Lassen County Grand Jury
2024-2025
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The LCCGJ found no evidence of willful misconduct among fair officials. BIBLIOGRAPHY Lassen County. "Fairgrounds Annual Fair" https ://www.lassencounty.org/dept/fa i rg round s/ann ua 1-fai r Lassen County Fair Grounds. "The Fair History" https://www.lassencountyfair.org/fair history-2/ APPENDIXA · 3. TOTAL PURCHASES, PER VENDOR, PER FISCAL YEAR, PER DEPARTMENT COSTING BETWEEN $5,001 AND $25,000: AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - DEPARTMENT HEAD These items require a purchase order and a requisition form. The requisition must be approved by the Department head. The related purchase order must be submitted to Administrative Services and to the Auditor-Controller's Office for review and approval. Informal quotes are recommended to obtain best pricing. Purchase orders for computer hardware and software, printers, and photocopiers must be sent to the county Informational Services (ISO) staff before making a purchase, so Informational Services can assist in acquiring the items from the vendors offering the best prices and to ensure that the equipment being purchased is compatible with the county wide computer standards. 4. TOTAL PURCHASES, PER VENDOR, PER FISCAL YEAR, PER DEPARTMENT COSTING BETWEEN $25,001 34 APPENDIX B EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FAIR MANAGER SALARY AND BENEFITS $5,615.00-$6,782.00 per month, plus benefits package FILING DEADLINE Open until filled. Review Date: January 2, 2025 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBil,ITIES Under direction of the County Board of Supen-isors and under administrative supervision from the County Admini~tJ-ative O.Dicer. the Fair ,Manager plans. orga,1/ze.f. implements and administers the developmem and utlli=tion offairground.fucilities a,id plans and e::cer;:ule.s events which po1•ide. the public with a vwie~v of entertninment, social, ed11cario11a/ and cultural ac/ivilies. The major duties qfthejob include: Market fairground facilities and the community to producers of exhibits, conventions and other events; develop and implement programs to attract and retain corporate sponsorships. Meet with and speak before community groups to promote the fairground; develop and approve the release of information relating to fairground operations to the news media and the community. -·. bi.rect the final selection, placement, orientation, training and evaluation of personnel in the department in accordance with established laws, rules, policies and procedures. Direct the preparation and administration of the departmental budget; monitor fund expenditures; direel lhe maintenance of proper accounts and records in accordance with federal, state and local requiremenls. Make recommendations regarding fees, rules and regulations for exhibitors and the public; review effectiveness of programs and initiate changes where appropriate; formulate, interpret and revise policies, procedures and regulations. Prepare reports and correspondence as needed and directed. Direct the maintenance, repair, alteration and upgrade of fairground facilities: develop facilities improvement program and the planning, design and scheduling of construction for new fairground facilities. Ensure the continuing conformance with requirements of law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the State Division of Fairs and Expositions. Perform related duties as assigned. Extracted from Lassen County Employment Opportunity, Fair Manager, Duties and Responsibilities. DISCLAIMER Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. AND $75,000: AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Purchase of these items requires a purchase order and informal quotes from at least three vendors. The names of the vendors, their business address and telephone numbers, and their price quotes must be written on the requisition form. If the type of equipment being purchased is so specialized that less than three vendors are available, please document this on the requisition. If you are purchasing through the CMAS contract or one of the other mass purchasing contracts, you are not obligated to obtain quotes from three vendors because these prices have already been negotiated. If another governmental agency has completed a competitive bid process and is extending the pricing agreements to other governmental agencies, you are not required to obtain quotes. Again, purchase orders for computer hardware and software, printers, and photocopiers must be sent to the county Informational Services (ISO) staff before making a purchase, so Informational Services can assist in acquiring the items from the vendors offering the best prices and to ensure that the equipment being purchased is compatible with the county wide computer standards. 5. TOTAL PURCHASES, PER VENDOR, PER FISCAL YEAR, PER DEPARTMENT COSTING OVER $75,001: AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Purchases of more than $75,001 must be pre-approved by the Board of Supervisors and must be acquired through a formal advertised bidding process with written responses from potential vendors or through the CMAS contract or one of the other mass purchasing contracts. If another governmental agency has completed a competitive bid process and is extending the pricing agreements to other governmental agencies, you are not required to formally bid. Purchases pursuant to this section require Board Approval contingent upon approval of the purchasing agent's recommendation. The purchasing agent will assist the department in setting up the bidding process. On some occasions, the County may choose other than a "lowest responsible bid" and may use an alternative scoring criterion to rate formal bids. Extracted from the Purchasing Policy, Amended: November 13, 2018, by Resolution 18- 073; May 14, 2024, by Resolution 24-022. Replaces 03-P12 35
F3:
TOTAL PURCHASES, PER VENDOR, PER FISCAL YEAR, PER DEPARTMENT COSTING BETWEEN $5,001 AND $25,000: AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - DEPARTMENT HEAD These items require a purchase order and a requisition form. The requisition must be approved by the Department head. The related purchase order must be submitted to Administrative Services and to the Auditor-Controller's Office for review and approval. Informal quotes are recommended to obtain best pricing. Purchase orders for computer hardware and software, printers, and photocopiers must be sent to the county Informational Services (ISO) staff before making a purchase, so Informational Services can assist in acquiring the items from the vendors offering the best prices and to ensure that the equipment being purchased is compatible with the county wide computer standards.
