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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.

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury • 2011-2012

Santa Cruz County Grand Jury 2011-2012 Final Report Page 62 The Power and Privilege of Transparency Access to

Published: January 05, 2012 12 pages

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⚠️ 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 4 findings

F1 Page 69

It appears the City of Watsonville does not have a comprehensive, citywide cash handling policy.

F2 Page 69

In the absence of an overall cash-handling procedure, the handling of large amounts of cash paid out and received during the Strawberry Festival creates an unacceptable risk for misappropriation of funds.

F3 Page 69

The City of Watsonville may have failed to meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program objectives for the purchase of the fire truck.

F4 Page 69

With regards to the Grand Jury investigations reported on here, city staff responses to requests for information from the City Council or the public were too often incomplete, inaccurate, or not provided in a timely manner.

Recommendations 17

R1
Page 69

The City of Watsonville should develop comprehensive citywide cash handling policies and procedures. (The City of San Luis Obispo Cash Handling Policy is an excellent resource.[17])
R2
Page 69

The City of Watsonville should immediately implement interim procedures, in writing, for the handling and tracking of cash, prior to the 2012 Strawberry Festival.
R3
Page 69

The City of Watsonville should comply with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requirements for the use of Community Development Block Grants.
R4
Page 69

The City of Watsonville should improve the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of information provided to the City Council and the public.
R5
Page 69

The City Council should stipulate date specific response deadlines on requests to City staff for information.
R6

City of Watsonville. 2011. “City of Watsonville City Council Meeting. Audio Recording. November 8, 2011.” Accessed May 24, 2011. http://www.ci.watsonville.ca.us/agendas/city_council_redevelopment/audio/110811.mp3
R7

City of Watsonville. 2011. “City of Watsonville City Council meeting. City Council and Redevelopment Agency Meeting Packet, November 8, 2011.” . Accessed May 31, 2012. http://www.ci.watsonville.ca.us/agendas/city_council_redevelopment/110811/110811_p acket.pdf
R8

City of Watsonville. 2011. “City of Watsonville City Council Meeting. CC Minutes. Regular City Council Meeting. December 13, 2011.” Accessed May 30, 2012. http://www.ci.watsonville.ca.us/agendas/city_council_redevelopment/minutes/c121311m in.pdf
R9

Pimentel, Marc, Administrative Services Director. 2012. “Memorandum to Carlos J. Palacios, City Manager. January 5, 2012. ‘REPORT ON STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL SPECIFIC PAYMENT.’”
R10

City of Watsonville. 2012. “City of Watsonville City Council Meeting. City Council and Redevelopment Agency Meeting Packet. January 10, 2012.” . Accessed May 30, 2012. http://www.ci.watsonville.ca.us/agendas/city_council_redevelopment/011012/racc_0110 12_packet.pdf
R11

City of Watsonville. 2011. “Check No. 182454 dated July 27, 2011.”
R12

City of Watsonville document. “Cash handling – Annual Watsonville Strawberry Festival (DRAFT - subject to change).”
R13

Hays, William P., Assistant Finance Officer. 2003. “City of Watsonville Memorandum to All Finance Staff. March 14, 2003. ‘Summary of Major Cash and Check Controls (Revised 8/29/03).’”
R14

Ohio Auditor of State. 2007. “Best Practices–Accountability for Public Money.” Volume 4, Issue 3, Fall 2007. Accessed May 30, 2012. http://www.auditor.state.oh.us/publications/bestpractices/BestPractices_Vol4Issue2_Fall 2007.pdf
R15

City of Watsonville. 2008. “Community Development Block Grant - Consolidated Annual Performance Report - Program Year 2007,” dated September 26, 2008.
R16

Jones, Donna. 2009. “Pay records show 27 Watsonville managers top $100,000.” Mercury News.com, May 27. Accessed May 24, 2012. http://www.mercurynews.com/centralcoast/ci_12456395?nclick_check=1
R17

California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. 2007. “Cash Handling Policy - San Luis Obispo.” Accessed May 30, 2012. http://media.csmfo.org/archives/resources/1816.pdf