Fresno County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
The County of Fresno 2017~2018 Grand Jury Report
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 9 findings
F1
Election oversight and ballot security measures are well-planned and comprehensive. There is no evidence that any component of the electoral process is susceptible to a potential security system breach.
F2
The County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Office makes efforts to increase voter registration and offers materials that facilitate the opportunity for Fresno’s multicultural population to make informed voter decisions. 5
F3
The September 2016 statewide consolidation of voter registration records under the aegis of the California Secretary of State aides in the accuracy, security, and maintenance of voter registration rolls.
F4
Continual and deliberate strides are being made for the County Clerk/Registrar of Voters Office to comply with the California Voter’s Choice Act by its target date of 2020.
F5
Across-the-board pay increases for public safety employees (police and fire) were funded out of Measure S in 2017, whether or not those public safety employees were hired under Measure S. 4
F6
Not all legal opinions regarding use of Measure S funds to the Sanger City Council have been in writing.
F7
Resolution No. 4122 was somehow “lost” following its’ adoption on January 15, 2009. This same resolution was then somehow “found” in early January of 2018.
F8
The Fresno County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office places special districts audits as a low priority.
F9
Per the Fresno County Audit Committee’s Bylaws it appears the committee, although advisory in nature, can oversee and monitor the Fresno County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office with regards to special district financial audit requirements, but has failed to provide oversight and monitoring. California Little Hoover Commission Report #239, “Special Districts: Improving Oversight & Transparency”, August 2017, http://www.lhc.ca.gov/sites/lhc.ca.gov/files/Reports/239/Report239.pdf 6
Recommendations 1
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R9The Legislature should require that every special district have a website. Key components should include: ● Name, location, contact information ● Services provided ● Governance structure of the district, including election information and the process for constituents to run for board positions ● Compensation details - total staff compensation, including salary, pensions and benefits, or a link to this information on the State Controller’s website ● Budget - including annual revenues and the sources of such revenues, including without limitation, fees, property taxes and other assessments, bond debt, expenditures and reserve amounts ● Reserve fund policy ● Geographic area served ● Most recent Municipal Service Review 14 ● Most recent annual financial report provided to the State Controller’s Office, or a link to this information on the State Controller’s website ● Link to the Local Agency Formation Commission and any state agency providing oversight Exemptions should be considered for districts that fall under a determined size based on revenue and/or number of employees. For districts in geographic locations without reliable Internet access, this same information should be available at the local library or other public building open and accessible to the public, until reliable Internet access becomes available statewide. Building on this recommendation, every LAFCO should have a website that includes a list and links to all of the public agencies within each county service area and a copy of all of the most current Municipal Service Reviews. Many LAFCOs currently provide this information and some go further by providing data on revenues from property taxes and user fees, debt service and fund balance changes for all the local governments within the service area. At a minimum, a link to each agency would enable the public to better understand the local oversight authority of LAFCOs and who to contact when a problem arises.