Sonoma County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
• Agency Response
Response to:
DHS Often Reported Never Repaired
Amanda Ruch, Cpa Assistant Au Ditor-controller Erick Roeser Treasurer.tax Collector Auditor.controller Treasurer-tax
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F2
Findings and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
Page 2
DHS contracting practices and procedures are chaotic, inefficient, and take too long. This results in delayed execution of contracts, delays in vendor payments, and local County health services missing for extended periods.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Page 2
Chronic short staffing and employee turnover have led to a significant loss of institutiona I knowledge.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 2
By December 3!,2125,the Board of Supervisorswillrequest, and County Auditorwillcomplete and publish, a comprehensive audit report on DHS procurement processes and procedures, contract administration oversight and compliance with County procurement policy and publicly present said report to the Board of Supervisors. (F1, F3, F6, F7l
F4
Page 2
lnadequate delegation of authority and a toxic work culture inhibits individual decision- making and contributes to DHS's failure to perform effectively.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Page 2
By January L,2025,County Purchasing and the County Controller shall implement a system that ensures all no-bid and sole-sourced contracts are identified, accounted for as such, publicly reported, and have required supportingdocumentation and waiverson file. (F3, F4, F5 F6) ltu a Recommendations numbered: R3. R4 have not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. (Please see attached response for implementation information.) g Date: ZDZ Signed attached: Number of pages 2 The following are the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collecto/s (AC]TC) required responses to the 2024 Grand Jury Report investigation titled "Often Reported, Never Repaired."
F5
Page 2
DHS Fiscal and County general accounting process doesn't require or retain all information needed for post-fact analysis of who is being paid, whether the payment was the result of a no-bid contract, or whether payment documentation matches funding source requirements.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Page 2
County Purchasing and lnternal Audit failed to require that DHS follow mandated procurement policies.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 2
The BoS failed to require changes to DHS procurement procedures despite published reports that DHS has been violating County procurement policy. I (we) agree with the findings numbered: F3 I (we)disagree wholly or partially with the findings numbered: FL,F4,F5,F6,F7 (Please see the attached statement specifying any portions of the findings that are disputed with an explanation of the reasons.)
No recommendations for this finding