12. As of the date of the committee’s oversight, there had been no involvement by the Treasurer - Tax Collector’s

R1

Management consider implementing flex hours to improve productivity and morale. (F1)

R2

Management conduct bi-monthly staff meetings to listen to and update staff regarding issues concerning hours and training and other issues affecting productivity and morale. (F1)

R3

The Treasurer - Tax Collector utilize third party collectors to collect the unsecured delinquent accounts. (F2)

R4

The County form a task force to study the different processes and tools used by the other 37 counties in California to accomplish the current accounting system functions in order to possibly reduce the $160k+ maintenance cost. (F3, F4) 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury

R4

The County form a task force to study the different processes and tools used by the other 37 counties in California to accomplish the current accounting system functions in order to possibly reduce the $160k+ maintenance cost. (F3, F4) 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury

R5

The Treasurer - Tax Collector take an active role in the layout and design of the new court house to assure the department is allocated adequate space. (F5) Request for Responses: Pursuant to Penal Code 933.05 the Grand Jury requests responses as follows:  Treasurer - Tax Collector (60 days)  Board of Supervisors (90 days) 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Government Services Committee Government Services Committee Table of Contents  Oversights Administrative Office 27 A View from the Top County Counsel 33 Central Services 35 Which Way Did They Go? District Attorney 37 Seek Justice and Prosecute Vigorously Public Defender Program Oversight Committee 39 Oversight of an Oversight Purchasing 43 I Can Get It for You Wholesale Registrar of Voters 47 Victim-Witness Division 53 H-E-L-P! 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Government Services Committee 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Government Services Committee Administrative Office A View from the Top Summary: This report is an elective oversight into county government, specifically, the Administrative Office. For many citizens, knowing, understanding, and discovering how government works is a mystery. The Government Service Committee was interested in finding how the many services offered by the County of Lake are coordinated through the Administrative Office and to illuminate the services available to citizens. Background: The County of Lake was created on May 20, 1861 by combining portions of Napa, Mendocino, and Colusa Counties and was approved by the Governor of California. The Administrative Office of Lake County deals with a continually changing governmental environment. Fiscal, personnel, and compliance are major functions administrated. The Administration of Lake County works to keep local government viable in these difficult economic times. The Administrative Office has a staff of 5.9 employees which includes the County Administrative Officer, a Deputy Administrative Officer, a Chief Deputy Officer, and support staff. All work collectively to produce the annual budget for the county, research and negotiate contracts, create reports, consulting with County Counsel on legal matters. Divisions that report to and are a part of the Administrative Office Department include Marketing, Purchasing, Redevelopment and Central Mail Room; all operate within a total budget of $554,057 for the current 2010-2011 fiscal year. The County Administrative Officer serves as the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and is appointed by the BOS. The County Administrative Officer’s duties also include monitoring of the current budget, preparing budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year, performing fund transfers between departments where necessary and negotiating contracts. In addition, the County Administrative Officer acts as liaison to and between departments of the County and 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Government Services Committee the BOS, facilitates and supports department heads and County staff, and carries out specific instructions of the BOS, if any. Procedure: The County Administrative Officer and Deputy Administrative Officer were interviewed by the Government Services Committee. The BOS was questioned by the committee regarding supervision of Department Directors and Agency Heads and the County Website was researched. Discussion and Facts: The Board of Supervisors represents and acts on behalf of the citizens. The voters, also known as residents and/or citizens, of the county are at the top of all governmental operations, followed by the elected officers – Assessor/Recorder, Auditor/Controller/County Clerk, Registrar of Voters, Sheriff, Treasurer/Tax Collector, and the Board of Supervisors. See attached chart. 1. There are two methods of becoming a Department Head within the County: 1) appointed to the position by the BOS, or 2) elected to the position/office by the voters of the County. 2. Department Heads/Directors that have been appointed to their position by the BOS are supervised on a daily basis by the County Administrator, with annual reviews performed by the BOS. 3. Candidates for a position to be filled by appointment by the BOS must meet criteria established by Human Resources and meet the requirements of the job. 4. The BOS fills open department head positions by promotion of a candidate already employed by the County or by an appointment through recruitment. 5. In addition to answering to BOS, some departments operate under requirements which are mandated by government or agencies, such as the State of California or the Federal Aviation Administration. 6. As the liaison/coordinator/conduit, the County Administrative Officer is directly responsible for the operations as shown on the attached Chart and reports to the BOS on the status of those operations. 7. At the time of this report, there is no Certified Public Accountant employed within the County, including in the office of the County Auditor. 8. At the time of interview, no information existed as to where Grand Jury Complaint Forms are made available to the public in county buildings. 9. Proof of malfeasance, wrong-doing or misconduct, dishonesty by an elected official may be discovered by the Grand Jury but must then be brought to the attention of the District Attorney. Voters can initiate a recall of elected officials. 2010-2011 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Government Services Committee Findings: