A screenshot of EEP's new Financial Dashboard designed to increase transparency of program finances
Improving Financial Transparency As an outgrowth of a University of North Carolina School of Government report on EEP operations in May 2010 that evaluated EEP mitigation procurement methods, EEP has taken significant strides towards increasing transparency, especially as it relates to program finances. All data related to receipts and contract awards are available in summary and detailed form through EEP’s web portal. Visitors may browse the information or download data and conduct individualized analyses. EEP intends to continue to add new features to its web portal to continuously improve information-sharing with interested parties.
Expediting Contracts and Amendments Also related to the UNC School of Government report, and as part of ongoing collaboration with private-sector partners, EEP has worked to reduce processing times for contracts and contract amendments to increase the production and efficiency of contract administration. As a result of this initiative, overall processing time for contract administration has been reduced by an average of 35 days. EEP is continuing to work with the N.C. Department of Administration and the NCDENR Division of Purchase and Services to improve current procedures and develop new procurement methods that better serve the program’s outsourcing needs.
Bank Programming Initiative In the fall of 2010, EEP initiated an effort focused on more deliberately seeking to purchase available mitigation-bank credits to satisfy mitigation requirements for which EEP is responsible. As part of this effort, EEP surveyed private companies involved with the development and establishment of mitigation banks on the type and location of available mitigation credits. This information is considered when EEP is determining the best approach to securing credits from the private sector to satisfy state and federal mitigation requirements.
8
ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
2010-11 ANNUAL REPORT