⚠️ 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 9 findings
F1
Staff vacancies at the County jails require current staff to work overtime on a regular basis. Excessive overtime can lead to fatigue, reduced work rate, absenteeism, and negatively impact employee morale.
F2
The Sheriff’s Office has made progress in recruitment by streamlining the application and testing process. Case #26-01 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury 12
F3
Attracting qualified individuals to live and work in South Lake Tahoe and drive to Placerville for testing and training is a deterrent to recruitment.
F4
El Dorado County failed to sufficiently inform the public about major Airport Ground Lease changes. The Grand Jury found that subsequent outreach prompted by complaints led to ground lease revisions that could have been avoided with earlier engagement.
F5
El Dorado County failed to meaningfully engage with the airport community in the same way it provides engagement for other special interest groups such as the Parks and Recreation Commission, Economic Development Advisory Commission, and Agriculture Commission.
F6
The County’s Airports website does not offer a subscription option to request updates for new postings or changes.
F7
Without support from leaseholders, private pilots, and aviation businesses, County Airports would require additional general fund subsidies. These Airports benefit law enforcement, emergency services, and the broader local economy. Airport users should be respected as valuable contributors and need representation.
F8
The County is concerned that turning airports over to private management might lead to expensive FAA penalties. Airports play a vital role in the community, but rising subsidies from the County General Fund may not be sustainable long term and need to be examined.
F9
Due to the end of the FEMA grant and decline in other funding sources the Mosquito Fire Protection District is very likely to experience a large reduction in funding leading to a financial crisis.
Recommendations 21
-
R1The El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors direct the Director of Human Resources to conduct a compensation study for Correctional Officers. The study should consider comparing with neighboring counties in State of Nevada to be completed no later than December 9, 2026.
-
R1aThe Grand Jury recommends that Mosquito Fire Protection District Board of Directors require the Fire Chief to prepare a monthly spending plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support regular fiscal monitoring and improved budget oversight by September 2026. Case # 26-04 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury 13
-
R1bThe Grand Jury recommends that the Mosquito Fire Protection District Board of Directors require the Fire Chief to prepare a monthly spending plan as a standard component of the District’s annual budget process.
-
R2The El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff, in cooperation with the Director of Human Resources, develop a plan for recruitment opportunities to specifically address the application process, testing, training, and incentives for open positions located in South Lake Tahoe
-
R3The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to add a subscription function to the County’s Airports web page by September 1, 2026, that will notify subscribers when a change or update is posted.
-
R4The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors establish an aviation advisory group to meet at least biannually with Airport administrators and provide feedback to the Board, when necessary,
-
R5The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff by December 31, 2026, to develop a plan to increase Airport revenue, ensuring public access to events, business expansion, or other recommendations from airport advisors that could reduce the County General Fund contribution to Airport operations.
-
R6The Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct staff to work with the FAA and its Airport Investment Partnership Program to evaluate airport privatization.
-
R7The Grand Jury recommends that all Mosquito Fire Protection District Directors adhere to the requirements of the Brown Act immediately.
-
R8The Grand Jury recommends that the Mosquito Fire Protection District work with the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors and Local Agency Formation Commission to provide Case # 26-04 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury 14 the means for practical, focused, hands-on business and governance training for every new Fire Protection District Director starting in January 2027.
-
R9The Grand Jury recommends that the Mosquito Fire Protection District address the financial crisis with the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors with a funding plan in place by July 2027 prior to the expiration of the FEMA grant in December 2027.
-
R10, [Community Services District] CSD should employ or retain a full-time licensed [Certified Public Accountant] CPA professional to be Treasurer/[Chief Financial Officer] CFO-equivalent. Initial Response received 7/3/24: This Recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future: As stated in the Findings, the concerns of the Grand Jury are a function of District Policy and not due to the lack of having a CPA on staff or retainer. However, the District recognizes that government accounting is unique and complicated; and reporting is always changing with Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) regulations having new requirements that the District must adhere to each year. District staff understand that education is a priority and will work towards having at least one Case # 26-07 2025-2026 Grand Jury 5 member of the finance department receive a certification in government accounting through a reputable government entity, including GFOA and/or California Society of Municipal [Financial] Officers (CSMFO). The goal will be to have this completed by December 2025. Additionally, the District will look at incorporating an appropriate accounting certification requirement for future recruitments Follow-up Response received 10/15/25: As indicated in our initial response, the District did not agree to employ or retain a full-time licensed CPA professional for the various reasons stated therein. However, the District did express its goal to endeavor to have a finance team member receive further certifications by December 2025, which is currently underway. Follow-up Response received 2/13/26: An answer was not provided Follow-up Response In-person Meeting 3/24/26: The Grand Jury was referred by the Board to the General Manager for follow-up. Follow-up Response received 4/7/26: The District's former Senior Accountant has been promoted to the Director of Administration & Finance [Director] position. The [Director] investigated the certificate program, and it is extremely time intensive. We don't currently have the staffing levels necessary for the [Director] to go through this program but intend to do so when we are able. [The District is] also in the process of onboarding a Director of Finance, who will serve the District on a contract basis, to provide this level of expertise in government finance and strategic, fiscal leadership that will serve our board, our community and taxpayers at the highest and best standard practices.
