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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F2, F10, F41, F42, F45, F48, F50, F57, F60, F64, F70, F72, F76, F81, F83, F84

Conclusions 148

• CL1 Page 22
  The Juvenile Probation Division would benefit by input from law enforcement officers, school administrators, juvenile court staff and the Office of the District Attorney in revising the risk assessment process. Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools Page 1-13 Consequences and Responsibility 11. The Santa Cruz County Probation Department will still have to function effectively despite a predicted 19% budget cut.
• CL2 Page 15
  Despite the state-mandated “zero-tolerance” policy, school officials have not been able to provide a drug free environment for students.
• CL3 Page 15
  Substance abuse exists on every public high school campus in Santa Cruz County. Alcohol and cigarette use is not considered exceptional. Marijuana use is fast approaching the same level of acceptance.
• CL4 Page 15
  Law enforcement officers have not been aggressive in preventing the sale or use of drugs on or near school grounds.
• CL5 Page 15
  When SROs do apprehend youthful offenders, there is little follow-through or appropriate consequences enforced by the juvenile justice system.
• CL6 Page 14
  Santa Cruz County public high school students receive only minimal substance abuse education.
• CL7 Page 15
  Not all SROs offer on-campus diversion programs to students. Page 1-6 Substance Abuse in Santa Cruz County High Schools Consequences and Responsibility 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report
• CL8 Page 16
  Teen centers do not exist on public high school campuses.
• CL9 Page 16
  The SROs’ effectiveness is limited when they do not receive information from the Juvenile Probation Division in a timely manner.
• CL10 Page 16
  A consolidated referral list of countywide care and counseling programs would aid school officials, law enforcement officers and parents in matching juveniles to appropriate programs.
• CL11 Page 22
  The Juvenile Probation Division has reduced the number of juveniles being detained in Juvenile Hall through the use of the Risk Assessment system. This presents the false impression of a reduction in juvenile crime.
• CL12 Page 22
  The Juvenile Probation Division appears more interested in emptying Juvenile Hall than in successfully rehabilitating juvenile repeat offenders.
• CL13 Page 22
  Many youths who should be detained are released from custody, based on the scoring of the Risk Assessment form. These youths would be better served being detained and receiving appropriate treatment.
• CL14 Page 22
  Although the Juvenile Probation Division can demonstrate its success with juvenile first-time offenders, there is little evidence that the Division’s interaction with repeat offenders is productive.
• CL15 Page 22
  There is little evidence of teaching “cause and effect” or “actions and consequences” to youths involved with Santa Cruz County’s juvenile justice system.
• CL16 Page 22
  The shortened length of stay at Juvenile Hall makes it difficult for county agencies or other providers of services to influence behavior of youths in custody.
• CL17 Page 22
  It is unacceptable that substance abuse programs only be available to youths at Juvenile Hall as a reward for good behavior.
• CL18 Page 22
  The lack of staff continuity in case management leaves juveniles uninformed as to who their current probation officer is and causes probationers to become indifferent and cynical about the juvenile justice system.
• CL19 Page 22
  It would be beneficial to law enforcement officers, particularly SROs, if the Juvenile Probation Division routinely provided information on youths involved with the Division to law enforcement personnel.
• CL20 Page 23
  The Santa Cruz County Probation Department will still have to function effectively despite a predicted 19% budget cut.
• CL21 Page 27
  The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department is limiting its effectiveness by not tracking juvenile justice statistics in the county’s unincorporated areas.
• CL22 Page 27
  Law enforcement officials are discouraged from enforcing consequences for illegal behavior by juveniles due to the Juvenile Probation Division’s lack of concern for applying these consequences or ensuring public safety.
• CL23 Page 27
  The failure of law enforcement personnel to enforce consequences for illegal behavior gives a “So what?” message to juvenile offenders when the system encourages a lax approach to juvenile crime.
