⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
Page 14
Finding Community Service opportunities for those who have been released is challenging.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Page 14
Lack of signage indicating which building is the Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Center (IGJJC)
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Page 24
A general lack of maintenance exists at the facility putting staff and inmates at risk.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Page 31
Merced County Sheriff’s Department presence on social media increased, highlighting the department and advertising current employment opportunities.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
Page 31
A general lack of maintenance exists at the facility putting staff and inmates at significant risk of injury or death.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
Page 63
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.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Page 63
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.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Page 81
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.
No recommendations for this finding
F9
Page 81
The District does not have an employee handbook for certificated or classified employees.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
Page 81
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.
No recommendations for this finding
Commendations 7
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CM1 Page 41The Grand Jury recognizes four particular groups:
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CM2 Page 41The Community Outreach Organization
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CM3 Page 41City of Los Banos Housing Division
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CM4 Page 41Homeless Resources program of HSA
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CM5 Page 41Continuum of Care REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code §933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days:
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CM6 Page 41Merced County Board of Supervisors ( R2) The following is invited to respond in 90 days: CoC (R1, R2)
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CM7Merced County Human Services Agency(R2) 41 DISCLAIMER Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify the individuals who have been 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. ANNOTATED SOURCES 1 Merced County Civil Grand Jury Report 2016-2017 2 Merced County Final 2024 Budget 3 CoC 2023 PIT Report 4 CoC 2024 PIT Report 5 https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtExhbit -A-SCDD-California-Poverty-Levels-by-County.pdf RECUSAL Jacqueline Aguas recused herself due to conflict of interest. 42 American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021 Where the Money Went SUMMARY The 2023-2024 Merced County Civil Grand Jury (Grand Jury) convened in July of 2023 with a commitment to fulfill the “watchdog” role ascribed to it by the California Penal Code §888- 939.1 [1] The Grand Jury fulfilled this obligation by investigating the receipt, accounting, safe-handling, transparency, and planned expenditure of millions of taxpayer dollars provided to the residents of Merced County due to federal legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020-2022. For purposes of this report, the use of the term “ARPA funds” references the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The Grand Jury investigated Merced County and its incorporated cities and met with city staff and elected officials, who had direct knowledge and responsibility for the management and distribution of ARPA funds. In this report the Grand Jury submits recommendations, based on what, in the opinion of the Grand Jury, are believed to be best practices for the handling, distribution, and methods to provide transparency to residents of the use of ARPA funds for their cities.
No Responses Found 2
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Merced County
County
Merced County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office