Amador County Grand Jury
2021-2022
Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F1:
The County General Plan Housing and Safety Elements are out of date and need to be updated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Grand Jury recommends that the Housing Element along with the Safety Element be brought into compliance with State statue as soon as possible and no later than December 31, 2022. (F1)
F2:
There are insufficient County plans or procedures to mitigate fire dangers for existing residential properties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County further consider prioritizing, implementing, and enforcing fire safety programs including the new Ordinance No. 1820 for residences and private landowners. (F2)
F3:
We commend the BOS for passing Ordinance No. 1820, which the County recently adopted.
F4:
The County has insufficient staffing for grant programs that support fire safety in the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Grand Jury recommends that the BOS consider coordinating with State representatives and neighboring county partners to more efficiently utilize grant funding resources and to petition State and Federal government to address staffing shortages at the State and Federal levels. (F4)
F5:
The AFSC, a non-profit organization, is focused and active in fire mitigation and protection within the County. Several County officials referred the Grand Jury to AFSC for information, despite AFSC being a non-profit organization unaffiliated with the County. We commend AFSC for its service to the community.
F6:
There is insufficient County-level accountability or funding for fire safety enforcement in the County. 8
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County consider taking over more direct responsibility and accountability for fire protection and not rely on less accountable non-profit and non- governmental entities. (F5/6)
F7:
There are insufficient funds to enforce County Ordinance No. 1820.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County consider hiring or assigning a County employee the responsibility to enforce Ordinance No. 1820 and any other defensible space laws and regulations. (F7). 9
F8:
There is insufficient communication within the County fire related agencies, due to the lack of staffing and funding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County consider hiring a financial advisor to prioritize the budget to address staffing needs, and consider hiring a grant writer to pursue grant funding. (F8/9)
F9:
There is no County department devoted to finding, applying for, and managing grant funding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County consider hiring a financial advisor to prioritize the budget to address staffing needs, and consider hiring a grant writer to pursue grant funding. (F8/9)
F10:
The County provides the public insufficient fire-safety resources that are reliable, current, and educational. As a result, the Grand Jury finds the County is not meeting its General Plan Safety Element Goal S-2 to reduce fire risks to current and future structures.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Grand Jury recommends that all County websites be updated quarterly with current information so the public is able to access resources easily and quickly. We recommend that a website be created to provide all fire related issues and resources in one place. (F10/11) a. There should be a link on the county website to this website. b. The website should assist homeowners in finding specific information pertinent to fire prevention, mitigation, and other fire issues. c. The website should have a printable or electronic complaint form that will streamline the enforcement process for Ordinance No. 1820. d. The website should contain an organizational chart of all fire-related resources in the County.
F11:
The Grand Jury finds that information on fire safety and prevention websites are fragmented and not current. Many links for resources are not useful or functioning.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Grand Jury recommends that all County websites be updated quarterly with current information so the public is able to access resources easily and quickly. We recommend that a website be created to provide all fire related issues and resources in one place. (F10/11) a. There should be a link on the county website to this website. b. The website should assist homeowners in finding specific information pertinent to fire prevention, mitigation, and other fire issues. c. The website should have a printable or electronic complaint form that will streamline the enforcement process for Ordinance No. 1820. d. The website should contain an organizational chart of all fire-related resources in the County.