Nevada County Resource Conservation District: Real Estate Acquisition Trumps Mission

R1

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District should devote more effort and financial resources to increase public awareness of its services.

R2

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District should spend its resources to accomplish its mission rather than allowing its financial reserves to accumulate to an unreasonable level. !

R3

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District Board of Directors should ensure that all of the Nevada County Resource Conservation District’s goals support its mission. Responses Nevada County Resource Conservation District Board of Directors: Findings 1,2,3,4 and 5 and Recommendations 1, 2, and 3 – Due Date: September 12, 2012 Nevada County Resource Conservation District 113 Presley Way, Suite Due, GNiSS Valle)', CA 95945 530.272.3417 f ax 530.-I77.H()55 IVlvw.llcr cd. org September 12, 2012 The Honorable Thomas Anderson Presiding Judge of the Grand Jury 201 Church Street i'~evada City, CA 95959 Re: Nevada County Resource Conservation District response to Grand Jury findings Findings: 1. The Board's decision to spend $455,000 to purchase the Building does not further the stated mission of NCRCD. Disagree • The ultimate goal for the NCRCD was to generate a return on the investment through rental revenues/ thus allowing continued programming to further our mission. 2. The Board's decision to purchase the Building in early 2011 was not well-planned, because: • prior commitments were not obtained from other potential tenants; • the space is not large enough to house multiple agencies and host public seminars Disagree • The NCRCD went through the process to secure potential tenants who wanted to know which building would be available before committing to a move. • The NCRCD believed the space was large enough for other agencies/ hosting public seminars was not the primary intent ofthe NCRCD in the purchase of a building. 3. NCRCD allowed its reserves (real estate and cash) to grow to an excessive level, nearly four times its average annual budget. Disagree • The NCRCD had conserved their reserves and grant administration monies/ over many years/ for a possible/ future Agriculture and Natural Resources Building. This building had been part of the NCRCD Strategic Plan since 2005. Under Division 9 of the Public Resources Code/ districts have the "right to own and manage land, easements, and propertv. .. Division 9 allows districts to purchase office space as wel!..thev mav also purchase land and a building to house the district. // 4. NCRCD expenditures on public outreach have been inadequate. Disagree • The NCRCD has implemented a large number ofpublic outreach events each yea0 using staf0 volunteers/ and directors to achieve that goal. Publications/ printing/ and outreach were done in house as much as possible. Ultimately/ the NCRCD worked toward any project in the most cost efficient manner available. 5. NCRCD expenditures on programs have been inadequate in recent years. Disagree • The NCRCD has consistently maintained very cost effective programming to further the mission and vision of the NCRCD. Many of our programs were funded by grants that were effiCiently managed by the NCRCD. Recommendations: 1. The Nevada County Resource Conservation District should devote more effort and financial resources to increase public awareness of its services. The recommendation is being implemented presently The NCRCD has begun an ad campaign in the Union newspaper, radio ads on KNCO, and implemented numerous seminars throughout the year, and expanded funding to cover these costs. 2. The Nevada County Resource Conservation District should spend its resources to accomplish its mission rather than allowing its financial reserves to accumulate to an unreasonable level. The recommendation is being implemented The NCRCD believes a responsible level of financial reserves is a minimum of I -year operating reserves and reserves for dedicated categories for specific projects. 3. The Nevada County Resource Conservation District Board of Directors should ensure that all of the Nevada County Resource Conservati on District's goals support its mission. The recommendation is being implemented The NCRCD operates under a S-year strategic plan that is developed by the NCRCD Board of Directors, NCRCD/NRCS staff, and is frequently assisted by an outside facilitator. ~ _ '\, If r 1 1.- ~ ....... ' ~ tt· 7. C"7 l -a.~/-t v / IV L- 1<. ( /) /3 t'7'& 1.- d r U J- ~L-.-I J NCRCD Board of Directors September 20 12 3

R4

NCRCD expenditures on public outreach have been inadequate. Disagree • The NCRCD has implemented a large number ofpublic outreach events each yea0 using staf0 volunteers/ and directors to achieve that goal. Publications/ printing/ and outreach were done in house as much as possible. Ultimately/ the NCRCD worked toward any project in the most cost efficient manner available.

R5

NCRCD expenditures on programs have been inadequate in recent years. Disagree • The NCRCD has consistently maintained very cost effective programming to further the mission and vision of the NCRCD. Many of our programs were funded by grants that were effiCiently managed by the NCRCD. Recommendations: