Lawmaker questions why DOT uses more expensive consultants instead of its own employees

Talk about it

A state lawmaker says the transportation secretary is dodging questions about why the Department of Transportation hires consultants for engineering work, when it’s cheaper to use its own employees.

Secretary Frank Busalacchi was a no-show Wednesday at a hearing of the Legislature’s Audit Committee.

It wanted to know why the DOT hired engineering consultants for 125 highway projects in just over a year.

An audit said it would have been $1.2 million cheaper to use the department’s own employees.

The agency sent mid-level employee Rory Rhinesmith to the hearing. And when he was asked about the consultants, he said only Busalacchi could answer that.

He said the secretary and deputy Ruben Anthony did not attend because they thought the hearing would focus on more technical issues, like testing concrete. The DOT’s Chris Klein said Busalacchi was meeting with Milwaukee officials Wednesday, and could not immediately comment.

Audit committee member Mark Pocan of Madison called the secretary’s absence “unacceptable,” and it looked like Busalacchi and his top aides were trying to “duck” something.

Committee co-chairman Peter Barca of Kenosha said he would hold another hearing and have the secretary attend. In the past, the DOT has said consultants are vital for managing road projects.

Tags: department of transportation, wisconsin, engineering, consultants