Humboldt County Grand Jury
2016-2017
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
Humboldt County Child Welfare Services is not meeting the 24 hour response requirement of their “Callbacks to Mandated and Non-Mandated Reporters - Plan & Procedure #09-12,” which could place children at risk.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) develop and maintain a “timeliness” metric for measuring their response time once a suspected child abuse/neglect event has been reported and until the caller is notified of receipt of report. (F1, F2)
R6:
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services closely assess the qualifications and training of staff dealing with intake calls, as well as providing the proper supervision to ensure competency. (F1) 7
F2:
Humboldt County Child Welfare Services does not track the critical time between a report of child endangerment from Mandated Reporters and its return call to that reporter as a part of its overall performance related to response time.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) develop and maintain a “timeliness” metric for measuring their response time once a suspected child abuse/neglect event has been reported and until the caller is notified of receipt of report. (F1, F2)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services add the timeliness metric discussed in R1 into its Child Welfare Services’ System Improvement Plan 2012-2017, and monitor the metric to ensure an acceptable level of timeliness. (F2)
F3:
Humboldt County Child Welfare Services collects no information on its overall performance related to response time to Mandated Reporters, and follow-up communication is severely lacking.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) develop a “community performance” metric that measures how Mandated Reporters judge DHHS as successfully supporting the safety of our children. (F3)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services add the community performance metric discussed in R3 into its Child Welfare Services’ System Improvement Plan 2012-2017, and monitor the performance over time. (F3)
F4:
In February 2017, Humboldt County Child Welfare Services told the HCCGJ that they have changed their Intake Process by removing the screener and the Intake Form (A-14-30), and connecting the caller directly to a Social Worker. The HCCGJ has no confirmation that this really has happened or, if it has, that these procedures have resulted in any improvement.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services update its Intake Policies and Procedures to reflect the changes reported to us during our February discussion. (F4)
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Some broad measures of changes in total employment figures for Humboldt County are used to claim overall effectiveness for WDB programs, but these are not directly correlated to specific programs, and many details of the outcomes are not available to the public. The CalJOBS database is inaccessible to all but program administrators.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Workforce Development Board increase its effectiveness by focusing on targeted employment needs and opportunities, and broaden program descriptions to include clearly defined skill levels. (F1, F2, F3)
F2:
WDB does not record end-client experiences, including results of job searches or number of jobs filled. For Job Center clients, reports are made directly to the state CalJOBS database.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Workforce Development Board increase its effectiveness by focusing on targeted employment needs and opportunities, and broaden program descriptions to include clearly defined skill levels. (F1, F2, F3)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board review all programs for the level of detail needed to produce useful outcomes for the job seekers expected to attend. (F2, F3)
F3:
Neither WDB nor its service partners survey former class or workshop participants, beneficiaries of counseling and/or job fair participants, to measure satisfaction or perceived help in their job search.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Workforce Development Board increase its effectiveness by focusing on targeted employment needs and opportunities, and broaden program descriptions to include clearly defined skill levels. (F1, F2, F3)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board review all programs for the level of detail needed to produce useful outcomes for the job seekers expected to attend. (F2, F3)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board monitor outcomes of all programs for quality and attendee satisfaction. (F3) 35
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board publish outcomes and user ratings, making them easily available to potential attendees. (F3, F4)
F4:
The number and variety of WDB activities that require detailed reporting to California EDD indicates a large proportion of a small staff’s time required for reporting rather than on service planning and delivery.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board publish outcomes and user ratings, making them easily available to potential attendees. (F3, F4)
F5:
WDB’s engagement in WIOA’s directive for increasing collaboration, convening, and partnership is compromised by a lack of transparency and communication.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Workforce Development Program use the Slingshot program as a model for targeted programs to serve specialized critical County needs, e.g., skilled trades workers, medical and mental health specialists, foster care providers, child care providers, home health workers, construction workers, city planners, law enforcement workers, etc. (F5)
F6:
The Slingshot program is designed to leverage a relatively small grant to achieve outsized results via collaboration and shared resources. Its construction is a model for involving many stakeholders in design and planning, as well as in emphasizing and communicating results.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Workforce Development Board reach modern job seekers and job providers via social media (such as LinkedIn and Instagram) to publicize success stories, promote Job Market services and to promote specific jobs and situations of direct interest in the County. (F6)
Findings & Recommendations
19 findings
F1:
The law enforcement personnel with whom we interacted on our tours or interviewed in our investigation projected a high degree of dedication to their work and to the well-being of those they serve.
