But, she added, CUC has also provided free or in-kind utility services to some landowners in lieu of a monetary settlement for the use of private land for utility easement.
Based on the audit report by J. Scott Magliari & Company, Santos said CUC has not implemented a formal policy for its use of private property.
“No contractual agreement exists between the parties regarding any set up for payment,” she said, adding that there could be inequalities in the amount paid for certain parcels of land depending on the value of utilities consumed.
Yesterday, Santos said the House of Representatives adopted her House Resolution 17-68 which requests CUC to execute formal agreements with all landowners for the use of private land.
The resolution also asked CUC to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures so there will be equality among all landowners regarding CUC easement or taking.
“CUC should treat all landowners equally and should have a policy in place to ensure that the unfair practice of benefiting a few and not all must come to an end,” she said.
Santos said some landowners claim they are required to pay their monthly utility bills even if CUC has yet to compensate them for the use of their private lands, while other landowners do not have to pay.
In her resolution, Santos noted that in 2007, CUC established procedures for easement claims and adopted a policy requiring all agreements to be prepared prior to using private properties, But this has yet to be implemented, she said.
According to the audit report, there are 20 outstanding disputed accounts totaling $2.5 million that have not been disconnected by CUC.
The delinquent customers are landowners on whose properties CUC has placed water wells, utility poles, waterlines, pumps and other installations, the audit report stated.