• CL24 Page 27
  Youthful offenders are apathetic toward the juvenile justice system since they see little or no evidence of consequences for illegal behavior.
• CL25 Page 27
  The severe lack of meaningful communication between law enforcement agencies and the Juvenile Probation Division compromises the effectiveness of those law enforcement agencies as they interact with juveniles.
• CL26 Page 27
  A countywide system for administering juvenile diversion programs would make those programs accessible to all youths who need them.
• CL27 Page 31
  For those student offenders who come to their attention, the schools are enforcing the zero-tolerance policy through suspensions and expulsions, in their effort to create a drug- and alcohol-free campus.
• CL28 Page 31
  Because of its success rate, the PVPSA is a model for prompt and effective substance abuse intervention in Santa Cruz County schools. Page 1-22 Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report
• CL29 Page 32
  Since the School Resource Officers are on the school site and know and understand the school social structure, they could supervise a diversion program.
• CL30 Page 32
  Citations from SROs often take too long to process through Juvenile Probation Division.
• CL31 Page 32
  The time to process and initiate a diversion program by the Juvenile Probation Division takes too long.
• CL32 Page 32
  Before suspended youth can return to school, they must have had a drug use assessment and a meeting between themselves, their parents and school counselors. Some schools require enrollment in a drug treatment program, before the suspended student can return to school.
• CL33 Page 37
  There are many well-developed alternative education programs in Santa Cruz County geared toward helping students recover from substance abuse.
• CL34 Page 37
  There is a need for timely diversion for affected youth, since many new offenders wait too long to get into a diversion program.
• CL35 Page 37
  There is no early intervention for over half the youth in the County between an infraction and the first meeting with the Juvenile Probation Division due to the absence of a diversion program in the Sheriff’s Department.
• CL36 Page 37
  The delay for the Juvenile Probation Division’s screening process to get first-time substance users into a diversion program is too long. This delay is harmful to a beginning substance user.
• CL37 Page 37
  Youth continually face new Probation Officers as they move through the system because of a high turnover of Probation Officers.
• CL38 Page 37
  Students with substance abuse problems are asking for drug-free places such as teen centers where they can gather.
• CL39 Page 37
  More teen centers would be helpful in providing safe environments after school. Page 1-28 Review of Initial Alcohol and Drug Intervention with High School Age Youth 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report
• CL40 Page 41
  Although the staff at Juvenile Hall does an admirable job of providing appropriate care, counseling and correction of detainees, it is unclear whether any lasting changes in attitude or behavior can be affected in the short amount of time most youths are incarcerated.
• CL41 Page 41
  The physical structure and facilities at the Juvenile Hall are in a run down condition, due to the continuous use over the last thirty-five years.
• CL42 Page 41
  The inadequacy of heating and air conditioning at Juvenile Hall is not compatible with good public health.
• CL43 Page 41
  Although Juvenile Hall subscribes to the mission of the California Association of Probation Institution Administrators, it is clear that the condition of the facility does not provide “a safe and humane institutional environment for those residents in detention.”
• CL44 Page 41
  Juvenile Hall is not centrally located in Santa Cruz County. This is inconvenient both for law enforcement personnel who must travel to the Hall to place youths in detention, and for the youths’ attorneys and families.
• CL45 Page 41
  Families without their own personal vehicles face difficulties associated with public transportation, due to the limited service to the area.
• CL46 Page 41
  The remote location of Juvenile Hall poses a potential risk to youths that arrive at Juvenile Hall under the influence of drugs or alcohol and who may need emergency medical care. Page 1-32 Report on the Juvenile Hall 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report
• CL47 Page 46
  Unless prior history of problems indicates otherwise, the expense of an annual audit conducted by a CPA is not justified for some small entities.
• CL48 Page 46
  A perceived lack of choice and tendency to use price as the sole criterion has unnecessarily limited the number of CPA firms auditing special districts.
