pathologist. These counties are Los Angeles, Santa Clara, San Diego, San

Recommendations 9

• R27

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  The Office of Coroner be repealed from the Fresno County Charter.
• R28

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  Fresno County establish an Office of Medical Examiner headed by a qualified forensic pathologist.
• R29

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  The Office of Public Administrator/Public Guardian be established as a separate department. FRESNO COUNTY CORONER FACILITY – AUTOPSY SUITE/MORGUE Introduction With the 2000/2001 Fresno County Grand Jury recommendation that a new morgue was needed before “the County reaches a crisis situation,” the autopsy suite, including the morgue, of the Coroner’s office was visited by the 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury.
• R30

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  Construction of a new autopsy suite, including a morgue, be given top priority and adhere to the guidelines of the National Association of Medical Examiners.
• R31

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  Prior to any construction, consultations be held with the National Association of Medical Examiners and forensic pathologists in California.
• R32

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  Consideration be given to constructing a new autopsy suite (including a morgue) adjacent to the medical teaching facility being constructed next to Community Hospital. OFFICE OF THE FRESNO COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT Introduction The 2001-2002 Fresno County Grand Jury investigated delays in hiring employees for law enforcement related positions. These include correctional officers, group counselors for Juvenile Hall and Elkhorn, Probation Department, Sheriff’s Department, and the investigating division of the office of the District Attorney.
• R33

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  The Fresno County Personnel Department review the present system of hiring with a goal of expediting recruitment and hiring.
• R34

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  An outside consultant be retained to review the Fresno County Personnel Rules and make recommendations to streamline the hiring process. This would enable Fresno County hiring practices to be more competitive. LITTLE HOOVER COMMISSION - SPECIAL DISTRICTS Introduction The 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury responded to a request from the California Little Hoover Commission. All county grand juries were contacted and encouraged to review their report and that of the Sacramento County Grand Jury. The Commission’s report was the culmination of a yearlong study of the operation of California’s more than 2,200 independent districts. The Commission’s central conclusion was that special districts, because of their numbers and typically narrow focus, often lack the kind of oversight and citizen involvement necessary to promote their efficient operation and evolution. The Little Hoover Commission’s report found: A. Special districts are often invisible to the public and policy makers, compromising oversight and accountability. B. Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO), by not aggressively scrutinizing the organization of special districts, have failed to promote the efficient and effective evolution of local government. C. Policy makers and community leaders lack the analytical tools necessary to assess the benefits of consolidation, impeding their ability to advocate effectively for change and overcome the tenacity of the status quo. D. Hundreds of independent special districts have banked multi-million dollar reserves that are not well publicized and often not considered in regional or statewide planning. E. Property tax allocations to some enterprise districts create inequities among districts and distort the true costs of services. A significant portion of property tax allocated to all enterprise districts subsidizes districts with the highest reserves.
• R35

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  The Court impanel a special grand jury or panel with the task of reviewing in detail the special districts in Fresno County. FRESNO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Introduction The 2001/2002 Fresno County Grand Jury responded to citizens’ concerns regarding decreased funding of the Fresno County Fire Protection District and its ability to deliver emergency services. A secondary concern was the Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings, since a low rating can significantly increase fire insurance premiums.