Gran Jurado del Condado de Butte
2014-2015
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (4)
Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
16 hallazgos
F1:
The Butte County Jail is operated by a professional and dedicated staff.
F2:
The Butte County Jail is not designed for long-term inmate housing as mandated by AB 109.
F3:
Butte County is in need of a new jail facility.
F4:
The Butte County Sheriff has been innovative in managing the jail and helping those individuals sentenced by the court and who are placed in his custody with a priority for public safety.
F5:
Valuable internship experience for students was achieved through a partnership between the Sheriff and CSUC’s Criminal Justice Program.
F6:
The Butte County Sheriff-Coroner website contains little information regarding the DRC programs.
F7:
The TMS Principal is highly motivated and works well with her staff.
F8:
The TMS is highly committed to helping their students achieve success in school as well as beyond incarceration.
F9:
The annexation will leave the Police and Fire Departments more understaffed than they already are.
F10:
The City is seeking a one percent increase in Sales Tax to pay for more Police and Fire Personnel.
F11:
Police and Fire now come under the heading of Public Safety, although they are still separate entities.
F12:
Planning and Development utilizes mid-managers to help with the workload and make the development process run smoother.
F13:
Finance has updated its procedures and outdated software to help with its workload.
F14:
The City Council, Department Heads and Managers use meetings as a way to resolve conflicts.
F15:
Dealing with homeless people has become a problem for the City.
F16:
Water has begun to be a problem the City Parks will need to address, particularly if drought conditions continue.
Recomendaciones adicionales
9
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R1:
The Butte County Board of Supervisors and the Sheriff should continue to search for adequate funding for a new jail facility.
R2:
The partnership between the Sheriff and CSUC’s Criminal Justice Program should continue.
R3:
ACS and visitation programs that have been successful should continue. 6
R4:
The Sheriff should provide additional information on the Sheriff-Coroner website regarding the array of programs available to participants. Responses Pursuant to Penal Code §933 and §933.05, the following responses are required: • Butte County Sheriff: A response to Findings F1 through F6 and Recommendations R1 through R4. • Butte County Board of Supervisors: A response to Findings F1 through F6 and Recommendations R1. The governing body indicated above should be aware that the comment or response of the governing body must be conducted subject to the notice, agenda and open meeting requirements of the Brown Act. Reports issued by the civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §929 requires that the reports of the Grand Jury do not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the civil Grand Jury. 7 [This page left blank intentionally] 8 2014-2015 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT BUTTE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL AND TABLE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL
R5:
The City should consider developing a plan to restore the Workers’ Compensation Fund by developing a restoration plan similar to the General Fund Reserve Restoration Plan. Responses Pursuant to Penal Code §933 and §933.05, the Chico City Council is required to respond to all Findings and Recommendations of the Grand Jury Report. The Grand Jury invites the Chico City Manager to respond to all Findings and Recommendations of the Grand Jury Report. The governing body indicated above should be aware that the comment or response of the governing body must be conducted subject to the notice, agenda and open meeting requirements of the Brown Act. Reports issued by the civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §929 requires that the reports of the Grand Jury do not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the civil Grand Jury. Attachment B General Fund—Use of Fund Carryover from June 30, 2014 City Council Agenda Report—Meeting Date 03/03/2015 Exhibit B - Provides for a 51% ($2.45M) transfer to the General Fund Deficit (Fund 004) and loan is written off, Airport Fund ($100k), and allows for a ($1.2M) fund balance in Fund 001 that can be used as beginning fund balance for the fiscal year 2015-16 budget. General Fund - Exhibit B - Maximizes fund balance carryover in Fund 001 General Fund (Fund 001) fund balance reconciliation: Fund balance at 6/30/14 $ 4,860,207 Items Previously Approved: • Allocation of 3 Police Officers $190,000 • Waste Hauler Consultant $120,000 • Exp Bancroft Agreement - 1st Payment $120,000 • Sycamore Pool Total $48,000 • Items Previously Approved • $ 478,000 10% Additional Items Proposed: • PW Preventative Maint Software $2,500 • Citywide Cyber Security Assessment $20,000 • P. D. Interview Rooms - Monitoring Equipment $25,000 • Library Funding $25,000 • Citywide Document Management System (including P.D. workflow) $40,000 • City Hall - Monitoring Equipment $50,000 • LED Street Lights – Critical Intersections $50,000 • P.D.