Hill's inventory control lacking

Barring some unforeseen circumstance, Hill Air Force Base appears to have dodged the Base Realignment and Closure Commission's list. Keeping Hill alive has been the base's No. 1 priority, which is as it should be.

While Hill officials have been squarely concerned with that goal, the daily details of running the base have apparently continued to fall off the radar screen. A recent Deseret Morning News investigation has revealed that Hill continues to be plagued with inventory control problems. Literally millions of dollars in computers, tools and recreational equipment is unaccounted for — six years after military audits highlighted the issue.

On top of missing equipment were revelations that some computer equipment had remained boxed and unused past the expiration dates of warranties. Air Force Audit Agency reports obtained by Deseret Morning News reporter Lee Davidson through the Freedom of Information Act request also noted that 18 all-terrain vehicles and 12 snowmobiles had not been included on inventory lists of rental recreational equipment.

As an entity supported by tax dollars, Hill needs to be more accountable to taxpayers. And as one of Utah's largest employers and an entity vulnerable to political pressures, it needs to place a higher value on minding the store. Seemingly, Hill would relish the opportunity to proudly demonstrate to auditors and the general public that it operates a very tight ship.

Hill has altered its inventory control systems to correct some shortcomings identified by auditors six years ago. But many problems persist. "Overall, management actions did not correct the discrepancies identified in the previous audit," inspectors wrote.

Inventory control remains a work in progress. Hill officials say some of the missing equipment has been recovered and work is under way to find the rest. Otherwise, the base is attempting to perform the inventory control work that should have occurred six years ago. Better late than never.

In fairness, all military bases are large bureaucracies. If reporters in other locales scrutinized those installations as doggedly as Davidson does, they would likely discover similar trends. But it's no excuse for not minding one's p's and q's.

Hill has considerable work to do to be considered a responsible steward of its equipment, which is the kind of issue that might pique the interest of a future BRAC commission. Hill should not take its status for granted.