Five months after the report was released, the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. has finally adopted, but with exceptions, the findings contained of the Office of the Public Auditor’s travel audit.
But CUC said the $87,800 spent by utilities officials during off-island travels between Oct. 1999 and March 2001 should not be considered overpayments.
CUC board members said the agency’s earlier travel policy allowed the purchase of business and first class airline tickets.
Edward C. Sablan, chairman of the CUC board, said the board deferred the adoption of the audit report during the last meeting due to the incomplete dissemination of the findings among the members.
“I am confident that we have all been given copies of it and that we agreed with the exceptions cited and the recommendations proposed for a more efficient expenditure of CUC’s funds,” Sablan said.
CUC officials earlier said they would not pay back the $87,800, but assured that they would comply with the new CUC travel policy that specifically requires all utilities board members and employees to buy economy or coach class airline tickets in their travels to comply with the law and with OPA’s recommendations.
Customer billing, disputes
During the meeting, CUC board members also adopted the final version of the “Regulations Regarding Customer Billing and Disputes.”
Sablan said the adoption of this policy “is part of CUC’s continuing efforts to streamline and update its operational procedures to enhance its employees’ productivity and to serve its customers better.”
He added, “The approval of these proposed regulations will pave the way for a more rational and fair manner in resolving billing disputes, thereby satisfying customer concerns while also protecting the interest of the corporation.” The proposed regulations intend to provide a clear and systematic process in the handling of disputes.
“Moreover, requiring a certain time frame by which an action has to be rendered for each state of dispute administration will ensure its prompt settlement,” said Sablan.