-Laser Mapping System for the CSI and Major Accidents $74,000 • City-Wide Timekeeping/P.D. Advanced Scheduler Program $75,000 • PW Street Condition Assessment Total $85,000 Items Previously Approved $446,500 9% Additional Transfers Proposed: • Recommended fund balance carryover (Fund 001) $1,200,000 • Recommended transfer to Fund -Zone l Neighborhood Parks $181,000 • Recommended transfer to Fund 856 - Airport Fund Total $100,000 Total Additional Transfers $1,481,000 30% Recommended Transfer to General Fund Deficit $2,454,707 51% 23 Attachment C Chico Fund Reserve Restoration Plan 24 Attachment D City Council Approved New Fiscal Policies In order to move the City towards fiscal health Council approved the following new fiscal policies (See the following Budget Policies): “A budget must be sustainable into the future, not balanced with one-time fixes, such as transfer of reserves or set-asides, and must reasonably reflect expenditures that match available revenues." “The City shall establish a plan to reduce the current deficits and to structurally balance the City's budget." "The City will dedicate new ongoing revenue sources in the following manner and priority: Priority 1: Reducing fund deficits, addressing anticipated fund deficits, funding significant long-term liabilities and replenishing established Fund balance targets. Priority 2: Fixed cost increases outside Council control (e.g., health benefit escalators). Priority 3: Replenishing internal service funds, such as Vehicle Replacement, Building Maintenance, etc. Priority 4: Discretionary expenditures and negotiable items. “One-time revenues not anticipated during the fiscal year will be primarily dedicated to reducing fund deficits, addressing anticipated fund deficits, funding significant long-term liabilities, and replenishing reserve and internal service funds to established targets.” This (next) section increased the safeguards and tightened controls over the use and appropriation of department expenditures. "The City will refrain from allowing funds to fall into deficit positions or continuing growth in existing fund balance deficits. Annual fund deficits should be eliminated by transferring funds into the deficit fund to maintain the previous year's fund balance." "Fund Deficit Mitigation and General Fund Reserve Restoration Plan" This section details the General Fund deficit repayment plan and the restoration of Fund Reserves through fiscal year 2029-30. Source-City Council Agenda Report------March 3, 2015 Meeting, 25 [This page left blank intentionally] 26 2014-2015 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT OROVILLE: A CITY DEALS WITH TODAY’S PROBLEMS
R6:
The various elements of City Government should continue to use meetings as a way of communicating with one another and resolving any conflicts.
R7:
Oroville needs to continue to manage its homeless problem by supporting programs that get people off the streets and into places that help them deal with their problems.
R8:
The City needs to develop a plan for dealing with its water problem, including using native species as a way of keeping their parks and recreation areas from becoming brown or completely paved over with concrete.
R9:
The Butte County BOS should communicate its concern that the citizens of Butte County could be at unreasonable risk as long as railroad bridges located in Butte County remain uninspected by the CPUC. RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code §933 and §933.05, the following responses are required: • Butte County Board of Supervisors: A response to Findings F1 through F11 and Recommendations R1 through R9. The Butte County Grand Jury invites the following individuals to respond: • Butte County Chief Administrative Officer: A response to Findings F1, F2, and F6 through F11, and Recommendations R5 through R6. The governing body indicated above should be aware that the comment or response of the governing body must be conducted subject to the notice, agenda and open meeting requirements of the Brown Act. Reports issued by the civil Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code §929 requires that the reports of the Grand Jury do not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the civil Grand Jury. 75 [This page left blank intentionally] 76 2014-2015 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT BUTTE COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT “DIAMOND INCIDENT” EXERCISE MARCH 11, 2015
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
4 hallazgos
F1:
and R1: Golden Feather has established a working website with up-to-date information
F2:
and R2: If a volunteer has a financial hardship Golden Feather would assist them with the cost of qualifying to work in school.
F3:
and R3: Golden Feather is exploring preschool opportunities with the county office and as a standalone program.
F4:
and R4: We would welcome a more regular presence of our local law enforcement. Sincerely, Hug blow Greg Blake Superintendent Golden Feather UESD
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
7 hallazgos
F1:
School district websites are a good source for information to the public regarding activities, academics, and other relevant information. Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent agrees with the Butte County Grand Jury finding that school district websites are a good source for information to the pubic regarding activities, academics, and other relevant information. The Butte County Office of Education website was updated in July, 2013 and has been commended by the public for its user friendly access and information it provides to the community. RI All school districts should complete the development of their websites and keep them current. Response: The Butte County Office of Education website is current and up to date. The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent will work with the local school districts to ensure their information on the county website is up to date.
