Elorza plans audit of city Board of Licenses

PROVIDENCE – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza is hiring an outside firm to audit the Providence Board of Licenses.

The firm hired to conduct the audit is expected to release a final report that will “outline concerns, successful practices, areas which have shown improvement and recommendations for future improvement,” according to a request for proposals issued by the city. Bids must be submitted by Jan. 23.

“This audit is a part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to improve and streamline business in the city,” Emily Crowell, a spokesperson for the mayor, said on Jan 3. “The audit will evaluate the entire department and board operations, transactions and procedures.”

In September, former Attorney General Jeffrey Pine, whose firm was hired by the City Council, released a 13-page evaluation of the board claiming it lacks “consistency and uniformity” in its handling of violations and penalties, struggles with record keeping and occasionally violates state open-meetings laws. The report also offered recommendations to fix the problems.

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Pine’s investigation followed a 2012 City Council review by the Ordinances Committee that issued similar findings.

The panel processes more than 8,000 licenses each year. •

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