Sacramento County Grand Jury 2019-2020 Final Report*

Due to realignment and the Mays Consent Decree the Sacramento County jails must provide additional educational and vocational training, medical and mental health services, and brings the facilities into compliance with ADA. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors agrees with the finding.

The Grand Jury is aware, based on its interviews and research, that there are those who believe that acceptance of any funds would be an endorsement of a policy of increased incarceration. The Grand Jury believes proponents of the project should emphasize the importance of increased services and programs to ultimately reduce recidivism and improve the post incarceration lives of the inmates and their families. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors agrees partially with the finding. It does appear that some believe that acceptance of any funds would be an endorsement of a policy of increased incarceration, and increased programs and services for jail inmates can help to reduce recidivism and improve the post incarceration lives of inmates and their families (though not all components of the SB1022 project are directly related to providing programs and services). We do not believe, however, that it is appropriate for us to advise either proponents or opponents of the project on what they should emphasize.

Accepting the SB 1022 funds will commit the County to spending between $6-8 million each year for 30 years or until the bonds are repaid for staffing and operating costs. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors partially disagrees with this finding. At the time the issue was last presented to the Board, the annual operating cost estimate was between $4 million and $6 million. However, since then, operating costs estimates have been revised and now stand at $2.4 million per year (not Attachment 1 adjusted for inflation). If the County accepts these SB1022 funds, the County will would be required to pay this amount until the bonds issued by the State are fully paid off. The State has not indicated how long the bonds will would be issued for and, it is true, that that could be for up to 30 years. However, the State has recently indicated that their preference would be to issue shorter term bonds.

If the County does not accept the SB 1022 funds, the structural improvements identified by the Sheriff, DGS and the County Executive as essential to meet the housing, educational and medical and mental health service needs of long term inmates at RCCC will require county funds to be accomplished. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors partially disagrees with this finding. Most of the improvements included in the SB 1022 project will would be required whether or not the County accepteds the SB 1022 funds. If t The County does will not accept SB 1022 funds, therefore then the cost of theose improvements would will fall to the General Fund. However, one component of the identified structural improvements project (the additional program space) would not be required if the County does not was a condition of accepting the SB 1022 funds and will not need to be built.

Whether or not Sacramento County accepts the SB 1022 funds, the County will still be responsible to fund all the changes required by the Mays Consent Decree. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding.

Kaiser Permanente is funding support to help SHPC develop oversight, stronger collaboration and a coordinated plan. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding.

While SHRA has the legal mandate for housing individuals displaced by gentrification, several initiatives and/or agencies including Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF), Volunteers of America, and Continuum of Care are involved in various aspects. It is not clear Attachment 4 which entity makes the final decision, which initiates policy and which manages implementation regarding development of plans and re- housing those impacted by gentrification. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors partially disagrees with this finding because SHRA. does not have the legal mandate for housing individuals displaced by gentrification. The County neither agrees nor disagrees with the finding regarding clarity of development plan decisions, policies, and implementation, because these comments appear directed to issues surrounding the conversion of Single Room Occupancy Units located in the City of Sacramento and governed by the City's Ordinance. Therefore, the County defers to the City's response as the Agency with primary responsibility.

The Joint Powers Agency (JPA) members - Sacramento City, Sacramento County and SHRA - are making efforts to work more collaboratively along with Sacramento Steps Forward and the newly formed Sacramento Homeless Policy Council along with Community Solutions. <b>Board of Supervisors Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors agrees with this finding. The County continues to be committed to working collaboratively across all entities working on homelessness. The Board of Supervisors agreed in May 2019 to participate in the Homeless Policy Council being convened by Sacramento Steps Forward; however, the council has not yet been convened. Collaboration among the entities has significantly deepened in the implementation of the COVID-19 Homelessness Response Plan that has opened approximately 600 new sheltering units, supported safety in congregate shelters, increased support homeless encampments, and is now focused on transitioning to approximately 500 households to permanent housing stability and creating new permanent housing opportunities. These activities are jointly funded and implemented across the separate entities: County, City of Sacramento, SSF/Continuum of Care and SHRA.

Sacramento City Code mandates a minimum of 712 SRO rooms must remain available at all times. As of July 3, 2019, the City had 762 rooms including those at the new complex at 7th & H which indicates Attachment 4 they are maintaining the mandated levels. The question remains whether that is an adequate number today. <b>Board of Supervisor's Response:</b> The Board of Supervisors neither agrees nor disagrees with this finding. The finding relates to Single Room Occupancy Units located in the City of Sacramento and governed by the City's Ordinance. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency is responsible for reporting and tracking of units and maintaining compliance with the City's Ordinance. Therefore, the County defers to the City's response as the Agency with primary responsibility.