SR0654 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0654 LRB095 20711 GRL 49123 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

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

WHEREAS, The Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund (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 FY05 to FY06, appropriations from the 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 SENATE 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 this performance audit include, but not be limited to, the following determinations:

(1) the number and dollar value of applications received for OSLAD grants between FY05 and FY07;

(2) the number and dollar value of OSLAD projects approved by DNR between FY05 and FY07;

(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 at 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 copy of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General.