State & Local Reports

PERD conducted this follow-up review of its September 2007 report on the study of statutory legal advertisements. One objective of this study was to follow-up on PERD’s September 2007 report related to statutorily required legal advertisements and the costs incurred as a result of them to state agencies, county government agencies, county boards of education, public institutions of higher education, and the 10 most populous municipalities. An additional objective included determining the estimated costs for developing and maintaining a government website with a centralized repository where legal advertisements for all governmental entities could be placed. After surveying 22 state agencies and subdivisions, all 55 county governments, subdivisions, and county boards of education, all 19 public institutions of higher education, and the 10 most populous municipalities, the Legislative Auditor determined that these entities combined paid more than $4.6 million in FY 2019 to publish statutorily required legal advertisements in qualified newspapers.

The objectives of this review are to determine how Sharpe Hospital was impacted after losing certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and whether the hospital complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In September 2017, Sharpe’s CMS certification was revoked as a result of deficient patient treatment plans. The resulting consequences included a decrease in revenue, an increase in expenditures, significant changes to the patient population, and the implementation of new employment standards that led to notable turnovers within the hospital. Sharpe has demonstrated the ability to correct internal deficiencies; however, maintaining compliance with federal hospital guidelines remains imperative to avoiding a repeat loss of CMS certification. The most recent CMS survey of Sharpe Hospital, dated August 14, 2019, did not find any ADA-related deficiencies.

The objectives of this review are to assess the Board’s compliance with the general provisions of Chapter 30, Article 1, of the West Virginia Code and the Board’s enabling statute; determine if the Board's rules and regulations protect the public; and, determine if the Board’s office location is generally accessible to state citizens with special needs as it relates to selected guidelines from the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). The second objective considers consolidation of smaller West Virginia Chapter 30 boards previously cited by PERD in the past for lack of segregation of duties into a multi-professional and occupation board. Finally, it is also the objective of the Legislative Auditor to assess the Board’s website for user-friendliness and transparency. PERD finds that the Board complies with most general provisions of Chapter 30 and that many other small boards could benefit from improved operations and efficiency through the development of a multi-professional agency. The Board's website needs improvements to enhance user-friendliness and transparency.

This letter-report is a response to the Joint Committee on Government Organization and Operations' request that PERD review whether the Board of Physical Therapy is allowing licensed physical therapists to perform dry needling and auricular acudetox therapy. There is also concern that the Board may not require the individuals to post a certificate or license which indicates training in either modality. The Board is of the opinion that dry needling is within the scope of practice of a West Virginia licensed physical therapist; however, it does not offer dry needling training or certification, nor does it know how many are certified within the state. The Board reports that physical therapists do not perform acupuncture but they do perform manual techniques in auricular therapy.

The two objectives of this audit are to assess the State Police’s purchasing policies and procedures pursuant to W. Va. Code for 2018 and 2019. Since receiving its requested exemption from the Purchasing Division in July 2017, PERD finds that the State Police has not developed formal written purchasing policies and procedures. PERD sampled State Police transactions from calendar year 2018 to review for compliance with its limited purchasing procedural guidelines. PERD found that there were few sampled transactions that were in complete compliance with the agency’s limited guidelines. The lack of compliance is attributed to a lack of clear written policies and procedures, and enforcement of those procedures. The State Police’s current purchasing practices increase the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.

This letter-report is a response to the Joint Committee on Government Organization and Operations' request that PERD review whether the Board of Physical Therapy is adhering to its procedural rule which requires the Board to receive and investigate complaints against registered athletic trainers, as well as, to administer discipline when warranted. PERD reviewed the Board's complaint logs calendar years 2011-2019, reviewed a sample of complaint files, and questioned the Board regarding the complaint process. Since 2011, there were 67 complaints filed against either physical therapists or physical therapist assistants, but none filed against athletic trainers.

This special report provides summary information and 3 interactive dashboards with Arizona school districts’ and charter schools’ reported spending through June 30, 2021, and planned spending of allocated/awarded COVID-19 federal relief monies. This special report also provides Arizona Department of Education (ADE)-reported spending through June 30, 2021, and planned future spending of the discretionary COVID-19 federal relief monies that it received, as required by the law. This information is included below the dashboards.