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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.

Sutter County Grand Jury • 2022-2023

Continuity Compliance Report _______1

Published: June 29, 2023 48 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 15 findings

When the LO City Council did not appoint a council person to fill the vacant council seat it cost the citizens of Live Oak financially.

The City Council of Live Oak did not pass the budget in a timely fashion.

Drugs are still getting into the Sutter County jail.

The Sutter County jail is under-staffed. GJ Report

Sutter County Sheriff's Office staff are underpaid, which can GJ Report lead to low morale and high staff turn-over.

SYBH use of private security is inefficient and lacks good use Findings of the services. GJ Recommendation

SYBH Policy and Procedure of recording an AWOL and Findings Hazard/Incident Report is antiquated. It lacks sufficient information and structure to monitor and record AWOL incidents in a concise and professional manner. GJ Recommendation

Based on SCGJ observations, the signage at the County's PHF Findings Unit is inadequate, outdated, and in very poor shape.

The beds in the Isolation Rooms at the PHF Unit are an old GJ Report version that leave the patient in an uncomfortable position if restraint Findings is required.

F10

The parking lot at the SYBH facility is in disrepair and a Findings hazard to the public.

F11

The building and grounds at the County's PHF Unit show lack Findings of regular maintenance. The vegetation is overgrown. Weeds growing up in sidewalks as well as in large unplanted areas. The exterior walls, concrete walkways, garbage receptacles are dingy or outright dirty. The window information signage is unprofessional in appearance.

F12

Based on those interviewed and a review of budgetary Findings documents, it appears some SYBH and Health and Human Services (HHS) management and key fiscal staff lack sufficient knowledge/understanding of the budget practices. This includes MHSA and Realignment funding.

F13

Based on Sutter County Grand Jury research and those GJ Report interviewed, there is no regular meeting of key fiscal staff, Findings department heads, and directors to address changing budgetary issues. Currently, this is done once a year or on an "as needed" basis. This has created some issues with timely budgetary reporting.

F14

Based on Grand Jury research and those interviewed, the Findings existing SYBH Electronic Health Care Record System is inadequate.

F15

Based on site observations, review of county plans for the Gray GJ Report Avenue Building, and SYBH administration interviews, the 1965 Findings Live Oak Blvd Building is no longer adequate to house the Psychiatric Health Facility (PHF) and other SYBH offices/programs.

Recommendations 17

R1

Sutter County should invest in a drug-sniffing dog for use in the jail. (in response to finding F3) 6 Response to F3: Response The Sheriff's Office agrees, and we have made substantial improvements in recent years to help reduce the amount of contraband coming into the jail. To continue to work towards improvements, the Sheriff's Office has taken additional steps to address the issue of contraband. First, the Sheriff's Office has budgeted for a narcotics detection K-9 for FY (fiscal year) 22/23, and we anticipate this being approved by the Board of Supervisors. The budgeted amount of this purchase is approx. $12,000.00. Second, is adding additional metal screening to the open-air roof of the exercise yard adjacent to the men's dormitory. The Sheriff's Office has found the existing screen is large enough for smaller items (i.e. narcotics in pill form) to fall through to the floor. The additional screen will overlay and greatly reduce the size of the openings covering the exercise yard. This project will be completed the week of June 11-15, 2022, at a cost of approximately $16,650.00 The K-9 purchased was a 1-year-old female yellow lab. Purchase 2021-22 Grand Jury price was $6,500. In addition, the Sutter County Sheriff's office has Follow up Response received a donation for a vehicle for the jail K-9. The netting has been installed over the exercise yard greatly reducing the size of the openings for contraband to fall through. Jail: Sutter County Corrections and Rehabilitation Reform: Great Progress, Headed in the Right Direction F4
R2

Sutter County should follow the recommendations presented in Recommendation the Sutter County Sheriff's Organization Assessment and Staffing Study regarding the hiring of additional jail staff. (in response to
R3

The excellent, in-depth report by Management Partners on the Recommendation Sutter County Sheriff's Department budget should be a cause for action for the Sutter County Board of Supervisors. (in response to
R4

The City Council of Live Oak will pass the authorization to collect the annual CFDs and special assessments in a timely manner, so that these levies can be added to the current tax rolls. Response LOCC Response to F4: Agree. The 92-1 and 2004-1 CFDs were presented to the City Council for adoption on August 4, 2021 and failed on a 2-2 vote. Council Members Woten and Santana voted Yes while Council Members Thiara and Ghag voted No. The special assessments were presented to the City Council for adoption on September 1, 2021 and failed on a 2-2 vote. Council Members Woten and Satana voted Yes while Council Members Thiara and Ghag voted No. 2021-22 Grand Jury The recommendation has been implemented. Follow up Response The CFDs 92-1 and 2004-1 were adopted for collection at the August 3, 2022 City Council meeting by a vote of 3-2. The special assessment taxes for Lighting maintenance for FY 2022- 23 was passed on September 21, 2022 by a motion of 3-2. City of Live Oak: Crisis of Municipal Dysfunction Reports Sutter County Code Enforcement F5 GJ Report
R5

