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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.
Merced County Grand Jury
• 2023-2024
American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021 Where the Money Went
⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 10 findings
F1
Page 41
Programs associated with the COC and HSA as referenced in the DISCUSSION section of this report are making a positive impact in the lives of the homeless of the County.
Related Recommendations (1)
R11
Page 83
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F2
Page 41
The Grand Jury finds that much of our Federal, State, and Local taxpayer money is being resourced within our county to support the programs found on pages 5 and 6 under the DISCUSSION section of this report.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
Page 64
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
R11
Page 83
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F3
Page 41
There is a lack of transparency regarding the allocation of the funds for the agencies who assist the homeless population and the Point in Time counts are not on, or easily obtainable through a search of the County’s website.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
Page 41
Continue the PIT counts and analyze data, make the data available on the County’s Website. (F3)
R2
Page 41
The budgetary breakdowns for the resources and allocation of monies should be readily available to the public on the County’s Website. (F3)
R5
Page 64
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
F4
Page 63
Public opportunity for local input on the use of ARPA funding was inadequate.
Related Recommendations (3)
R3
Page 64
In addition to using internal controls, ARPA funds received should be audited regularly by an outside agency to ensure accountability and transparency. Moderate funding required. (F4)
R5
Page 64
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
R7
Page 82
The District should post links to Board meeting videos on the MSCD website under the Board Meeting Video Archive tab within a week of the Board meeting. (F4)
F5
Page 63
Criteria for determining the awarding of ARPA funds were often vague and confusing.
Related Recommendations (2)
R6
Page 82
The Board’s MCSD Governance Team Handbook states the following: • Operate openly, with trust and integrity. • Govern in a dignified and professional manner, treating everyone with civility and respect • Maintain a collegial tone, where discussion and debates are thoughtful and respectful. (Tone includes both verbal and non-verbal behaviors.) The Board should follow their MCSD Governance Team Handbook as it is a guide for proper professional behavior to building unity and creating a positive organizational culture in order to govern effectively. (F5)
R11
Page 83
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F6
Page 63
Decisions about how funds were spent were solely made by the City Councils or the Board of Supervisors in accordance with the Treasury Department Final Rule Guidelines that took effect on April 1, 2022. However, these procedures were not followed consistently.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 64
Cities and the County need to provide information to residents to easily track the amount of funding received and its usage including contracts awarded for ARPA related projects, progress on ARPA funded projects and the impact of the funding on their community. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F4, F6)
F7
Page 63
During our investigation, we discovered Dos Palos and Livingston were quick to invest in identified needs immediately, whereas other cities retained their funds until the issuance of the Final Rule.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
Page 81
The Board Trustees have displayed open hostility towards one another in public meetings and have used their Censure Policy to silence one another in Board meetings.
Related Recommendations (2)
R8
Page 82
The Board’s Censure policy can be a valuable tool when used correctly and with discretion. The Board should use caution when silencing trustees through the censure process and procedure. (F8)
R11
Page 83
The Board should follow their governing policies as written, including but not limited to their MCSD Governance Team Handbook and the MCSD Board of Education Protocols. (F1, F2, F5, F8) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S): Pursuant to Penal Code Section 933.05, the following responses are required in 60 days: • Merced City School District Board of Trustees respond to (R1, R2, R3, R5,
F9
Page 81
The District does not have an employee handbook for certificated or classified employees.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
Page 82
The District should create and provide an employee handbook for certificated or classified employees. (F9)
F10
Page 81
The District does not have written procedure(s) in place for individuals filing complaints including which form to complete, who to file it with, process after filing, etc.
Related Recommendations (1)
R10
Page 82
The District should create and follow a written procedure for individuals filing complaints. (F10) 82
Additional Recommendations 1
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
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R4Page 64The amount of ARPA-related funding received, and its proposed usage, should be posted prominently on public agency’s websites and social media sites detailing the receipt and distribution of all ARPA-related funds. Minimal funding required. (F2, F3, F5, F6,)