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Findings and Recommendations 12 findings
F1
Effective economic development is crucial to Tuolumne County, which lags behind the state in economic health.
Related Recommendations (4)
R1
Tuolumne County and the City of Sonora maintain continuous investment in economic development going forward. (F1) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R6
Invoice the General Manager Consultant for past GCSD payments to consultants/subconsultants that performed the job duties of the GM Consultant, and amend the 2018/2019 Budget to remove overlapping service expenses. (F1, F6) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
R11
Modify the November 2018 Communications Plan to target a date that the GCSD expects to transition from “crisis” mode to “regular and routine” operations mode. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
F2
There are multiple instances of lack of control and oversight by the TCEDA/EPCTC Board over the agencies.
Related Recommendations (3)
R2
A new Economic Development entity be developed and be accountable to the CAO of the County. (F2,F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Partially Accepted Yes Implemented 92
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R11
Modify the November 2018 Communications Plan to target a date that the GCSD expects to transition from “crisis” mode to “regular and routine” operations mode. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
F3
This lack of oversight from the Board of Directors allowed the TCEDA Director to be compensated at a high level compared to other counties in California, and to other employees in Tuolumne County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R11
Modify the November 2018 Communications Plan to target a date that the GCSD expects to transition from “crisis” mode to “regular and routine” operations mode. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
F4
The Employment Agreement for the TCEDA Director was overly broad with its benefits, travel and expense policies that surpass other County employees/managers.
Related Recommendations (2)
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R11
Modify the November 2018 Communications Plan to target a date that the GCSD expects to transition from “crisis” mode to “regular and routine” operations mode. (F1, F2, F3, F4) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
F5
Private allowance and benefit negotiations of the TCEDA Director's contract hid the true and far-reaching compensation package from other County employees, and from the public.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
F6
TCEDA misused public funds.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3
Tuolumne County appoints an Economic Development leader who is a County employee, under County policies and procedures, with standard County compensation packages. (F1 ,F2, F3, F4, F5, F6). Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R6
Invoice the General Manager Consultant for past GCSD payments to consultants/subconsultants that performed the job duties of the GM Consultant, and amend the 2018/2019 Budget to remove overlapping service expenses. (F1, F6) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No
R7
Create a procedure regarding communications with the public that includes training of consultants/subconsultants on how to handle sensitive and difficult issues and complaints. (F6, F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Implemented 104
F7
The majority of TCEDA/EPCTC monies were not clearly accounted for in publicly available documents for approximately 10 years.
Related Recommendations (2)
R4
The County develops measures to track progress of economic development. (F7, F8) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R15
Require on-site, regularly scheduled 40 hours for a full-time General Manager. (F7) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Yes Complete responses to the 2018-2019 Grand Jury “Findings” as submitted by the subject agencies are available online at: https://www.tuolumnecounty.ca.gov/1198/2019-Grand- Jury-Report 109
F8
There was a lack of clarity on how to define economic development and how to measure TCEDA’s effectiveness to develop the County’s economy. 93
Related Recommendations (5)
R4
The County develops measures to track progress of economic development. (F7, F8) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented
R7
Create a procedure regarding communications with the public that includes training of consultants/subconsultants on how to handle sensitive and difficult issues and complaints. (F6, F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Implemented 104
R8
Undertake an annual community building event (such as a picnic or potluck) that is out of the board room context and encourage open discourse among rate-payers, staff, and board members to foster better relationships. (F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Yes
R9
Develop a clear reporting structure for handling complaints by identifying and publishing names with contact information including phone numbers for the currently undesignated “outside consultants” identified to field complaints against the GCSD in Resolution 2019-02, and not allow these “outside consultants” to be funded by the GM Consultant. (F8, F9) 105 Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Offered Explanation Yes Implemented
R10
Combine the public and staff complaint reporting structures for one method for handling complaints in which both the public and GCSD staff have access to the currently undesignated “outside consultants” identified in Resolution 2019-02. (F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected Yes Implemented
F9
There was a lack of clarity on how to define economic development and how to measure TCEDA’s effectiveness to develop the County’s economy.
Related Recommendations (6)
R2
A new Economic Development entity be developed and be accountable to the CAO of the County. (F2,F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Partially Accepted Yes Implemented 92
R7
Create a procedure regarding communications with the public that includes training of consultants/subconsultants on how to handle sensitive and difficult issues and complaints. (F6, F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Implemented 104
R8
Undertake an annual community building event (such as a picnic or potluck) that is out of the board room context and encourage open discourse among rate-payers, staff, and board members to foster better relationships. (F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Yes
R9
Develop a clear reporting structure for handling complaints by identifying and publishing names with contact information including phone numbers for the currently undesignated “outside consultants” identified to field complaints against the GCSD in Resolution 2019-02, and not allow these “outside consultants” to be funded by the GM Consultant. (F8, F9) 105 Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Offered Explanation Yes Implemented
R10
Combine the public and staff complaint reporting structures for one method for handling complaints in which both the public and GCSD staff have access to the currently undesignated “outside consultants” identified in Resolution 2019-02. (F8, F9) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected Yes Implemented
R12
Change Board meeting times and agenda items to accomodate more local residents who work during the day and limit meetings to two hours. (F9, F10) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No 107
F10
Two previous Grand Jury investigations indicated significant mismanagement issues and lack of measurable effectiveness of the TCEDA, which indicates a longstanding, structural incompetency of the agency.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The CAO and the City Administrator educate their respective elected officials and managers of “Code of Conduct” and “Code of Ethics” expectations as public servants, by providing ethics training on an annual basis, to ensure that they understand that their primary missions are to serve the public of Tuolumne County. (F10, F11, F12) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented 94 The City of Sonora was asked to respond to Recommendations 1 and 5.
R12
Change Board meeting times and agenda items to accomodate more local residents who work during the day and limit meetings to two hours. (F9, F10) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Rejected No No 107
F11
The County and City acknowledged the failure of the agency by dissolving it in 2019, even before the financial and managerial audits were complete.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The CAO and the City Administrator educate their respective elected officials and managers of “Code of Conduct” and “Code of Ethics” expectations as public servants, by providing ethics training on an annual basis, to ensure that they understand that their primary missions are to serve the public of Tuolumne County. (F10, F11, F12) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented 94 The City of Sonora was asked to respond to Recommendations 1 and 5.
R13
Document the substance of key discussions during Board meetings in Board mi- nutes, and insert a timestamp in Board minutes to cross reference audio recordings. (F11) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Implemented
F12
The TCEDA Board is responsible for countless hours spent by County Counsel and TCEDA’s employees in responding to lawsuits and public records requests, and in three investigations by grand juries, because of its ongoing lack of transparency and its mismanagement.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
The CAO and the City Administrator educate their respective elected officials and managers of “Code of Conduct” and “Code of Ethics” expectations as public servants, by providing ethics training on an annual basis, to ensure that they understand that their primary missions are to serve the public of Tuolumne County. (F10, F11, F12) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accept Yes Implemented 94 The City of Sonora was asked to respond to Recommendations 1 and 5.
R14
Update GCSD website’s Board agenda packet links to include labels with dates, active links to the Policy and Procedures Manual, and include all supporting exhibits in Resolution links. (F12) Did the agency’s Did the agency Did the agency’s Did the agency response address the attempt to avoid the response indicate provide a specific subject of the findings issues, offer excuses, that it would take the date by which it and recommenda- or accept and begin necessary action to would take the tions? to implement the correct the problem? necessary corrective action within six action? months of the pub- lished date of the report. Yes Accepted Yes Yes 108