SYBH has identified a replacement Video Monitoring system Recommendation and submitted its request. This system plays a key role in the facility's security, safety, and sense of well-being for both patients and staff. SYBH and the County need to recognize the importance of this system and prioritize funding by July 31st, 2022. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F5: The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS agrees with this Finding. Response to Finding and SYBH has been awarded grant funds that will pay for the Recommendations installation and purchase of new camera equipment. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget has sufficient appropriations necessary to cover the expenses of installing the new camera system. A contractor to install the system has been identified and purchase order completed for equipment and installation. New video camera and affiliated equipment has been ordered as of August 2022 and is scheduled for installation. BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to R5: This Recommendation has not yet been implemented but will be implemented in the future. SYBH has been awarded grant funds that will pay for the installation and purchase of new camera equipment. The Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget has sufficient appropriations necessary to cover the expense of installing the new camera system. A contractor to install the system that has been identified and purchase order completed for equipment and installation. New video camera and affiliated equipment has been ordered as of August 2022 and is scheduled for installation. Installation of the equipment will be completed by June 2023. 28
R6

SYBH needs to re-evaluate where contracted security services are located on the grounds and the scope of services provided. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F6: Response to Finding The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees wholly with this and
R7

SYBH needs to update Policy and Procedure of recording of AWOL and related Hazard/Incident Report. The system should include: Digitally date/time stamped signatures of any personnel that needs to be included of AWOL and Hazard/Incident Report SYBH should consider a specific time frame for when each personnel who needs to sign, review and finalize the AWOL report, no more than 7 days is recommended. The system should include an "addendum" form, including a digital time/date stamp, if additional information about the AWOL has occurred from the original document time frame. BOS/SYBH/HHS Response toF7: BOS/SYBH/HHS The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees wholly with this Response to Finding
R8

SYBH and the County need to add to and or replace the GJ Recommendation facilities exterior building site and street signage that has appropriate names and lighting. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F8: The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS agrees with this Finding. Response to Finding and In recognition of aging signage, eight (8) exterior signs at SYBH Recommendations have been installed with the County's new logo and an easier to read, blue background. BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to
R9

SYBH and the County need to address the importance of GJ Recommendation ensuring the comfort of patients in need of isolation and possible restraint. SYBH needs to identify and submit a replacement request to the County. The County in turn needs to recognize the importance by prioritizing funding by July 31st, 2022. BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F9: BOS/SYBH/HHS The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees wholly with this Response to Finding
R10

SYBH and the County need to prioritize the performance of G.J Recommendation the work needed to complete the parking lot by September 30, 2022. If funding is still not available, an allocation of funds needs to take priority to ensure this work gets completed. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F10: Response to Finding The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees partially with this and
R11

SYBH and the County need to take the initiative to clean up, GJ Recommendation enhance, and consistently maintain the overall appearance of the SYBH facility. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F11: The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees partially with this Response to Finding and
R12

SYBH and HHS need to reevaluate the scope and value of GJ Recommendation their training program, as well as their outside 3rd party consultant contract(s) to make sure it is being used effectively.
R13

SYBH needs to provide proper training and education to ensure sufficient knowledge/understanding of MHSA and Realignment funding in order to maximize support to the county programs dependent on this funding.
R14

SYBH and HHS need to assess its current staff, training and processes related to its budget. They then need to develop standardized processes/procedures to facilitate necessary communication between department heads and key fiscal personnel as it relates to internal reporting, discussion, and evaluation of ongoing budgetary goals and or issues, etc. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F12: The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees partially with this Response to Finding and
R15

There should be regularly scheduled meetings between GJ Recommendation Department Heads, Branch Directors, Administrators, and key fiscal staff. For transparency purposes, these meeting updates should be presented to the Sutter Yuba Behavioral Health Advisory Committee as well as Sutter County Board of Supervisor Meetings. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F13: Response to Finding The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees partially with this and
R16

Based on the grand jury's research, a new Electronic Health GJ Recommendation Care Record System has been defined and budgeted by SYBH. SYBH needs an implementation plan. The County needs to prioritize and approve funding for a complete EHR for outpatient, inpatient, and PES. BOS/SYBH/HHS BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F14: The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees partially with this Response to Finding and
R17

The County needs to work with HHS to perform a needs GJ Recommendation assessment and begin developing a long-term strategy to address the clear need for a new facility for SYBH which includes housing the PHF Unit. BOS/SYBH/HHS Response to F15: BOS/SYBH/HHS The Board of Supervisors/SYBH/HHS disagrees wholly with this