SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2008 SESSION

086192472
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 89
Offered January 9, 2008
Prefiled January 7, 2008
Directing the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission to study the operation and finances of the Southeastern Public Service Authority. Report.
----------
Patron-- Cosgrove
----------
Referred to Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, historically, solid waste had been handled in southeastern Virginia by the individual localities, with each city or county either collecting and disposing of waste within its borders or transporting the waste to a neighboring locality for disposal; and

WHEREAS, in 1973, local communities also realized the need for a regional water supply system and created the Southeastern Water Authority of Virginia; however the Authority never became operational, and in 1976, the local municipalities agreed to establish the Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA); and

WHEREAS, upon its establishment, SPSA's responsibilities were expanded to include the development of a regional solid waste disposal system that included a resource recovery operation; and

WHEREAS, according to SPSA, its mission is to dispose of waste "in an environmentally sensitive manner, minimizing damage for current and future generations and reusing waste whenever possible, turning it into a useful product"; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, the General Assembly authorized bonding authority for SPSA for the purpose of providing acquisition, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of a water system and a garbage and refuse collection and disposal system; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, initial funding for SPSA's operation in the amount of $3 million was provided through bond anticipation notes secured by four local communities; and

WHEREAS, during the mid-to-late 1980s facilities were being constructed and staff hired with funding provided through bond issues of $26 million and $107.8 million; and

WHEREAS, according to newspaper reports over the last year, as a result of questionable decision-making, an unexpected Supreme Court decision, and its members' desire to keep tipping fees low for their cities, SPSA has amassed a debt of more than $300 million to be paid off in approximately 11 years; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission be directed to study the operation and finances of the Southeastern Public Service Authority.

In conducting its study, the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission shall assess SPSA's financial stability and performance. Any analysis shall compare SPSA operations with similar public and private entities. 

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission for this study, upon request.

The Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2008, and the Director shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2009 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Legislative and Audit Review Commission intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.