Calaveras County Grand Jury
2018-2019
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Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F1:
The ACS facility is old, outdated, and insufficient to care for and house animals.
F2:
Funding to purchase one additional new vehicle is needed.
F3:
Through interviews, the CCGJ determined that when funded properly, ACS functions more effectively under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff’s Office. Under the administration of the Sheriff’s Office, an ACS Officer would command more respect and authority within the community, have the authority to issue citations, make arrests, and enforce codes and licensing laws.
F4:
Currently, revenue collected by ACS goes directly into the County General Fund instead of enhancing the ACS budget, limiting funds available for their specific needs.
F5:
Due to a lack of funding, ACS has not complied with all of the recommendations made in the Bickmore Hazard Assessment Report.
F6:
ACS does not have an official uniform policy, does not provide uniforms to its officers, and does not have adequate funding for uniforms. The officers do not have a professional, identifiable appearance.
F7:
There is an insufficient number of office personnel to keep the ACS office open eight hours a day, five days a week, limiting public access to available services.
F8:
A Policy and Procedure Manual does not exist, resulting in inconsistent practices and procedures, and a lack of structure for the department and its employees.
F9:
The signed preliminary MOU between the Humane Society and Calaveras County to build a new animal shelter facility was terminated after the county expressed a desire to rewrite the terms of the MOU.
F10:
ACS does not have a current training manual resulting in operational inconsistencies.
F11:
There is not a current written policy and procedure on how evidence is handled, logged, transported to the Sheriff’s Office, or otherwise properly stored. This has resulted in a loss of evidence and documentation, which likely will occur again due to a lack of policy and procedure.
Additional Recommendations
10
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
By the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the BOS must commit to one of the following: a) Provide ACS the necessary budget to allow for the building of a new facility, b) Investigate vacant county buildings for use as a replacement Animal Shelter and authorize funding to conduct a feasibility assessment of the old jail facility, c) Eliminate ACS in Calaveras County, thus requiring the outsourcing of operations.
R2:
The BOS needs to allocate to ACS the necessary funds in the 2019-2020 budget for one additional properly equipped new vehicle.
R3:
The BOS should place ACS under the management of the Sheriff’s Office and provide the necessary additional budget to operate, equip, and staff ACS properly. This should occur within the 2019-2020 fiscal year.
R4:
Any donations or fees collected by ACS should be directly allocated to the ACS budget instead of being directed into the County General Fund.
R5:
By the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the BOS should provide the necessary funding to bring ACS into compliance with all of the recommendations made in the Bickmore Hazard Assessment Report.
R6:
ACS needs an official uniform policy by the end of the 2019-2020 fiscal year; additional funding for uniforms is needed in the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget.
R7:
In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the BOS needs to approve the budget necessary for hiring additional office personnel for ACS.
R8:
ACS management needs to develop a Policy and Procedure Manual using industry standards provided in “Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters” 2010 by December 31, 2019.
R10:
ACS management needs to create a training manual by December 31, 2019.
R11:
ACS management needs to establish written evidence handling procedures by December 31, 2019.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
A county-wide standardized Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual does not exist, resulting in each department handling all purchasing at the discretion of the department head, thus eliminating appropriate checks and balances.
F2:
A county grant application and administration policy does not exist, resulting in the potential loss of funds.
F3:
The CAO failed to ensure CCGJ participation in the audit process as directed in the BOS response to the Grand Jury Report of 2014-2015.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The CAO should complete the Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual no later than December 31, 2019.
R2:
a) The CAO should complete the grant application and administration policy no later than October 1, 2019, and b) The CAO and BOS should form a grant writing committee consisting of cross-departmental representation no later than July 1, 2020.
R3:
The CAO should ensure that Grand Jury participation is implemented no later than the beginning of the next SCA process, including: • Selection of the auditing firm, • Participation in all SCA interviews, • Copies of all correspondence and reports.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
An Administrative Draft of the General Plan from Mintier-Harnish & Associates was delivered to the Calaveras Planning Department but was not released to the public as allowed under CPRA guidelines.
F2:
A “counter copy” report entitled “Calaveras County General Plan Public Review Draft Baseline Report” submitted by Mintier-Harnish & Associates, is at the Planning Department and available for public view.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
When commercial cannabis cultivation was permitted, the County used cannabis fees to sustain Code Compliance regulatory activities.
F2:
The current staffing levels allow for one Code Compliance Officer in each of the five districts.
F3:
The Code Compliance unit is operating without a Policy and Procedure Manual.
F4:
A revision of the Calaveras County Code §8.06 is on hold until a fee schedule is submitted August 2019 by Code Compliance.
F5:
As an internal unit of the CCBD, Code Compliance funding and stability are affected.
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Code Compliance needs to focus on all county compliance issues such as zoning, signage, main county highway beautification, and nuisance abatement.
R2:
Keep Code Compliance staffed with a minimum of five officers with one appointed as Director.
R3:
Code Compliance needs to complete a comprehensive Policy and Procedure Manual by December 31, 2019.
R4:
During the master fee schedule revision process, Code Compliance must avoid writing municipal codes and fee schedules which create financial and physical hardships.
R5:
The BOS needs to authorize a Code Compliance Department with its own budget by December 31, 2019.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Measure L Bond language implied that a Foothills campus would be built by SJDCD. After the Bond was approved by SJDCD voters, the project was abandoned, and there are no plans to build a campus or a college learning center in Calaveras County for the remaining life of the Bond.
F2:
Despite the BOS response to the 2013-2014 CCGJ report which expressed their desire for SJDCD to expand and establish a Foothill area campus or education center, this has not occurred and will not occur during the life of the Bond.
F3:
According to the SJDCD 20-Year Comprehensive Master Plan, the District will likely require the passage of another bond measure to fund its long-term capital expenses for construction and improvements.
