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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F108, F109, F110, F111, F112, F113, F114, F115, F116, F117, F118, F119, F120, F121, F122, F123, F124, F125, F126, F127, F128, F129, F130, F131, F132, F133, F134, F135, F136, F137, F138, F139, F140, F141, F142, F143, F144, F145, F146, F147, F148, F149, F150, F151, F152, F153, F154, F155, F156, F157, F158, F159, F160, F161, F162, F163, F164, F165, F166, F167, F168, F169, F170, F171, F172, F173, F174, F175, F176, F177, F178, F179, F180, F181, F182, F183, F184, F185, F186, F187, F188, F189, F190, F191, F192, F193, F194, F195, F196, F197, F198, F199, F200, F205, F206, F207, F208, F209, F210, F211, F212, F213, F214, F215, F216, F217, F218, F219, F220, F221, F222, F223, F224, F225, F226, F227, F228, F229, F230, F231, F232, F233, F234, F235, F236, F237, F238, F239, F240, F241, F242, F243, F244, F245, F246, F247, F248, F249, F250, F251, F252, F253, F254, F255, F256, F257, F258, F259, F260, F261, F262, F263, F264, F265, F266, F267, F268, F269, F270, F271, F272, F273, F274, F275, F276, F277, F278, F279, F280, F281, F282, F283, F284, F285, F286, F287, F288, F289, F290, F291, F292, F293, F294, F295, F296, F297, F298, F299, F300, F311, F312, F313, F314, F315, F316, F317, F318, F319, F320, F321, F322, F323, F324, F325, F326, F327, F328, F329, F330, F331, F332, F333, F334, F335, F336, F337, F338, F339, F340, F341, F342, F343, F344, F345, F346, F347, F348, F349, F350, F351, F352, F353, F354, F355, F356, F357, F358, F359, F360, F361, F362, F363, F364, F365, F366, F367, F368, F369, F370, F371, F372, F373, F374, F375, F376, F377, F378, F379, F380, F381, F382, F383, F384, F385, F386, F387, F388, F389, F390, F391, F392, F393, F394, F395, F396, F397, F398, F399, F400, F404, F405, F406, F407, F408, F409, F410, F411, F412, F413, F414, F415, F416, F417, F418, F419, F420, F421, F422, F423, F424, F425, F426, F427, F428, F429, F430, F431, F432, F433, F434, F435, F436, F437, F438, F439, F440, F441, F442, F443, F444, F445, F446, F447, F448, F449, F450, F451, F452, F453, F454, F455, F456, F457, F458, F459, F460, F461, F462, F463, F464, F465, F466, F467, F468, F469, F470, F471, F472, F473, F474, F475, F476, F477, F478, F479, F480, F481, F482, F483, F484, F485, F486, F487, F488, F489, F490, F491, F492, F493, F494, F495, F496, F497, F498, F499, F500, F513, F514, F515, F516, F517, F518, F519, F520, F521, F522, F523, F524, F525, F526, F527, F528, F529, F530, F531, F532, F533, F534, F535, F536, F537, F538, F539, F540, F541, F542, F543, F544, F545, F546, F547, F548, F549, F550, F551, F552, F553, F554, F555, F556, F557, F558, F559, F560, F561, F562, F563, F564, F565, F566, F567, F568, F569, F570, F571, F572, F573, F574, F575, F576, F577, F578, F579, F580, F581, F582, F583, F584, F585, F586, F587, F588, F589, F590, F591, F592, F593, F594, F595, F596, F597, F598, F599, F600
Findings 39 findings
F101
Page 22
The Assessor’s Office is doing a good job with meeting its basic objectives of providing reasonable service to the public and providing an accurate and timely tax roll to the Tax Collector. Many members of the staff are to be congratulated for their outstanding dedication and pride in their desire to do their jobs and serve the public well.
F102
Page 22
The department has lost a number of key personnel through retirement and attrition. As a result, the “institutional memory” has suffered since there does not appear to be any system to cross-train staff in key areas.
F103
Page 22
Staff morale is very low. This is to be expected in a time of layoffs and pay cuts. However, management policies and actions, coupled with inadequate internal communication, contribute to the condition.
F104
Page 22
With only eight agricultural appraisers covering the largest assessed agricultural base in California, it seems that their time is best spent in the field rather than in the office in Fresno.
F105
Page 22
Policies and procedures to address and prevent conflict of interest are present at every level.
F106
Page 22
The need to have individual folders available for each parcel creates severe logistical problems in terms of staff time, lost records, and lack of coordination with online records. In addition, the amount of space devoted to these records prevents the reorganization of the office into a more manageable configuration.
