### Controversy Surrounds Fisamex’s Water Audits in Baja California
The unfolding situation involving Fisamex, an auditing firm once tasked with assessing water usage and surcharges in Baja California, continues to loom over the region’s public utilities. Approximately 430 million pesos remain in dispute over the audits conducted by Fisamex under the administration of former governor Jaime Bonilla Valdez.
During Fisamex’s tenure, the firm focused on collecting unpaid water charges from various commercial, industrial, and some residential accounts. This initiative led to conflicts as the affected entities, such as supermarkets, hotels, and even the Tijuana airport, faced demands for payment. Many opted to pay these debts to avoid further complications, but simultaneously launched legal challenges questioning the constitutionality of the state’s revenue laws.
Today, the State Commission of Public Services of Tijuana (CESPT) is embroiled in several legal battles, as many companies seek the return of previously paid sums. Out of 125 federal lawsuits, the CESPT prevailed in 116, while it was ordered to return funds in a few others due to court declarations against the state’s revenue regulations.
Romafam S.A. de C.V., known commercially as Fisamex, is proving difficult to locate. The company, which received significant commission fees for its audit findings, has been off the radar since the state administration sought to recoup some of its share of the reimbursements. Efforts to reach the firm through its official addresses have been unsuccessful.
Legal proceedings remain ongoing in both state and federal courts, further complicating the situation. The CESPT, which operates under considerable financial pressure, is taking steps to fulfill court-ordered refunds without disrupting its operational budget. They may resort to future agreements with audited companies, potentially allowing water usage credits in lieu of cash refunds.
The saga underscores a time of heightened scrutiny and aggressive debt collection that marked Fisamex’s operational period. Many affected businesses hope for final resolutions that recognize procedural and legal missteps during the audits.
### Additional Developments: Legal Challenges and Government Response
The situation has also inspired further legal and administrative responses. As new scrutiny is put on the original contracts and operations of Fisamex, current state officials are preparing cases against former government employees involved in the auditing project’s execution. Allegations include improper awarding of contracts and potential coercion tactics used by auditors, spotlighting systemic concerns within past governance.
In parallel, the local government announced significant infrastructure developments, including the nearly complete San Antonio de los Buenos water treatment plant. Such projects are part of broader efforts to ensure reliable water services while navigating the challenging landscape left in the wake of Fisamex’s audits.
Meanwhile, the business community remains vigilant, seeking fair treatment and just resolutions to the ongoing tribunal hearings. Some cases have ground to a standstill, and potential appeals could extend this legal saga even further.
For residents and businesses in Baja California, this situation remains a critical concern affecting sustainability and regional water management. The overarching hope is for transparency and accountability to guide future dealings in the state’s public utilities sector.