• CL49 Page 46
  Long term retention of the same auditor may create an appearance of impropriety, expose local governments to potential financial liability, and erode public confidence in government officials.
• CL50 Page 47
  The lack of financial training of some district personnel limits the effectiveness of the use of their annual audit as a management tool.
• CL51 Page 47
  The failure of many local governments to consistently implement the
• CL52 Page 49
  When all costs attributable to a government service are not adequately calculated, decision-makers are not sufficiently informed of the true cost of programs.
• CL53 Page 49
  Because accounting and financial services provided by the County Office of Education (COE) to some school districts are not documented, the true costs of educational services are not completely presented. 2 For the purposes of this report a Government entity is defined as an organization with an independent budget which may or may not be audited separately. In practice, whether or not an organization is a separate entity may not be easy to determine. Page 2-6 Grand Jury Review of Periodic Audits of Local Government Entities in Santa Cruz County
• CL54 Page 50
  Consistent application of accounting principles to all financial transactions is essential to maintaining confidence in the system and adequately reflecting the true cost of government services.
• CL55 Page 50
  Failure to keep adequate records of services provided makes it difficult, if not impossible, to correctly measure the cost of such services.
• CL56 Page 50
  Reconstructed records or estimates after the fact when no records are available provide opportunities for misappropriation of funds and open the parties to charges of impropriety.
• CL57 Page 51
  Schools and fire districts are well served by the process they have created to share ideas and information.
• CL58 Page 51
  In contrast to school and fire districts, other special districts are poorly served by not having a system in place to share ideas and information with other common interest districts.
• CL59 Page 52
  Because member entities may become responsible for the debts and liabilities of a JPA, joint powers authorities constitute a potential liability to their members which should be reflected in their annual audits.
• CL60 Page 52
  Like other entities JPAs should be adequately audited and insured.
• CL61 Page 52
  The inclusion of citizen members on the governing boards of JPAs allows for the inclusion of experienced professionals and better ensures that public input is considered in the decision making of these entities. This is particularly useful for a 3 A joint powers agency, as a separate entity, is responsible for its own debts and liabilities. These debts and liabilities would not legally extend to the entities that created the agency. However, in practice, the terms of the agreement to form the JPA or the remaining interests of the forming entities after its collapse often leave the forming entities stuck with the bill. Grand Jury Review of Periodic Audits of Page 2-9 Local Government Entities in Santa Cruz County
• CL62 Page 54
  The continued existence of the Santa Cruz-San Benito County Schools Insurance Group years after the expiration of its purpose unnecessarily maintains a risk of financial liability and creates an opportunity for misconduct.
• CL63 Page 54
  Under funded self-insurance JPAs pose a significant financial risk to their members and insured.
• CL64 Page 54
  The Santa Cruz Fire Agencies Insurance Group is seriously under-funded. This fact poses a significant risk to the financial stability of its member entities and does not adequately meet the workers’ compensation insurance obligation its member districts owe to their employees who engage in a very dangerous profession.
• CL65 Page 55
  Two meetings per year of the County Audit Committee are insufficient to carefully consider the issues involved and adequately meet the committee’s responsibilities.
• CL66 Page 55
  Grand Jury members should not serve on the audit committees of local government entities for the following reasons: Page 2-12 Grand Jury Review of Periodic Audits of Local Government Entities in Santa Cruz County A. Participation in the process may compromise the Grand Jury’s role as an independent reviewer of the audit process. B. The confidentiality of Grand Jury investigations may create a conflict of interest for Grand Jury members serving on local government audit committees.
• CL67 Page 56
  While the Grand Jury appreciates the efforts of county officials, and especially the County Auditor/Controller, to include the Grand Jury in its process; this year’s Grand Jury does not feel that Grand Jury members should continue to participate as voting members of the County Audit Committee.
• CL68 Page 56
  Despite the difficulties posed by the independent nature of the Grand Jury’s role in reviewing the functions of local government, there are many areas where cooperation between the Grand Jury and local governments can facilitate the investigations of the Grand Jury and minimize the potentially disruptive impact of these investigations on local government entities.
