Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District Case 12-17c

R1

The 2011-2012 SCCGJ recommends that the Board read and implement all provisions of California Government Codes 61040-60148 and 61060-61070. The authority granted to the Board are the responsibility of the Board and may not be delegated to a paid employee.

R2

The Board should review the Directors Policy Manual to insure it is in full compliance with California Government Codes 61040-61048 and 61060-61070. The Directors Policy Manual should define the Board’s responsibilities in detail.

R3

The Board must approve all District policies. Implementation of the approved policies is the responsibility of the Fire Chief.

R4

Final approval or rejection of new or changed policies should be completed in a timely manner and parties involved notified of their acceptance or rejection.

R5

The Board should develop a written policy for the annual Board evaluation of the Fire Chief, its senior manager of operations.

R6

The Board should complete and deliver a written performance evaluation to the Fire Chief annually. A “catch up” review should be completed

R7

The Administration Staff is not part of the Union MOU with the District. Since no in-house Human Resources position exists, any administrative staff personnel complaints should be referred directly to the Board and not through the Union grievance process.

R8

At least three of the members of the Board should be elected (per Government Code Section 61008). One of the elected members should be named as Clerk for the Board and another be named as Treasurer. There should be a job description outlining minimum qualifications for each position. The District’s Directors Policy Manual provides a full job description for Clerk of the Board. The Treasurer should understand accounting and auditing procedures and should be responsible for reviewing the budget and the quarterly financial position of the District. This report is issued by the 2011-2012 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury. No members of the grand jury volunteered to recuse themselves due to a perceived conflict of interest. The primary function of the SCCGJ is to provide unbiased oversight and to investigate complaints from citizens about the operations of county and city government, school districts and special districts, as required by law. The grand jury is one means to inform citizens that government is operating efficiently and in an ethical, honest manner. The grand jury investigates policies and procedures and makes recommendations to improve 4 local governmental operations. It has no power to enforce its recommendations. It only informs citizens about some of the legislative and administrative work of their local governments. All grand jury investigations and reports are approved by at least a 60% supermajority vote of the entire grand jury panel.