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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.

Lake County Grand Jury • 2008-2009

Ad Hoc Committee Reports

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Findings and Recommendations 34 findings

F1 Page 243
The district suffered a catastrophic system failure in 2004.
No recommendations for this finding
F2 Page 243
At the time of the failure in 2004, the district had approximately $15- $20,000 in reserves. At the time of this oversight, the district had nearly $500,000 in the bank.
No recommendations for this finding
F3 Page 243
Rate increases and a substantial bond repayment enabled the district to achieve the current financial status. All money from the bond repayment went into the district’s reserves.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 243
The following improvements will need to be completed in the near future: o Replacement of 30-year-old system o Build a new clear well o Replace 1688 feet of pipe o Replace a seawall o Install an emergency generator system
No recommendations for this finding
F5 Page 243
Rather than use the reserves to pay for all improvements, the district intends to speak to the ratepayers once the district establishes an estimate and determines how best to pay for the improvements.
No recommendations for this finding
F6 Page 243
No employee or board member can sign his or her own paycheck.
No recommendations for this finding
F7 Page 243
The district is making a significant effort to implement and/or maintain a strict system of checks and balances in regards to finances.
No recommendations for this finding
F8 Page 243
There is currently no “policies and procedures manual” given to newly hired personnel.
No recommendations for this finding
F9 Page 243
The district has two managerial positions. One is an office manager who takes care of finances, handles phone calls from customers, and oversees office staff. The second is a general manager/water master. The general manager’s responsibilities include monitoring the system, reading meters, overseeing maintenance and field staff, and reporting to the board.
No recommendations for this finding
F10 Page 243
The general manager is the former general manager from Clearlake Oaks County Water District.
No recommendations for this finding
F11 Page 243
The general manager was hired based primarily on the
No recommendations for this finding
F12 Page 244
There were no other applicants for the general manager’s position at the time of and subsequent to the recommendation.
No recommendations for this finding
F13 Page 244
County Counsel’s policy, regarding recommendations, is that all
No recommendations for this finding
F14 Page 244
The board meets regularly once a month on the fourth Thursday. “Special meetings” are held as needed.
No recommendations for this finding
F15 Page 244
The board meets to review applications and conduct interviews of managerial position applicants.
No recommendations for this finding
F16 Page 244
At the time of this oversight, there was one vacancy on the Board.
No recommendations for this finding
F17 Page 244
Whenever a ratepayer attends a Board meeting to voice a concern or participate in the Board meeting the ratepayer is asked to apply for the Board vacancy.
No recommendations for this finding
F18 Page 244
Other independent water districts in the County should use the financial strategy of this district as a model.
No recommendations for this finding
F19 Page 254
The rates for adoption at the time of this oversight were $20 for felines and $30 for canines. Spay/neuter fees are added to the adoption fees.2
No recommendations for this finding
F20 Page 254
The current euthanasia rates have dropped to 10% on adoptable canines and 10-30% on adoptable felines. This is a significant decrease from just three years ago when these numbers were above 65%.
No recommendations for this finding
F21 Page 254
Adoptions were increased by lowering fees.
No recommendations for this finding
F22 Page 254
Feral cats have the highest rate of euthanasia of any animal in the County.
No recommendations for this finding
F23 Page 254
The department provides a ten-day “protective custody” service. The department is required by law to hold animals for a ten-day period. If the owner has been arrested or has left the animal to “run off” the pet owner is charged for impound and boarding fees. If the pet owner is deceased or hospitalized, the animal is held for next of kin to claim and there are no charges assessed for providing shelter for the animal if the animal is picked up within the ten-day period.
No recommendations for this finding
F24 Page 255
The department offers no guarantees as to the health of the animals. If an animal contracts a common virus, e.g. “kennel cough”, the adopter is provided with medication and instruction on how to care for the animal.
No recommendations for this finding
F25 Page 255
The department uses the services of rescue groups and foster homes for animals. Any animal in foster care is still the “property” of Animal 2 Further information on rates, fees, statistics and available animals can be found at: http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control.htm 2008-2009 Lake County Civil Grand Jury 269 Ad Hoc Committee Care and Control. When rescue groups are used, ownership of the animal is transferred.
No recommendations for this finding
F26 Page 255
Charity events are held by various coalition sponsors to raise money for the facility.
No recommendations for this finding
F27 Page 255
Though the “walk-in/browser traffic” has decreased, the Director feels this has no ill effects on adoptions. All potential adopters are encouraged not to adopt in the same day as meeting an animal. Instead, the adopters are encouraged to “sleep on it”. This policy has reduced the number of animals returned to the shelter.
No recommendations for this finding
F28 Page 255
When multiple applications are received for an animal, the animal is placed with the owner that is best suited for the care of the animal.
No recommendations for this finding
F29 Page 255
All staff members attend the same training as animal control officers.
No recommendations for this finding
F30 Page 255
The shelter’s highest priority at this time is the completion of “phase 2” of the shelter project. Phase 2 includes a spay/neuter clinic.
No recommendations for this finding
F31 Page 255
The clinic will further reduce the costs associated with adopting a pet from the facility.
No recommendations for this finding
F32 Page 255
Funding for the clinic is an on-going process. The money is being raised by donations and various fund-raising efforts. The completion of the clinic is likely three years away.
No recommendations for this finding
F33 Page 255
During an April 17, 2008 audit of Lake County Animal Care and Control conducted by the Auditor/Controller’s Office, the following issues were present: o The change fund was short $30 and no reason was given for the discrepancy. o The individual in charge of the change fund stated that money was routinely transferred from the donation box to the change fund and vice versa. o The cash drawer had no lock and up to ten people had regular access. If no employees were at the front desk, any person walking in would have access to the unlocked drawer. At the time of the audit, the individual in charge of the cash drawer indicated that the lack of security had been brought to the Department Head’s attention but no measures had been taken to solve the problem. o The petty cash fund was $14.55 short at the time of the audit.
No recommendations for this finding
F34 Page 256
The department encourages volunteers to help at the shelter. 270 2008-2009 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Ad Hoc Committee
No recommendations for this finding