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Residents press PSA billing concerns as county readies forensic-audit scope
Summary
Business owners and residents accused the Russell County Public Service Authority (PSA) of billing inconsistently and of failing to deposit solid-waste fees into the county's designated special fund. The board approved forming a committee to draft a forensic-audit RFP to scope potential further review of PSA finances and county transactions.
Multiple residents used the citizens'comment period to press the Russell County Board of Supervisors about billing and accounting for solid-waste fees charged by the Russell County PSA.
Jason Owens, a Lebanon small-business owner, told the board he believes he has been billed by the PSA for services already paid to the Town of Lebanon and said he had been denied an exemption after submitting documentation. "I feel as if I'm being billed and paying Russell County PSA for a service that's not being provided," Owens said.
David Miller, another resident who addressed the board, said PSA collections did not appear to be recorded in the county's designated special solid-waste fund as the ordinance requires. Miller cited figures stated in the PSA's reporting and asked when and how a governing body had approved the PSA retaining 100% of those funds. "Where's the money?" Miller asked; he urged the board either to enforce the ordinance or repeal it.
In response, the county attorney and county administrator noted that a Russell County Solid Waste Disposal Fee Ordinance draft has been prepared and will be set for a public hearing in August, giving the public an opportunity to comment on fee collection and accounting. Separately, the county administrator announced plans to issue a Request for Proposals for Russell County forensic-audit services. He said a three-member committee (Nate Kiser, Steve Brady and the chair) would be appointed to define the forensic audit's scope and recommend how to fund it; the board accepted those appointments.
Board members said the forensic-audit RFP would be drafted to clarify financial transactions and address resident concerns about fund allocation but emphasized that the RFP scope and funding must be approved before contracting.
The board did not take final action on the solid-waste ordinance tonight; it directed staff to advertise the proposed ordinance and to schedule the public hearing for the August meeting.
