Report 2016-111 Recommendation 6 Responses

Report 2016-111: City of Irwindale: It Must Exercise More Fiscal Responsibility Over Its Spending So That It Can Continue to Provide Core Services to Residents (Release Date: November 2016)

Recommendation #6 To: Irwindale, City of

To reduce costs, the city should consider eliminating its current resident prescription drug benefit program and replacing it with the prescription discount card program offered by the League of California Cities that would provide discounts on prescriptions to residents at no cost to the city.

Annual Follow-Up Agency Response From October 2018

The City strongly believes this is a necessary program for its residents in light of their long-term exposure to the negative health impacts of extensive mining activities in the City. The City had documented the need for these programs in its adoption of findings that the prescription program serves valid public interests.

Please see Resolution No. 2012-23-2562, to be submitted via email.

California State Auditor's Assessment of Annual Follow-Up Status: Will Not Implement

We continue to be puzzled by Irwindale's vehement defense of its prescription drug program. This program costs the city nearly $1 million each year, and disproportionately benefits a very small segment of its population. In addition, the city has neither adequately demonstrated the need for the program nor made sure it is cost effective. There is a cost-free alternative program offered by the League of California Cities that Irwindale could put in place.

1-Year Agency Response

The City strongly believes this is a necessary program for its residents in light of the extensive mining activities in the City.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Will Not Implement

We continue to be puzzled by Irwindale's vehement defense of its prescription drug program. This program costs the city nearly $1 million each year, and disproportionately benefits a very small segment of its population. In addition, the city has neither adequately demonstrated the need for the program nor made sure it is cost effective. There is a cost-free alternative program offered by the League of California Cities that Irwindale could put in place.

6-Month Agency Response

The City strongly believes this is a necessary program for its residents in light of the extensive mining activities in the City.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Will Not Implement

We continue to be puzzled by Irwindale's vehement defense of its prescription drug program. This program costs the city nearly $1 million each year, and disproportionately benefits a very small segment of its population. In addition, the city has neither adequately demonstrated the need for the program nor made sure it is cost effective. There is a cost-free alternative program offered by the League of California Cities that Irwindale could put in place.

60-Day Agency Response

The City strongly believes this is a necessary program for its residents in light of the extensive mining activities in the City.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Will Not Implement

We continue to be puzzled by Irwindale's vehement defense of its prescription drug program. This program costs the city nearly $1 million each year, and disproportionately benefits a very small segment of its population. In addition, the city has neither adequately demonstrated the need for the program nor made sure it is cost effective. There is a cost-free alternative program offered by the League of California Cities that Irwindale could put in place.

All Recommendations in 2016-111

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.