As promised by Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani, the port has posted a detailed Audit Response Action Plan on its Website.

The plan, posted on the site's newly developed Accountability section, outlines how the Port will respond to each of the 51 recommendations contained in a recent performance audit report by the State Auditors Office.

"I've said many times that I am committed to using the results of the performance audit to build a more efficient, effective port," said Yoshitani. "As we move forward, we will use this roadmap to make the changes we need to make as quickly as we can.

"I am very pleased that some action items are already completed and others have deadlines as soon as March or April. The Port must make these changes soon as we continue to focus on our mission of creating economic vitality for our region."

Yoshitani acknowledged that the public served by the port "will hold us accountable to the promises we make in this action plan. I welcome that oversight."

Port Commission President John Creighton noted they have "taken several steps recently in response to the audit, including strengthening our oversight, delaying projects until contract reforms are in place, and establishing an independent fraud investigation.

"I am pleased that the staff has developed such a detailed plan and that many concrete steps have already been taken," Creighton said. "I look forward to the time when each item on the list can be marked complete."

The action plan provides specific information, including:

What the auditor's report recommended.

Changes the Port plans to implement.

Immediate and long-term action steps.

Status of and estimated date of completion for each item.

Staff member or department accountable for its completion.

The plan will be updated regularly.

It can be accessed at www.portseattle.org/news/Accountability.shtml.