| Members Present: President J. Stuart Adams, Co-chair Speaker Brad R. Wilson, Co-chair Sen. Luz Escamilla Sen. Evan J. Vickers | Rep. Angela Romero Rep. Mike Schultz Staff Present: Kade R. Minchey, Auditor General Debbie Clawson, Executive Assistant |
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Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.
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| Speaker Wilson called the Legislative Audit Subcommittee Meeting to order. |
| 1.Committee Business |
| MOTION:Representative Romero made a motion to approve the minutes from the October 10, 2023 meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-1. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 1 | |
| Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson | Sen. J. Adams |
| 2.Audit Report Presentations |
| Mr. Darin Underwood, Deputy Auditor General, introduced A Performance Audit of Utah's Water Management: Ensuring Data Integrity, Program Best Practices, and Comprehensive Water Planning (Report #2023-15) |
| A Performance Audit of Utah's Water Management: Ensuring Data Integrity, Program Best Practices, and Comprehensive Water Planning (Report #2023-15) |
| Ms. Madison Hoover, Audit Supervisor, presented the findings of the audit. |
| Mr. Joel Ferry, Executive Director, Department of Natural Resources responded to the findings of the audit. |
| Mr. Ferry responded to a question from Senator Escamilla regarding the idea of having a strategic plan across the state, and whether the Department of Natural Resources should be responsible for leading that strategic plan on water. |
| Mr. Ferry responded to a clarifying question from Senator Escamilla about the expectation that the Department of Natural Resources would lead on a strategic plan, and also the need for more data. |
| Mr. Ferry responded to a question from Representative Schultz about how Utah can be successful in creating this comprehensive plan and getting everybody working together with a little give and take to meet future demands. |
| Mr. Ferry responded to an additional question from Representative Schultz regarding whether the department needs to look at bringing people under one umbrella, or if the current model is the right model if there is some oversight. |
| Representative Schultz emphasized that Utah is at a water crossroads, and that the state is going to have to start coming together and working with neighbors and with everyone to meet our goals for the future. |
| Mr. Ferry responded to a question from Senator Vickers regarding whether there was enough information for Ag Optimization to implement some of the money given to them during the last session. |
| Craig Buttars, Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) responded to the findings in chapter 2 of the audit. |
| Commissioner Buttars responded to a question from President Adams regarding whether UDAF has the organizational structure and passion and leadership to be able to move forward to solve our water problems. |
| Commissioner Buttars responded to a question from Senator Escamilla regarding whether UDAF can recover anything from the $67 million that was already allocated. |
| Commissioner Buttars responded to an additional question from Senator Escamilla regarding whether they would be implementing any of the audit recommendations found on page 27 of the audit. |
| Speaker Wilson commented on the importance of the effective use and implementation of money that the Legislature has put into water, and also having a plan that Utah can hold ourselves up against and getting that plan done so that everyone is singing from the same sheet of music. |
| President Adams commented on the importance of good data to help Utah define and plan as we move ahead. |
| MOTION:President Adams made a motion to refer A Performance Audit of Utah's Water Management: Ensuring Data Integrity, Program Best Practices, and Comprehensive Water Planning to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee as the Lead Committee, and the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee as the Review Committee.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-0. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 0 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson |
| 3.Prioritization of Audits |
| MOTION:President Adams made a motion to prioritize the following audits and give flexibility to the Auditor General to begin the audits as staff expertise and resources become available:-A comprehensive audit of the state’s mental health system. The audit should assess the effectiveness of Utah’s mental health programs and services and determine if the continuum of care is sufficient to adequately help those with mental health needs, specifically those struggling with homelessness, criminal justice, and judicial system encounters. The audit should determine the accessibility, quality, and impact of mental health resources and programs. The audit should review best practices for care and determine gaps in Utah’s mental health delivery system;-A Performance Audit of the oversight and effectiveness of the Utah Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office. The audit should assess the adequacy of governance along with the efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance of the office in carrying out its responsibilities and duties;-As required by HB 269 passed in the 2023 general session, a performance audit of the election system;-A performance audit of the Teacher and Student Success Act.-A performance audit of the State Online Education Program, including the accounting and tracking of students participating in online education; and-A systemic audit of the Rich School District. Discussion to motion: Senator Escamilla clarified that the mental health audit is a comprehensive audit and includes behavioral health.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-0. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 0 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson |
| 4.Audit Report Presentations |
| Ms. Leah Blevins, Audit Manager, introduced A Performance Audit of Utah Housing Policy: A Case for Statewide Strategic Planning and Accountability (Report #2023-16) |
| A Performance Audit of Utah Housing Policy: A Case for Statewide Strategic Planning and Accountability (Report #2023-16) |
| Mr. Jake Dinsdale, Senior Audit Supervisor, presented the findings of the audit. |
