Problems with utility process to become a topic for Ethics Review Commission

After hearing several cases regarding fraudulent timesheets from Austin Energy employees throughout 2018, the Ethics Review Commission decided it wanted to comment publicly on the utility policies it perceived were causing this recurring issue. Believing that they have identified “wider holes in the policies,” the commissioners want to discuss how the timesheet cases fit into the broader context of Austin Energy and figure out how to bring the utility’s attention to the issue. According to them, hearing these cases in the context of the commission is merely taking a “hammer” to an individual, when the city should be putting a “Band-Aid” on the solution. “It gives me a real big headache because I pay Austin utility bills,” said Chair Ben Stratmann. The topic is slated for a future agenda item.