⚠️ 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 14 findings
F1
Page 25
Special districts have four distinguishing characteristics. They: a. are a form of government, b. have governing Boards, c. provide services and facilities, and d. have defined boundaries.
F2
Page 25
All Board members are responsible to, and operate on behalf of, the public they serve.
F3
Page 25
Government codes mandate the completion of Form 700 by all Board members and senior staff disclosing personal assets and income.
F4
Page 25
Any elected or appointed official who may be compensated for their service or reimbursed for their expenses must complete mandatory Ethics Training, prescribed by California Assembly Bill 1234 (State Government Code §53275, subdivision (c)). The training must be completed within six months of taking office or taking a position and, if service is ongoing, once during each two-year period.
F5
Page 25
Special districts are subject to the Brown Act.
F6
Page 25
Ethics and Brown Act training is readily available and easy to access and complete.
F7
Page 25
Many Nevada County Districts self-reported that they are not fully compliant with Ethics Training requirements.
F8
Page 25
Many Nevada County Districts self-reported that they are not providing Brown Act training to board members and staff.
F9
Page 91
Homelessness financially impacts all County residents. The cost of homelessness includes significant expenses related to medical, law enforcement including incarceration, clean-up of trash and human waste, damage to the environment, and increased risk of fires. Numerous studies across the country have shown that the public cost per person is reduced to less than half when housing is provided.
F10
Page 91
Two key functions that address homelessness within the County that would benefit from increased funding and personnel are the preparation of applications (e.g. grant writing) and the oversight of existing and new programs.
F11
Page 91
The recent transition to an independent Nevada County CoC has increased stakeholder engagement and access to funding opportunities.
F12
Page 91
Until the current shortage of low-income housing is remedied, there will be a continuing need for traditional emergency shelters, winter warming shelters, and other overnight options for people experiencing homelessness.
F13
Page 91
The current contracts between the County and non-profit providers regarding winter warming shelters in western Nevada County do not extend beyond the winter of 2018-2019, leaving uncertainty about the availability of such shelters in the future.
F14
Page 91
A Day/Navigation Center for people experiencing homelessness would benefit the community by offering a daytime destination to access social services and to complement the current overnight accommodations. The County has purchased land on which to build such a Center.
Recommendations 14
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R1Page 25All Districts must continue to adhere to State law regarding Form 700.
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R2Page 25All Districts must make available, monitor, and document participation in Ethics Training for board members and appropriate staff members.
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R3Page 25All Districts should make available, monitor, and document participation in Brown Act training for board members and appropriate staff members.
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R4Page 34Special districts should consider using their websites to fulfill PRA requests.
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R5Page 34All special districts should adopt a Conflict of Interest policy.
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R6Page 34All special districts should adopt bylaws or review their existing bylaws before SB 929 goes into effect in January 2020.
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R7Page 34All special districts should provide information on their websites beyond the minimum requirements of the law to provide transparency for their constituents.
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R8Page 48The CEO’s office should work with the Office of the Auditor-Controller to develop a checklist for contract administrators to document at least annually vendor performance and compliance with liability insurance requirements.
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R9Page 48All County contract administrators should, using the checklist referred to in R8, conduct performance evaluations and document them in an administrative file. Problems or concerns with a vendor’s performance should be formally investigated and addressed.
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R10Page 92The new organization overseeing the Nevada County CoC should actively recruit membership and participation from all stakeholders serving people experiencing homelessness.
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R11Page 92The BoS should allocate ongoing funding in their annual budget to support the operation of winter warming shelters in western Nevada County.
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R12Page 92The County, Grass Valley, and Nevada City should renew existing winter warming shelter agreements with non-profits by October 1, 2019, including more flexibility on the part of the operators as to when weather conditions, both forecasted and actual, warrant opening.
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R13Page 93The County should explore the risks and benefits of designating and maintaining an approved camping area for people without homes. The analysis, findings, and conclusions should be shared with the public.
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R14Page 93HHSA should continue to partner with community service providers and the Municipalities to increase outreach to educate and inform the community about homelessness issues and solutions.
Conclusions 4
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CL1 Page 169Improve Correctional Officer recruiting and staffing processes.
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CL2 Page 169Complete a comprehensive review of the Inmate Welfare Fund (IWF) at Wayne Brown.
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CL3 Page 169The Board of Supervisors should make a decision on the use of Juvenile Hall.
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CL4 Page 169The Board of Supervisors should examine the need for security improvements at Juvenile Hall and the Nevada City Holding Facility.