Merced County Grand Jury
2023-2024
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
Finding Community Service opportunities for those who have been released is challenging.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1:
The Probation Department continue to seek business partners who will allow youth to complete Community Service time. (F1)
R4:
Implement a preventative maintenance plan, thus being proactive instead of reactive. (F3) 24 REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3) and (F3, R4) • Merced County Sheriff (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3), (F3, R4) • Merced County CEO (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3) and (F3, R4) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: • Merced County Director of Public Works (F3, R4) Responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court in accordance with Penal Code §933.05.
F2:
Lack of signage indicating which building is the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Center (IGJJC)
Related Recommendations (3)
R2:
Purchase and install IGJJC signage on or directly in front of the facility (F2) 14 REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to (F2, R2) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: • Admin Division Director – Probation Department (F1, R1), and (F2, R2) Responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court in accordance with Penal Code §933.05.
R3:
The County develops a competitive package for current and potential staff. (F2)
R5:
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office and Merced County Public Works Department collaborate to create and implement a preventative maintenance plan, thus being proactive instead of reactive. (F5) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4) (F5, R5) (F6, R6) • Merced County Sheriff (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4) and (F5, R5) • Merced County CEO (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4,) and (F5, R5) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: • Merced County Director of Public Works (F5, R5) Responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court in accordance with Penal Code §933.05.
F3:
A general lack of maintenance exists at the facility putting staff and inmates at risk.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
Implement a preventative maintenance plan, thus being proactive instead of reactive. (F3) 24 REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3) and (F3, R4) • Merced County Sheriff (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3), (F3, R4) • Merced County CEO (F1), (F2, R1, R2, R3) and (F3, R4) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: • Merced County Director of Public Works (F3, R4) Responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court in accordance with Penal Code §933.05.
F4:
Merced County Sheriff’s Department presence on social media increased, highlighting the department and advertising current employment opportunities.
F5:
A general lack of maintenance exists at the facility putting staff and inmates at significant risk of injury or death.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office and Merced County Public Works Department collaborate to create and implement a preventative maintenance plan, thus being proactive instead of reactive. (F5) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced County Board of Supervisors respond to (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4) (F5, R5) (F6, R6) • Merced County Sheriff (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4) and (F5, R5) • Merced County CEO (F1, R1), (F2), (F3, R2, R3, R4,) and (F5, R5) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: • Merced County Director of Public Works (F5, R5) Responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Merced County Superior Court in accordance with Penal Code §933.05.
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
The City of Los Banos has an excellent internal process for tracking and reporting repairs.
F2:
The City of Dos Palos lacks the capability for online reporting of road issues.
F3:
The City of Merced has an online portal to enter complaints about road conditions.
F4:
The City of Livingston has an online capacity for citizens to enter complaints.
F5:
The City of Atwater has a visible link on the home page of their website for reporting a road problem.
F6:
All cities are responsive to complaints from citizens about needed road repairs.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The MCCGJ recommends that the Sheriff’s Department create an entrance sign that provides clear directions to the correctional center and parking lot. REQUEST FOR RESPONSES(S) Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required: • Merced County Sheriff’s Department responds to R1 within 90 days 94 Sheriff’s Response 95 Board of Supervisors Responses 96 97 98
Findings & Recommendations
10 findings
F1:
Programs associated with the COC and HSA as referenced in the DISCUSSION section of this report are making a positive impact in the lives of the homeless of the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11:
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F2:
The Grand Jury finds that much of our Federal, State, and Local taxpayer money is being resourced within our county to support the programs found on pages 5 and 6 under the DISCUSSION section of this report.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5:
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
R11:
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F3:
There is a lack of transparency regarding the allocation of the funds for the agencies who assist the homeless population and the Point in Time counts are not on, or easily obtainable through a search of the County’s website.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1:
Continue the PIT counts and analyze data, make the data available on the County’s Website. (F3)
R2:
The budgetary breakdowns for the resources and allocation of monies should be readily available to the public on the County’s Website. (F3)
R5:
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
F4:
Public opportunity for local input on the use of ARPA funding was inadequate.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3:
In addition to using internal controls, ARPA funds received should be audited regularly by an outside agency to ensure accountability and transparency. Moderate funding required. (F4)
R5:
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
R7:
The District should post links to Board meeting videos on the MSCD website under the Board Meeting Video Archive tab within a week of the Board meeting. (F4)
F5:
Criteria for determining the awarding of ARPA funds were often vague and confusing.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6:
The Board’s MCSD Governance Team Handbook states the following: • Operate openly, with trust and integrity. • Govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone with civility and respect • Maintain a collegial tone, where discussion and debates are thoughtful and respectful. (Tone includes both verbal and non-verbal behaviors.) The Board should follow their MCSD Governance Team Handbook as it is a guide for proper professional behavior to building unity and creating a positive organizational culture in order to govern effectively. (F5)
R11:
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F6:
Decisions about how funds were spent were solely made by the City Councils or the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the Treasury Department Final Rule Guidelines that took effect on April 1, 2022. However, these procedures were not followed consistently.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
F7:
During our investigation, we discovered Dos Palos and Livingston were quick to invest in identified needs immediately, whereas other cities retained their funds until the issuance of the Final Rule.
F8:
The Board Trustees have displayed open hostility towards one another in public meetings and have used their Censure Policy to silence one another in Board meetings.
Related Recommendations (2)
R8:
The Board’s Censure policy can be a valuable tool when used correctly and with discretion. The Board should use caution when silencing trustees through the censure process and procedure. (F8)
R11:
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F9:
The District does not have an employee handbook for certificated or classified employees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The District should create and provide an employee handbook for certificated or classified employees. (F9)
F10:
The District does not have written procedure(s) in place for individuals filing complaints including which form to complete, who to file it with, process after filing, etc.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10:
The District should create and follow a written procedure for individuals filing complaints. (F10) 82
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R4:
The amount of ARPA-related funding received, and its proposed usage, should be posted prominently on public agency’s websites and social media sites detailing the receipt and distribution of all ARPA-related funds. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F5, F6,)