A state audit shows 20% of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff who made purchases with state-issued credit cards failed to meet proper deadlines, racking up late-payment fees. The cards may be used for buying office supplies, uniforms and other items for the facilities maintained by the Department of Natural Resources.

More than 500 cards were in use during the period the audit reviewed, accounting for more than one-point-eight million dollars worth of state government purchases. However, 106 of the cardholders in the agency had not submitted the proper paperwork to the central office on time.

 According to the auditor’s report, some D.N.R. staff submitted reports a month late, while others were up to 14 months late with the proper paperwork.

Agency officials say they’re training staff to do a better job. The state audit report recommends quick action to resolve “past due” accounts “as soon as possible.” Once that’s done, the audit recommends revoking cards for D.N.R. staff who fail to meet the proper deadlines.

See the full audit here: DOT audit PDF