“How did it get so late so soon?”

I recalled the above Dr. Seuss’ quote when I suddenly realized today marked the 23^rd week since the City Council awarded a "14-week" contract to Matrix Consultants to perform an independent audit of the Kyle Police Department. Before Spectrum, my anything-but-efficient internet provider, threw a wrench into its e-mail system Sunday night making it impossible to sign in to read or send e-mail (as of an hour ago, the wrench has yet to be removed), I managed to dash off a "what gives?" plea to city leaders. Today I received the following response from City Manager Scott Sellers:

"… the time has drug out longer than initially estimated. We asked the consultant to do a little more work during subsequent visits that took them more time. This work did not increase the budget" (translation: work they should have done as a matter of course, but failed to do).

"This said," Sellers continued, "we received the draft last Thursday and are in the process of reviewing it now. It will definitely be made public as soon as we get the final draft, which, hopefully, will be in the next several weeks" (translation: this could take twice as long as was originally scheduled).

However, all will be forgiven if the audit answers one simple question: "Are taxpayers getting the best bang for their bucks?" The real purpose of an audit like this is to determine if the department being audited is spending tax funds judiciously, efficiently, economically, without any waste — spending the funds we pay in taxes in a manner to obtain the highest possible value for its constituents.

I have absolutely no reason to believe the audit will reveal anything nefarious or even slightly out of whack. But even if it just makes some suggestions for additional operational efficiencies, it will have been well worth the time, effort and expense.