F2:
The Grand Jury was impressed with educational and social Superintendent development opportunities available to the juveniles. [email protected] Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent thanks the Butte County Grand Jury for recognizing the educational and social development opportunities available to the juveniles. Principal Karen Stiles and her staff work closely with Butte County Mia Osborne-Ng Probation and have worked hard to address literacy, writing and Sr. Executive Assistant high school graduation for all. [email protected]
F3:
BCOE/TMS has an established partnership with Butte Community College to provide opportunities for students to enroll and earn college credits. Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent confirms the established partnership with Butte Community College Board of Education providing students on-line courses to begin their college experience, and completed the first year of student enrollment Amy Christianson Ryne Johnson with success. This unique collaboration is one of the few juvenile Jeannine MacKay hall programs in California that provides college courses for Brenda J. McLaughlin incarcerated youth. Butte County Probation should be Roger Steel commended for their progressive leadership on behalf of youth. Betty Vassar Mike Walsh
F4:
When law enforcement questions arise, staff does not have a dedicated deputy sheriff to contact. Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent agrees that school districts do not have dedicated deputy sheriff to contact when law enforcement questions arise.
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
The Butte County Sheriff's Department should assign a designated deputy position to each of the small rural school districts to be of assistance in possible emergency situations and to develop relationships with students, staff, and parents. Response: Assigning a deputy to each of these schools is not fiscally feasible as enrollment is extremely small. However, the Butte County Office of Education Superintendent continues to work with the Butte County school districts to develop cohesive safety plans for campus protection. This effort involves partnering with the Butte County Sheriff, Butte County Fire, and local fire and police. All 14 school districts in Butte County are reviewing new school safety communication systems that include state of the art capacities. This will provide our districts with better tools to work with local law enforcement and fire agencies. PERSONAL NOTE: Thank you for the opportunity to address the comments and provide recommendations to your report. This task has allowed me to personally acknowledge the great efforts that take place daily, and by so many in the community to support the educational goals of our Butte County students. Respectfully submitted: Tim Taylor, Superintendent Butte County Office of Education
F5:
The educational curriculum at TMS combines core classes with programs that identify and reinforce positive social skills. Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent thanks the Butte County Grand Jury for recognizing the educational curriculum at Table Mountain School as a combination core study and reinforcement of positive social skills. 1859 Bird Street Oroville, CA 95965
F6:
The TMS staff is highly committed to helping students achieve (530) 532-5761 Fax (530) 532-5762 success in school and in their future lives beyond incarceration. http://www.bcoe.org Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent appreciates the recognition by the Butte County Grand Jury for commending the Table Mountain School staff on their passion and dedication to helping their student achieve success in school and in their future lives beyond incarceration. An Equal Opportunity Employer 2013-14 Grand Jury Responses September 1, 2014 BUTTE COUNTY JUVENILE HALL AND TABLE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL (con't)
F7:
Students have the opportunity to share stories and poems with incarcerated students in other areas of the state. Response: The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent acknowledges the fortune in employing not only highly qualified staff, but staff that brings out the best in the juveniles. The writing program created by Erin Gruwell and now famous by the "Freedom Writers" movie, encouraged Butte County juveniles to take a leap toward creativity, and has become a successful outlet for many students. 2013-14 SMALL RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS Pursuant to Penal Code § 933 and § 933.05, the following responses are required: A response to Finding F1 through F4 and Recommendation R1 through R4 from the following: Butte County Office of Education Superintendent Bangor Union Elementary School District Feather Falls Union Elementary School District Golden Feather Union School District Pioneer Union Elementary School District
Recomendaciones adicionales
2
No vinculadas a hallazgos específicos.
R2:
The school districts should assist with the cost of qualifying volunteers to work on the school campus. Volunteers who work in Butte County Office of Education schools do not pay for the cost of Response: qualifying to work. The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent will work with the school districts to help assist with the cost of qualifying volunteers in district schools. 2013-14 Grand Jury Responses September 1, 2014 2013-14 SMALL RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS (con't)
R3:
School districts should provide preschool programs. Response: Currently the State of California does not provide adequate funding for small rural schools and preschool is not mandated to be offered by the school districts. The state has not addressed how to fund preschools in small rural schools who have limited numbers of preschoolers available in their area to attend. The Butte County Office of Education Superintendent has addressed this with the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, as have other small, rural Superintendents in California.