F107
Page 22
The State Board of Equalization conducts periodic assessment practices audits of the department every few years. These provide a highly structured view of the internal operations of the department. One is currently in the beginning stages.
F201
Page 36
R201 B. MARY BETH DE GOEDE, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo
F202
Page 34
There is a reluctance to enforce bylaws
F203
Page 34
Current board policy disregards financial accounting regarding trustee absences at board meetings
F204
Page 34
Misunderstandings have caused discord as to how the trustees and district level administrative governance works FY /6/13 Report #2 - Fresno Unified School District Board of Trustees Recommendations
F301
Page 49
The overcrowding seen in December 2011 has been significantly reduced.
F302
Page 49
Complaints in general, and medical complaints in particular, are being handled well by the 602 process.
F303
Page 49
At PVSP there has been a dramatic reduction in the incidence of VF since the Study, and this is likely the result of the CDCR implementing the recommendations of that Study and the completion of nearby construction several years ago.
F304
Page 49
An individual once successfully treated for VF will probably have residual scaring of the lung even though in remission, but is not at increased risk of relapse if he/she remains in a hyper-endemic area like PVSP.
F305
Page 49
PVSP can decrease its VF incidence by the avoidance of placing inmates in Facility C who are in “at risk” demographic groups or with chronic medical conditions as more broadly defined.
F306
Page 49
PVSP can decrease its VF incidence by continually monitoring the status of the air circulation system throughout the entire prison and maintaining optimal functionality.
F307
Page 49
The quality of general medical care, and of VF care in particular, received by inmates at PVSP is comparable to that available to non-inmates in Fresno County; PVSP continues to recruit medical personnel to maintain or upgrade its internal medical capabilities.
F308
Page 49
There is ample evidence, both posted throughout PVSP and in inmate handouts, that VF education is amply provided.
F309
Page 49
Statutes include no provision for former inmates to receive guaranteed lifetime medical care except as available to the general public under state or federal programs. Neither is there any provision of monetary compensation apart from the judicial system.
F310
Page 49
The only way to truly reduce inmate risk of contracting VF is not to locate any prisons in hyper-endemic areas; however, broadening the high risk definition would help.
F401
Page 60
New Millennium utilizes a mode of instruction that is largely inappropriate for their student population.
F402
Page 60
After fifteen years, no more than five percent of New Millennium’s students are proficient in subject matter considered essential for a high school graduate. This is far less than a comparable charter school, S.O.U.L. (Table 1)
F403
Page 60
The Fresno Unified School District Board needs to be more involved in ensuring the conditions and stipulations specified in the Memorandums of Understanding and Notices to Cure are responded to in a timely manner and appropriate actions are taken. FY /7/2013
F501
Page 74
The District’s auditor has repeatedly informed the Board of Directors of deficiencies, and they have failed to adequately address them.
F502
Page 74
In a letter to the BOD dated September 30, 2011, the District‘s auditor reported an operating loss of $29,448 noting, “Losses of this magnitude are unsustainable.”
F503
Page 74
The District has operated at a loss for 17 of the past 18 years.
F504
Page 74
The District is in serious financial trouble due to poor management by the Board of Directors.
F505
Page 74
The District has failed to maintain reserves required by the Sewer Revenue Bond Covenant.
F506
Page 74
Not all members of the BOD have conducted themselves properly or performed their duties in accordance with the codes that govern special districts.
F507
Page 74
The District has inappropriately commingled general funds with those reserved for specific restricted purposes.
F508
Page 74
Members of the Board have failed to take advantage of training available from the California Special District Association.
F509
Page 74
Written and sufficiently comprehensive bylaws, policies, and procedures to properly guide the District in all phases of its operations are missing.
F510
Page 74
The LAFCo MSR pertaining to the District is inadequate in that it does not show the real financial condition of the District when compared to the reports of the District’s own auditor. FY /22/2013 Report #5 – Del Rey Community Services District
F511
Page 75
There is a failure of the District to address the needs of its non-English speaking clients from whom a significant part of its revenue is derived.
F512
Page 75
The grand jury investigation of the District demonstrates longstanding, deep, and fundamental deficiencies in the management of district operations which have been repeatedly raised over many years without remedy. This is documented by prior grand jury and auditors reports.
F601
Page 87
When money is allocated to construct highways, funds are not budgeted for maintenance.
F602
Page 87
Additional emphasis on enforcement of laws regarding illegal dumping, improper load coverage, and litter flying or thrown from vehicles is needed.
