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| Thompson Audit: Department of Environmental Protection Reimbursable Metering Program in good Standing
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Audit “The accurate issuing and depletion of the RMP credits are essential in ensuring residential homes have properly installed water meters and water meter equipment,” said Thompson. “In addition it guarantees the City is receiving the appropriate funds and not short changing property owners.” The audit – that can be read at www.comptroller.nyc.gov – covered Fiscal Year 2006. It determined that DEP issues and depletes RMP credits in accordance with RMP guidelines, and applications for refunds and reimbursements were properly processed and posted to customer accounts. Findings also show that in Fiscal Year 2006, DEP issued at least 618 RMP credits totaling $601,545. The Reimbursable Metering Program was introduced in the early 1990’s when the DEP was authorized to require the installation of water meters. The programs allows owners of residential properties to choose their own Licensed Master Plumber to install water meters and automatic meter reading (AMR) equipment, rather than a plumber assigned by the DEP. The RMP unit then issues credits, ranging from $450 to $4,700, to the property owner’s account, that are applied to outstanding and future water and sewer bills unless a reimbursement is requested. Since its inception, more than 16,000 meters have been installed under this program. The audit noted a few minor weaknesses noting that DEP needs improvement of internal controls because one person is responsible for reviewing, approving, and posting credits. The individual’s work is not reviewed nor is the individual required to periodically inform management of the dollar amount of credits approved, Thompson said. However, Thompson noted that these findings did not detract from the overall positive finding regarding the controls in place to issue and deplete RMP credits. The audit made three recommendations based on those findings. DEP agreed with the recommendations and indicated it already has taken steps to address them.#### |
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