2017-02 Performance Audit Report: Cash Handling at County of Hawai'i's Department of Water Supply

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Background Who is the Department of Water Supply? The Department of Water Supply is a semi -autonomous agency of the County of Hawai "i, which operates by rules and regulations as adopted by the Water Board. As a semi -autonomous agency, the Department operates and maintains its water systems with revenues generated wholly through water sales. The primary function of the Department is to provide safe domestic water service through its 23 water systems and 74 sources scattered throughout the island. The individual water systems are not interconnected except in the more densely populated districts of South Hilo and Kona. As provided in the County Charter, the members of the Water Board are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the County Council for a five-year term. The Charter also provides that membership of the Water Board be representative of each of the nine County Council districts. The Manager -Chief Engineer of the Department of Water Supply, the Director of Public Works, and the Planning Director of the County of Hawai "i also serve on the Water board as ex -officio members without the power to vote. The Water Board is also responsible for the appointment of the Manager -Chief Engineer of the Department, who in turn appoints a Deputy with the confirmation of the Water Board. How do you pay for your water bill? There are several ways that your water bill can be paid: 1. Mail in your payment with a check 2. Pay in person by cash, check, or credit card at the Hilo office or at the district offices in Waimea, Kona, and Ka'u 3. Automatic bill payment from your checking account 4. On-line payment via ehawaii.gov How much money did the Department of Water Supply receive last fiscal year for water receipts? In fiscal year 2015-2016, total revenue for the Department of Water Supply was approximately $47 million.' The Department of Water Supply services approximately 43,000 customers with about 9.6 billion gallons of water annually. 3 N&K CPAs, Inc. "County of Hawai"i, Department of Water Supply Financial Statements and Supplementary Information With Independent Auditor's Report", Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2016, pg. 13. DWS Cash Receipts Background 14