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Home Audit Reports Non-Audit Services On-going Non-Audit Services

 

On-going Non-Audit Services

 

Garnishments

 

FY 2007 Disbursement Facts:

FY 2008 Disbursement Facts:

Number of checks reviewed: 50,213

Value of checks reviewed: $701,060,050.32

Number of checks withheld: 883

Value of checks withheld: $16,828,939.81

Number of wire transfers reviewed: 1068

Value of wire transfers reviewed: $2,862,656,195.38

 

A wage garnishment is a court ordered document that is served upon the employer for the purpose of deducting money from an employee’s salary in order to satisfy a debt. Most common monetary judgments are for unpaid child support, spousal support or unpaid taxes.

The Office of the Long Beach City Auditor currently manages over 300 active garnishment files for the over 5,000 employees of the City of Long Beach totaling $87,000 each payroll period. The process is complex because each garnishment has unique regulations regarding collection and payment of monies processed. Multiple agencies have active garnishments with the City at any one time. Currently, the Office of the Long Beach City Auditor is managing accounts for over twenty agencies including The U.S. Department Of Education, The California Franchise Tax Board, The United States Internal Revenue Service and The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The City Auditor’s Office staff performs all wage garnishment-related duties including audits of garnishments each pay period. Staff complies with appropriate continuing education to ensure that all new laws, rules and regulations are being practiced.

 

Disbursements

 

FY 2007 Disbursement Facts:

FY 2008 Disbursement Facts:

Number of checks reviewed: 50,213

Value of checks reviewed: $701,060,050.32

Number of checks withheld: 883

Value of checks withheld: $16,828,939.81

Number of wire transfers reviewed: 1068

Value of wire transfers reviewed: $2,862,656,195.38

 

Long Beach City Charter §804 establishes the City Auditor’s authority regarding the disbursement of City funds. The City Auditor must sign each check that the City issues, including vendor payments, workers’ compensation claims, and employee payroll. Additionally, the Office of the City Auditor is responsible for the final approval of the City’s wire transfers.

Each disbursement is reviewed to ensure payments are appropriate, timely, authorized, and documented. If there is an issue with a requested disbursement, payment is withheld until the issue is resolved. No checks or wire transfers may leave the City without the express authorization of the Office of the City Auditor.

 

The City Auditor's Guide to Payments

The City Auditor's Office publishes a "Guide to Payments" to assist City employees in understanding the purchase and expense reimbursement policies of the City of Long Beach.

 

Click here to download the Guide.


The updated 2008 version continues the Office's general approach to City payments. An example of a recent change is that now reimbursement for a limited amount of checked baggage fees on City travel is appropriate, as these fees have become standard on most airlines.

Please call the City Auditor's Office at (562) 570-6751 with any questions.

 

 

 

Association of Local Government Auditors

2008 Silver Award Website Winner

Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud

333 West Ocean Blvd, 8th Floor, Long Beach, California 90802

Tel: (562) 570-6751 | Fax: (562) 570-6167