Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Administration and Finance Division, recommending the Board discharge the HHSA Director from further accountability to collect the debts listed on the attached Discharge of Accountability Listing in the amount of $692,741, pursuant to Government Code Sections 25257 through 25259, for the period 2008 through 2014.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
The Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) recommends the Board discharge the HHSA Director from accountability to collect the ambulance debt as listed in the Discharge of Accountability Report.
Pursuant to Government Code section 25259, “The discharge from accountability does not constitute a release of any person from liability for payment of any amount.” The statutes of limitation have expired on $261,459.19 of the unpaid debts that are being recommended for discharge of accountability. Additionally, there are debts that are uncollectible due to bankruptcy or death. Further collection efforts cannot be pursued.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The last discharge of ambulance accounts receivable was in 2015 for accounts held by the El Dorado County Department of Child Support Services, Revenue Recovery Division. The accounts that were discharged were part of the accounts receivable schedule being monitored by Revenue Recovery. This Agenda item is to discharge accounts held by HHSA.
HHSA utilizes separate billing and collection vendors for collection of Ambulance accounts receivable. HHSA contracts with Access Capital Services (Access) for the collection of delinquent accounts, and Access has exhausted its collection efforts for these uncollectible accounts. The discharge represents accounts which were deemed to be uncollectible due to expiration of the statute of limitations, death or bankruptcy.
Upon approval by the Board, HHSA will take necessary steps to reflect the discharge of accountability with their billing and collection vendors. HHSA will coordinate with the Auditor-Controller’s Office as necessary to ensure appropriate recording of any associated financial transactions.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the item is not approved, there would be no discharge of accountability for the HHSA Director related to accounts where further collection efforts can no longer be pursued. The uncollectible accounts would remain active on the HHSA collections processes.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item. These debts are considered uncollectible and have not been factored into fund balances or projected revenues for the Agency.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Goal 2, Fiscal Responsibility.
CONTACT
Don Ashton, M.P.A., Director