AUDIT COMMITTEE SUMMARY
December 11, 2018
Audit of the Office of Historic Preservation Vacant Building Program
Report Issued November 29, 2018
Audit Objective
Determine if controls for the Vacant Building Program are adequate and effectively monitored.
Background
The Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) is responsible for the historic preservation program of the City of San Antonio. The department also administers the Vacant Building Registration Program (program) and provides resources such as consulting services for applicants regarding proposed rehabilitation, new construction, and other projects concerning historic properties.
In June of 2014, City Council adopted the Vacant Building Registration Program. The program was created through the Office of Historic Preservation in collaboration with other departments. The goal of the program is to ensure that vacant buildings within 112 square miles of the program area are maintained in good condition to a minimum standard of care to minimize the negative impacts that these buildings have on the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
The program consists of 4 staff members who are responsible for the identification, registration, and monitoring of vacant buildings. The staff also monitors registered properties to encourage the maintenance of standard of care requirements. Vacant property owners have 90 days to register from the date that written notice is issued accompanied with action plans to address identified standards of care requirements. Fees are assessed for registration, inspection, and fines.
Audit Scope and Methodology
The audit scope consisted of the vacant property registration process from fiscal year 2017 through May 24, 2018. We reviewed newly identified properties to determine if properties were properly vetted for inclusion in the program. In addition, we examined registered properties to determine if properties were properly registered, supported, and appropriate fees were ass...
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