Madera County Grand Jury
2013-2014
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Findings & Recommendations
11 findings
F1:
wells for agricultural use, except for replacement wells of equal capacity.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
wells for agricultural use, except for replacement wells of equal capacity.
F2:
The BoS has not proposed any revenue source which would enhance the County's ability to solve the groundwater problem. Any tax or fee that would be enacted to generate a revenue stream for ongoing groundwater remediation would be subject to approval by the impacted voters.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The BoS enact an ordinance requiring the review, prior to issuing a well permit, of the location and design of new wells so as to minimize adverse impacts to existing wells on parcels under different ownership.
F3:
New tree and fruit plantings in recent years have been mostly in areas without access to surface water, thus increasing the use of groundwater for agricultural irrigation, particularly due to new plantings of almond trees.
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R3:
The BoS develop procedures to monitor and quantify the annual use of groundwater by residential, commercial/industrial and agricultural categories.
F4:
Any significant action to reduce the short term overdraft of groundwater must reduce the use for agricultural irrigation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The BoS prepare a plan for a fee on groundwater extraction based on usage.
F5:
The continuing overdraft of groundwater will result in an ongoing drop in the water table and land subsidence. Land subsidence is an irreversible process, resulting in a permanent loss of potential subsurface water storage. Land subsidence has caused damage to local, state and federal infrastructure. The sources of groundwater recharge are insufficient to maintain an adequate supply of water for Madera County. (See Attachment) Although Madera County is a Right to Farm county, the use of land for agriculture is still subject to all the land use polices and ordinances enacted by the BoS. The Right to Farm ordinance in Madera County does not justify lack of action by the BoS to enact regulations on the Agricultural Industry.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The BoS enact an ordinance that would require the demonstration of a sustainable water supply for agricultural use before land can be converted to permanent crops with intensive water requirements.
F6:
The BoS enact a water conservation plan which includes restrictions on agricultural, commercial/industrial and residential uses of water and publish it online.
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R6:
The BoS enact a water conservation plan which includes restrictions on agricultural, commercial/industrial and residential uses of water and publish it online.
F7:
Over the years, the BoS has requested many studies regarding water usage; however, little change in groundwater usage has resulted.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
The BoS work with stakeholders to develop additional groundwater recharge, groundwater storage, and surface water delivery systems.
F8:
The Water Advisory Commission is ineffective due to the lack of access to professional staff and lack of support by the BoS.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The BoS employ in the County Engineering Department, additional professional staff with water expertise to aid in planning and implementation of sustainable water usage.
F9:
The only professional with water expertise on staff is the Madera County Engineer who can only devote a fraction of his time to water issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The BoS prepare an annual report quantifying the water usage of the county by residential, commercial/industrial and agriculture users. Make the report available to the public in local newspapers, posting on the county website and mailing to all property owners with property tax statements.
F10:
Madera County has no accurate method of measuring how much groundwater is used in different areas of the county on an ongoing basis.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The BoS initiate a land subsidence monitoring program in all areas of the county and adopt policies relating to land subsidence that are based on the premise that continuing land subsidence will permanently damage infrastructure, reduce groundwater storage capacity and negatively impact the county economy.
F11:
The BoS adopt policies so that groundwater decisions are: a) based on maintaining a sustainable balance between supply and use; b) acknowledge that groundwater is a limited resource that must be managed for the common good; c) recognizing the needs of domestic users and smaller farms. Respondents: Board of Supervisors200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Informational: Khen Vang County Engineer200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Water Advisory Commission 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
The BoS adopt policies so that groundwater decisions are: a) based on maintaining a sustainable balance between supply and use; b) acknowledge that groundwater is a limited resource that must be managed for the common good; c) recognizing the needs of domestic users and smaller farms.
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Findings & Recommendations
15 findings
F1:
The Auditor's management style is top down and autocratic causing undue tension and low morale of the staff. The County needs more degreed accountants for the Auditor's department.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
The Auditor-Controller should request funds for sufficient degreed accountants in order to meet ongoing Single Audit deadlines. In addition, degreed accountants can provide professional training of staff within the Auditor-Controller's office to increase efficiency. The Auditor-Controller should delegate more responsibility to supervisors to manage staff.
R5:
The BoS contract for an outside managerial study of the Auditor-Controller's office to examine and make recommendations regarding supervisory practices, staffing, systems, procedures, and employee morale.
F2:
The Auditor-Controller should request funds for sufficient degreed accountants in order to meet ongoing Single Audit deadlines. In addition, degreed accountants can provide professional training of staff within the Auditor-Controller's office to increase efficiency. The Auditor-Controller should delegate more responsibility to supervisors to manage staff.
F3:
The attempt of the Auditor to change practices has been inhibited by the inherited culture.
F4:
The review of approximately 16,000 line items delayed the timely preparation of the Single Audits.
F5:
The Auditor has implemented procedures and policies to improve the financial record keeping and reporting for the County which will enable the timely filing of Single Audits in future years.
