[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 2007]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-578]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

[Docket No. FR-4743-N-09]


Notice of Planned Closing of Nashville, TN Post-of-Duty Station

AGENCY: Office of the Inspector General, HUD.

ACTION: Notice of planned closing of the Nashville, Tennessee post-of-
duty station.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that HUD's Office of the 
Inspector General (HUD/OIG) plans to close its Nashville, Tennessee 
post-of-duty station, and also provides a cost-benefit analysis of the 
impact of this closure.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Saddler, Counsel to the 
Inspector General, Room 8260, Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-4500, (202) 
708-1613. (This is not a toll-free number.) A telecommunications device 
for hearing- and speech-impaired persons (TTY) is available at (800) 
877-8339 (Federal Information Relay Services). (This is a toll-free 
number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Nashville, Tennessee post-of-duty 
station was opened in 2003 to address fraud statewide. In 2006, one of 
the two agents assigned to Nashville resigned and another was 
transferred to Texas. Additionally, HUD/OIG plans to add investigative 
staff to its existing post-of-duty station in Knoxville. HUD/OIG has 
determined that greater efficiency and cost-savings can be achieved by 
now consolidating staff and resources in the Knoxville office.
    Section 7(p) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act 
(42 U.S.C. 3535(p)) provides that a plan for field reorganization, 
which may involve the closing of any field or regional office, of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development may not take effect until 
90 days after a cost-benefit analysis of the effect of the plan on the 
office in question is published in the Federal Register. The required 
cost-benefit analysis should include: (1) An estimate of cost savings 
anticipated; (2) an estimate of the additional cost which will result 
from the reorganization; (3) a discussion of the impact on the local 
economy; and (4) an estimate of the effect of the reorganization on the 
availability, accessibility, and quality of services provided for 
recipients of those services.
    Legislative history pertaining to section 7(p) indicates that not 
all reorganizations are subject to the requirements of section 7(p). 
Congress stated that ``[t]his amendment is not intended to [apply] to 
or restrict the internal operations or organization of the Department 
(such as the establishment of new or combination of existing 
organization units within a field office, the duty stationing of 
employees in various locations to provide on-site service, or the 
establishment or closing, based on workload, of small, informal offices 
such as valuation stations).'' (See House Conference Report No. 95-
1792, October 14, 1978 at 58.) Through this notice, HUD/OIG advises the 
public of the closing of the Nashville, Tennessee duty station and 
provides the cost-benefit analysis of the impact of the closure.
    Impact of the Closure of the Nashville, Tennessee, Post-of-Duty 
Station: HUD/OIG considered the costs and benefits of closing the 
Nashville, Tennessee post-of-duty station, and is publishing its cost-
benefit analysis with this notice. In summary, HUD/OIG has determined 
that the closure will result in a cost savings, and, as a result of the 
size and limited function of the office, will cause no appreciable 
impact on the provision of authorized investigative services/activities 
in the area.
    A. Cost Savings: The Nashville, Tennessee post-of-duty station 
currently costs approximately $31,764.38 per annum for space rental. 
Additional associated overhead expenses (e.g., telephone service) are 
incurred to operate the post-of-duty station. Thus, closing the office 
will result in annual savings of at least $32,000.
    B. Additional Costs: Since the Nashville, Tennessee post-of-duty is 
currently not staffed, there are no offsetting costs associated with 
the closure.
    C. Impact on Local Economy: No appreciable impact on the local 
economy is anticipated. The post-of-duty station is located in a 
desirable office park, and it is anticipated that the space can easily 
be re-leased to other tenants.
    D. Effect on Availability, Accessibility and Quality of Services 
Provided to Recipients of Those Services: The availability, 
accessibility and quality of services provided to complainants will not 
be adversely impacted. Special agents assigned to other HUD/OIG 
offices--chiefly Atlanta, and soon Knoxville--can cost-effectively 
address fraud allegations in Tennessee generally and Nashville 
specifically.
    For the reasons stated in this notice, HUD/OIG intends to proceed 
to close its Nashville, Tennessee post-of-duty station at the 
expiration of the 90-day period from the date of publication of this 
notice.

    Dated: January 10, 2007.
Kenneth M. Donohue, Sr.,
Inspector General.
[FR Doc. E7-578 Filed 1-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P