[mrjin]

If you interpret it from a different angle, it would be much clearer.

1. Those made the decisions are smart, really really smart people. If they were dumb, there is no way they can get to where they are now. So if the decisions look questionable, they probably are indeed questionable. But that does not mean they made a mistake. Smart people don't do obvious stupid moves, if they do, there must be some reasons we don't know.

2. If the budget is not used, at best it lapses or worse will be used by someone else. So do whatever they can if they have nothing better to do with it.

3. If you do something for someone-else with someone-else's money, neither the price nor the quality would be much of your concern.

4. After handling meat, you know, there is oil on your hands.

Put all that together...