• CL69 Page 61
  Allegations 1, 2 and 3 are without merit. While the Grand Jury believes the City Council has acted legally and in the best interests of the City, it also recognizes the public concerns that have been raised by lack of, or inaccurate information and misunderstandings. The Grand Jury believes the Council could have responded to their constituents by disclosing the information given in the Findings above and reassured them without compromising their case. Response Required None. Investigation of the Conduct of the Santa Cruz City Council in the Page 3-3 Public Trust Tidelands/Third Street Parking Lot Dispute An Investigation of the City of Capitola Redevelopment Agency Reimbursement Loan Agreement
• CL70 Page 68
  Regardless of non-existent time cards, whether unavailable due to inconvenience or oversight, the City is obliged to apply for and receive an accurate and honest reimbursement. Page 3-10 An Investigation of the City of Capitola Redevelopment Agency Reimbursement Loan Agreement
• CL71 Page 69
  Although the City Manager is creatively proceeding with this matter, the basic element of full accountability is unresolved, and it appears that the opportunity to accurately and faithfully apply for actual expenses in future reimbursements will be missed.
• CL72 Page 69
  The Loan Agreement covers the reimbursement amounts due to the City. As it was adopted by the City Council, any balances due are to be paid “as funds allow” over a period “not to exceed twenty-five years.” This implies that the payment of principal, and the accompanying accrual of annual interest, is at the pleasure of the Council. The consequence of unpaid balances intentionally carried forward from year-to-year, inappropriately transfers monetary resources from public-serving “capital projects” to the administrative budget of the Capitola City government.
• CL73 Page 69
  The fact that the administrations of the Capitola City Council and the Board of Directors of the RDA are one and the same, constitutes a potential conflict of interest. Any transfer of funds for reimbursement that is not supported by a measurable work product, is in violation of generally accepted accounting principles.
• CL74 Page 69
  Without the accountability provided by actual time and service records, the Loan Agreement can be perceived as sidestepping accuracy, which leaves City of Capitola open to a charge of fiscal mismanagement.
• CL75 Page 78
  The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has failed to comply with the housing laws of the State of California (Sec 65580-65589.8) and Santa Cruz County (Chapter 17.01 through 17.10). Although repeatedly notified by State and County officials that the County is, and has been continually violating these laws and the consequences of doing so, public statements by two Supervisors in the past five months have rejected any reversal of position.
• CL76 Page 78
  Recognized experts on the staff of Santa Cruz County and outside professionals state there is adequate flexibility in the way a Housing Element can be formed and an adequate range of solution options available to make a large improvement in the quality of life – at every income level – in the County. It can be done without contributing to traffic, environmental, agricultural or other concerns continually raised as disqualifiers to every proposal.
• CL77 Page 78
  Demographic and ideological differences and ‘NIMBYism,’ have resulted in some sections of Santa Cruz County – Watsonville in particular – providing a disproportionate share of affordable housing. The City of Watsonville has gone beyond requirements in equitably identifying needs, then responsibly formulating, executing and enforcing their Housing Element.
• CL78 Page 78
  A lack of accurate communication of the facts and laws regarding affordable housing, responsibly carried out by the County and the media, has contributed to the public’s misguided fear of disastrous consequences if housing laws were met.
• CL79 Page 78
  Despite UCSC reporting they provide the largest percentage of on-campus housing within the University of California system, local officials have asserted that the growth of the UCSC student population has outstripped the supply and contributes to the County affordable housing crisis by competing disproportionately with workers of below-average income in need of housing. Page 3-20 Investigation of the Lack of Affordable Housing in Santa Cruz County
• CL80 Page 86
  The Blaine Street Jail is under-utilized since the State Department of Corrections board rated capacity allows for 40 female inmates and the average occupancy is only 18 inmates per month.
