Although the Division of Hotels and Restaurants has improved its operations in recent years, it has not inspected food establishments, public lodging, and apartments as often as required by law for several years. Inspection shortfalls are due mainly to staffing cuts, changes in inspection field procedures, and problems implementing handheld computers. Because inspections gauge compliance with health and safety requirements, this problem increases risks to the public. Options for resolving this situation include increasing fees to fund additional positions, reducing the number of inspections required by administrative rule and law, and streamlining the current sanctioning process. The division also could improve its performance by increasing consumer access to its website and adopting performance measures with a stronger connection to its core mission.
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