Report 2022-120 Recommendation 18 Responses

Report 2022-120: Orange County Power Authority: Increased Board Oversight Is Needed to Improve Its Operations (Release Date: February 2023)

Recommendation #18 To: Orange County Power Authority

To provide sufficient oversight of its contractors and better protect public funds, OCPA should immediately devote additional effort to hiring a power resources director with the necessary expertise to update its projections of power needs, to better evaluate power purchase agreements, and to effectively oversee the work performed by its relevant contractors.

6-Month Agency Response

See item 10.6 in the agenda for the 7-19-2023 Board meeting, in this item OCPA staff present to the Board a recommendation to increase the salary range for the Director of Power Purchases as recommended by CPS the consultant OCPA hired to assist with the recruitment.

The brochure for the position that has been posted widely (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Governmentjobs.com) is attached. We have paid to boost the reach on all social media platforms as well.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented

OCPA described to us actions beyond those listed in its response. For example, in June 2023 OCPA entered into a contract with a consulting firm to help OCPA identify and recruit candidates for the power resources director position. OCPA also stated that it is interviewing candidates for the position--a process it expects to conclude around the middle of November 2023. These facts support OCPA's assertion that it has devoted additional effort to hiring a power resources director.

60-Day Agency Response

OCPA has developed an Improvement Plan to address each recommendation. In accordance with the Improvement Plan, this recommendation will be completed as of June 2023.

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

OCPA has not yet submitted evidence demonstrating it has implemented this recommendation.

All Recommendations in 2022-120

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.