• CL81 Page 86
  A method of tracking recidivism needs to be implemented to aid in determining why there are many inmates returning to Blaine Street.
• CL82 Page 86
  The Blaine Street Jail staff should be acknowledged for the fine job they are doing at the facility.
• CL83 Page 90
  The Main Jail continues to be seriously overcrowded.
• CL84 Page 90
  Moving women inmates requiring medium-security incarceration to another facility would help ease overcrowding at the Main Jail.
• CL85 Page 90
  Finding another means of dealing with alcohol-related administrative detentions (which increase dramatically during the weekends) could reduce the workload, overcrowding and expense associated with bookings at the jail.
• CL86 Page 90
  Salaries for detention officers are lower in Santa Cruz County than in other counties in the Bay area. Officers leave to take higher paying jobs after training. The financial investment made by the County in training new detention officers is lost due to the high turnover rate because officers can receive higher salaries in the Bay area.
• CL87 Page 90
  Failure to implement a salary schedule appropriate to Santa Cruz County is a root cause of continuing unfilled vacancies and employee turnover among detention officers.
• CL88 Page 90
  The Main Jail staff should be acknowledged for the high degree of dedication and professionalism they exhibit despite overcrowding and staff turnover.
• CL89 Page 93
  The Rountree facility is well run and the staff is doing a good job of operating this facility.
• CL90 Page 93
  As an administrative issue, some expenses and revenues that should be considered a portion of the Inmate Welfare Fund are not accounted for at the Rountree Facility.
• CL91 Page 103
  Use of alternatives to nursing homes is less confining, less costly and more likely to result in keeping people in their own home or in a residential setting in their own community.
• CL92 Page 103
  Residential Care Facilities cannot survive under the current state and federal reimbursements that presently do not cover the costs of their operations. Reimbursement rates for residential care facilities should at least meet the cost of providing care for low-income elders.
• CL93 Page 103
  There is a need for additional affordable residential care beds for medium and low- come disabled elderly people in Santa Cruz County.
• CL94 Page 103
  Low-income residents who live in South County need an adult day care facility in that area.
• CL95 Page 103
  Employment and retention of caregivers in LTC services is difficult due to low wages and benefits.
• CL96 Page 103
  Reasonable wage/benefit packages should be given to caregivers in order to recruit and retain them and to recognize their importance and meet their basic needs.
• CL97 Page 112
  The 2000 census data make clear that the projected growth of the aging population will sharply accelerate local demand for LTC services in the near future.
• CL98 Page 112
  The Grand Jury fully supports the actions taken to date by the Pilot Project leadership and endorses the directions they are exploring to improve significantly the TLC system in Santa Cruz County.
• CL99 Page 112
  Since the Managed Medical Care Commission and LTC Commission are already in place, the creation of another local public body dedicated only to the development of LTC insurance programs for seniors would be redundant.
• CL100 Page 112
  Recent involuntary disenrollment of Medicare eligibles by some HMOs in the private sector is an untimely action based on the questionable claim that the limited coverage under Medicare for LTC is too expensive to cover within the present premium structure set for Medicare. These particular HMOs’action is more a reflection of inexperience in the organization and management of LTC services than an indication that LTC services cannot be successfully insured.
• CL101 Page 112
  Those HMOs that have recently forced a large number of involuntary disenrollments of seniors eligible for Medicare can learn from the experience drawn from PACE programs how to organize and manage long term care services.
• CL102 Page 112
  The involuntary disenrollment of seniors from HMOs in the financing and delivery of health services they need, including those defined as LTC, is unnecessary and discriminatory.
• CL103 Page 112
  The striking accomplishments of the PACE programs hold the promise of permitting Medicare HMOs to include an extensive range of LTC services without a large increase in premiums set for seniors eligible for Medicare.
