Editorial: Preventing additional mistakes

Monday, Dec. 18, 2000 | 10:09 a.m.

The state Legislative Commission did the right thing last Monday when it ordered an audit to determine what has gone wrong during the construction of UNLV's Lied Library, which not only is behind schedule but also has had some cost overruns. The Legislative Commission, which conducts business for the Nevada Legislature when it's not in session, clearly was troubled by the problems that have beset the library.

Sun reporter Cy Ryan catalogued some of the library's shortcomings in a Tuesday story. The state Public Works Board, which has overseen the project that was supposed to total $58.2 million ($43.2 million came from the state and about $15 million came from the Lied Foundation), has had to transfer more than $500,000 from its furnishing and equipment budget to instead fund additional construction. Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, also said subcontractors have filed about $4.3 million in claims against the contractor, and another $1.3 million in claims could occur as well.

The Legislature's audit not only will look at what went wrong, but it also will suggest ways such problems can be avoided in the future. In light of the huge population growth in this state over the past decade, and no serious letup in sight, there will continue to be a need for more government buildings. So a thorough analysis should help prevent other public administrators from making the same mistakes. Money available to legislators to fund big public-works projects is tight, so that means every dollar -- more than ever -- should be spent wisely, enabling enough funds to go around for other worthy projects.