The Rundown with Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit

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Evaluating SOFTwarfare, LLC’s Use of Building a Stronger Economy (BASE) 1.0 Grant Funding (Limited-Scope) Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

The Building a Stronger Economy 1.0 grant program (or BASE 1.0 grant program) awarded almost $100 million in federal funds to Kansas businesses for infrastructure development. The Department of Commerce awarded SOFTwarfare a BASE 1.0 grant in April 2022 to build a data center in Great Bend, Kansas. SOFTwarfare’s grant agreement allowed them to use grant funds for construction and equipment costs and matching funds for permitting, inspection, and administrative costs. As of September 30, 2024, SOFTwarfare spent grant funds and matching contributions on the types of items allowed in the award agreement. Some of the expenditures differed from the specifics in the award agreement but Commerce staff accepted the deviations. However, SOFTwarfare didn’t spend all the grant funds by July 6, 2024 as the contract required and Commerce officials did not proactively adjust the deadline.

Evaluating the State's Water Systems and Wastewater Treatment Operator Certification Program (Limited-Scope) [February 2025] Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In Kansas, state law requires that all water supply systems and wastewater treatment facilities are supervised by a certified water operator. Kansas Department of Health and Environment is responsible for administering Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment Operator certifications, which include certifying examinations. Within both certification programs, operators can be certified at five different classes: Small Systems (“base level”), Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4. Kansas regulations require that KDHE administers certification exams at least twice annually, which it does. Between calendar years 2022 and 2024, only about half of individuals passed their Water Supply or Wastewater Treatment Operator examinations. Those taking the Small Systems exams in either program had higher pass rates. KDHE officials think low pass rates are largely due to examinees not adequately preparing for the exam, but don’t indicate poor exam quality. Although the contents of the exams have not changed much over time, KDHE does look for ways to improve them.

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