-
R11, [Community Services District] CSD should get public input on its latest 10-year development plan, including any updates to the Master Plan from 2021, and how they plan to use [Park Impact Fee] PIF funds over an Case # 26-07 2025-2026 Grand Jury 6 extended period. This development needs to include a contingency plan for new park development in a reasonable time frame if additional funds do not become available that are required for the current Master Plan. Initial Response received 7/3/24: This Recommendation has not been implemented but will be implemented in the future: As noted in our response to
-
R12, [Community Services District] CSD should document its plans for Bass Lake Park and justify why CSD took on the obligation to build a turnkey park in Village J7, and how development of Bass Lake Park will now proceed up through park completion proposed by CSD in FY 31. Case # 26-07 2025-2026 Grand Jury 7 Initial Response received 7/3/24: This Recommendation requires further analysis: With the Districts acquisition of 55 acres of the old executive golf course and the option to acquire the remaining 41.5 acres, the Bass Lake Park design may be subject to change depending on the community input for the Central [El Dorado Hills] EDH Park and what amenities that park will have. The community outreach project for Central EDH Park will run through summer at which time the District will be in a better position to define and document its plans for Bass Lake park. With regard to the turnkey park in Village J, the District participated in a settlement which was negotiated between Parker Development, the District, and El Dorado County that provided the 12.5 acres and $3.5M in funding identified from the County’s Serrano CFD 1992-1 that had been slated for the development of the parkland. Given the years of delay in the construction of the turnkey park, and that the District had recently acquired acreage from Rescue Unified School District that was adjacent to the Village J lot, it was envisioned that the Village J lot could be incorporated into a larger park project. With that newer vision, the District elected to accept the land and funding and construct the park itself. To assist the community in understanding the history of this decision, the District will be seeking to create a public review of the information and series of events that led up to the settlement agreement between the three parties whereby the District accepted the 12.5 acres and $3.5M in funding in order to incorporate the J Lot H parkland into the larger Bass Lake Park project. Follow-up Response received 10/15/25: As indicated in our initial response, this recommendation requires further analysis, and we did not agree to provide the requested information That being said, development of Bass Lake Park is still ongoing, and the current project description is being analyzed and studied through an Environmental Impact Report (EIR). At this time, it is unclear when the EIR will be completed. At that point, we should have more clarity in terms of any modifications to the current project based on the ongoing Master Planning process that has just commenced. Case # 26-07 2025-2026 Grand Jury 8 Follow-up Response received 2/13/26: An answer was not provided Follow-up Response In-person Meeting 3/24/26: The Grand Jury was referred by the Board to the General Manager for follow-up. Follow-up Response received 4/7/26: The property known as Bass Lake Park has been and is still currently undergoing an [Environmental Impact Review] EIR process with the County. While at this stage, no work can be done on the property. We have been notified that the EIR for Bass Lake will be completed in the next few months (anticipated completion no later than end of summer 2026), and we are working actively with LSA [Environmental Consulting] (firm handling the EIR) to come to conclusion. Grand Jury Term 2024-2025 Case #25-04 DOT Maintenance Report: https://www.eldoradocounty.ca.gov/files/assets/county/v/2/documents/public- safety-amp-justice/grand-jury/2024-2025/25-04-dot-report.pdf
-
R26-01Placerville and South Lake Tahoe Jails and South Lake Tahoe Youth Treatment Center Inspections
-
R26-02El Dorado County Owned Airports
-
R26-03El Dorado County Civil Grand Jury Website
-
R26-04Mosquito Fire Protection District
-
R26-05El Dorado County Code Compliance
-
R26-06Investigation of Charter Section 504 Executive Salary Linkage Practices
-
R26-07Continuity and Compliance DISCLAIMER 1: For Report No. 26-04, the Foreperson consulted with County Counsel regarding a juror's prior volunteer affiliation with the investigated organization. County Counsel determined that a recusal was not required. The juror nonetheless voluntarily abstained from voting on matters related to this report as a self-imposed precaution to avoid any appearance of impropriety. DISCLAIMER 2: Portions of published reports were drafted with assistance from generative AI tools. All findings, recommendations, factual verification, and final approval were performed by members of the Civil Grand Jury. Placerville, CA 95667 June 30, 2025 Honorable Gary Slossberg, Presiding Judge California Superior Court, County of El Dorado Judge Slossberg, It is my honor to present the 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury Final Report, the product of dedicated service by a remarkable group of El Dorado County citizens. This year's Grand Jury brought together returning and new members whose diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthened every aspect of our work. While many of us underestimated the commitment required, we found the experience profoundly educational and fulfilling. Each juror played an essential role in our investigations and deliberations, and we are grateful for the lasting friendships formed along the way. Our reports aim to do more than recommend improvements—they seek to illuminate how our County operates and to engage citizens in these critical issues. As the public's watchdog, our effectiveness depends on community awareness and involvement. We hope this report sparks greater public interest and dialogue about the matters we have examined. The quality of our work reflects extraordinary support from key partners. Assistant County Counsel Janeth D. SanPedro provided unwavering guidance that enhanced both our process and our findings. Assistant District Attorney James A. Clinchard offered thoughtful counsel throughout our investigations. The Superior Court, including you, Judge Slossberg, and Administrative Assistant Cindy Denton, ensured smooth operations at every turn. The County IT team delivered essential technical support. Compared to other rural counties, the resources and encouragement El Dorado County provides have enabled this Civil Grand Jury to stand among the most effective and productive in California. Leading this year's Grand Jury and serving alongside such capable and committed individuals has been a true privilege. Sincerely, J. Michael O'Dell Foreperson, 2025-2026 Civil Grand Jury