LANSING, MI (AP)-- The state Treasury Department admits it's been six years since it has audited the local use of more than $1 billion in gas taxes and vehicle fees.
The department made the disclosure to the state auditor general, who wanted to know if anyone was watching how cities, villages and county road commissions are spending road money passed down from Lansing.
State law gave that responsibility to the Treasury Department, but no audit has been done since June 2006. A new law now gives the job to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
The local share of gas taxes and other fees is substantial. For example, $600 million went to Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent and Genesee counties in the last three budget years.
