"In golf as in life it is the follow through that makes the difference."
- Anonymous
A board created by state lawmakers more than a decade ago has not followed through with its mission, according to findings by State Auditor Nicole Galloway.
The Missouri Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board is operating at a "sub-par level," an audit determined, and is unable to meet its statutorily required duties.
Specifically, the audit cited board vacancies and failures in proper tracking of board documents and archives, resulting in missing records.
The board was created by lawmakers in 2004 to provide input to state agencies on rules adversely affecting small businesses. The law provides the board will receive support from the state Department of Economic Development.
The auditor's findings were welcomed by the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a first step in revitalizing the board's mission.
The state chamber referenced a survey that found only 16 percent of Missouri business leaders said they were satisfied with how the state regulates businesses.
Daniel P. Mehan, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber, said: "The Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board is a powerful tool that can help solve this problem and make sure our state is respecting our most important source of new job creation. We welcome the state auditor's work to investigate the board's current state and we hope this action spurs new activity to protect our vital small businesses."
Creating a board does not solve a problem unless the manpower and resources are provided to follow through.
Similarly, an audit may identify problems, but does not solve them.
Credit Galloway with following through to the extent of her authority. As a result of the findings, she announced her office will conduct an independent audit of the board and make recommendations for improvement.
Responsibility then will be transferred to other entities to follow through and elevate the board's sub-par performance.