General Inquiry into County Operations: Rural Disparity, Observations, and Parallels Between County Government and Jcfhd

Recommendations 1

• R2

  Page 41
  JCFHD and Mariposa County Board of Supervisors should establish procedures that create more strategic engagement practices with external consultants to include pre-contract negotiations, clear and timely project review mechanisms and post contract review. The following governing boards are required to respond pursuant to Penal Code sections §933 and §933.05: Board of Supervisors: Fl, F2, RI, R2 JCFHD Board of Directors: Fl, F2, RI, F2 The following appointed officials are invited to respond : County Counsel: Fl, RI Per Penal Code §933.05(a)( I) and (2), responses must include acceptance, refutal, and/or clarification of the findings, and a commitment to implementing the recommendations, as appropriate, per Penal Code §933.5(6)(1)(2)(3) and (4). Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. Observations of Elections The Civil Grand Jury was invited by County Clerk to observe the March 5th , 2024, California Primary Election. MCCGJ observed the elections staff process mail-in ballots, absentee ballots and persons who wanted to hand-deliver their ballot. In addition to the Mariposa County Elections Office, MCCGJ was also invited to observe the elections staff and processes at both the Lushmeadows and the Greeley Hill sites on election day. At least two Civil Grand Jury members were at each of the three locations. These locations are: • Mariposa County Elections Office, 4982 I 0th Street, Mariposa; • Lushmeadows Fire Department, 6008 Monte Vista Ln, Mariposa; • Greeley Hill Library, I 0332 Fiske Rd, Coulterville. The elections staff met every visitor with courtesy and professionalism and all concerns or questions were answered, regardless of the nature of the question. The Civ ii Grand Jury observers were treated with the same respect, courtesy and professionalism as everyone who came through the door. All the staff members have a specific job in the ballot counting process, one member verifies signatures, another prepares the ballots for insertion into the into the voting machine, and a different staff member prepares the proper documentation for each batch of ballots. Staff reported that the formal training elections received is important for the smooth processing of each ballot. Each staff member was able to verify the signatures and confirm identities properly prior to having the ballots counted. There are many other examples of the elections staff responsibilities during elections. MCCGJ was shown each step in these processes and given explanations as why certain actions were done and so that each vote could be counted. On election day, elections staff are expected to work 12+ hours. Each staff member is also expected to continue to provide County Clerk services amidst their election responsibilities. Despite the overwhelming tasks, Mariposa County elections staff are diligent, courteous, and pay attention to detail. It is important that we recognize the entire elections staff for their dedication to the very important work of conducting our elections in the secure and accurate manner. MCCGJ has no recommendations for elections operations at this time.