F4:
As long as Calaveras County is a member of SJDCD, any new bond could be approved with or without the support of County voters.
F5:
There is a strong desire among Calaveras County educators and students for higher education opportunities within the County.
Additional Recommendations
5
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
At a Board meeting scheduled no later than October 1, 2019, SJDCD Board of Trustees needs to reevaluate unspent funds, even if allocated, to address an educational facility in Calaveras County.
R2:
The CCGJ recommends a complete withdrawal from the SJDCD by December 31, 2019.
R3:
By October 1, 2019, the BOS should instruct County Counsel to initiate secession from the SJDCD.
R4:
The CCGJ strongly recommends secession from SJDCD prior to any new bond measure that commits County voters to another tax obligation with no benefit.
R5:
After the County withdraws from SJDCD, the Calaveras County Superintendent of Schools and BOS are to collaborate and decide upon one of the following options: a) Open negotiations with YCCD to consolidate the entirety of Calaveras County into one college district, or b) Develop a County sponsored/partnered distance learning campus such as the one in Amador County.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The CCOE does not have a comprehensive resource guide for homeless services.
F2:
Information specific to Calaveras County about homeless student resources is not available on the CCOE website.
F3:
In the Calaveras County Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness, dated January 2019, CCOE is identified as a partner in ending homelessness. The services identified by the CCOE homeless youth program are in fact implemented at individual school sites.
F4:
Non-profit agencies (i.e., The Resource Connection, Calaveras Mariposa Community Action Agency) in Calaveras County have comprehensive listings available to anyone seeking guidance to resources and assistance.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The CCOE should coordinate with The Resource Connection to develop a resource guide that is easily accessible to homeless students and families by December 31, 2019.
R2:
The CCOE must update the online Homeless Liaison Page with information specific to homeless students, homeless student rights, and available resources and services within Calaveras County by December 31, 2019.
R3:
As outlined in the Calaveras County Strategic Plan to Address Homelessness dated January 2019, the CCOE needs to coordinate and support the efforts of individual school sites related to the homeless student population.
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Findings & Recommendations
10 findings
F1:
Calaveras County Correctional Officers continue to be paid between $3 and $4 per hour less than the adjoining counties of Amador and Tuolumne, making employee retention extremely difficult and contributing to staffing levels below the minimum needed.
F2:
Chronic underfunding for the CCSO has resulted in inadequate staffing levels, egregious overtime requirements, compensation limitations, and retention issues.
F3:
The jail is funded for six Correctional Technicians but needs two more to provide adequate safety to staff and inmates.
F4:
The CCSO needs to fill the two vacant Correctional Officer positions in order to function safely with the current inmate population.
F5:
There is not a written employee retention incentive program at this time, thus leaving any retention incentives up to the discretion of the Sheriff.
F6:
The Calaveras County Jail, after five years in existence, continues to be well-maintained and clean, providing a healthy environment for the current number of inmates and staff.
F7:
Increased staffing levels to the Patrol Division would provide more comprehensive coverage of patrol services to county residents in areas that are currently being underserved.
F8:
Unoccupied jail beds are a potential revenue source as they can be leased to other counties.
F9:
The cultivation of cannabis in Calaveras County continues to require the Sheriff’s Office to enforce violations. Over $2 million in funding once allocated for this purpose no longer exists.
F10:
Rape kits in Calaveras County are processed and analyzed more expeditiously than required by law, and currently there is no back log of rape kits.
Additional Recommendations
9
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The BOS needs to address inadequate salary levels of Calaveras County Correctional Officers and Technicians by mid-term budget review in 2020.
R2:
The BOS needs to adequately adjust the CCSO budget by February 28, 2020 in order to provide sufficient staffing levels for the safety of officers, technicians and inmates.
R3:
The BOS needs to approve the necessary budget for the hiring of two additional Correctional Technicians at the next budget mid-term review in 2020.
R4:
The CCSO needs to continue outreach and recruiting to fill the two Correctional Technician vacancies.
R5:
The CCSO needs to establish a written employee retention program by December 31, 2019.
R6:
The CCSO should continue maintaining a healthy jail environment for inmates and staff.
R7:
The BOS needs to approve funding for eight additional patrol deputies in the budget mid-term review in 2020.
R8:
By June 30, 2020, the CCSO needs to determine the necessary staffing levels required to increase the number of out-of-county inmates housed in the jail.
R9:
The BOS should, within the 2019-2020 fiscal year, increase the Sheriff’s Office budget sufficiently to improve services to the county.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The JLVMD obtained a bank loan which was noncompliant with the MVC in two ways: a) On April 29, 2016, JLVMD obtained a private construction loan. b) The construction loan was paid off January 28, 2019, when the balance converted to a ten- year Commercial Real Estate Term Loan.
F2:
The JLVMD acted on its own authority to obtain bank loans without the involvement of the BOS or the Calaveras County Auditor/Controller.
F3:
The JLVMD passed Resolution 2013-09 to borrow money and encumber property, which is outside the authority granted under the MVC.
F4:
With an outstanding loan on the property, the JLVMD property is at risk of loan default.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
a) The JLVMD should inform the BOS of the bank loan on or before October 1, 2019. b) The BOS should consider a partnership with the JLVMD to pay off the noncompliant loan and create a more favorable long-term loan, as may be permitted by law. A joint meeting should be scheduled to explore solutions on or before October 1, 2019.
R2:
The JLVMD needs to strictly adhere to the MVC in its entirety.
R4:
On or before October 1, 2019, the JLVMD must consider the following solutions to retire the loan: a) The District can work through the BOS to go into bond indebtedness. b) The District can work through the BOS to seek a special tax. c) The District can work through the BOS to combine with the County as detailed in MVC Article 2, §1193.