El Dorado County Grand Jury
2017-2018
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 (7)
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Findings & Recommendations
10 findings
F1:
District Board meetings were conducted in a professional manner, even when confronted with disruptive and disrespectful behavior from members of the community.
F2:
The Grand Jury determined that there were no unusual patterns in the resignations and appointments of directors.
F3:
District Policy 4090 about training is inadequate in that it does not require training for directors, even for topics where California State law requires training.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The District should amend Policy 4090 no later than October 31, 2018 to mandate training for directors and managers. Mandatory training should, at a minimum, include the topics on ethics and harassment required by State law.
F4:
The California Special Districts Association Leadership Academy is a valuable training opportunity for newly-appointed or elected district officers and newly-appointed general managers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Newly-appointed directors and the general manager should attend the California Special Districts Association Leadership Academy no later than December 31, 2018.
F5:
The District has taken a number of positive steps to enhance public outreach and encourage community involvement.
F6:
Employee morale is improving under the new leadership in District staff and the Board.
F7:
There are significant deficiencies with the District’s financial record keeping.
F8:
There may be opportunities to increase revenue-generating use of District facilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
District staff should develop a written plan by October 31, 2018, designed to increase rental revenue from district facilities.
F9:
The District Strategic Plan is not being used to guide policy decisions.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Board should review and update the Strategic Plan as needed by October 31, 2018.
F10:
The District website is missing links to important district documents.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
No later than October 31, 2018, the District should provide resources and training for staff to update and maintain the district website. 6 /4/2018 Cameron Park Comm unity Services District 5
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Most agencies responded properly and met their timelines.
F2:
A few agencies either did not understand or did not adhere to the Penal Code requirements for responding to Grand Jury reports.
F3:
The CPAD response for report 2017-011 was not timely nor was it fully compliant with the Penal Code.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
CPAD should amend its response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury report to comply with Penal Code requirements.
F4:
CPAD has not submitted an amended response to the Grand Jury for report 2017-011.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
CPAD should amend its response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury report to comply with Penal Code requirements.
F5:
Employee compensation is too low for an agency this size, making recruitment and retention difficult. The Board lacks sufficient information to form an opinion on this finding.
F6:
The current staffing levels are insufficient, which impairs the District’s ability to operate efficiently. {CW043394.1} 10 El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury 4/20/2018 ATTACHMENT A The Board agrees with this finding.
F7:
The District cannot depend on new hookups and ratepayers to supplement revenues as population growth has slowed on the Divide, necessitating the need for the District to look internally for revenue. The Board agrees that the District needs to thoroughly evaluate revenue sources, including those other than connection fees and rates. However, the rates are the primary mechanism by which the District funds operations and capital improvements.
F8:
The Jury found no evidence that either the District Board or staff is “preparing the ground” with their customers for what may be steep increases in their bills. The Board agrees that at the time the Grand Jury investigation was performed, minimal work had been done on a new rate study. Since that time, the District has accomplished the following related to a new rate study: Retained Rural Community Assistance Corporation (“RCAC”) to perform a rate study. Held two public meetings of the District Finance Committee meeting to review the methodology and policy questions for the rate study. Held one public Board meeting to review the methodology and policy questions for the rate study. Additional public meetings will be held to educate the public before any Proposition 218 hearing. The five (5) recommendations from the Grand Jury Report are listed below with the Board responses in italics.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R2:
Grand juries should make available resources for agencies to use in creating proper responses, such as templates or detailed instructions.
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Many fire protection districts in El Dorado County provide modest service with an unstable revenue base.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Board of Supervisors should take the lead to consolidate County fire protection agencies.
F2:
Consolidating fire protection agencies could provide safer, more efficient and more comprehensive fire service.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Board of Supervisors should reactivate the Fire Advisory board.
F3:
The Board of Supervisors, in conjunction with LAFCO, is best positioned to champion fire agency consolidation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Board of Supervisors should direct the Fire Advisory Board to develop a plan for consolidation of fire protection agencies.
