HR1192 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1192 LRB095 20793 HLH 49481 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act (OSLAD) provides for grants to be disbursed by the Department of Natural Resources to eligible units of local government for the purpose of acquiring, developing, and rehabilitating lands for public outdoor recreation; and

WHEREAS, The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund is used by the Department to make these grants to local governments, which are selected through an application process; and

WHEREAS, Through the program, local governments can obtain funding assistance up to 50% of approved project costs on a reimbursement basis; and

WHEREAS, Funded projects range from small neighborhood parks to large community and county parks and nature areas; and

WHEREAS, From Fiscal Year 2005 to Fiscal Year 2006, appropriations from the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund increased by 4% but expenditures decreased by 29% and more projects are being reappropriated from one year to the next; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Auditor General is directed to conduct a management audit of the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the audit include, but not be limited to, the following determinations:

(1) The number and dollar value of applications received for OSLAD grants between Fiscal Year 2005 and Fiscal Year 2007;

(2) The number and dollar value of OSLAD projects approved by the Department of Natural Resources between Fiscal Year 2005 and Fiscal Year 2007;

(3) The number and dollar value of OSLAD projects completed during Fiscal Years 2005, 2006 and 2007;

(4) Whether reimbursements from the State to local governments for OSLAD projects have been delayed and, if so, the reason or reasons for such delays;

(5) Whether reimbursements from the State have been assigned a priority within the limits of the amounts appropriated for grants for Fiscal Years 2005, 2006 and 2007 and, if so, the criteria for such prioritizing; and

(6) The reason or reasons for increases in reappropriated projects between 2005 and 2007 and whether those increases are attributable to funding shortfalls or delays by the State; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Department of Natural Resources and any other entity having information relevant to this audit cooperate fully and promptly with the Auditor General's Office in the conduct of this audit; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as possible and report his findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-14 of the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General.