F6:
Lack of timely filing of the Single Audit has caused the county to lose the opportunity to apply for grants. Some grants have been lost entirely or in part due to lack of filing the Single Audit in a timely manner. Delays in receiving grants can result in extra cost to the county.
F7:
The IFAS software is inadequate for the needs for the county's financial record keeping and reporting.
F8:
The lack of ongoing training and supervision of personnel in the accurate entry of data resulted in substantial staff time to correct past data entry errors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Auditor-Controller increase on-going cross-training of personnel. Respondents: Marcia Hall Madera County Auditor-Controller 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
F9:
The loss of senior staff members prior to Auditor's appointment in January, 2012 inhibited the timely filing of the 2011 Single Audit.
F10:
There was a delay of one year in the payment to the independent outside auditor who was owed by the county the sum of $21,000 for additional work to complete the 2011 Single Audit. This resulted in the independent outside auditor being unable to do the additional work while they were owed monies by the county. If the independent outside auditor has not been paid, they are not considered "independent" and cannot return until the debt is cleared.
F11:
Because of the additional time invested in attempting to complete the Single Audit, the Auditor did not have available time or staff to perform the financial watch dog function over other county departments.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Auditor-Controller should request funds for sufficient degreed accountants in order to meet ongoing Single Audit deadlines. In addition, degreed accountants can provide professional training of staff within the Auditor-Controller's office to increase efficiency. The Auditor-Controller should delegate more responsibility to supervisors to manage staff.
F12:
The County is rated as a financial High Risk agency by the SCO requiring additional work and an increase in fees for the independent auditor to complete the Single Audits.
F13:
Because the County is under sanctions by the SCO, the County is inhibited from applying for grants or from receiving some pass-through funds.
F14:
The investigation revealed that morale is low in the Auditor's Office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The BoS contract for an outside managerial study of the Auditor-Controller's office to examine and make recommendations regarding supervisory practices, staffing, systems, procedures, and employee morale.
F15:
The Auditor's Office has: insufficient training of staff; minimal empowerment of staff; an unclear chain of command; and inadequate communication through regularly scheduled meetings of entire staff. This has inhibited the Auditor's Office from performing all of its intended functions in a timely manner.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3:
The Auditor-Controller conduct regularly scheduled staff meetings to build teamwork and inform the staff of upcoming activities, changes, and new initiatives impacting the department.
R4:
The Auditor-Controller should perform regularly scheduled employee evaluations per Madera County Code 2.60.440.
R5:
The BoS contract for an outside managerial study of the Auditor-Controller's office to examine and make recommendations regarding supervisory practices, staffing, systems, procedures, and employee morale.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
Credit cards are used to purchase school equipment, educational materials, pay for business dinners, staff Christmas parties and some expenses for attendance at Conventions.
F2:
Credit card expenditures are processed and categorized by the office manager for accounting statements.
F3:
Credit card limits are approved by the Board of Directors who authorizes the Director and Principal to make purchases on those credit cards. Credit cards are used consistent with the policies established by the Board of Directors.
F5:
The two schools seem to have a dedicated Director, Principal and staff who are striving to improve the education of the students.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Grand Jury recommends that the Director, Principal and staff continue in their pursuit of excellence in education for the students of the Sherman Thomas Charter School. Respondents: Director, Sherman Thomas Charter School 101 West Adell Madera, CA 93638 Principal, Sherman Thomas Charter School 101 West Adell Madera, CA 93638 Board of Directors Sherman Thomas Charter School 101 West Adell Madera, CA 93638 Informational: Dr. Anthony Monreal, Deputy Superintendent Madera Unified School District 1902 Howard Road Madera, CA 93637
F6:
The classrooms are well maintained and adequate in size for the number of students.
F7:
The School is ranked the highest in the Madera Unified School District on the Academic Performance Index.
Findings & Recommendations
1 findings
F1:
The services provided are very important to the seniors of Madera County. Information about the services needs to be more widely available.
Findings & Recommendations
4 findings
F1:
If sufficient correctional officers are employed, the additional 144 beds would aid the DOC in accommodating the increased inmate population.
F2:
The increased inmate population and the low level of officer staffing has heightened the potential for an unsafe DOC environment.
F3:
Presently the staffing and recruitment process is experiencing difficulties in filling vacant positions. High turnover and personnel on long term medical leaves have contributed to this shortage.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The grand jury recommends that: The Director of the Madera County Department of Corrections develop and implement an immediate plan to fill vacant positions and hire additional correctional officers. Respondents: Director Manuel Perez Madera County Department of Corrections 14191 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Informational: Sheriff-Coroner Madera County Sheriff's Department 14143 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 Chief County Probation Officer Madera County Probation Department 200 West Yosemite Avenue Madera, CA 93637 Director Madera County Department of Social Services 700 East Yosemite Avenue Madera, CA 93637
F4:
The requirement to house California Welfare and Institutional Code 5150 (Involuntary Psychiatric Hold) inmates represents a danger to employees.