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Hallazgos & Recomendaciones
15 hallazgos
F1:
The County's network went live in the late 1990's it has achieved a greater than 99 percent uptime. The continuous operation of the network is critical to all departments within the county. The respondent agrees with the finding.
F2:
The Butte County ISD's Information Technology Strategic Plan was prepared in 2005 and has not recently been updated. The respondent agrees with the finding.
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R1:
Plan to reflect new technology developments and new support services needed. It should be reviewed annually in order to respond to any unanticipated need or development opportunity. The recommendation has not been implemented but will be in FY 2014-15. The ISD Information Technology Strategic Plan was prepared in 2005 and was intended to be updated regularly. However, despite the repeated assurances from the former Information Systems Director, he was unable to develop these updates. The Chief Administrative Officer has requested the new Information Systems Director provide an updated 3-5 year plan for information system services in the County, and that it be updated on a regular basis.
F3:
Currently ISD is preparing to launch Lync™, a unified messaging system to leverage the county's fiber data infrastructure and to deploy VoIP technologies onto the BCI network. The respondent agrees with the finding.
F4:
ISD's strategy is to maintain an industry standard of a maximum 5-year technology refresh rate of enterprise class server equipment; and a 3-5 year refresh rate of network infrastructure routing and switching equipment. The respondent partially agrees with the finding. According to the IS Department, "A 3-5 year refresh rate for enterprise server class equipment is a target that, for the most part, ISD has been able to meet. A 5-8 year refresh rate for network infrastructure equipment is a suitable target. Extending beyond 8 years increases the potential for equipment failure, but more importantly diminishes the ability to provide necessary services."
F5:
Since the FY 2008/2009 budget reductions, most of the infrastructure hardware life has been extended to 10+ years (core router and switching equipment), which is beyond its normal life span. The respondent neither agrees nor disagrees with the finding. The Administration Department is not aware of the life of specific pieces of equipment, though over the past few years the IS Department has purchased a large amount of equipment (including routers and switching equipment) utilizing the ISF Equipment Replacement Fund, which does not appear to have been discussed nor reviewed as part of the Grand Jury Report.
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R2:
Butte County should provide adequate resources to ISD to ensure the network infrastructure is at the industry standard refresh rate of 3-5 years for technology and hardware. The recommendation has been implemented. The County has and will continue to fund replacement technology as requested by the IS Department and as financial resources are available.
F6:
The core router was replaced in FY 2013 with funds made available from Homeland Security Grants. The respondent agrees with the finding.
F7:
With the implementation of the Microsoft® Lync™ unified messaging system, the county networked devices will increase to over 12,000+ units. The respondent partially agrees with the finding. According to the IS Department a final number cannot be accurately determined due to variables in deployment options. The number of devices will likely double from the current number, but will be well under 12,000 units.
F8:
Without additional staff resources, ISD will continue to be overburdened with support issues. The respondent partially agrees with this finding. In an environment where funding constraints did not exist, additional staff for ISD would certainly be considered. However, in the reality of a public organization with limited resources and competing important priorities, it is impossible to fund every department at the optimal level. In order to help IS with its workload, an additional position was allocated in the FY 14-15 budget. With that position, the department is able to maintain services, albeit at a level lower than the department wishes. The loss of key ISD employees would be catastrophic to the county. Loss of
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R4:
Butte County should allocate funds to rehire or replace ISD positions eliminated after budget cuts were implemented in FY 2008/09 and allocate additional positions to support expanding workloads. The recommendation has been implemented. The IS Department received additional position allocations beginning in FY 2012-2013. With the addition of one (1) position in the FY 2014-2015 budget, the IS Department position allocation will be back to the same level it was in FY 2007-2008 (27 Full-Time Equivalent positions), prior to the 2008 budget reductions.
F9:
their valuable knowledge, experience, and commitment would be a major set back to the functionality of the department. The respondent agrees with this finding. The same could be said of any department within the County, which is why each County department head is charged with providing cross training opportunities and succession planning so that no single employee is the sole source of knowledge related to any aspect of the department's function.
F10:
The IS Department provides mission critical services and support to most county departments. Loss of ISD support to any of these departments would greatly impair their ability to conduct county business. The respondent agrees with this finding.
