07-R248

2007 -- S 0182 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 05/15/07

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR GENERAL TO PERFORM A PROACTIVE FORENSIC

AUDIT ON THE SEWER CHARGES ASSESSED BY THE WARWICK SEWER

AUTHORITY

Introduced By: Senators McCaffrey, and Walaska

Date Introduced: January 31, 2007

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island General Law 45-14-1 authorizes each city and town, or any

agency of a city or town, to enact ordinances assessing users of sewers or sewer systems of the

cities and towns, a charge for the use of the sewers or sewer systems; and

     WHEREAS, All revenue derived from the assessment of charges authorized by the

provisions of chapter 45-14 of the general laws "shall be expended only for the maintenance,

repair, replacement, expansion or operation of the sewer system and sewage disposal or treatment

works of the cities and towns, and/or for the payment of charges made against the cities and

towns for the disposal and/or treatment of their sewage"; and

     WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised about the reasonableness of sewer charge

increases and efficient use of the funds collected by the Warwick Sewer Authority; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby respectfully requests the Rhode Island Auditor General to perform a proactive forensic

audit on the sewer charges assessed by the Warwick Sewer Authority in order to determine or

identify: 1) compliance with Rhode Island General Laws governing the assessment of sewer

charges; 2) possible risks arising out of fraud or misappropriation of sewer charges; and 3)

efficiencies that could be implemented statewide that will provide assurances to sewer users that

charges are expended in a reasonable way; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Rhode Island Auditor General shall provide a summary report of

the audit and its findings by January 1, 2008 to the Governor, Senate President and Speaker of the

House; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Auditor General Ernest A. Almonte.

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LC00745/SUB A

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