Board of Supervisors Keith Carson President Supervisor, Fifth District October 1, 2021 Honorable Tara M. Desautels*

Recommendations 1

• R1
  Accept and approve Alameda County's Response to the 2020-21 Grand Jury Final Report; and A. Authorize the Board President to sign a letter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors formally transmitting B. Alameda County's Response to the Honorable Tara Desautels, Presiding Judge, Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. DISCUSSION/SUMMARY: Section 933 of the California Penal Code Requires the Board of Supervisors to formally comment on Grand Jury findings and recommendations which pertain to matters under the control and authority of the Board. Alameda County's Response to the 2020-21 Grand Jury Final Report comments on the findings and recommendations related to "The Need for Accuracy and Impartiality of Ballot Measure Questions." FINANCING: There is no net County cost impact associated with approval of the recommendations. VISION 2026: The Alameda County response to the 2020-21 Grand Jury Final Report aligns with our Vision 2026 shared vision of a Thriving and Resilient Population. Very truly yours, Susan S. Muranishi County Administrator SSM:MPA Attachment. c: County Counsel 1221 OAK STREET · SUITE 555 · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 · 510 272-6984 · FAX 510 272-3784 www.acgov.org ALAMEDA COUNTY RESPONSE TO THE 2020-21 GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT "The Need for Accuracy and Impartiality of Ballot Measure Questions" Grand Jury Finding 21-16: Local ballot questions, as currently written, were not always fully transparent, complete, and impartial, impeding voters from making informed decisions. Response of the County of Alameda Board of Supervisors to Finding 21-16: The County of Alameda Board of Supervisors lacks sufficient facts, information, and belief to determine whether it agrees or disagrees with the finding and on that basis the Board disagrees. It is not within the scope of the County's mandated duties or responsibilities to evaluate the transparency, completeness and impartiality of ballot questions prepared by local jurisdictions. Each local jurisdiction owns that responsibility for its initiatives. The Board of Supervisors declines to take on the duties and obligations of other jurisdictions or to opine on matters of legal sufficiency. Grand Jury Recommendation 21-17: The Alameda County Board of Supervisors should create an independent advisory committee or commission to conduct a review and issue non-binding ratings, based on uniform standards and guidelines, of ballot questions of measures proposed by all local jurisdictions within the County. The committee members must be committed to the ideals of accuracy and impartiality reflected in state law. The committee should be implemented in time for the 2024 elections. For an example of how the committee might work, please see