2017-2018 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Independent Special Districts Relics*

R1

All Stanislaus County fire districts boards should adhere to California law. All districts should have a written manual of generally accepted governance policies and procedures. The manual should include policies for nepotism, credit card control, and check signing. The manual should be completed by December 31, 2018 (see appendix). Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation. And is working towards updating current policies and procedures. And are currently working on writing a nepotism policy.

R2

All fire districts should establish a training requirement for board members in addition to that required by law. The curriculum is to be established no later than December 31, 2018 and shall include at least good governance, parliamentary procedure, Brown Act, nepotism, and conflict of interest (see appendix). Mountain View Fire Board Partially agrees with recommendation. Current board members are adequately prepared hold there positions. But will look to find a possible training program that will be efit future board members. Mountain View Fire dist. (209)634-9852 p.3

R3

Certificates of ethics training and Financial Disclosure Form 700 must be on file in each fire district office for five years and at the Stanislaus County Elections Office. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation and is currently in compliance with this recommendation

R4

Fire districts are to ensure that meeting times and locations are posted consistently and accurately on district websites and with LAFCO. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation. And is working towards updating this information.

R5

The fire districts and the community at large would benefit if the SCBOS would exert oversight of governance training. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation.

R6

The SCBOS should advise the forty-two specials districts in Stanislaus County to obtain a copy of this report from the SCCGJ website for informational purposes. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation.

R7

All fire district boards must comply immediately with the requirements for meeting notices, posting of meeting agendas, publishing of minutes, and financial statements as required by California law. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation.

R8

Websites should be effectively maintained to abide by California law. The priority of websites should be to provide information and transparency about governance and finances. Current and prior agendas, minutes, financial statements, and audits should be posted (see appendix). Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation. And is currently working towards updating its website.

R9

Board meeting locations and times should be boldly identified. Signage visible from the street should announce meeting dates and times. Signage should be in place to direct citizens to the meeting room. Meeting rooms should be well-lighted, provide adequate seating, and free of exhaust fumes. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation. And is having a sign made that will be placed outside of fire station announcing mtg date and time. Mountain View Fire dist. (209)634-9852 p.4

R10

Board meeting structure should routinely reflect the basic elements of accepted rules of order while conducting the people's business. They should start on time with a gavel or announcement. Bcard members and officers should be identified by roll call. Names of board members should be visible. Topics and guest speakers should be clearly identified, and sidebars eliminated. Mountain View Fire Board agrees with recommendation and have made these necessary improvements