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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.
Nevada County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
A Path to Transparency for Special Districts
⚠️ 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 6 findings
F1
Websites are an important way the public can access information about their government, yet not all Nevada County special districts have a website.
F2
Existing California law requires convenient access to agendas on special district websites. The public should be encouraged to learn what will be discussed at upcoming board meetings.
F3
Legislation which goes into effect January 1, 2020, SB 929, Special Districts: Internet Web Sites requires districts to have websites that conform with current transparency requirements, and the legislation further requires that districts list contact information, making it easier for the public to know who is running the District.
F4
Meeting PRA requirements can be cumbersome especially for smaller special districts. PRA requirements can be fulfilled by posting the requested document(s) on the District’s website.
F5
Not all Nevada County special districts meet the requirement of Government Code § 81000 requiring a Conflict of Interest policy, which helps assure the public that the District is running ethically.
F6
Inclusion of additional information on special district websites beyond that required by law provides valuable information to District constituents and enhances the transparency of special district activities.
Recommendations 7
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R1All special districts should have a website that complies with SB 929 prior to January 1, 2020.
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R2Special districts’ agendas should be posted on their websites and have one click access from the home page.
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R3Contact information should be posted on the website.
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R4Special districts should consider using their websites to fulfill PRA requests.
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R5All special districts should adopt a Conflict of Interest policy.
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R6All special districts should adopt bylaws or review their existing bylaws before SB 929 goes into effect in January 2020.
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R7All special districts should provide information on their websites beyond the minimum requirements of the law to provide transparency for their constituents.
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
County Sanitation District No. 1 (Nevada)
Special District