Madera County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Food, Medical Waste, and Substandard Housing “Not a Priority” for Madera County Environmental Health Division
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 6 findings
F1
The MCGJ finds the EHD lacks effective management oversight, including a disregard for inspection productivity and efficiency.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The MCGJ recommends that the Community and Economic Development Department monitor data tracking and productivity reports. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting and reviewed quarterly.
F2
The MCGJ finds that the EHD is inadequately staffed to complete all inspections under their current purview, specifically those in programs without state regulation.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
The MCGJ recommends that the EHD work in conjunction with the Community and Economic Development Department and the Madera County Human Resources Department to explore alternative staffing models, such as reassessing the need to classify all employees as EHS or REHS for all inspections. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
F3
The MCGJ finds that current funding limitations constrain hiring, inspection frequency, and program effectiveness.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The MCGJ recommends that the EHD work in conjunction with the Madera County Board of Supervisors to request General Fund allocations and explore grant opportunities to support staffing needs. This plan should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
F4
The MCGJ finds that employee absenteeism compounds productivity issues.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The MCGJ recommends that the EHD develop a plan to be presented to the Board of Supervisors detailing action to reduce the excessive sick time usage. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
F5
The MCGJ finds that the EHD lacks public transparency and community education efforts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The MCGJ recommends that the EHD develop an outreach program in charge of regular public education events as well as updates to the EHD website including food inspection reports and fillable vendor forms. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
F6
The MCGJ finds that the EHD does not prioritize housing and homeless encampment complaints.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The MCGJ recommends that the EHD join the established Madera Housing Our Homeless task force and collaborate with other county departments to address the recurring housing and homelessness issues. This should be completed by 90 days after the MCGJ report posting.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Madera County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office