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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.

Tulare County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Tulare County Grand Jury Report 2011-2012

38 pages
View PDF View Full Original

Findings and Recommendations 13 findings

F1 Page 23
The detention facilities are in good condition and are being properly operated. The TCSD has addressed the anticipated problems with the AB 109 Realignment and is addressing the need for increased detention facility capacity.
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 25
The directors of other special districts are elected by land owners within the district (e.g. irrigation districts).
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 25
The Board of Supervisors appoints the directors of certain special districts (e.g. water works districts and cemetery districts). Also, the Board of Supervisors appoints directors to special districts when the number of elected directors remaining on the board constitutes less than a quorum, but it cannot appoint more than the number necessary to make a quorum.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 25
The Maddy Act (§§54970 – 54974) provides for the creation of a Local Appointments List by the Board of Supervisors. It does not provide a procedure for the recruitment of individuals to be considered for appointment as directors of special districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 25
Government Code §56375 gives Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) the authority to initiate proposals for the consolidation, dissolution, merger, or reorganization that includes any of these changes of organization. T U L A R E C O U N T Y G R A N D J U RY R E P O RT 2 0 1 1 - 2 0 1 2 24
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 26
Staffed with one half time executive officer, LAFCO also has one full time staff analyst, and other part time employees including a clerk who performs LAFCO duties 10% of the time.
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 26
There are 115 special districts in Tulare County. Of these, 92 are considered principal districts for which LAFCO is responsible. The remaining 23 are primarily located in adjoining counties and those counties are responsible for these districts.
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 26
Government Code §26909 requires each special district in the county to undergo an annual or biannual audit of its accounts and records for the County Auditor.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 26
In 2011, 29 special districts experienced an operation loss or decrease in assets. In addition 11 special districts failed to perform any audits for one or more years. This shows a disturbing shortcoming in the operation of a significant number of the special districts in Tulare County.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 26
Since July 8, 2011, the Grand Jury has received seven complaints from citizens regarding special districts, each of which raised significant issues regarding their governance and operation.
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 26
Special districts in the community of Alpaugh include the Tulare County Waterworks No.1, the Alpaugh Irrigation District, the Alpaugh Joint Powers Authority, and the South Tulare County Memorial District. Significant problems with their operation and governance exist.
No recommendations for this finding
F12 Page 26
Government Code §8546.10 became effective January 1, 2012 giving the State Auditor the authority to establish a high-risk local government agency audit program. It is too early to know if this program will be used to evaluate whether criminal charges should be filed against any special district.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 26
The California Special Districts Association provides its members with extensive education materials including workshops, course modules and webinars on various aspects of the governance and operation of special districts. CONCLUSIONS
No recommendations for this finding