Smoke but NO Fire Tulare County Fire Department

The Grand Jury determined the combining of the office of city manager and police chief positions critically weakened the checks-and-balances with regards to personnel issues. This eliminated the division of authority to more than one person and position.

A number of costly employee settlements resulted from the aforementioned combination of these two positions.

The Grand Jury determined that the lack of meaningful evidence made allegations of Brown Act violations difficult to substantiate.

Some City council members were involved in discussions over union issues at private residences and outside the parameters of established procedures.

The cost of the employee settlements contributed to the city’s poor financial condition and the necessity to impose employee furloughs.

The city reached high-cost employment severance settlements (in excess of $400,000) with a number of employees over the issue of termination.

The city council imposed employee furloughs, claiming financial constraints. FINDINGS: F1. The Grand Jury determined the combining of the office of city manager and police chief positions critically weakened the checks-and-balances with regards to personnel issues. This eliminated the division of authority to more than one person and position. F2. A number of costly employee settlements resulted from the aforementioned combination of these two positions. F3. The Grand Jury determined that the lack of meaningful evidence made allegations of Brown Act violations difficult to substantiate. F4. Some City council members were involved in discussions over union issues at private residences and outside the parameters of established procedures. F5. The cost of the employee settlements contributed to the city’s poor financial condition and the necessity to impose employee furloughs.