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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
• 2016-2017
Higgins Area Fire Protection District
⚠️ 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 7 findings
F1
As a result of the 2008 recession the Higgins District suffered an approximate 30% loss of revenue which severely hampered operations of the Higgins District.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
The failure of the three tax measures, for a variety of reasons, resulted in reduction of staffing and services for the Higgins District. Contributing to those failures were the lack of sufficient information given to the public and the public’s confusion as to the purpose of the SRA fee. Also contributing was the failure of the hired consultant to meet the deadline to file a rebuttal to a strong local opposition group that published misinformation about some of the facts of the tax measure.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
Educate the district as to the purpose of the Cal Fire SRA fee. (F2)
R2
Develop an understanding of all financial responsibilities including all reports and budgets. (F2 and F3)
R3
Revisit the need for an increase in the existing special tax. (F2)
F3
The Board demonstrated that they did not understand their fiscal responsibilities or fully understand Higgins District financial reports.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Develop an understanding of all financial responsibilities including all reports and budgets. (F2 and F3)
F4
The lack of strategic planning affected the Board’s ability to meet its responsibilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Develop long-range strategic plans to address budgeting and provision of adequate fire services to the district. (F4)
F5
The Amador Contract is a vital element in the operations of the Higgins District.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The Board’s failure to create standing committees resulted in the formation of ad hoc committees not open to the public. Committee results were not documented.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Form standing committees to replace outdated ad hoc committees. (F6)
F7
Ineffective communication to the community, including the outdated website and other community outreach, contributed to the failure of the tax measures and lack of candidates for the Board.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Continue efforts to improve their community outreach, professionalism, and fiscal responsibility. (F7)
No Responses Found 1
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Higgins Area Fire Protection District
Fire District