Report I2019-4 Recommendation 1 Responses
Report I2019-4: Gross Mismanagement Led to the Misuse of State Resources and Multiple Violations of State Laws (Release Date: August 2019)
Case Number I2017-0840
Recommendation #1 To: Food and Agriculture, Department of
CDFA:
Ensure that its audit office conducts biannual compliance audits for all district agricultural associations and that the office prioritizes auditing district agricultural associations on the watch program.
Agency Response From November 2022
CDFA reported that its contracted CPA firm completed a compliance audit of the association in July 2022. With respect to future compliance audits of all district agricultural associations, CDFA informed us that biannual audits are not possible because of its significant reduction in funding for fairs and expositions that occurred in 2011. It reported that it will continue to conduct compliance audits as frequently as possible, prioritizing associations on the watch program.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Resolved
Agency Response From October 2021
CDFA reported that it has a contract with a CPA firm to conduct the compliance audit for the association, but staffing shortages and health issues have delayed the audit. CDFA now anticipates the CPA firm will complete the audit by February 2022. CDFA has not explained how it will ensure that it conducts biannual compliance audits for all district agricultural associations, prioritizing those on the watch program.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From November 2020
CDFA reported that its request for additional funding was denied and it does not have auditors available until May 2021. It stated that it is beginning the process to engage the services of a CPA firm to perform the audit of the association in January 2021.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From May 2020
CDFA reported that it plans to conduct the compliance audit for the association in September 2020 and that it submitted a request for additional funding to the Legislature in January 2020, requesting two full-time permanent auditor positions and one limited-term auditor position to assist with performing compliance audits with prioritization of those on the watch program.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From February 2020
CDFA previously reported that it requested that its audit office schedule the association for a compliance audit between the spring and summer of 2020. As of February 2020, it has not provided confirmation of the date when the audit will be conducted, nor has it explained how it will ensure that it will conduct biannual compliance audits for all district agricultural associations, prioritizing those on the watch program.
California State Auditor's Assessment of Status: Partially Implemented
Agency Response From October 2019
CDFA reported that it requested that its audit office schedule the association for a compliance audit between the spring and summer of 2020. As of October 2019, it has not provided confirmation of when the audit is scheduled, nor has it explained how it will ensure that it will conduct biannual compliance audits for all district agricultural associations, prioritizing those on the watch program.