📋
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.
⚠️ 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 10 findings
F1
Inadequate budget to fund Animal Control Services.
F2
The Grand Jury has found through testimony that ASC operated more efficiently and effectively when under the control of the Sheriff's Department. The Grand Jury can find no explanation for the transfer of ACS to the Environmental Management Agency other than a funding dispute with the Sheriff's Department. 54
F3
Facilities necessary to meet the needs of the county animal population is in need of an upgrade.
F4
Inadequate staffing to properly accomplish daily operations.
F5
Insufficient correction staff is still an issue, creating additional overtime costs.
F6
The Grand Jury finds that hiring freeze decisions may not be in the best interest of the County. In certain departments, added personnel could increase ability to accomplish delayed or backlogged tasks, resulting in increased revenue to the County.
F7
The Grand Jury finds significant risk to future county operations through loss of key personnel. In certain departments the complex regulations from State and Federal sources require expert knowledge of those same regulations and bureaucratic processes to maximize revenues to the county and service to residents.
F8
The Board of Supervisors and department heads lack expertise in the budget process.
F9
Ongoing budgetary issues within the County are subject to rumor and innuendo.
F10
Employee separation costs have not been budgeted. These costs can include unused vacation/sick days plus other contractual obligations. 60
Recommendations 2
-
R1The Board of Supervisors should demonstrate their support for the citizens and animals of Calaveras County by increasing the budgeted funds allocated to ACS to provide adequate staffing. Response to Finding 1, Recommendation 1 The Board of Supervisors partially disagrees with this finding. The recommendation will be implemented when increases to discretionary General Fund revenues allow. The County's General Fund annual expenditures continue to exceed annual General Fund revenues requiring the use of one-time funds to balance the County's General Fund budget. It should be noted that the Board of Supervisors approved an additional Animal Shelter Assistant position effective January 2016 and a 0.4 Paralegal position as part of the FY 2015-16 Recommended Budget.
-
R2The ACS be allowed to carry over unused revenue from year to year to fund the department. Response to Finding 1, Recommendation 2 The Board of Supervisors partially disagrees with this finding. This will not be implemented at this time as it is not feasible. The ACS (Animal Services) receives revenues in the form of gifts and donations. These revenues may be used in the current fiscal years to offset spay and neuter costs or transferred to an Animal Services Designated Fund for future use. Revenues from fees for services do not fully cover the costs of operating Animal Services. The General Fund contribution provides the majority of necessary funding to operate Animal Services on a day to day basis. The County will consider allowing Animal Services to carry over unused revenues only when Animal Services' revenues exceed expenditures.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Calaveras County Resource Conservation District
Conservation District