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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 9 findings
F1
A thorough review of expense claims submitted by the BOS revealed that some members consistently fail to follow the Policies and Procedures regarding travel and other expenditures. This is evidenced in part by: • Use of the County credit card to purchase personal items. • Exceeding the County established allowance for restaurant meals within the County. • Submission of claim forms that are incomplete and/or lack necessary supporting documents. Some claims were unsigned by the claimant. • Travel and expense claims are being authorized by the Board Clerk. 8
F2
The County expends more than $100,000 a year to a professional lobbying group in Washington D.C. Some Supervisors have engaged in independent lobbying activities at additional cost to the County. Such activities may be duplicative.
F3
The BOS travel budget for the fiscal year has been exceeded due to excessive travel by some supervisors. Additional funds had to be transferred so that Supervisors could continue to travel this fiscal year.
F4
The BOS meeting minutes continue not to be posted in a timely manner and are voted on once a month. This was addressed in last year’s Grand Jury report but not acted upon.
F5
The County has no central purchasing department. Review of several County departments reveals inconsistent purchasing practices that are sometimes wasteful and inappropriate. Examples include, but are not limited to, purchasing vehicles, furniture, bottled water and general supplies. Contracts for services and/or goods appear to be negotiated by each department. The Plumas County Code, Title 3, Chapter 1, defines and specifies a central county purchasing authority called the “Purchasing Agent”.
F6
Individual departments are leasing storage space because the County has no central storage facility.
F7
Based on documents provided by the District Attorney’s Office, 99% of all criminal convictions attained during the year of 2004-2005 were negotiated by plea bargaining. While these figures reflect a high conviction rate, only one conviction was attained through the trial process.
F8
The previous and current Board of Directors took no positive action to promote or provide meaningful public relations regarding hospital business.
F9
From the information provided to the Grand Jury at the present time, it appears that the practice of including street lighting costs on the water/sewer bill is not appropriate. The Grand Jury referred this question in general to County Counsel for a legal opinion. While County Counsel did not review facts specific to the IVCSD (such as when the fee was first imposed, the IVCSD budget, and uses of the fee revenues), County Counsel indicated that, in general, revenues derived from a fee or charge may not be greater than what is required to provide the service and cannot be used for other purposes. In this case, any revenue derived from a water/sewer fee should only be used for those specific purposes. County Counsel stated that using water/sewer fees for other purposes, or imposing a lighting fee onto water/sewer fees for other purposes, or imposing a lighting 29 fee onto water/sewer customers may be unconstitutional, and specifically would violate Article XIIID, Sect. 6).
Recommendations 9
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R1All Supervisors should receive instruction in the laws governing the use and misuse of government-issued credit cards. Instruction should include the correct procedure for completion of claims, including submission with their own signature. All claims should be authorized by the Chairman of the Board and submitted to the Auditor. The Clerk of the Board should retain copies of all claims for a period of at least three years. This practice would facilitate requests from the public to review Board members’ travel and other expenditures.
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R2While some non-professional lobbying activities may be warranted, such efforts by Supervisors should be minimal in that they are elected to represent their constituents at the local and county level. Other elected officials represent the same constituents at the State and Federal levels. The Supervisors should review these apparent duplicative practices and determine their cost effectiveness and appropriateness in serving the County. A detailed report of the findings should be issued.
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R3Each Supervisor should provide a projected travel schedule for the fiscal year that states the purpose, destination and cost for each trip. This schedule should be updated monthly and posted so that the public is aware of the activities of their County representative. The BOS must ensure that there is no duplicate or unnecessary travel expense that impacts the County budget.
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R4There is no legal requirement for minutes to be approved prior to the release to the public. BOS meetings should be electronically recorded, retained and posted for public accessibility prior to the next BOS meeting. 9
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R5The BOS should establish a Purchasing Department whose function would be to provide inventory control and purchase of equipment and supplies for all County departments.
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R6The BOS should examine the feasibility of a central storage facility, such as the vacant Armory building, for items no longer being used by County departments. Regular public auctions of surplus inventory should be conducted. Commendation Although the Grand Jury did not review the Auditor’s Office, it commends the Auditor for her cooperation and proactive efforts to bring County practices into compliance with applicable Federal, State & County laws, policies and procedures. ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT Statement of Function According to the Departmental General Orders, Animal Services aspires to three main goals: 1. To protect the public health while assisting the animal owners of Plumas County; 2. To protect the welfare of animals and to promote responsible pet ownership; and 3. To promote an atmosphere of peace and harmonious relationships between animal owners and non-owners. The Animal Services Department was placed under the supervision of the County Administrative Officer (CAO) in July, 2006. For the period 2001 through June, 2006, the Sheriff’s Department oversaw the administration and operation of this department. Reason for Review The current Grand Jury conducted a review as a follow-up to the 2005-2006 GJ findings. Procedure Followed Interviews were conducted with on-site staff, the CAO and off-site subordinate staff to whom the CAO delegated supervisory tasks related to Animal Services. The Grand Jury conducted an unannounced tour of the facility located in Quincy. Based upon the facts gathered in this process, the following Findings and Recommendations have been made:
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R7A review of the crime charging process should be conducted. The District Attorney should provide justification to the public for the predominance of the plea bargaining settlements.
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R8The Board and CEO should establish a Public Relations Committee to submit regular news releases regarding hospital business.
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R9IVCSD should seek other means for funding street lighting. PLUMAS COUNTY JAIL Statement of Function (Quoted from the Plumas County Budget Book) The Plumas County Jail was completed in 1976 for the detention of both male and female adult inmates. In 1985 an addition was completed and the facility capacity increased to sixty-seven (67) inmates. The Sheriff has the specific statutory duty to operate the county jail. The purpose of the jail is fourfold: detain persons committed in order to secure their attendance as witnesses in criminal cases; detain persons charged with crimes and committed for trial; for the confinement of persons committed for contempt or by other authority of law; and for the confinement of persons sentenced to imprisonment upon conviction for a crime (Penal Code section 4000). Title 4 of Part 3 of the California Penal code governs various aspects of county jail operations. Minimum standards for the operation of local detention facilities are codified in the California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 15, Division 1, Chapter1, Subchapter 4, commencing with Section 1004. The Plumas County Sheriff’s Correctional Center safely houses a maximum of 67 inmates at all levels. Typically, sentences in the county jail are for the more minor offenses and are for a period of one year or less. Generally speaking, sentences beyond one year are served at State prison. The detention facility is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by the Sheriff’s Corrections Division, which consists of one Jail Commander, five Corporals, and eleven Correctional Officers. In addition to booking and overseeing the inmate population housed at the jail, the staff also handles public fingerprinting services, provides additional court security when requested by the courts, and transports prisoners as needed for court appearances, medical or dental appointments, and to or from other detention facilities. Reason for Review Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 919 the Grand Jury must annually inquire into the condition and management of all public prisons located within the County. Procedure Followed Inspections of the Jail were conducted on November 17, 2006 and April 12, 2007. Numerous interviews were conducted that included former inmates, various Health Department officials, maintenance personnel and the District Attorney. Two Board of Supervisors (BOS) members joined the Grand Jury during the November 17th inspection. Various health inspection reports and inmate complaints were reviewed. Based upon the facts gathered in this process, the following Findings and Recommendations were made. 31
No Responses Found 7
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County of Plumas
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Eastern Plumas Health Care District
Special District
Indian Valley Community Services District
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Plumas County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office
Plumas County District Attorney
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Plumas County Sheriff
Elected County Office
Plumas Unified School District
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