F603
Page 87
Education regarding importance of litter control is needed in our schools and communities. RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations 2
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R303Page 50Continue to improve medical facilities and maintain needed staff levels. (F303, F307,
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R602Page 88As noted in the discussion section of this report, an organizational structure be developed and responsibility assigned for controlling litter on a long term basis. (F-602,
Conclusions 6
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CL1 Page 21The appraisal of property for taxation purposes is a complex process that necessarily relies on a highly trained and experienced staff, at both the appraiser and support level. When properly done, this process has the potential to yield increased county revenues. In spite of staff and budget cuts the department has continued to produce the tax roll and serve the public in a timely manner. However, the department falls somewhat short in developing, supporting and retaining the staff, which could lead to productivity and quality problems in the future. Page 3 of 5 FY 2012-2013 Fresno County Grand Jury 1/30/13 Report #1 – Investigation of Fresno Page 3 County Assessor-Recorder’s Office
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CL2 Page 34Fresno Unified School District has over 80,000 students and several hundred staff and faculty. Many good things are taking place to improve students’ academic performance. The FUSD Board of Trustees and staff should be applauded for making progress. It is now time to continue the advancement of the district and focus on improving the internal governance structure. Honest and open communication is essential. Bylaws need to be kept current and must be enforced.
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CL3 Page 48Each complaint lodged and demand made was addressed specifically with reference to policies, regulations, and penal code provisions by the PVSP 602 process; there is no evidence that either of the two inmates was denied due process. The CDCR responded appropriately to the Study of the Department of Public Health by issuing a plan which incorporated the substance of the Study’s recommendations. PVSP officials reported the 2005 epidemic appropriately; had they not done so, the Study could/would not have been initiated. There is no evidence by examining the medical records that there was any deviation from a community standard of care in the diagnosis, treatment, or patient education of the inmates whether as out-patients or in- patients. Neither of the complainants qualified for transfer by the written guidelines, or had conditions which could not be handled by PVSP or it’s contracted outside local providers. Notwithstanding those conclusions above, there are many at-risk patients at PVSP who do not fit the strict exclusions in the CDCR MEMORANDUM but suffer from a number of chronic Page 4 of 6 FY 2012-2013 Fresno County Grand Jury 2/21/2013 illnesses. These illnesses, while not immuno-suppressive per se, have been shown to confer higher risks of acquiring VF and not responding well to its treatment if those so afflicted are incarcerated in areas that are hyper-endemic for VF. Under optimal or ideal circumstances the list of exclusions would/should be broader those enumerated in the MEMORANDUM.
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CL4 Page 60After almost fifteen years of operation, New Millennium has shown no indication that it is capable of providing a competent education to its target student constituency. The common criteria for comparison of schools is the standardized tests administered annually to all schools and New Millennium has performed at a rate far below that which should be expected of a school chartered expressly to serve a targeted set of students. We recommend the charter not be renewed.
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CL5 Page 73The grand jury found grounds to support allegations based on the following CA Gov. Code §61040: (a) A legislative body of five members known as the board of directors shall govern each district; (b) No person shall be a candidate for the board of directors unless he or she is a voter of the district. (c) A member of the board of directors shall not be the general manager, the district treasurer, or any other compensated employee of the district; (d) LAFCo by-laws stipulate district board meetings to be conducted, as specified, in the Brown Act rules of procedures and decorum; (e) LAFCo code #605 provides direction for the replacement of board members and district employees. It is difficult to verify Del Rey residents’ claims that non-residents of the District have served on the Board. The distant location of one member’s employment and the home ownership of another gave credence to this complaint. Credence is given to the combative board member since a police report documents witnesses to the event. In regard to the lack of Spanish translation of public notices and the conduct of public meetings, it has been the District’s position that to do so would require a “certified translator” at an unaffordable cost. Such services are, in fact, quite expensive. At the meeting attended by the grand jury, there appeared to be a significant number of bilingual people among the board members and staff to make the deliberations understood in substance despite any lack of certification. Oversight Complete oversight of a problem district could well prompt LAFCo to recommend that such a district be merged with an adjoining district. By such a merger, the resulting larger district might achieve economies of scale allowing the new district Page 5 of 8 FY 2012-2013 Fresno County Grand Jury 5/22/2013 Report #5 – Del Rey Community Services District to hire more competent management and technical services. In addition, there could be savings in required legal and accounting services spread over a larger income base. Such consolidation would broaden the population base, providing a larger reservoir of eligible residents suitable and knowledgeable to serve as directors and staff. This investigation represents the second occasion in five years that the District has been subjected to close scrutiny. Both investigations have revealed serious governance deficiencies that demand urgent attention by LAFCo and Fresno County.
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CL6 Page 87The unsightly litter problem along roadways in Fresno County is intensifying. A long term plan of shared budgeting and responsibility is needed.