📋
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.
Del Norte County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
Recreation Department, and Parks 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 7 findings
F1
Page 7
The Del Norte County Fairgrounds is an important community resource.
F2
Page 7
The Local Board is in compliance with the LAFCo structure.
F3
Page 7
Both the 41st State Board and the Local Board combined meetings help to allow for sharing of information necessary for oversight.
F4
Page 7
The 41st State Board and the Local Board members are working together effectively to provide continued operations of the fairground. 7
F5
Page 8
While the 41st State Board has submitted requests for funding and the Local Board has approved transfers of funds, there is limited information provided regarding specific spending elements and restrictions on the use of the transferred funds.
F6
Page 8
The Local Board adopted a Financial Committee to provide information according to state law. It has been operating in conjunction with the 41st State Board but it is on an informal basis.
F7
Page 8
The Local Board is utilizing sales tax revenue to provide for current operation of the Del Norte County Fair and year round events, but is also building up reserve funds for when the sales tax expires in 2022 to allow for future operations.
Recommendations 7
-
R1Page 8While both the Local Board and the 41st State Board memberships are effectively working together, there needs to be a dispute resolution structure put into place in case membership changes or diverging priorities result in conflict.
-
R2Page 8The Local Board should make a greater effort to publicize and reach out to the community for greater participation. Increasing the posting of the agenda’s locations, utilizing the electronic sign near the highway, greater exposure of the meetings on the website should be offered. The minutes from each Local Board meeting should be posted for greater public engagement.
-
R3Page 8The lease agreement between the State of California and Local Board to assume control and operations from the 41st State Board should be resubmitted and promoted when a new Governor is elected in November of 2018.
-
R4Page 8The Local Board financial committee should be more formalized and operate in accordance with their own Financial and Accounting Policies and Procedures adopted October 29, 2015.
-
R5Page 8Without Local Board control, the public may wish to explore resubmitting the question of a sales tax on the ballot.
-
R6Page 8The MOU authorizing the grant of funds from the Local Board to the 41st State Board should be followed. More detailed information should be provided by the 41st State Board as to the purpose of the Del Norte County taxpayer funds and how they will be spent. The Local Board should place more explicit restrictions on the use of the funds to ensure Del Norte County taxpayer funds are not being used in improper ways on State of California property.
-
R7Page 8The Local Board should provide more detailed accounting of income, expenditures, and transfers to provide greater transparency and accountability to the public. 8