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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Score: +1 (2/0/1)

Contra Costa County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Grand Jury Final Report 2016 - 2017 ContraCosta County Grand Jury Final Report

Published: May 01, 2017 2 pages

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⚠️ 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 12 findings

F1 Page 117

The closure of five of the district’s eight fire stations has resulted in slower response times.

F2 Page 117

Slower fire district response times increase potential loss of life and property damage.

F3 Page 117

High ISO ratings may increase rates for residential and commercial insurance coverage.

F4 Page 117

ECCFPD has been unsuccessful in finding sufficient funding to reopen closed fire stations.

F5 Page 117

Three recent tax ballot measures that would have raised revenues for ECCFPD were rejected by the voters.

F6 Page 117

Revenue and Taxation Code § 99.02 provides for the voluntary transfer of property tax revenues from one local agency to another local agency.

F7 Page 117

Legislation, AB 898 and AB 899, introduced by Assembly Member Frazier proposes reallocating property tax increment funds from East Bay Regional Park District to ECCFPD.

F8 Page 117

The City has collected impact fees that have been earmarked for ECCFPD to use for capital improvements.

F9 Page 117

The City has unallocated Community Facility Funds.

F10 Page 117

The City does not always require that developers of residential and commercial properties establish Community Facility Districts.

F11 Page 117

The County does not always require that developers of residential and commercial properties establish Community Facility Districts.

F12 Page 117

ECCFPD accepted and implemented recommendations made by the Fire District Task Force.

Recommendations 9

R1
Page 117

The ECCFPD Board should consider continuing to place tax measures on the ballot that would provide funding to reopen fire stations. Contra Costa County 2016-2017 Grand Jury Report 1706 Grand Jury Reports are posted at http://www.cc-courts.org/grandjury
R2
Page 118

The ECCFPD Board should consider undertaking market research to better understand how to motivate potential voters to approve ballot measures that would raise funds to increase the number of operating fire stations.
R3
Page 118

The ECCFPD Board should consider appointing a district-wide task force to research possible funding opportunities to benefit the fire district and make recommendations to the ECCFPD Board.
R4
Page 118

The ECCFPD Board should consider supporting legislation to reallocate property tax revenues from one or more local agencies to ECCFPD.
R5
Page 118

The ECCFPD Board should consider negotiating with local agencies to voluntarily transfer a portion of their property tax to ECCFPD.
R6
Page 118

The City should consider adopting a policy to collect impact fees from all developers of residential and commercial properties to fund capital improvements that will be needed to open future stations.
R7
Page 118

The County should consider adopting a policy to collect impact fees from all developers of residential and commercial properties to fund capital improvements that will be needed to open future stations.
R8
Page 118

The City should consider adopting a policy to enter agreements with all developers to establish Community Facility Districts to provide operating revenue for ECCFPD.
R9
Page 118

The County should consider adopting a policy to enter into agreements with all developers to establish Community Facility Districts to provide operating revenue for ECCFPD.

Conclusions 1

CL1

The homeless situation in Contra Costa County is large enough to justify the effort to find additional funds to provide more shelter beds for the homeless. By closely examining the current County budget, with an eye toward pooling together enough money to establish an East County shelter and CARE center, the County could realize a financial benefit of reduced Health Service costs for the homeless that would be sufficient to cover the cost of investment. It appears that the County has been slow to react and has not taken sufficient steps to deal with the homeless problem. The County does enough to maintain the programs funded by HUD, but needs to do more to ensure that there are adequate services, shelters, and beds for all. Providing 418 beds for 1,607 homeless people is inadequate. With an increase in the number of complaints and visibility of the homeless, which can occupy a great deal of a police officers’ time, some local police department chiefs are finding money in their budgets to create homeless outreach teams that help direct the homeless to the shelters and care centers.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of Pittsburg

September 10, 2018 • 2 pages • 3 responses • Score: +1 (+2, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

The closure of five of the district’s eight fire stations has resulted in slower response times.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of Pittsburg agrees with the Finding. Grand Jury Recommendations

The ECCFPD Board should consider continuing to place tax measures on the ballot that would provide funding to reopen fire stations. Contra Costa County 2016-2017 Grand Jury Report 1706 Grand Jury Reports are posted at http://www.cc-courts.org/grandjury

Response: Will Implement

Score: +1

The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, prior to December 31, 2018. The City will confirm its compliance with the relevant sections of the State Government Code with respect to the JPAs in which the City participates.

The ECCFPD Board should consider negotiating with local agencies to voluntarily transfer a portion of their property tax to ECCFPD.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented except as to wholly controlled JPAs. JPAs are distinct, separate local entities. It is the responsibility of the JPA to communicate its debt decisions and audit reports to the public on its website and other means. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or require additional information concerning the above responses. You can reach me at (925) 252-4850. Sincerely, cc: Pittsburg City Council

No Responses Found 5

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Contra Costa County County

Contra Costa County Assessor Elected County Office

El Cerrito City

Richmond City

San Pablo City