F2:
Mentally ill inmates at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility require more comprehensive care, and procedures need revamping.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Correctional Facility review and revamp its procedures related to the treatment of inmates who are, or are suspected to be, mentally ill to ensure that they receive timely and appropriate care. (F2)
F3:
The Mental Health staff at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility is not available 24/7 which compromises the health of the inmates and safety within the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that a minimum of one mental health staff member be available 24/7 at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. (F3)
F4:
The pay scale for Humboldt County Correctional Facility Correctional Deputies is lower than comparable law enforcement entities, which places the Facility at a disadvantage in retaining trained and qualified personnel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends a review of the pay scale and other incentives of County law enforcement personnel to ensure fair compensation to correctional deputies at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility. (F4)
F5:
Many Humboldt County Correctional Facility cameras do not have recording capability which compromises the overall safety of personnel and inmates within the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that all camera equipment at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility be upgraded to include recording capability. (F5)
F6:
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office contracts with one local licensed pathologist and has no backup if that individual is unavailable.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County identify another licensed pathologist who can fill in at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office if the individual currently under contract becomes unavailable. (F6)
F7:
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office facility has significant structural inadequacies, including aging infrastructure, asbestos, insufficient space and a poorly-functioning ventilation system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that necessary maintenance and upgrades be performed to address structural inadequacies at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, including aging infrastructure, asbestos, insufficient space, and a poorly-functioning ventilation system. (F7) 75
F8:
Much of the equipment in the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is outdated, worn out, and inadequate, including its backup power system.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the outdated equipment at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, including its backup power system, be replaced immediately. (F8)
F9:
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office does not have an X-ray machine, which delays the autopsy process and creates additional expense over the long term.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that an X-ray machine be purchased and installed at the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office. (F9)
F10:
As referenced in a number of previous Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury reports, the Garberville Substation has a number of shortcomings which affect public access and safety including non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), no available external emergency phone for public use when no one is available in the Substation, and no directional signage to aid citizens in locating the station. 74
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office address the issues raised in this and previous reports regarding the Garberville Substation including: bringing it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, installing an external emergency phone for public use, and installing directional signage on Redwood Drive. (F10)
F11:
All computer communications in the Garberville Substation run through one router. Failure of this single router could result in a loss of internet communications with other law enforcement agencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office install a second router at the Garberville Substation to provide a dual system approach to guaranteeing internet communications with other law enforcement agencies. (F11)
F12:
At the SWAP Farm, workers are allowed to operate chainsaws without wearing safety goggles and headgear as required by OSHA.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office ensure that all workers in its SWAP yards wear appropriate safety gear as required by OSHA. (F12)
F13:
The Eureka Police Department (EPD) has just one entrance/exit for department vehicles from its only parking lot. If it were blocked, vehicles would be unable to leave the parking lot.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Eureka Police Department provide additional entrance and exit capabilities for its parking lot. (F13)
F14:
The posting of one fire evacuation plan in the Sheriff’s Main Office is insufficient to ensure the swift and safe removal of all personnel in the event of an emergency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office post additional fire evacuation plans in appropriate places throughout its Main Office. (F14)
F15:
The McKinleyville Substation has no air-conditioning which causes staff discomfort and fatigue, as well as potentially compromising temperature-sensitive equipment.
Related Recommendations (1)
R14:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office undertake negotiations with the owner of the McKinleyville Substation building to install air-conditioning in the facility. (F15)
F16:
There is no directional signage for the McKinleyville Substation to aid citizens in locating the facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R15:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office install directional signage on Central Avenue for the McKinleyville Substation. (F16)
F17:
The Willow Creek Substation lacks a backup generator, fire extinguishers and rescue equipment which compromise safety and effectiveness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R16:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office procure a backup generator, fire extinguishers and rescue equipment for the Willow Creek Substation. (F17)
F18:
Safety issues at County law enforcement facilities, which include problems associated with age, maintenance, and lack of bulletproof glass, create safety challenges for both personnel and inmates.
Related Recommendations (1)
R17:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that County and city governments engage in a planning process to address issues of safety as well as the short and long term maintenance needs of its law enforcement facilities. (F18)
F19:
The lack of holding cells in law enforcement facilities that serve eastern Humboldt County presents a significant challenge in the event of an emergency that makes the Humboldt County Correctional Facility inaccessible.
Related Recommendations (1)
R18:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends a collaborative approach between the Sheriff’s Office and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council to identify and develop adequate holding facilities for eastern Humboldt County in the event that the County Correctional Facility becomes inaccessible. (F19) 76
Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
HWMA is caught in the middle of growing pressures to deal with an increasing volume of waste, a shrinking market for recycled materials, and a 30-year commitment to continue monitoring and cleanup of the closed Cummings Road Landfill site.
