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Charlotte City Council members are expected to vote Monday night on whether to approve partial funding to the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
On Monday afternoon, the CRVA released an audit of its operations -- a full report that city leaders have tried to obtain for several weeks.
The audit highlights problems with the CRVA, which is funded with taxpayers dollars and tasked with bringing outside money into Charlotte.
The report, written by PricewaterhouseCoopers, states that the CRVA is dealing with a "crisis of credibility."
PDF: PWC CRVA Summary
Some Council members said the audit doesn't dig far enough into CRVA's operations and possible shortcomings. Others said it's a step in the right direction.
"I think they've heard our concerns and they're trying to figure out how to address them," City Council member Michael Barnes said.
Barnes said he's optimistic that the CRVA is taking the right steps forward by releasing the report.
The CRVA has been criticized for bonuses the CIAA gave one of its executives. In regards to the bonuses, the report states that "no improprieties are evident" but requested that "future payments be more clearly documented."
CRVA also came under fire for money CEO Tim Newman spent on clients and public officials, including thousands of dollars on New York Yankees tickets. The report states employees need to review the policy on expenses so that they get "a clear understanding of items or amounts that are considered extraordinary in nature and/or cost and should be either prohibited or restricted."
"It's always good to track the money, to know where the money's going, where it's coming from," Barnes said.
"Do you think they could have done that better?" Eyewitness News asked.
"Yes," Barnes said, "and I think they've acknowledged that."
The CRVA also released an action plan Monday referencing areas for improvement.
The plan was requested by Charlotte's mayor Anthony Foxx and seven City Council members who drafted a letter Friday asking for more transparency.
Eyewitness News discovered city leaders sent the letter to CRVA Chairman Joe Hallow, asking for a written plan on how the CRVA will improve operations, financial controls, personnel issues, board engagement and accountability.
The letter also states that the City Council is willing to approve up to $2.5 million to allow the CRVA to keep operating through July. That is just a portion of the $10 million the CRVA requested to operate for the upcoming year.
Barnes said in the next few weeks, the City Council will want to hear concrete steps so it can decide on CRVA funding for the rest of the year.
Previous Stories: June 8, 2011: CRVA Released Final Report On Controversial Spending May 9, 2011: CRVA Expenses Included Lavish Dinner, Sporting Tickets April 18, 2011: CRVA Plans Independent Audit After Controversial Bonuses April 15, 2011: Memo Released, CRVA Bonus To Executive Still Questioned