Postal Service Board of Governors' Travel and Miscellaneous Expenses for Fiscal Year 2016
Background
The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, as amended, established the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors (Board), which is generally composed of the Postmaster General, deputy postmaster general, and nine governors appointed by the president of the United States. As of September 30, 2016, the Board consisted of the Postmaster General, the deputy postmaster general, and one governor.
The Board directs and controls the expenditures of the U.S. Postal Service, reviews its practices and policies, and establishes objectives and goals in accordance with Title 39 of the U.S. Code.
On July 8, 1986, the Board passed Resolution Number 86- 12, which requires annual audits of the Board’s travel and miscellaneous expenses.
The Board is required by law to have a quorum of six members in order to take certain actions. In November 2014, while the Board still had a quorum, it issued a resolution that established a committee to exercise certain powers when the Board is unable to assemble a quorum. The committee consists of the remaining members of the Board and exercises powers necessary for operational continuity.
In December 2016, the term of the remaining governor will expire, and the committee will consist only of the Postmaster General and deputy postmaster general.
Our objective was to determine whether the travel and miscellaneous expenses of the Board, including external professional fees, were properly supported, reasonable, and complied with Postal Service and Board policies.
What the OIG Found
Fiscal year 2016 travel and miscellaneous expenses totaling about $33,000 and external professional fees totaling about $140,000 were properly supported, reasonable, and complied with Postal Service and Board policies.
What the OIG Recommended
Based on the audit results, we did not make any recommendations.