DASH overspent its budget by $3.7 million. A spreadsheet error hid it for months.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — DASH ended its last fiscal year about $3.7 million over budget, roughly 10% of its operating budget, and did not know until after the year had closed.

The reason, officials told the transit system's board at a public meeting on Sept. 9, was a $3.2 million placeholder entry left in a spreadsheet. It made DASH's internal reports show a nearly balanced budget while the money was being spent.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins has declined a request from the board's chair to postpone next Wednesday's joint work session with City Council.

"Our community deserves a clear explanation of how this happened, why the shortfall wasn't identified sooner, and what steps will be taken to ensure this never happens again," Gaskins said in a statement to The Alexandria Brief. "That is precisely why I have declined to postpone the upcoming work session with the DASH board."