(a) The County Auditor-Controller, from time to time, during the term of a franchise, may prescribe standards governing the nature, extent, and type of accounting system and accounting procedures utilized by a grantee and require changes in accounting standards or procedures utilized by a grantee for the purpose of promoting the efficient administration of the franchise pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Any such standards shall be in writing, shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board, and shall be mailed to the grantee to whom directed. A grantee shall promptly comply with all such standards.
(b) During the term of each franchise, the County, not more frequently than once each year, may conduct an audit of the books, records, and accounts of the grantee for the purpose of determining whether the grantee has paid franchise fees in the amounts prescribed by Section 11-1.1502 of this article. The audit may be conducted by the County Auditor-Controller or by an independent certified public accounting firm retained by the County and shall be conducted at the sole expense of the County. The party conducting the audit shall prepare a written report containing its findings, and the report shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the County shall conduct such an audit at any time if requested to do so by the County. The cost of such an audit so requested shall be borne by and at the sole expense of the County, and the cost shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days following the receipt of the billing therefor by the County. The report of the audit shall be filed and mailed as prescribed in this subsection.
(c) At any time during the term of a franchise, the County, through its County Auditor-Assessor or a certified public accounting firm which it retains, and at its sole expense, may conduct an audit of the books, records, and accounts of the grantee for the purpose of identifying any information which the Board deems necessary to obtain for the purpose of administering the franchise under the provisions of this chapter. A written report of such audit shall be filed with the Clerk of the Board and mailed to the grantee. The grantee shall comply with any recommendations or directives set forth in such report respecting changes in its accounting system.
(d) Each grantee shall make available for inspection by authorized representatives of the County its books, accounts, and all other financial records at reasonable times and upon reasonable advance notice for the purpose of permitting the exercise of the authorities conferred by this section. (§ 1, Ord. 961, eff. October 27, 1983)