Chattanooga Audit of EPB Reveals 1.2 Million in Overages
Chattanooga City auditor Stan Sewell says EPB’s billing for street light energy use was about $1.2 million too high since 2007.
It’s among the latest findings after a series of audits to determine just how much money EPB owes Chattanooga..
The utility company hired outside firm Mauldin Jenkins to conduct their audit in July, who found they over billed the city $1.5 million.
Although it’s a lot of money, Sewell said he Didn’t have a reason to suspect fraud.
"I cannot see where there would necessarily be, at least not where I’m aware of, where any individual on the board of EPB or an employee of EPB would benefit personally from the erroneous billings for street lights," said Sewell.
Councilman Larry Grohn says this has been a long process that they’re ready to resolve.
"I think it’s time for us to continue to work and get a settlement accomplished, put this item to bed, learn from the issue," Grohn said.
Joe Ferguson, EPB Board Chairman said that is exactly what EPB has done and they’re correcting their mistakes.
"We’ve determined what the problems were in accounting and classifying and new procedures are in place at EPB to take care of that process," said Ferguson.
It’s among the latest findings after a series of audits to determine just how much money EPB owes Chattanooga..
The utility company hired outside firm Mauldin Jenkins to conduct their audit in July, who found they over billed the city $1.5 million.
Although it’s a lot of money, Sewell said he Didn’t have a reason to suspect fraud.
"I cannot see where there would necessarily be, at least not where I’m aware of, where any individual on the board of EPB or an employee of EPB would benefit personally from the erroneous billings for street lights," said Sewell.
Councilman Larry Grohn says this has been a long process that they’re ready to resolve.
"I think it’s time for us to continue to work and get a settlement accomplished, put this item to bed, learn from the issue," Grohn said.
Joe Ferguson, EPB Board Chairman said that is exactly what EPB has done and they’re correcting their mistakes.
"We’ve determined what the problems were in accounting and classifying and new procedures are in place at EPB to take care of that process," said Ferguson.
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