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Findings & Recommendations
2 findings
F1:
VSP does not have a fire truck located on the VSP grounds, nor are their male inmates trained as firefighters. This situation presents a potential inmate safety/security issue for the female CCWF inmates when they enter VSP for emergencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
A Firefighter Training Program for the VSP inmates should be implemented. These firefighters will support and supplement Madera Fire Station 5.
F2:
The CCWF Fire Department houses three fire trucks under cover. The station house lacks the garage space to keep the fourth fire truck #350 which is used for VSP and CCWF facility fire emergencies.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
A large protective vehicle canopy be purchased for the CCWF Fire Department for fire truck #350 which is kept outside and subjected to the elements. Replacement value of the fire truck would be in excess of $400,000. Respondents: Ron Davis, Warden Valley State Prison 21633 Avenue 24 Chowchilla, CA 93610 Debra Johnson, Warden Central California Women’s Facility 23370 Road 22 Chowchilla, CA 93610 Informational: CalFire Chief, Fire Station 5 Central California Women's Facility 23370 Road 22 Chowchilla, CA 93610 Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637
Findings & Recommendations
14 findings
F1:
The employees lack professionalism in their manner of dress which could be offensive to the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
Trustees should require that employees dress appropriately for serving the public by following Madera County dress code requirements.
F2:
The Cemetery has plans for additional facilities which will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA of 1990) compliant rest rooms that will be available to the public during hours of operation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
A long term maintenance plan for the repair of curbs, sidewalks and asphalt surfaces be created and implemented as soon as possible.
F3:
The curbs, gutters, sidewalks and asphalt are in need of repair for the safety of the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
An emergency eye wash station and shower be added for employees in the workshop.
F4:
Cemetery district is not in compliance with Cal/OSHA requirements.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The Employee Handbook should be brought up to date.
F5:
The Employee handbook of policies and procedures is outdated.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
Employee job descriptions should be revised to reflect current employee duties.
F6:
Employee job descriptions are outdated and do not reflect current employee duties.
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R6:
Clear signage should be provided at the entry to the Cemetery stating hours of operation.
F7:
Signage for entry of the cemetery is small and difficult to see from the street.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7:
A list of current condition and useful lifespan of tools and equipment should be prepared and a plan for replacement be maintained by the Trustees.
F8:
Tools and equipment are in need of upgrading and/or replacement.
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R8:
Salaries of employees be reviewed and brought up to date with comparable size cemeteries in the state.
F9:
Salaries are less than comparable positions in other cemetery districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
Staffing levels be reviewed to ensure the grounds are maintained and made presentable to the public.
F10:
Staffing levels are insufficient to provide adequate site maintenance.
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R10:
Construction of the Hillside Chamber, public bathrooms and pagoda be completed as soon as possible.
F11:
The current Hillside Chamber niches are sold out. An architect has been selected to design an additional Hillside Chamber, a public restroom building and a gazebo for ceremonial use.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
Review and update charges and fees made to the public to meet the needs of current cemetery cost of operation.
F12:
Fees and service charges are low compared to other cemeteries of the same size.
Related Recommendations (1)
R12:
The Cemetery begin accepting credit card usage for public convenience.
F13:
The lack of acceptance of credit cards may inconvenience the public who require the Cemetery services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R13:
The Trustees should receive training regarding the requirements of the Brown Act.
F14:
The Board of Supervisors and the Trustees consider that the Cemetery be joined with the Madera County Cemetery District. Respondents: Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Board of Trustees Chowchilla Cemetery District 23359 Road 14-1/2 Chowchilla, CA 93610
Related Recommendations (1)
R14:
The Board of Supervisors and the Trustees consider that the Cemetery be joined with the Madera County Cemetery District. Respondents: Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Board of Trustees Chowchilla Cemetery District 23359 Road 14-1/2 Chowchilla, CA 93610
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Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The Grand Jury has documentation that FSO sent the CLETS messages.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The CLETS terminal be placed in a secure, stand-alone area, used only for CLETS communications, and monitored 24/7.
F2:
Madera DOC was not able to verify receipt of a CLETS from the FSO.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2:
The Madera DOC staff be refreshed on protocol regarding monitoring and use of CLETS.
F3:
The Grand Jury found no evidence to verify that CLETS in the Madera DOC was inoperable at the time of the incident.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Madera DOC complete and publish their promised internal investigation. Respondents: Madera County Board of Supervisors 200 West 4th Street Madera, CA 93637 Manuel Perez, Director Madera County Department of Corrections 14191 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 Informational: John Anderson, Sheriff-Coroner Madera County Sheriff’s Office 14143 Road 28 Madera, CA 93638 Kamala Harris, Attorney General State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General 1300 "I" Street Sacramento, CA 95814 Jerry Dyer, Chief Fresno Police Department 2323 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721 Margaret Mims, Sheriff Fresno Sheriff’s Office 2200 Fresno Street Fresno, CA 93721
F4:
Madera DOC failed to act on three notifications sent from the FSO resulting in the Subject being released.
F5:
The Grand Jury found no evidence of an investigation referenced in Fact #12.
* This report's PDF did not contain easily extractable text and required Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for analysis. There may be minor errors in the extracted findings and recommendations due to OCR limitations with scanned documents.