Lake County Grand Jury
2000-2001
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Tax collections were being held for several months before being deposited, causing a significant loss in earned interest income in the Lake County General Fund, as well as serious concerns by the tax payers of Lake County regarding their seemingly unpaid tax bills and uncleared checks. Checks received were not being endorses upon receipt, creating a critical daily security risk. Cash drawers were being allowed to collect excessive amounts without being drawn and without being reconciled on a daily basis, creating a critical security risk. As a result of the Grand Jury investigation, collections are now being routinely deposited, cash drawers are being drawn down in a timely manner and checks are being endorsed immediately upon receipt. However, daily reconciliations are still not occuring. http://www.co.lake.ca.us/generalinformation/grandjury/report0001/treasurer-taxcomplaint.html (1 of 2)4/17/2007 3:09:33 PM County of Lake - 1999/2000 Grand Jury Report
F2:
Monthly reports are not being submitted to the office of the Auditor/County Clerk as required by state law.
F3:
In the past three plus years, the Treasurer/Tax Collector has allowed tax delinquent properties to remain on the tax rolls without implementing the foreclosure procedure. Property Tax revenues replenish the 689.02 Redemption Fund For Funding of 1995 Bonds for the payment on existing Bonds. Without these tax revenues, the 689.02 fund will be depleted by September, 2001, and the monies to make the bond payments will have to be drawn from the Lake County General Fund. As a result of this Grand Jury investigation, and by agreement of the Treasurer/Tax Collector, a small number of the tax delinquent properties were placed into the foreclosure process and more than $66,000 was collected through March 1, 2001.
F4:
The installation of and training on the Mega-Byte computer system took longer than expected. There were also marked problems concerning the delegation of duties and the cross-training of staff. During the course of the grand jury investigation, a Chief Deputy Treasurer/Tax Collector was hired and some delegation of duties and cross-training of staff has occured.
F5:
The Lake County Treasurer's Oversight Committee does not meet quarterly as required by state of law.
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Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Investigation revealed severe mental and emotional stress prevalent among personnel in the Assessor/Recorder's office due in part to the inadequate and ineffective management skills on the part of the department head, the department supervisors and the Lake County Personnel Director.
F2:
Extended periods of absence of the elected Assessor/Recorder were detrimental to the management of the department. The minimal oversight by the Assessor/Recorder as well as the lack of human relation/management skills on the part of the department supervisors resulted in stress on the personnel and the gradual formation of a hostile work environment.
F3:
During the course of this investigation, the Assessor/Recorder retired. Following his retirement, the Board of Supervisors appointed an interim Assessor/Recorder pending applicants to fill the remaining term of office. The assignment of this interim department head resulted in an overall improvement within the department.
F4:
The introduction of the Mega-byte computer system to replace prior programs occured without sufficient effective training of the department users causing confusion, frustration, resistance and discouragement within the department. http://www.co.lake.ca.us/generalinformation/grandjury/report0001/assessor-recordercomplaint.html (1 of 2)4/17/2007 3:09:32 PM County of Lake - 1999/2000 Grand Jury Report - Government Services Committee
F5:
A highly congested employee work space coupled with very poor ergonomic design of the user work stations resulted in the loss of effective productivity and contributed to employee job dissatisfaction.
F6:
The newly appointed Assessor/Recorder had made significant changes within the department, including networking with other departmental heads. This had resulted in apparent overall improvement in productivity and the work environment.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
There were several occasions when the Brown Act was ignored.
F2:
Board meetings were held without prior public notification.
F3:
There was continual dissention among the Board members at meetings causing the meetings to be disorganized and less than harmonious.
F4:
A considerable amount of time and money were needlessly expended on personnel matters.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The CPS agency has annual turnover ratio for personnel of 37-40% the reasons being money and stress. The administrator has developed a program in which a qualified employee who desires to remain in Lake County can enroll in the Davis College Educational program and pursue their degree in Social Service.
F2:
The Emergency Foster Care homes are well supervised by CPS. The temporary parent(s) are pre- screened and homes inspected by CPS before they are approved to participate in the program.
F3:
The County of Lake utilizes outside agencies for placing a child in a permanent or temporary foster home when ordered by the courts. CPS maintains a weekly check on the child placed in the outside agency's foster care home. The Foster Care Agencies are licensed by the State of California and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the County of Lake. http://www.co.lake.ca.us/generalinformation/grandjury/report0001/cpsinvestigation.html (1 of 2)4/17/2007 3:09:33 PM County of Lake - 1999/2000 Grand Jury Report
F4:
The Social Service department administers four programs related to Foster Care including the new Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment Program, referred to as "Kin-Gap" which provides assistance to relatives who are approved as foster parents. The other programs are Foster Care Placement, Adoption Assistance, and Severely Emotional Disturbed (SED) foster care placements.
F5:
The question of the County of Lake not meeting their requirements for matching funds allocated by the State was referred to the county administrator for information and explanation. It was determined that the County does in fact match grant funds spent by the Social Service Department but that the process may not be clearly understood by Social Services.
Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
The problem, although it exists, is the responsibility of the City of Clearlake Public Works Department.
F2:
The Grand Jury has no power over the City of Clearlake budgetary process and how funds are allocated.
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Findings & Recommendations
7 findings
F1:
The Board president accepted gratuities from a vendor without reporting them. He did not abstain from a matter pending before the Board concerning the Vendor Company.
F2:
There were violations of the Brown Act.
F3:
The observation tower is centrally located, so that cell blocks can be viewed.
F4:
A well maintained kitchen is on site for the preparation of well balanced meals.
F5:
There is a wide range of facilities available for the inmates as well as all necessities.
F6:
There are areas that are unpainted.
F7:
The personal property room lacked fire extinguishers.