F4:
TOTAL PURCHASES, PER VENDOR, PER FISCAL YEAR, PER DEPARTMENT COSTING BETWEEN $25,001 34 APPENDIX B EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FAIR MANAGER SALARY AND BENEFITS $5,615.00-$6,782.00 per month, plus benefits package FILING DEADLINE Open until filled. Review Date: January 2, 2025 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBil,ITIES Under direction of the County Board of Supen-isors and under administrative supervision from the County Admini~tJ-ative O.Dicer. the Fair ,Manager plans. orga,1/ze.f. implements and administers the developmem and utlli=tion offairground.fucilities a,id plans and e::cer;:ule.s events which po1•ide. the public with a vwie~v of entertninment, social, ed11cario11a/ and cultural ac/ivilies. The major duties qfthejob include: Market fairground facilities and the community to producers of exhibits, conventions and other events; develop and implement programs to attract and retain corporate sponsorships. Meet with and speak before community groups to promote the fairground; develop and approve the release of information relating to fairground operations to the news media and the community. -·. bi.rect the final selection, placement, orientation, training and evaluation of personnel in the department in accordance with established laws, rules, policies and procedures. Direct the preparation and administration of the departmental budget; monitor fund expenditures; direel lhe maintenance of proper accounts and records in accordance with federal, state and local requiremenls. Make recommendations regarding fees, rules and regulations for exhibitors and the public; review effectiveness of programs and initiate changes where appropriate; formulate, interpret and revise policies, procedures and regulations. Prepare reports and correspondence as needed and directed. Direct the maintenance, repair, alteration and upgrade of fairground facilities: develop facilities improvement program and the planning, design and scheduling of construction for new fairground facilities. Ensure the continuing conformance with requirements of law enforcement and regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the State Division of Fairs and Expositions. Perform related duties as assigned. Extracted from Lassen County Employment Opportunity, Fair Manager, Duties and Responsibilities. DISCLAIMER Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. AND $75,000: AUTHORIZATION LEVEL - COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Purchase of these items requires a purchase order and informal quotes from at least three vendors. The names of the vendors, their business address and telephone numbers, and their price quotes must be written on the requisition form. If the type of equipment being purchased is so specialized that less than three vendors are available, please document this on the requisition. If you are purchasing through the CMAS contract or one of the other mass purchasing contracts, you are not obligated to obtain quotes from three vendors because these prices have already been negotiated. If another governmental agency has completed a competitive bid process and is extending the pricing agreements to other governmental agencies, you are not required to obtain quotes. Again, purchase orders for computer hardware and software, printers, and photocopiers must be sent to the county Informational Services (ISO) staff before making a purchase, so Informational Services can assist in acquiring the items from the vendors offering the best prices and to ensure that the equipment being purchased is compatible with the county wide computer standards.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
City personnel failed to verify the number of loads hauled and disposal locations.
F2:
The contractor did not dispose of debris at the landfill/dump but instead transported it to the RV Storage on Skyline Road and/or the Prison Pit on Rice Canyon Road in Susanville.
F3:
Despite not delivering to the landfill/dump, the invoice included charges for 98 loads' worth of dump fees, amounting to $9,408.00.
F4:
Despite not delivering to the landfill/dump, the invoice included charges for 64 loads' worth of dump fees, amounting to $6,144.00. FS. The invoiced amount of $39,999.00 cannot be reconciled with the contract's estimated costs.
F6:
The Contract and Change Order appeared structured to circumvent competitive bidding regulations.
F7:
A lack of oversight and financial mismanagement warranting further legal and administrative review. FS. City employees responsible for contract development and supervision do not receive training in contract management.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The City of Susanville lacks a strategic plan for the use of Measure P funds.
F2:
The City of Susanville lacks an EDIP.
F3:
There is no structure to measure the outcomes of the Economic Development Department.
F4:
The Economic Development budget is high compared to the community's return on investment. FS. The City of Susanville does not expect any progress within the next 10 years.
F6:
As of June 12, 2025, Economic Development website provides no current valuable information about the department and/or business and tourism.
Additional Recommendations
7
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Susanville City Council should implement strict verification protocols requiring city personnel to supervise each step of the contract and sign off on receipts and invoices to confirm the contractor has provided contracted services.
R2:
The Susanville City Council should prohibit the repurposing of city property or self-delivery to private properties as an alternative to proper disposal without authorized approval.
R3:
The Susanville City Council should establish internal audit procedures to review contracts and invoices before payment.
R4:
The Susanville City Council should introduce policy amendments ensuring Change Orders do not artificially remain below formal bid thresholds. RS. The Susanville City Council should invest in training on writing and supervising contracts. RS. The Susanville City Council should conduct testing to ensure debris are not hazardous.
R5:
The Economic Development Department should update the Economic Development website on a regular basis.
R6:
Implement regular reviews of case processing times, adequacy of evidence submitted, and prosecution outcomes. Publish annual reports to provide transparency and accountability to the public. 26
R7:
The LCCGJ recommends that the District Attorney consider referring this matter to the appropriate investigative and prosecutorial agency.