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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 • 2019-2020

Merced County Public Roads Funding Report

6 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 6 findings

F1 Page 46
That the County in the future will have an increase in funds to use for road maintenance due to the increase in state funds generated by the increase in gas taxes. The (SB 1) fees forwarded to the County, along with other resources, will provide an increase from ten (10) miles to fifty (50) miles of improvement to the 1,754 miles of County roads.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 46
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R3
Page 47
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)
F2 Page 46
That the County has an adopted a Capital Improvement Plan and Pavement Management Plan guiding the allocation of funds on a yearly basis as a part of the County’s budget process.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
Page 46
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R2
Page 47
That separate trust fund accounts be established for the tracking of the collections fees and use of fees from Road Impact Fee Contracts. (F2, F4)
R3
Page 47
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)
F3 Page 46
That based on the documents provided, the County may be owed as much as $400,000.00 in Road Impact Fees.
No recommendations for this finding
F4 Page 46
That any Road Impact Fees collected are being combined with overall County Road Maintenance Fees and not assigned or used for the mitigation of specific projects as required by individual contracts.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 46
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R2
Page 47
That separate trust fund accounts be established for the tracking of the collections fees and use of fees from Road Impact Fee Contracts. (F2, F4)
F5 Page 46
That the County has not increased individual Road Impact Fees by the construction cost index as published in the Engineering News Record as allowed by the contracts.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
Page 46
That an Audit of all County Road Impact Contracts and Funds be made (F1, F2, F4, F5) 46
R5
Page 47
That the Road Department review all Road Impact Fees to determine if increases are warranted based on the construction cost index as published in the Engineering News Record as allowed by each contract and attempt collection for any delinquent accounts. (F5) REQUEST FOR RESPONSE(S) Pursuant to Penal Code §933.05, the grand jury requests responses as follows: From the following individuals: • Merced County Public Works Director/Roads Commissioner respond to F3, F4, F5, F6,
F6 Page 46
That no one person has been accountable for the tracking of road impact fees for at least six (6) years. This accounts for the lack of documentation and accurate record keeping by the County Roads Department.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 47
That the Roads Department establish a specific set of yearly procedures for the collection and use of Road Impact Fees along with collecting all past due fees. The procedures should be overseen by one (1) department member and the Auditor’s Office. (F1, F2, F6)

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.