Lassen County Grand Jury
2020-2021
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
The City actively recruited for the City Administrator position, made a selection, and the applicant ultimately declined the position. The City followed its policies and procedures in the recruitment efforts of the City Administrator position.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Actively recruit all authorized vacant positions until filled with a qualified applicant. Vacant positions should only be filled on an interim basis while the city is actively recruiting the vacant position.
F2:
The appointment of Mr. Jones by the City Council was advantageous to the City and resulted in a cost savings to the City but ultimately combining two high level managerial positions into one does not allow either position to reach its full potential.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
Combine positions only if the position requires less than 100% of the duty time and the position that it is combined with also requires less than 100% of the duty time. This will create one position that can be competently performed with 100% of the duty time, resulting in one position being eliminated.
F3:
It is virtually impossible to dedicate the amount of time needed to manage both positions with only one person. This was evident by the Police Department having to assign the Police Captain with Police Chief duties.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
Employees should be employed in positions that match the job description. If a position is going to be combined with another position, job descriptions should be updated to reflect the correct duties of the position and the job should be recruited as such.
F4:
There is no long-term plan in place for position that will be vacated due to retirement, promotion, etc.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Develop a Human Capital Strategic Plan for the City of Susanville to recruit, hire and retain qualified applicants and prioritize city funding to supplement shortfalls in the future. Commendation: The 2020/2021 Grand Jury would like to commend Mr. Kevin Jones for the work that he accomplished while appointed as the City Administrator/Police Chief. He not only accepted the challenge of combining both these positions but also accepted this position in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Required Response: It is the Grand Jury’s decision that we are requiring a response from the City of Susanville City Council. County of Lassen – Elections Office Reason for Inquiry: Grand Jury member recommendation. Background Information: Financial implications associated with corrected ballots and overall functionality of the Elections Office. Inquiry Procedures: The Grand Jury reviewed the County Polices and/or Procedures used for ballot preparation and estimating, requesting funds for Ballot preparation, and proofreading and/or editing ballots. Also reviewed were the County Policies and/or Procedures used for budgets approved for the County Elections Office for the past 5 years, cost to print all election ballots for the past 5 years, and conducted interviews. Discussion: The elected County Clerk is responsible for many duties, one of which is Elections. The State does not reimburse the county for any elections, regular or special. There are 4 employees in the entire office, performing all County Clerk office duties, including election duties. Training for employees is sporadic usually depending on county funds available. Heavy workload directly impacts the frequent turnover of employees in all positions. During election cycles and special elections more time (overtime) is required of all employees to complete the workload.