Title
Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, recommending the Board:
1) Discharge the Chief Administrative Office from further accountability to collect the debts identified on the attached Discharge of Accountability Report in the amount of $1,846,929.43 pursuant to Government Code Sections 25257 through 25259, for the period 2012 through 2021; and
2) Authorize the County Auditor-Controller to adjust the accounts receivable of $1,846,929.43 in the CSA 3 & CSA 7 funds accordingly.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
In accordance with California Government Section Code Section 25257 to 25259, the “Board of Supervisors may make an order discharging the department, officer or employee from further accountability and if appropriate may direct the County Auditor to adjust any change against the department, officer, or employee in a like amount.”
When County debts are determined to be uncollectable for any of the following reasons, the accounts are presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) annually for discharge from further accountability to collect the debts:
1. Bankruptcy
2. Death of the Debtor
3. Expiration of Statute of Limitations; and
4. Uncollectable Debts
In order to be considered as justification for discharge, Bankruptcy and Death of Debtor requires legal documentation. The County’s contracted collection agency, Access Capital, obtains confirmation prior to requesting discharge of accountability. The Statute of Limitations for Ambulance debt is 7 years from the date of service which is the time that the collection agency is allowed to legally collect on the debt. The accounts in this category have passed their statute of limitations. The Uncollectable accounts are accounts which have regulations and rules regarding the collection of funds, for example Medi-Cal and Medicare. There are circumstances where an account is in appeals with Medi-Cal or Medicare and the appeal is den...
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