Related Recommendations (3)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, given its current lack of storage and on-site recycling capability, HWMA staff perform a cost analysis for contracting out its recycling versus acquiring more space for this purpose. (F1, F4)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA carefully analyze whether operating as a regional authority that includes all of Humboldt County would be more cost effective for ratepayers, while decreasing the environmental impact of current inefficient hauling. Our County Board of Supervisors (BOS) should take an active leadership role in promoting HWMA as a regional authority by encouraging the membership of Fortuna and Trinidad. (F1, F6)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA Board and staff create, prioritize and regularly review an HWMA mid to long-term plan, projecting expected waste volume increases and ensuring adequate facilities for waste management and for recycling. The plan must project and recommend mitigation of the effects of the rising water table, as well as deal with operations following natural disasters. (F1, F7) 44
F2:
Serious financial issues include a persistent deficit in operations (until fiscal year 2016-2017), and unclear financial statements regarding HWMA’s net worth position.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA Board must give immediate attention to improved financial accounting and reporting, and must ensure that up-to- date systems are available and maintained by adequately trained staff. (F2, F3)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the financial management staff clearly separate accounting for activities involving Hawthorne operations from continuing obligations for the Cummings Road Landfill. (F2)
F3:
HWMA lacks an integrated financial reporting system, and provides inadequate training for personnel who are responsible for the reporting.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA Board must give immediate attention to improved financial accounting and reporting, and must ensure that up-to- date systems are available and maintained by adequately trained staff. (F2, F3)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that a rolling multi-year forecast for revenues and expenses, including best estimates for planned projects, be required annually and used as a basis for facility planning. (F3)
F4:
A severe shortage of space for operations at the Hawthorne facility limits the Authority’s ability to divert recyclables from the waste stream and to deal with food waste.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that, given its current lack of storage and on-site recycling capability, HWMA staff perform a cost analysis for contracting out its recycling versus acquiring more space for this purpose. (F1, F4)
F5:
On a yearly basis, approximately 70,000 tons of waste is transported to recycling sites and landfills (including Potrero Hills, a 550-mile round trip) by diesel-burning trucks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA obtain support of the Board of Supervisors to conduct a feasibility study for the use of modern incineration methods to deal with solid waste. (F5)
F6:
HWMA is not operating as a regional entity, foregoing the opportunity for shared resources, economies of scale, and more efficient (and eco-friendly) trucking transportation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA carefully analyze whether operating as a regional authority that includes all of Humboldt County would be more cost effective for ratepayers, while decreasing the environmental impact of current inefficient hauling. Our County Board of Supervisors (BOS) should take an active leadership role in promoting HWMA as a regional authority by encouraging the membership of Fortuna and Trinidad. (F1, F6)
F7:
HWMA lacks operational disaster planning, and is not developing viable options to deal with forecasted rising groundwater levels.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the HWMA Board and staff create, prioritize and regularly review an HWMA mid to long-term plan, projecting expected waste volume increases and ensuring adequate facilities for waste management and for recycling. The plan must project and recommend mitigation of the effects of the rising water table, as well as deal with operations following natural disasters. (F1, F7) 44
Findings & Recommendations
15 findings
F1:
Most common allegations we found in Mandated Reports filed from late 2015 to early 2017: • Children who threaten suicide • Children who experience physical abuse from an older child or parent in their home • Children who do not have adequate health care, e.g., untreated sores and infections • Children living in a car or truck • Children who are unwashed and unkempt without access to bathrooms or running water • Children who experience inappropriate touching from family members or friends of family • Children who live in homes where drugs and alcohol are used excessively every day • Children who experience flea and rat bites on a regular basis • Children (age 8 and younger) who are left unattended in their homes on a regular basis • Children who are not met by an adult after school and do not have a ride home
F2:
School Districts that do not follow the correct process for filing Mandated Reports are making it impossible for CWS and Law Enforcement personnel to address the needs of their ‘at risk’ students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Office of Education instruct all School District personnel of the importance of filing a written report of allegations after making the initial call or FAX of allegations of abuse or neglect. CWS cannot or will not follow through if a written report is not filed. (F2, F3)
F3:
Some schools do not keep a repository of Mandated Reports filed by their school and are therefore are unaware when numerous reports have been filed on a single student, possibly creating a situation where an endangered student could fall through the cracks.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Office of Education instruct all School District personnel of the importance of filing a written report of allegations after making the initial call or FAX of allegations of abuse or neglect. CWS cannot or will not follow through if a written report is not filed. (F2, F3)
F4:
Some members of the Sheriff’s Office do not file reports on cases they investigated thus jeopardizing the child’s welfare.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that a deputy of the Sheriff’s Office always complete and file a report of an investigation even when allegations are not validated. If they have a list on file of five or more investigations on a single child or family, they may find that a family is “too easily excusing” a single incident and a more in-depth investigation of allegations is indicated. (F4)
F5:
Sometimes members of the Sheriff’s Office disclose to the families the identity of the Mandated Reporter resulting in a violation of state law.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the members of the Sheriff’s Office making an investigation not disclose the source of the allegations. (F5)
F6:
