Report 2021-118 Recommendation 14 Responses
Report 2021-118: State Water Resources Control Board: It Lacks the Urgency Necessary to Ensure That Failing Water Systems Receive Needed Assistance in a Timely Manner (Release Date: July 2022)
Recommendation #14 To: Water Resources Control Board
To ensure that it has sufficient staff to process funding applications in a timely manner, by July 2023 the State Water Board should evaluate its progress in meeting its performance goals and assess whether its current staffing levels are sufficient. If the State Water Board finds that it needs additional staff to meet its goals or to prevent a backlog of applications, it should request additional funding from the Legislature to meet its staffing needs.
6-Month Agency Response
DFA received 25 PY in the current fiscal year budget to support administration of new federal and State funding. DFA anticipates that the combination of filling these new positions, and efficiencies gained through process improvements and DFA's recent re-organization, will allow DFA to meet its performance goals. The Governor's FY 23/24 Budget, therefore, does not include a request for additional staff resources.
- Completion Date: January 2023
- Response Date: January 2023
California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Pending
We have requested supporting documentation from the State Water Board and look forward to reviewing its progress in implementing this recommendation.
- Auditee did not substantiate its claim of full implementation
- Auditee did not address all aspects of the recommendation
60-Day Agency Response
The staffing resources of the State Water Board are determined by State Legislature and the Governor's Office. In 2022 State Budget Act, the Division of Financial Assistance received 25 new positions to help administer an increase in Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund financing provided under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. These positions are in addition to new positions provided in the 2021 Budget Act to help administer approximately $1.3B in drinking water and clean water project funding.
- Estimated Completion Date: June 30, 2023
- Response Date: September 2022
California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: No Action Taken
All Recommendations in 2021-118
Agency responses received are posted verbatim.