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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.
Placer County Grand Jury
• 2014-2015
Placer County Grand Jury 2014-2015 Final Report Placer County Water Agency
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 13 findings
F1
Page 59
PCWA is a well-managed special district agency and uses its water and electrical assets to the advantage of its rate payers.
F2
Page 59
The ongoing reality of drought and reduced water inflows into all water districts serving Placer County residents and businesses is requiring PCWA to reevaluate how all county residents are served with water.
F3
Page 59
During the ongoing drought PCWA may benefit from utilizing advisory councils as provided by the Act. - 55 - -2015 Final Report
F4
Page 69
The lack of document information, including posting dates and sunset dates, decreases confidence in the validity of data found on the websites.
F5
Page 69
Some meeting minutes are not being posted in a timely manner.
F6
Page 69
It is generally more difficult to distinguish the minutes when they are embedded in agendas or in videos, rather than posted separately.
F7
Page 69
Posting of summarized minutes (abstracts), or a summary of actions taken, would improve the public’s experience in trying to understand what governance actions were taken, or what decisions were made or deferred.
F8
Page 69
Video recordings of proceedings are beneficial to the public’s understanding of their representatives actions in council and board meetings.
F9
Page 69
The ability to locate current financial results is improved when financial performance reports are directly posted on the website. - 65 - -2015 Final Report
F10
Page 70
Lack of consistency in posting of bid opportunities and awards on websites makes it difficult for the public to discern available contracting opportunities and what awards have been approved.
F11
Page 70
The public’s access to operating policies, applying to elected officials and employees, would be enhanced if these documents were available through the website.
F12
Page 70
A link on the website to fill out CPRA document requests improves the public’s ability to submit requests.
F13
Page 70
A link to the Grand Jury website where the Grand Jury complaint form “Confidential Citizen Complaint” is available enables public access for registering a confidential complaint on line.
Recommendations 11
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R1Page 60A significant portion of revenue from the sale of surplus water and some of the net revenues from the sale of electricity be used to extend delivery of potable water to neighborhoods and communities not currently served by PCWA.
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R2Page 60Consideration be given to potential or emergency needs of existing underserved areas within Placer County in the Water Master Plan being prepared by PCWA.
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R3Page 60For public water systems not currently served by PCWA, the Water Master Plan should include the opportunity to connect their water service to PCWA. PCWA should make emergency financial aid available for this purpose.
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R4Page 60PCWA form zone advisory councils pursuant to PCWA Act § 81-15.2. Request for Responses: Recommendations Requiring Response Response Due Date PCWA Board of Directors R1 – R4 September 22, 2015 Placer County Water Agency P. O. Box 6570 Auburn, CA 95604 Mr. Joseph Parker R1 – R4 September 22, 2015 Director of Financial Services Placer County Water Agency P. O. Box 6570 Auburn, CA 9560 - 56 - - -2015 Final Report Review of Placer County Government and Special District/Agency Websites
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R5Page 70All city and special districts webpages should include current written minutes, which include a summary of actions taken and decisions made.
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R6Page 70Posting of complete video recordings of meetings should be investigated to determine if it is economically feasible.
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R7Page 70All websites should include direct links to financial reports, including on-going progress and performance reports on financial results versus budgets. - 66 - -2015 Final Report
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R8Page 71Placer County, City of Auburn, City of Colfax, and all special district/agency websites should include access to the policy, process, and posting of current contracting opportunities. Results of bid awards should also be posted.
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R9Page 71Current operating policies covering travel and use of entity owned assets, including vehicles, cell phones, computers, and credit cards should be available on websites or by online CPRA requests.
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R10Page 71Placer County, Auburn and Colfax, along with all special districts, should incorporate into their websites a link to make CPRA Public Records Requests.
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R11Page 71Websites should include a link to the Grand Jury website where the public can access the Grand Jury complaint form“Confidential Citizen Complaint”. Tables 3 and 4 on the following pages specify which recommendations are applicable to each surveyed entity. Attachment A demonstrates the linkages between the multiple facts, findings and recommendations in this report. - 67 - – Recommendations for County, Cities and Towns Recommendations