Due to the achievements of the Central Data Processing Authority and its management team, Mississippi has achieved the original and additional legislative goals and intent which prompted the creation of the agency. Mississippi government has not experienced overcapacity and excessive cost problems in data processing to the extent experienced in some other states or the private sector. However, CDPA needs to correct deficiencies which hinder its effectiveness, efficiency, and total statutory compliance. CDPA project tracking procedures do not capture the management information needed to establish performance criteria and evaluate staff performance. The Authority also excludes some interested parties from its rulemaking process; overcharges State Computer Center clients in order to fund agency overhead costs; and permits some CDPA staff members who are paid as Jackson State University instructors to teach in the Education Institute during CDPA-paid work time. With the exception of the recommendation relative to the Education Institute, CDPA concurred with the recommendations contained in this report.
For a paper copy of this report, contact PEER by telephone at 601-359-1226 or by e-mail at reports@peer.ms.gov.