'Bigger mess than I thought': Sitting down with N.C. State Auditor Dave Boliek

Our guest this week is new State Auditor Dave Boliek. His job is to look at state and local entities and audit them to make sure tax dollars are being spent in the way the General Assembly appropriates them.

The state auditor’s primary goals include covering a financial audit, economy and efficiency audit and program result audit.

The Republican joins host Tim Boyum to discuss the position and high-profile issues he plans to tackle, including the DMV, elections and the Department of Government Efficiency.

One of the key questions he’s trying to answer — Where does the money flow?

“You can’t simplify hard data but so much,“ he said. “But also people want the auditor to get in the weeds.”

He’s also been focused on appropriating Helene dollars, with no additional cost to the taxpayer, via a dashboard for North Carolina residents. He told Tim so far, so good on Helene spending.

One area of concern he shared, though, was the DMV. 

“I’m just going to be blunt, it’s going to be a bigger mess than I thought, even I thought,” he said. “We’re moving as quickly as we can.”

He added more solid data is still needed before recommendations can be made, saying he doesn’t want to shoot from the hip. This, as lines are backed up ahead of the Real ID deadline.

Later we get to know him better by discovering his tastes in music, TV and relaxation.