Auditor releases Second Follow-Up of Jail Healthcare Audit

Sponsored by: Auditor's Office

On October 24, 2016 County Auditor John Hutzler released his second follow-up report on his award-wining November 2014 Jail Healthcare Audit.

In his original report, Hutzler found that the contract administrator had not administered the jail healthcare contract in accordance with County guidelines and best practices, that certain terms of the contract did not adequately protect County interests and that cost controls could be improved. He made 27 recommendations to the County Administrator (CAO) to improve contract administration, strengthen cost controls and reduce budget overruns. The CAO agreed with all 27 recommendation and expected to implement all but one by August 2015.

In this, his second follow-up, the Auditor found that, as of July 2016, the CAO had fully implemented only 11 recommendations and partially implemented four. Seven remained in process, and the CAO had decided not to implement five recommendations previously agreed to. The CAO and the new contract administrator have significantly improved the contract and its administration, but more work remains to be done.

The CAO did not respond to the Auditor's report, but will update the County Board on Jail Healthcare at its work session on November 22.