Water Districts: a New Era In Public Involvement Summary well as for the benefit of succeeding County’s disastrous

For purposes of Subdivision (1) The recommendation body of the public agency (b) of Section 933, as to each has been implemented, with when applicable. This grand jury finding, the respond- a summary regarding the timeframe shall not exceed ing person or entity shall indi- implemented action. six months from the date cate one of the following: (2) The recommendation of publication of the grand (1) The respondent agrees has not yet been imple- jury report. with the finding. mented, but will be imple- (4) The recommendation (2) The respondent dis- mented in the future, with a will not be implemented agrees wholly or partially timeframe for implementa- because it is not warranted with the finding, in which tion. or is not reasonable, with an case the response shall (3) The recommendation explanation therefore. specify the portion of the requires further analysis,

Some board members District, Municipal Water District should be used only in are conducting their profes- of Orange County and Orange exceptional circumstances. sional practices with mem- County Water District. (F.5) ber agencies and use their elected positions to promote Recommendations R.5: Each water district their competitiveness. should promulgate rules In accordance with Califor- requiring each director to

Codes of ethics among nia Penal Code Sections 933 and inform the other board mem- districts are quite varied. 933.05, each recommendation will bers of any other offices Some are very comprehen- be responded to by the government including seats on boards of sive and some do not exist entity to which it is addressed. The member agencies that he or other than to reference state responses are to be submitted to she holds. (F.6) laws. the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Based on the findings, the R.5a: Water Districts

Water board meetings 2008-2009 Orange County Grand should consult their legal are frequently scheduled for Jury makes the following recom- counsel to advise them times that discourage public mendations: whether there exists an attendance.

An unusually high form Act of 1974 and Gov- holds multiple offices at the percentage of water board ernment Code section 1090, same time. (F.6) directors were originally ap- the water districts should pointed, not elected to their

Some board members boards of directors to formal- to exceed three terms of hold multiple elected posi- ly disclose to their organiza- service. (F.7) tions that under certain tions any contracts they are circumstances could create pursuing or have attained Responses to Recommendations an appearance of a conflict with member agencies. The

There are no time limits (F.1, F.2) County Water District, Mesa Con- for how long individuals can solidated Water District, Moulton serve on any water district R.2. Each water district Niguel Water District, Santa board in Orange County. should develop a specific Margarita Water District, Ser- code of ethics, hold train- Responses to Finding F.1 rano Water District, South Coast ing sessions and monitor its through F.7 are required from the Water District, Trabuco Canyon enforcement. (F.3) Boards of Directors of the East Water District, Yorba Linda Water Orange County Water District, El R.3: Water board meetings District, Municipal Water District Toro Water District, Irvine Ranch need to be scheduled at of Orange County and Orange Water District, Laguna Beach times that would generate County Water District. County Water District, Mesa Con- maximum public attendance. solidated Water District, Moulton (F.4) Niguel Water District, Santa Required Responses finding that is disputed and with an explanation and the shall include an explanation scope and parameters of The California Penal Code of the reasons therefore. an analysis or study, and a specifies the required permis- 2. For purposes of subdivision timeframe for the matter to sible responses to the findings and (b) of Section 933, as to each be prepared for discussion recommendations contained in the grand jury recommendation, by the officer or head of the report. The specific sections are as the responding person or entity agency or department being follows: shall report one of the following investigated or reviewed, §933.05 actions: including the governing 1. For purposes of Subdivision (1) The recommendation body of the public agency (b) of Section 933, as to each has been implemented, with when applicable. This grand jury finding, the respond- a summary regarding the timeframe shall not exceed ing person or entity shall indi- implemented action. six months from the date cate one of the following: (2) The recommendation of publication of the grand (1) The respondent agrees has not yet been imple- jury report. with the finding. mented, but will be imple- (4) The recommendation (2) The respondent dis- mented in the future, with a will not be implemented agrees wholly or partially timeframe for implementa- because it is not warranted with the finding, in which tion. or is not reasonable, with an case the response shall (3) The recommendation explanation therefore. specify the portion of the requires further analysis,