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R5:
Butte County should acknowledge the importance of the IS Department and its role, which is mission critical, to the citizens of Butte County and most county departments. The recommendation has been implemented. The Board of Supervisors and Chief Administrative Officer continually acknowledge the importance of the IS Department and its role through favorable resource allocation, open lines of communication and consensus building.
F11:
The current adopted budget FY 2013/14 for ISD is 0.85 percent of the total county budget, down from 1.42 percent in the 2008/09. The respondent agrees with the finding. For the last ten years the IS Department has been given increased duties and
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R6:
Butte County should commit to fund ISD, for the next five years, at a minimum rate of 1.75 percent of the total county budget, with a goal of 3 percent within 10 years. The recommendation has already been implemented. Because County government in California is an arm of the State, the majority of the funding received by the County is pass-through funding for State and federally mandated programs, and not available to fund IS functions. A more accurate picture can be painted by looking at the IS Department budget as a percentage of the General Fund. Over the past 10 years, the IS Department's operating budget ranged from 3.1% to 3.6% of the General Fund. The Grand Jury's analysis did not include discussion regarding the amount of funding that the IS Department utilizes from the ISF (Support Services) Equipment Replacement Fund for replacement equipment and infrastructure that supports the IS Department's mission. When one takes into account that additional funding, the IS Department percentage of resources increases to close to 4% in some years. The ISF Equipment Replacement Fund is funded through depreciation payments on capitalized equipment that is spread throughout County departments, and then used to replace equipment for the IS Department, General Services, and Risk Management as needed.
F12:
responsibilities and their budget has remained flat (increase of 0.08 percent) while the overall county budget has increased by $200,000,000 (61 percent) (see Appendix B). The respondent disagrees with this finding. The Department's budget (not including reimbursements) was $4,053,663 in FY 2003- 2004 and $4,746,429 in FY 2013-2014, an increase of 17% over the 10-year period, with a major recession in the middle of that time period. The major increase in the overall County budget relates to increased State and Federal funding for specific mandated services, or the realignment of services from the State to the County and is not funding that is available for IS operations, beyond the program's share of support costs. In addition, the Grand Jury's calculation does not take into account the amount of money spent in the ISF Equipment Replacement Fund each year for replacement equipment and infrastructure in support of the IS Department's operations. The County's radio communication relies on outdated equipment installed on
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R3:
Butte County should diligently search and pursue available grants from any and all sources to fund necessary infrastructure upgrades. The recommendation has been implemented. The County has and will continue to pursue funding through grants, legislative advocacy, and leveraging of existing resources.
F13:
Saint John Mountain, located in Glenn County, which is costly to support. The respondent agrees with this finding. Of the County's older personal computers, 500+ are still operating on the
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R7:
Butte County should acknowledge the problems with St. John Mountain radio system and take steps to replace the antiquated equipment before total system failure. The recommendation has been partially implemented. The County is well aware of the issues related to the St. John Mountain radio site and has been diligently working to identify grants, working with our legislative advocates, and identifying ways to leverage local resources to address the daunting project of replacing the antiquated system. What was identified as a $40 million project in the early 2000's has been reduced to an approximately $12 million project and the IS and Administration Departments continue to search for funding.
F14:
Windows XP system and will require upgrades in order to function in the upgraded Active Directory. The respondent disagrees with this finding. At the time the Grand Jury was researching this issue, there were computers still operating with the Windows XP operating system. The County invested funding in FYs 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 to upgrade all outdated computers and operating systems so that the upgraded Active Directory could be used by all employees. All computers have been updated.
Recomendaciones relacionadas (1)
R8:
Butte County must acknowledge that they have in excess of 500 personal computers that have outdated operating systems in use. It is recommended that the County consider a lease arrangement, or the outright purchase, to assist departments in the replacement of outdated machines, which will be required for compatibility with the new Active Directory. The recommendation has already been implemented. As part of the FY 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 budgets, funding was included to bring all County computers up to the required operating system to utilize the functionality of the new Active Directory. Butte County Indigent Defense Services
F15:
Two full-time employees are dedicated to network security, monitoring against unauthorized users and filtering for SPAM and viruses, while receiving over 800,000 Internet messages monthly. The respondent agrees with this finding. The County has invested in numerous systems over the past few years, at the request of the IS Department, to lessen the impact on the two full-time employees, though not all of the systems have been fully deployed by the IS Department to-date.
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.