Sheriff’s deputies need more training on how to handle the complicated and serious cases they are assigned to investigate.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff’s Office be more diligent in training its responding deputies on the serious and sensitive issues involving questioning “at risk” children. (F6)
F7:
Many of the individuals within CWS whom we interviewed complained of the long and complicated hiring process for Social Workers, delaying much needed services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Department of Health & Human Services streamline its lengthy hiring process of new Social Workers. (F7)
F8:
Many of the Social Workers we interviewed stated the need for a better mentoring process for training new Social Workers to effectively work in the field.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services provide a more in-depth mentoring program for new Social Workers. (F8)
F9:
There is an urgent need for more Social Workers. We have been told there are between 10 and 22 vacancies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services take immediate steps to fill the many vacancies in their Department. (F9)
F10:
CWS staff is contracting with a program from University of California, Davis for advice regarding policies and procedures which are expected to increase service efficiencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services work closely with the University of California at Davis program for improvement of services. (F10, F12, F13)
F11:
CWS often does not communicate with School Districts and Law Enforcement on the ongoing status of a case under investigation. 17
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services continue to work with their newly developing task force (not to be confused with the Department of Health and Human Services Blue Ribbon Task Force) to improve relationships with School Districts and Law Enforcement in order to deal more effectively with the problem of ‘at risk’ children within Humboldt County. (F11)
F12:
CWS frequently does not handle allegations in a timely manner as dictated by their own policy and procedures as well as state law.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services work closely with the University of California at Davis program for improvement of services. (F10, F12, F13)
F13:
CWS often does not follow up on cases that are “evaluated out.”
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services work closely with the University of California at Davis program for improvement of services. (F10, F12, F13)
F14:
Humboldt County has an urgent need to improve how it addresses the needs of our American Indian ‘at risk’ children, including a more comprehensive orientation for incoming staff on local American Indian culture.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that Child Welfare Services leadership continue to work collaboratively with all local American Indian Tribes in both coordinating County services as well as following the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). (F14) 18
F15:
In the course of our investigation we discovered evidence of a disproportionate number of American Indian children removed from their homes.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Department of Health and Human Services reexamine all cases within the last five years involving American Indian children who have been removed from their homes, to ensure compliance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). (F15)
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Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Rural areas of Humboldt County are being seriously underserved by law enforcement and other emergency services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors increase funding to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to greater serve our rural population. (F1)
F2:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has improved law enforcement coverage for all of Humboldt County through Measure Z funding, and these changes must be sustained with a source of permanent funding in order to avoid a discontinuation of these vitally needed safety services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors find a permanent funding model to replace the temporary Measure Z funds the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office relies upon, which expire in 2019. (F2)
F3:
The Sheriff has not been able to immediately deploy increased numbers of deputies, due to state-mandated recruitment and training practices.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office conduct a comprehensive review of its hiring procedures and staff retention protocol and, as much as possible, take measures to streamline and enhance these processes. (F3)
F4:
Long response times to 911 calls, no matter what the reason, not only jeopardize public safety but lead to a distrust and disconnect between law enforcement and the citizens they are entrusted to protect.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office conduct a thorough evaluation of 911 calls and response times and actively take measures to improve this valuable function for the safety of our citizens. (F4)
F5:
A lack of modern communication equipment can lengthen law enforcement response times and impede officer safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office consider the purchase of modern emergency communication equipment such as satellite phones to enhance the safety and response times of deputies. (F5)
F6:
Public safety could be improved if the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office enhanced practical working relationships with various local Tribal Police agencies through greater communication and collaboration, such as cross-deputization of Tribal Officers. 50
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office actively pursue ways to engage in greater communication and utilization of local Tribal Police agencies, in order to increase and enhance public safety for our rural areas. (F6)
Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Humboldt County has a CalPERS unfunded pension liability of approximately $232 million. If not addressed, continuing pension payments will become an increasingly larger percentage of our budget, and could jeopardize vital programs, even Humboldt County’s solvency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors continue to add funds to the Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2017-2018, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors contribute a minimum of $2 million, or just under 1% of the outstanding unfunded pension liability ($232 million). (F1, F2, F4, F5 & F6)
F2:
Through Proposition 162, Humboldt County is responsible for paying its share of any loss of revenue caused by CalPERS investment strategies, resulting in lack of predictability of future program budgets.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors continue to add funds to the Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2017-2018, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors contribute a minimum of $2 million, or just under 1% of the outstanding unfunded pension liability ($232 million). (F1, F2, F4, F5 & F6)
F3:
Humboldt County has reduced its pension liability requirement by negotiating new retirement plans with its “Miscellaneous” and “Safety” employees which have provided some positive benefits in addressing the unfunded pension liability issue.