F4:
The Fire Advisory Board, if reactivated, could help the Board of Supervisors with consolidation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Board of Supervisors should resolutely work to persuade agencies to implement the plan.
F5:
Consolidation needs to be a well-planned effort and will take many years to accomplish.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Board of Supervisors should be open to reasonable AB8 allocation adjustments to support consolidation. WEB ATTACHMENT 2010 Citygate Fire and Emergency Service Study for the El Dorado LAFCO https:/www.edlafco.us/citygate-fire-study 6 El Dorado County Fire Protection Consolidation 6/4/2018
F6:
Consolidation is unlikely without adjustment of AB8 allocations.
F7:
Firefighter professionals in the County favor consolidation.
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
Stained ceiling tiles were observed in both County Jails.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Stained ceiling tiles should be replaced immediately after leak repairs are accomplished.
F2:
Graffiti and chipped paint was observed on interior County Jail walls, in visiting booths and other surfaces.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Graffiti removal and repainting of chipped paint should occur on a continuous basis.
F3:
The full body metal detector in Placerville Receiving and Release was not working.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
In the Placerville Jail Receiving and Release, the full body scanner should be operational and used during inmate intake.
F4:
The culinary program is the only vocational program available in either jail.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The jails should institute life skills and vocational programs.
F5:
Female inmates cannot participate in the culinary programs at both jails.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The culinary program should allow both male and female inmates to participate.
F6:
The Vanir Report has inconsistent numbers for attempted suicides in both jails from 2011 to 2016. They are inaccurate and do not correlate with County numbers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
Jail staff should be trained to better classify and document attempted suicide for more accurate record keeping. June 2018 El Dorado County Jails Inspections 5
F7:
Assembly Bill AB 109 has created a hardship to County Jails.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
Director Prada did not comply with EID Board Policy 3075 and Administrative Regulation 3075.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The EID Board of Directors should consider censure of Director Prada advising him that future violations of BP3075 or AR3075 would be considered willful misconduct in office.
F2:
Director Prada inappropriately followed his own interpretation of the proper application of the Supreme Court’s decision in San Jose rather than the official interpretation by the EID Board.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The EID Board of Directors should consider formally requesting Director Prada to fully comply with Board Policy 3075 and Administrative Regulation 3075 by supplying a properly executed declaration in response to the November 2017 Public Records Act request.
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The Chief Administrative Office (CAO) has designated staff with responsibility for assisting special district compliance with the MFA.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The County should formalize policies and procedures with regard to the Counry’s role in assisting special districts to comply with the Mitigation Fee Act.
F2:
There are no County internal policies and procedures governing the County’s assistance in the administration of special district mitigation fees.
F3:
All County mitigation fees accounting is up to date and in full compliance with the MFA.
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The unfunded CalPERS liability for El Dorado County is $346 million as of July 2016.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
El Dorado County should establish a policy to escalate contributions to reduce the UAL.
F2:
El Dorado County pays annual CalPERS payments monthly, resulting in interest charges payable to CalPERS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
El Dorado County should evaluate pre-paying the annual CalPERS contribution by paying the UAL portion annually rather than monthly to lessen interest charged by CalPERS.
F3:
El Dorado County pays only the minimum amount due to CalPERS; it does not make additional payments to reduce the UAL.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
El Dorado County should create a dedicated trust to assure that funds set aside in the budget for CalPERS costs are used for that purpose.
F4:
El Dorado County has an established policy to set aside additional funding for post- employment benefits, but not specifically for CalPERS obligations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
El Dorado County should fund the CalPERS trust account to the maximum extent possible.
F5:
Historically, El Dorado County has not provided information to the public about it’s CalPERS obligation in a way that clearly illuminates the scope of the pension obligation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
As part of the yearly budget process, El Dorado County should report the details of its CalPERS obligation in simple and understandable terms prominently on the County’s website and in a press release, so that citizens can understand the extent of future CalPERS obligations.