• CL104 Page 112
  The experiences reported by the PACE programs of All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly are convincing evidence that it is financially feasible to cover inclusive LTC services in an HMO at a reasonable rate set for Medicare/Medicaid enrollees.
• CL105 Page 120
  Mental Health Services are needed by about 30% to 35% of homeless adults.
• CL106 Page 120
  Homelessness exacerbates mental illness. Mentally ill people need the security of housing before they can be successfully treated.
• CL107 Page 120
  Comprehensive support programs that stress clients taking responsibilities for improving their own lives have a lasting impact on improving the behavior of persons suffering mental health disorders. This is especially true if they are able to maintain their own schedule of medications. Both Page Smith Community House and the Homeless Persons Health Project have demonstrated the importance of self-help.
• CL108 Page 120
  As demonstrated by the Mental Health Client Action Network, users of mental health services are capable of helping themselves function adequately in society.
• CL109 Page 120
  The Mental Health Client Action Network provides safety and a security net for adults with a history of mental illness, including homeless people.
• CL110 Page 120
  Lack of transportation creates obstacles for helping the mentally ill homeless improve their situation. Use of a van from the Santa Cruz County Fleet Service would better serve the transportation needs of the homeless population.
• CL111 Page 120
  There is a need to find ongoing funding for programs serving the homeless mentally ill persons.
• CL112 Page 120
  Crisis Intervention Training of the Homeless Resource officer and fifteen other Santa Cruz city police officers improves the ability of the Santa Cruz police to deal with mentally ill homeless persons.
• CL113 Page 120
  All of the professionals and volunteers involved in working with the mentally ill homeless in Santa Cruz County are commended for their dedication, compassion and outstanding efforts in helping one of the most vulnerable groups of people in our society. Page 5-26 Review of Mental Health Services for Homeless Adults in Santa Cruz County 2001–2002 Santa Cruz County Grand Jury Report
• CL114 Page 141
  Having ten different school districts in the county under the umbrella of the COE has resulted in duplication of staff and administrative duties and increased the districts’ cost of doing business. Duplication of administrative staff drains the finances of the county school systems and threatens their financial viability.
• CL115 Page 141
  The Special Education Local Program Administration program (SELPA) creates additional duplicated administrative staff when administered separately by both northern county and southern county.
• CL116 Page 141
  The existing county education systems have not dealt adequately with the looming issues of deficits, declining enrollment, and duplication of staff.
• CL117 Page 141
  The Parcel Tax Measures recently approved by voters in Santa Cruz and Live Oak School Districts will not be sufficient to cover existing deficits. Loss of students would mean a drop in average daily attendance (ADA) monies. These tax revenues will only postpone the time for deficit spending unless remedial steps are taken now.
• CL118 Page 141
  Deficits will continue until the districts execute modern, efficient and well-proven approaches to stabilize their financial conditions.
• CL119 Page 141
  Declining enrollment will affect the fiscal well being of every school district in Santa Cruz County.
• CL120 Page 141
  Declining enrollment forces school districts to compete against each other for students and funds.
• CL121 Page 141
  A consolidated school district would allow the district to manage declining enrollment by more easily moving teachers and students as needed.
• CL122 Page 141
  A consolidated school district with or without magnet schools could draw students from the entire county and allow for flexibility in the use of facilities and resources throughout the county.
• CL123 Page 141
  A consolidated school district would allow grant money to reach a larger portion of those students who are qualified to receive it.
• CL124 Page 141
  A consolidated school district would ensure uniform policies and procedures in all schools throughout the county. A Review of the Structure and Administration Page 6-13 of the Santa Cruz County Public School Systems
• CL125 Page 142
  The existing high schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District are overcrowded.
• CL126 Page 142
  County school districts could control costs of building and renovation projects by employing a professional project manager.
• CL127 Page 142
  Students and taxpayers would be better served by the consolidation of educational institutions and resources in the County of Santa Cruz.
• CL128 Page 142
  Parents should take great pride in and credit for the involvement and commitment they have shown to the schools and their children.