F4:
Any recession, whether at the County, State or Federal level, will seriously impact Humboldt County’s unfunded pension liability problem.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors continue to add funds to the Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2017-2018, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors contribute a minimum of $2 million, or just under 1% of the outstanding unfunded pension liability ($232 million). (F1, F2, F4, F5 & F6)
F5:
If Humboldt County’s unfunded pension liability remains unchecked, it will have a devastating effect on our County government, roads, facilities, and infrastructure.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors continue to add funds to the Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2017-2018, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors contribute a minimum of $2 million, or just under 1% of the outstanding unfunded pension liability ($232 million). (F1, F2, F4, F5 & F6)
F6:
Although Humboldt County’s Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Office have begun to address the unfunded pension liability issue by creating a Section 115 Trust with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), which currently contains $750,000, future impacts cannot yet be determined. The Trust agreement provides that assets are held by the Trust for the exclusive purpose of funding participating employers’ benefit obligations.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors continue to add funds to the Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. For the upcoming Fiscal Year 2017-2018, we recommend that the Board of Supervisors contribute a minimum of $2 million, or just under 1% of the outstanding unfunded pension liability ($232 million). (F1, F2, F4, F5 & F6)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Administrative Office to develop a method of equitably deducting funds from all County programs, including the Department of Health and Human Services, such as a collection of fees for hours worked. The accumulation of these fees should then be placed in the County’s Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. (F6, F7, F8) 26
F7:
The Humboldt County Administrative Office is investigating ways to fund the PARS Trust fund beyond simply depositing General Funds.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Administrative Office to develop a method of equitably deducting funds from all County programs, including the Department of Health and Human Services, such as a collection of fees for hours worked. The accumulation of these fees should then be placed in the County’s Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. (F6, F7, F8) 26
F8:
The failure of the Department of Health and Human Services to contribute to the PARS Trust fund significantly undermines the County’s efforts to address the unfunded pension liability issue.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the County Administrative Office to develop a method of equitably deducting funds from all County programs, including the Department of Health and Human Services, such as a collection of fees for hours worked. The accumulation of these fees should then be placed in the County’s Public Agency Retirement Services Trust. (F6, F7, F8) 26
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Consolidating the Sheriff-Coroner/PA operation has produced significant operational improvements over the former independent operation of the Coroner/PA. These improvements include additional staffing, less reliance on overtime, better financial reporting and control, and better morale among staff.
F2:
Monetary savings for overall operations have not been significant and, by some measure, have not been realized. Given the severe need for additional funding of the prior independent Coroner/PA, the consolidation was most successful in rescuing an underfunded operation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff-Coroner consider the future cost-saving alternative of hiring a civilian professional to handle Public Administrator duties. (F2, F4)
F3:
The increase in the Sheriff’s compensation, approved by the BOS, was somewhat controversial since there were no additional operational duties imposed on the Sheriff by the consolidation. The BOS justified the increase based on increased overall responsibility, but did not enumerate additional operational duties,
F4:
Currently, the duties of Chief Coroner/PA are performed by a single person, a Chief Deputy Coroner with the rank of lieutenant. This individual spends a majority of working time on the duties of Public Administrator which compromises the ability to effectively address the other duties of the position. In addition, a civilian consultant provides part-time support to handle the PA workload.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff-Coroner consider the future cost-saving alternative of hiring a civilian professional to handle Public Administrator duties. (F2, F4)
F5:
As detailed in another section (“Jails” report) of this 2016-17 HCCGJ report, the physical conditions of the Coroner/PA Office are deplorable, and represent substandard working conditions for dedicated professionals.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Sheriff-Coroner demand better physical working conditions in the Coroner’s Office, and work with the Board of Supervisors to implement needed improvements. (F5)