Report 2013-122 Recommendation 4 Responses

Report 2013-122: California Department of Toxic Substances Control: Its Lack of Diligence in Cost Recovery Has Contributed to Millions in Unbilled and Uncollected Costs (Release Date: August 2014)

Recommendation #4 To: Toxic Substances Control, Department of

To ensure that it maximizes the recovery of its costs from responsible parties, by October 2014, the department should do the following:

- Develop written procedures for updating and monitoring its collection letter log.

60-Day Agency Response

In October 2014, DTSC added instructions for updating and monitoring its collection letter log to the Departmental Procedures Memorandum (DPM) on collection letters and created new written desk procedures. The new desk procedures provide Cost Recovery Billing Unit staff with step-by-step instructions on updating the collection letter log. The revisions to the DPM clarify instructions, make them more specific and provide information on staff roles, responsibilities, and related tasks in the collection letter process and follow-up activities. The revised DPM requires CRBU Accounting Officers to review the collection letter log weekly and identify collection letters for issuance the following week.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Fully Implemented

All Recommendations in 2013-122

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.