San Joaquin County Grand Jury The Great Unwatched - San Joaquin County’s Special Districts 2012-2013 Case No. 0212 -

Conclusions 1

• CL1
  The processes used to produce this informational report were complicated. The initial goal was to determine the number, type and function of independent special districts within the County and whether taxes collected/used by these districts were in accordance with applicable laws. Data from the surveys generated a variety of additional concerns for the Grand Jury including issues pertaining to the purpose, governance, accountability and the general oversight of the districts as well as the fact that more than 20% of the surveys were returned for lack of a current address. Survey results also revealed a majority of the districts were unaware of their responsibilities regarding Municipal Service Reviews and/or Sphere of influence. Due to the sheer number of special districts, their complex laws, organization, governance and variations in purpose, the Grand Jury did not have sufficient time to focus on any specific aspect of district operations and generate an investigation. However, this report ends with a sincere wish that all citizens, elected officials, appointees to special districts, their constituents and future grand juries work together with appropriate state officials to develop the concepts brought forth by the Little Hoover Commission regarding oversight for all 3,400 special districts in California. While these various districts provide critical services and contribute to the value of our daily life, there is little doubt they will continue to be special, but the question remains will they also continue to be the Great Unwatched? Disclaimer Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon specific approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911, 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defined purposes (Penal Code Section 924.2 and 929).