Title
Emergency Medical Services, a Division of the Chief Administrative Office, recommending the Board:
1) Discharge the Chief Administrative Office from further accountability to collect debts identified on the attached Discharge of Accountability Report in the amount of $189,285.01 pursuant to Government Code Sections 25257 through 25259, representing uncollectible accounts through December 31, 2023; and
2) Authorize the County Auditor-Controller to adjust the accounts receivable of $189,285.01 in the CSA 3 & CSA 7 funds accordingly.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Board’s authority to discharge accountability of debts is based on 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 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.
Discharge for Bankruptcy and Death of Debtor require legal documentation. The County’s contracted collection agency, Grant Mercantile Agency, obtains confirmation prior to recommending discharge of accountability.
Expiration of Statue of Limitations are accounts that are impacted by various state and federal legal limitations of the actions a debt collection agency may take based on the age of a debt. After seven years, most collections activities are no longer permitted, and the debt is considered uncollectable. The accounts in this category have passed their statute of limitations. Uncollectable Debts are accounts which would not economically justify further efforts or have billing issues.
The debts...
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