📋
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.
Siskiyou County Grand Jury
• 2017-2018
Siskiyou County Special Districts
⚠️ 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.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6
Findings 6 findings
F1
Page 7
Some boards are not aware of or in compliance with and procedures, no written by-laws, small population base AB1234 ethics training. Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05, the grand jury to draw upon for prospective board members, changing requests responses as follows: demographics and one or more board members with an
F2
Page 7
District board vacancies are difficult to fill due to the agenda not in the district’s best interest. absence of a succession plan. INVITED RESPONSES The effective board works together to accomplish the
F3
Page 7
Training sessions offered by County agencies for the mission adopted by the district. Board responsibilities Board of Supervisors to respond to R1, R3-R7 benefit of district board members are not well attended. include: 1. Determine the district’s basic purpose F4. Training sessions offered by County agencies, the Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals County Clerk, County Counsel, and the Auditor, do not interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand 2. Oversee operations include management functions and responsibilities. Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. 3. Review and ensure compliance with all applicable
F4
Page 7
Review and correct budget and audit issues
F5
Page 7
There appears to be limited coordination among county laws and regulations agencies providing education and training for district board members. 4. Review and correct budget and audit issues APPENDIX 5. Formulate and approve strategic plans F6. The prohibitive cost of financial audits consumes a large portion of some district budgets. Additional sources of information on special districts: 6. Approve major contracts and expenses California Special Districts Association
F7
Page 7
Proposed AB2613 is designed to alleviate some of the 7. Insure board continuity by maintaining minutes http://www.csda.org/ burden regarding financial audit costs for some of the and documentation of board proceedings districts. California Association of Local Agency Formation 8. Ensure there is a written policies and procedures Commission (CALAFCO) http://www.calafco.org/ manual F8. Public meeting requirements, as defined by the Brown Assembly Bill 1234 Act, are not being fully complied with by all of the special 9. Ensure that all employees receive a written districts. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi performance review annually
Recommendations 3
-
R1Page 7The Board of Supervisors should instruct County conflicts, while allowing for discussion. The chair http://www.calafco.org/Assembly Bill 2613 Counsel to ensure that all special district boards are aware also clearly defines each member’s role and of AB1234 ethics training requirements. documents any committee duties. The chair either http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi is, or designates, a spokesperson to regularly
-
R2Page 7District boards must develop a set of procedures, ll_id=200520060AB2613 communicate with the district’s citizens and the including plans to fill vacancies as they occur. press. http://www.thefirstamendment.org/Brown-Act-Brochure-
-
R3Page 7The Board of Supervisors should direct those offices DEC-03.pdf 11. Formulate a plan to recruit new prospective currently providing training for special district board members, and has a mentoring program to orient members to develop a comprehensive curriculum to be http://oag.ca.gov/ethics and prepare new members for their upcoming role. offered in one session, on a weekday with alternate sessions offered during non-working hours. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bi Districts that seem to have difficulty in filling board ll_id=200520060AB1234 vacancies exhibit some of the following characteristics: R4. The Board of Supervisors should direct those offices currently providing training for special district board • Districts are rural and less densely populated members to develop a comprehensive curriculum to be 1 CSDA (California Special District Association) fact sheet. •Communication between the boards and its offered in one session, on a weekday with alternate sessions constituents is lacking offered during non-working hours. CSDA (California Special District Association) fact sheet. 2015 - 2016 SISKIYOU COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT— 7