JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Legislative Budget and Audit Committee has approved a Kodiak lawmaker’s request for an audit surrounding repairs to the ferry Tustumena.
Laura Pierre, an aide to the committee’s chair, Sen. Anna Fairclough, says the committee this week approved an audit. But she says if the state sues over how the repairs were done, the audit would be put on hold until the case is resolved.
Rep. Alan Austerman requested that an audit look at the contract award. He wanted a review to determine whether bid specifications were sufficient for procuring the required expertise and for Transportation Department management of the refurbishment.
The Tustumena went into dry-dock in November 2012. It did not return to service until October, following delays, which Austerman said disrupted service to many communities.
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