Report I2019-3 Recommendation 9 Responses
Report I2019-3: Investigations of Improper Activities by State Agencies and Employees: Wasteful and Improper Travel Payments, Improper Promotion and Hiring Practices, and Misuse of State Resources (Release Date: May 2019)
Case Number I2016-1298
Recommendation #9 To: State Hospitals, Department of
The Department of State Hospitals (State Hospitals) should thoroughly and appropriately evaluate the administrator's position and duties to determine the headquarters location that will best meet State Hospitals' business needs. It should also ensure that a valid telecommute agreement is on file.
Agency Response From October 2019
In October 2019, State Hospitals provided an employee monthly report that included travel for all executives from June 2019 through September 2019. In addition, it reported that the administrator had not traveled since May 2019, is no longer acting in the same role, and is scheduled to retire later in 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Fully Implemented
Agency Response From July 2019
In April 2019 the acting director reminded State Hospitals administrators that each monthly report submitted to the chief deputy director and the director must include an overview of upcoming travel. In May 2019 the State Hospitals travel unit developed a report to identify all travel by employees by month, year-to-date, and fiscal year that is reviewed by executive management to ensure that travel costs are appropriate. In July 2019 State Hospitals provided us with a copy of the administrator's travel report from August 2018 through May 2019 and its employee monthly report that includes travel for all executives through June 2019.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From March 2019
State Hospitals stated that it had performed this evaluation already and concluded that the administrator's position could be at any of its five state hospitals or at its headquarters in Sacramento. Accordingly, State Hospitals indicated that the administrator's headquarters will remain at the designated hospital but that it will provide increased monitoring of the administrator. In addition, State Hospitals stated that twice a year it will monitor the administrator's travel costs to ensure the designated headquarters remains in the best interest of State Hospitals. Furthermore, State Hospitals stated that it now requires the administrator to conduct a cost analysis for each trip to determine the least costly method of transportation, to obtain the supervisor's pre-approval for travel, and to use tele-presence or computer technologies to attend meetings in Sacramento, when appropriate.