Report 2013-036 Recommendation 17 Responses

Report 2013-036: Indian Gaming Special Distribution Fund: Counties' Benefit Committees Did Not Always Comply With State Laws for Distribution Fund Grants (Release Date: March 2014)

Recommendation #17 To: Riverside, County of

To ensure that the benefit committee members and other designated individuals comply with reform act requirements for filing statements of economic interests, the Lake, Riverside, and San Diego benefit committees filing officers should attend FPPC training so that they are aware of and meet the responsibilities under the reform act. Each of these benefit committees should also establish a formal process for ensuring that all required individuals file statements of economic interests. For example, each benefit committees filing officer should notify designated individuals of their responsibility to submit statements of economic interests and follow up with those who fail to file.

6-Month Agency Response

In response to recommendation #17 of State Auditor's report (2013-036), I volunteered to assume the role of filing officer designee. On May 13, 2014, I contacted 'Alex' of the Fair Political Practices Commission to schedule training, in an effort to be aware of and meet the responsibilities under the reform act. Alex told me she would contact me when additional filing officers requested training, for efficiency, anticipated in approximately one month. I next contacted the Commission on June 16, 2014 and was told the training had not yet been scheduled. On September 3, 2014, training was scheduled for September 11, 2014, at 2:45 p.m. If you need to confirm this information, you can reach Alex at (916)322-6437. (Addendum: Due to technical issues suffered by the FPPC, their webinar was rescheduled and occurred on October 9, 2014.)

A formal process was established through a revision to Community Benefit Committee Policy A-2, which was submitted to the State Auditor on September 5, 2014. In accordance with this policy and procedure, notification and reminder email were sent to required filers. Copies of the email were also submitted to the Auditor on September 5, 2014.

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

Based on documentation provided by Riverside we agree it has fully implemented this recommendation.

60-Day Agency Response

The method outlined in the benefit committee's policies was followed and the disclosure statement from every committee member, committee staff and counsel were received.

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

Riverside did not provide documentation to substantiate its claim that it has fully implemented this recommendation. Additionally, its response does not address whether its filing officer attended FPPC training or whether the committee has established a formal process for ensuring that all required individuals file statements of economic interests.

All Recommendations in 2013-036

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.