Industrial Fire District Administered by the Jpa Modesto-Ceres Fire Protection Agency c/o Modesto Fire Department*

Few districts are in full compliance with state laws in transparency, accountability, and governance. Response: The respondent disagrees with this finding to the extent it concludes that the Industrial Fire District is not in full compliance. The Industrial Fire District is in full compliance with state laws in transparency, accountability and governance. A single audit is performed each year by independent auditors and is accepted by the Board indicating compliance with state laws in transparency, accountability and governance. In addition, board members are under the governance of the respective agencies that provide service to the district, which are in full compliance of state law. Although all required ethics training documents were not available at the time of this inquiry, the individual whose documentation was missing completed this training within one months' time.

Many board members are not adequately prepared to assume office. Stanislaus County lacks a standardized governance training program. Response: The respondent disagrees with this finding. Board members of the Industrial Fire District are public servants of the agencies which provide service to the district and are adequately prepared to assume office. Although Stanislaus County may lack a standardized governance training program, board members complete training each year in compliance with local, state and federal requirements.

Most district board members are appointed by the SCBOS. Response: The respondent cannot address the finding regarding board members appointed by the SCBOS, since Industrial Board members are not appointed by the SCBOS.

The SCCGJ observed that some fire districts perceive that they are accountable to the SCBOS. Conversely the SCBOS has no responsibility beyond appointment of board members. Response: The respondent cannot address the finding regarding board members appointed by the SCBOS, since Industrial Board members are not appointed by the SCBOS.

Citizen participation is lacking at board meetings. Response: The respondent disagrees with this finding. Although citizen attendance at board meetings may be low, the Industrial Fire board meetings are publicly advertised 72 hours in advance and are held in a comfortable conference room, open to the public.

Most board meetings are not welcoming to citizens. Response: The respondent disagrees with this finding. All Board meetings are advertised 72 hours prior to the meeting. Meetings are held in a comfortable conference room, open to the public.

Many of the district websites lack required information about governance and finances. Response: The respondent cannot address this finding since the Industrial Fire District does not currently have a district website. All required governance and finances are currently available upon request. Staff has initiated the startup of a district website and amended the current fiscal to budget for these expenses. Staff expects this to be completed within the next six months.

No apparent effort exists to increase citizen participation and involvement. Response: The respondent disagrees with this finding. The Industrial Fire District is reviewing ways to increase citizen participation including, but not limited to: creating a District website, providing directional signs at the entrances of the building in which board meetings will be held, and utilizing different avenues of social media intended to engage the public.

The fire districts spend $26 million yearly with little public scrutiny. Response: The respondent cannot address this finding to the extent it refers to other fire districts, but does disagree with this finding to the extent it applies to respondent. A single audit is performed each year by independent auditors and is accepted by Board, as well as included in the public review of all audits that are accepted by the Council of at least one the agencies that is providing service to the district.

While the SCCGJ focused its investigation on independent special fire districts, our findings and recommendations should be of interest to all special districts in Stanislaus County. Response: The respondent cannot address this finding.