemented a point‑of‑sale/reservation system and action plans and the prosecuting attorney's office is awaiting additional information.
Auditors reported two findings in the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism FY2024 audit: missing receipts at a museum and exceptions in change‑fund accounting at parks and the War Memorial Stadium.
Mr. Bullington told the committee the department "notified us in April 2024 of the loss of receipts totaling almost $3,500 from 1 of its museums." Agency representatives identified the museum as the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and said an employee was terminated; at the time of the report no criminal charges had been filed. Auditors said the finding was referred to the prosecuting attorney and the Attorney General and was "certified to the Bond Board." Committee members pressed the agency on why the statute of limitations had run while investigators awaited a subpoena; Secretary Shay Lewis said the prosecutor requested additional information and that agency staff had been asked for documents, and that the department can follow up with the prosecutor's office.
The audit's second finding noted change‑fund issues: auditors could not locate $100 in a camping drawer at Daisy State Park and found an $80 overage at War Memorial Stadium. Agency CFO Jamie Fisher and Secretary Lewis told the committee the War Memorial account is unique because it combines an on‑site cash pool and a bank balance that fluctuates with large events; the overage was recorded after a Razorback game when cash on hand was unusually high. Lewis said the department has implemented a point‑of‑sale and reservation system to improve tracking and central oversight.
Committee members recommended personnel and administrative fixes and asked whether the department could withhold a final paycheck from employees fired for absconding with funds; agency representatives said such a rule might require action by DFNA or the Office of Personnel Management and that they would follow up. Auditors reported they contacted Will Jones' office (Pulaski County Prosecutor), which said the investigation remained active and had requested additional agency information as recently as November '25.
The committee deferred further action to its next meeting to let the prosecutorial inquiry and agency follow‑up proceed.
