Vote Green, Save Green - Vote by Mail

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The County agrees in part and disagrees in part with the finding. Many of the procedural requirements in the Grand Jury Report did not apply. It appears that the Grand Jury may have been referring to a later version of a statute and to requirements that were not in place in 2003 when the enhanced retirement benefits were adopted. Based on a review of historical documents, it appears that the County substantially complied with the procedural requirements, with the exception of one procedural notice requirement. Documents could not be located to clearly demonstrate that the County made the actua...

Response: Implemented

The recommendation has been implemented. The Office of County Counsel has examined historical documents and the procedures and actions taken when the enhanced retirement benefits were adopted to determine compliance with the required procedures. That information was provided to the Board of Supervisors in a report. R2 The Board of Supervisors obtain legal advice on how to proceed regarding current pensions if legal procedures were not followed in 2002. <b>Board of Supervisors' Response:</b> This recommendation has been implemented. The Office of County Counsel determined there was substantial ...

Response: Implemented

</b> This recommendation has been implemented. The Office of County Counsel determined there was substantial compliance with the applicable statutes and provided the Board of Supervisors with a report. The report includes a legal analysis. The County also engaged an outside law firm - Steptoe & Johnson LLP - to independently review County Counsel's analysis. Its conclusions were also provided to the Board of Supervisors. Signed

Response: Will Implement

This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future as funds become available. The Board is committed to ensuring that the voters of Sonoma County have every opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Sonoma County has historically had high voter turnout and a robust Vote by Mail program. The Registrar of Voters' Office intends to increase outreach efforts encouraging voters to request Permanent Vote by Mail status using existing funds by redesigning mailers sent to all registered voters. More can be done to educate voters as to the advantages of ...

Response: Will Not Implement

This recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted. Computer and voting systems in California have required certification by the Secretary of State since the early 1960's. Following the Presidential Election of 2000, "punchcard" voting systems were decertified in California. Numerous counties were forced to procure new voting systems, at significant cost. The DFM Mark-a-Vote voting system, which continues to be used in Sonoma, Lake and Madera counties, was grandfathered into the certification process due to its longevity in California and its proven accuracy and transparen...

Response: Will Implement

This recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the 2013 Sonoma County Legislative Program. Annually the Board of Supervisors puts forth Sonoma County's State and Federal Legislative Program identifying those legislative proposals which the Board wishes to advance. In the 2013 Program the Board will include support of legislative efforts to allow counties to voluntarily convert to all Vote by Mail elections, if the percentage of Permanent Vote by Mail voters equals or exceeds a certain percentage of the number of registered voters in a county, providing drop off lo...

Response: Unknown

This recommendation has been, and will continue to be, implemented as described below. Community Services Funding (CSF) is now distributed through the Sonoma County Community Development Commission (CDC) in conjunction with Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Board of Supervisors exercises review and formal approval authority over the CDC grant funding policies and final funding decisions for CSF and all other grantees. Each year in September or October, the Community Development Committee ...