| Mr. Dinsdale responded to a question from Speaker Wilson regarding whether the 20,000 acres in the Oquirrhs were included in the Salt Lake County numbers. |
| Mr. Dinsdale responded to a question from Speaker Wilson regarding how much more runway, and how many years of housing is out there if decisions are made differently than they are being made today. |
| Speaker Wilson commented on the problem that there could literally be no place for anyone to build in Salt Lake County in 19 years if the state doesn't do something different, and stressed the importance of getting good information out there to everyone. |
| Mr. Cameron Diehl, Executive Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns responded to the findings of the audit |
| Mr. Justin Lee, Deputy Director, Utah League of Cities and Towns responded to the findings of the audit |
| Mr. Nate McDonald, Deputy Director, Division of Workforce Services responded to the findings of the audit remotely. |
| Mr. Diehl responded to a question from Senator Escamilla regarding who should be accountable for a state-wide strategic plan. |
| Speaker Wilson commented that the average monthly house payment in Utah is close to $3,000 a month. He stressed the importance of local governments and states leaders linking arms to work together to try to figure out this problem so that our kids have a place to live in Utah. |
| President Adams commented that Utah is the greatest state in the nation, and when we try to make things more affordable it is a benefit to our citizens. |
| MOTION:President Adams moved to refer A Performance Audit of Utah Housing Policy: A Case for Statewide Strategic Planning and Accountability to the Political Subdivisions Interim Committee as the Lead Committee, and the Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim Committee as the Review Committee.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-0. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 0 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson |
| 5.Audit Report Presentations |
| Mr. Kade Minchey, Auditor General, introduced A Performance Audit of the Utah State Correctional Facility: An Examination of Staffing, Culture, Safety, and Security (Report 2023-17) |
| A Performance Audit of the Utah State Correctional Facility: An Examination of Staffing, Culture, Safety, and Security (Report #2023-17) |
| Mr. Brian Dean, Deputy Auditor General, presented the findings of the audit. Mr. Brendon Ressler, and Ms. Abigail Jacobsen were also at the presenter's table. |
| Mr. Brian Redd, Executive Director, Utah Department of Corrections, responded to the findings of the audit. |
| Director Redd responded to a question from Representative Romero regarding the direct supervision model, and whether they would continue to use that or look at other options. |
| Director Redd responded to a question from Senator Escamilla about how they are seeing progress with the staffing situation now that the Department of Health and Human Services is there. He also responded to a question from Senator Escamilla about whether they would be open to different types of scenarios related to the expansion piece that is not the direct supervision piece. |
| President Adams acknowledged appreciation to the entire department for the tough job they are doing and expressed appreciation for all their effort and all they are doing. |
| MOTION:President Adams moved to refer A Performance Audit of the Utah State Correctional Facility: An Examination of Staffing, Culture, Safety, and Security to the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee as the Lead Committee and the Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee as the Review Committee.The motion passed with a vote of 6-0-0. | |||
| Yeas - 6 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 0 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Rep. M. Schultz Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson |
| 6.Audit Report Presentations |
| Mr. Darin Underwood, Deputy Auditor General, introduced A Systemic Review of the Department of Commerce: An Examination of Professional Licensing, Real Estate, and Securities (Report #2023-14). |
| A Systemic Review of the Department of Commerce: An Examination of Professional Licensing, Real Estate, and Securities (Report #2023-14) |
| Mr. Ryan Thelin, Audit Supervisor, presented the findings of the audit. |
| Ms Margaret Busse, Executive Director, Utah Department of Commerce responded to the findings of the audit. |
| Speaker Wilson thanked Ms. Busse for the good work the department is doing, and expressed optimism over the licensing legislation she plans on doing during the Legislative Session. |
| Ms. Busse responded to a question from Senator Escamilla about how constituents would know how to register a complaint through the Consumer Protection Department. |
| MOTION:President Adams moved to refer A Systemic Review of the Department of Commerce: An Examination of Professional Licensing, Real Estate, and Securities to the Business and Labor Interim Committee as the Lead Committee, and the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee as the Review Committee.The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-1. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 1 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson | Rep. M. Schultz |
| 7.Recommendation Status |
| Mr. Minchey introduced the recommendation status report. Since our October meeting, seven additional recommendations have been made and the agencies are making progress towards those recommendations. We want to make sure that not only are the changes being made, but that they are effective. |
| 8.Other Items/Adjourn |
| Mr. Minchey advised that DHHS updated their response to the Health Care in State Prisons' report. The resolution to the recommendations have been challenging and DHHS wanted to reflect that. We are still on schedule for the 18 month follow up to this audit that was prioritized by this committee. Refer to packet for the updated response. |
| Mr. Minchey thanked Speaker Wilson for his service and presented him with a small gift on behalf of OLAG. Speaker Wilson thanked him and the department for their work. |
| MOTION:President Adams motioned to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 5-0-1. | |||
| Yeas - 5 | Nays- 0 | Abs- 1 | |
| Sen. J. Adams Sen. L. Escamilla Rep. A. Romero Sen. E. Vickers Rep. B. Wilson | Rep. M. Schultz |