Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin asked for an audit last week of the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum after three lawmakers opposed to a state bond issue for the facility called for the oversight.
Fallin said the audit of the Native American Cultural and Education Authority should include the effectiveness of the management of the museum and whether expenditures by the administration complied with state laws and regulations.
Authority director Blake Wade said he welcomed the audit by state inspector Gary Jones.
Wade said the oversight would smooth the way for completion of the facility, which was to have opened in 2007.
The authority is a state agency.
The project has received the proceeds from $63 million of state bonds, but lawmakers in 2011 rejected a proposal for an additional $40 million of bonds.
The proceeds would have been matched with $40 million of private donations.
Oklahoma City has pledged $9 million to completing the project, but only if the state provides the requested $40 million.
Fallin said the state could either shutter the uncompleted facility for $500,000 a year, or complete it.
The problem is the result of years of incomplete funding from the state, she said.
“A lot of people have the misconception that it is an Indian tribe facility,” Fallin said at a meeting of the Edmond Chamber of Commerce. “It is a state agency museum facility.”
The museum is expected to cost a total of $171.5 million.
“I think it would be embarrassing if we didn’t finish it,” Fallin said. “That’s not good business.”