• CL129 Page 146
  The District is run efficiently and economically. Board members and staffers are conscientious about minimizing costs in the operating details of the District.
• CL130 Page 146
  Since the Salsipuedes Sanitary District cannot economically hire enough people to assure expertise in all areas, the District makes use of contract personnel for areas in which such expertise is needed.
• CL131 Page 146
  Given its small size, the Salsipuedes Sanitary District has taken appropriate steps to handle its required business and to ensure that its mission is carried out in a thorough and economical fashion. A. Part time non-benefited employees are used. Page 7-2 Investigation of the Salsipuedes Sanitary District B. Outside contractors and personnel are maintained on retainer to ensure that the District has access to expertise and decision-making resources as needed.
• CL132 Page 147
  An individual customer may occasionally receive a larger bill than would be the case if the District did not employ the above practices. Nonetheless, the District’s charging practices and the use of an attorney apparently lead to the lowest overall costs to those served by the district.
• CL133 Page 147
  It is inappropriate for the attorney for the District to prepare and sign correspondence on behalf of the Salsipuedes Sanitary District.
• CL134 Page 147
  The Planning Department is in the best position to notify a citizen of the need for obtaining the required permits.
• CL135 Page 147
  The Santa Cruz Planning Department does not consistently identify the need for a Salsipuedes sewage permit when permitting work at sites served by the Salsipuedes Sanitary District. This has sometimes contributed to confusion and difficulty for the District’s customers.
• CL136 Page 151
  The Indigent Burial Program is small, works well and does not have a large budget. The funeral homes and crematory offer a significant discount to the County, which is beneficial to the budget. Overall, this is a very efficient program.
• CL137 Page 151
  The identification of the decedent is accomplished through a careful and thorough process.
• CL138 Page 151
  The funeral homes and crematory show a humanitarian concern for the family, are knowledgeable of procedures and respectful of the process.
• CL139 Page 151
  The Sheriff-Coroner’s Office does an excellent job of working with the families, public administrator, and funeral homes.
• CL140 Page 151
  The funds of the Indigent Burial Program used prudently.
• CL141 Page 151
  The County should continue to fund at least $25,000 for this program, and consider increases in funding to match rising costs and increased use of the program. Review of the Santa Cruz County Page 7-7 Burial Services Program for Indigents
• CL142 Page 159
  The Santa Cruz Port District is a well run, professionally administered revenue generating Special District. The facilities at the Santa Cruz are well maintained and functional year round. The Port District is responsible for attracting many visitors annually to Santa Cruz County.
• CL143 Page 159
  Revenues generated by the Port District are adequate to operate and maintain all functions of the District.
• CL144 Page 159
  Many retail outlets are located within the Port District and the retailers are generally happy with the District’s operations.
• CL145 Page 159
  There is and has been a long waiting list for slips in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Due to the limits of the harbor area and the demand for slips, the waiting time for a slip will most likely remain long for many years.
• CL146 Page 159
  The Port District is solely responsible for all capital improvements within the Harbor. The District has done an excellent job of maintaining the harbor for recreation, commercial fishing and as a harbor of refuge. The Grand Jury commends the Port District Commissioners, Port Director, Business Manager and Port District Staff for all that they have done to ensure that Santa Cruz Harbor is a beautiful recreation and vacation destination in Santa Cruz County.
• CL147 Page 159
  The Port District is responsible for dredging both the South and North Harbors. Continual dredging is necessary to ensure that the harbor is opened year round.
• CL148 Page 159
  Santa Cruz Harbor supports a small local fishing community. The Port District maintains a good working relationship with the Santa Cruz Local Fisherman’s Association. The Port District provides modern facilities for a local fish buyer. Both the Port District and the Fisherman’s Association are members of the Alliance of Communities for Sustainable Fisheries. The Port District does an excellent job of providing for and supporting the local fishing community.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 10

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.