Broward inspector general can watch hospital district
The current disclosures concerning the North Broward Hospital District (Broward Health) cry out not just for an in-depth investigation but also for some radically new form of oversight in the immediate future.
We continue to read about the state inspector general, who is investigating; but he is a political appointee who does the governor’s bidding, and Gov. Rick Scott’s actions thus far are confusing, to say the least.
However, there exists an officer and agency right here in our county that iswell-equipped to do the job. I speak of the Broward Office of the Inspector General. Over the almost five years of its existence, that office has brought about significant improvement to the bidding and purchasing processes in the county and in our 31 municipalities. Further, it has provided needed ethics oversight and training for the officeholders of those political entities.
One reason for these successes is that the Broward inspector general is armed with subpoena power and employs a staff of specially trained investigators and forensic accountants, who can and do spend the time necessary to pursue and ferret out illegal, unethical and grossly negligent activities.
Consider the alternatives: Broward’s prosecutors, confronted with ever-mounting burglaries, robberies and the like, have neither the time nor the resources to investigate financial matters involving bids, purchasing and contracts; the governor, having appointed the members of the district board, is unlikely to look below the surface; and the board itself as the investigating authority would be like having the fox guard the proverbial chicken coop— even if it did go through the motions by hiring an outside lawfirm.
At our Oversight Committee’s public hearing last year to consider whether to reappoint Inspector General John Scott (no relation to the governor) to another four-year term, no less a force than the Broward League of Cities— initially skeptical and somewhat antagonistic toward him— gave him good marks for his overall performance. Hewas reappointed by unanimous vote.
The Florida Legislature should consider enacting a lawgiving the Broward inspector general the necessary jurisdiction to oversee the district’s financial activities and contracts. Unfortunately, the present composition of that legislative body makes such legislation highly unlikely.
Philip Shailer is chairman of the Broward County Inspector General Selection and Oversight Committee.