📋
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.
Contra Costa County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
The Public Records Act in Contra Costa County," (Report 1405). The City Council
⚠️ 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 7 findings
F1
The State of California's policy of transparency in government is embodied in the California Public Records Act (CPRA). Response We agree with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Contra Costa County's policy of transparency in government has been strengthened by its adoption of the Better Government Ordinance. Response We partially disagree with this finding. It is stated as fact that the adoption of the ordinance has strengthened transparency. The District is not aware of any evidence, nor is any provided, of this statement of fact. As such, the District can neither agree nor disagree with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Contra Costa County conducts periodic training of its employees regarding how to respond to requests for records under the CPRA and the Better Government Ordinance. Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553 925.229.1000 www.4cd.edu CCCCD Response to Grand Jury Report No. 1405 09-24-2014 Page: 2 Response We partially disagree with this finding. It is stated as fact that Contra Costa County provides training to its employees on request responses. The District is not aware of any evidence, nor is any provided, of this statement of fact. As such, the District can neither agree nor disagree with this finding.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
The response to CPRA requests by departments reporting to the Board of Supervisors is generally timely and appropriate. Response We partially disagree with this finding. It is stated as fact that responses to CPRA requests by departments reporting to the Board of Supervisors are generally timely and appropriate. The District is not aware of any evidence, nor is any provided, of this statement of fact. As such, the District can neither agree nor disagree with this finding.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
Per Finding #4: "The response to CPRA requests by departments reporting to the Board of Supervisors is generally timely and appropriate." The District replies to Finding #4 accordingly: The District agrees with the Finding per the "Background" information in the Grand Jury Report No. 1405. The Moraga School District has no other knowledge of responses to CPRA requests by departments reporting to the Board of Supervisors as generally timely and appropriate.
F5
The response to CPRA by cities and special districts within Contra Costa County is uneven. Some entities are responsive, while others have a delayed respond or fail to respond entirely. Response We partially disagree with this finding. It is stated as fact that responses to CPRA requests by cities and special districts are uneven. The District is not aware of any evidence, nor is any provided, of this statement of fact. As such, the District can neither agree nor disagree with this finding. In the case of the District, we believe our responses are always timely and appropriate.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Per Finding #5: "The response to CPRA by cities and special districts within Contra Costa County is uneven. Some entities are responsive, while others have a delayed response or fail to respond entirely." The District replies to Finding #5 accordingly: The District agrees with the Finding per the "Background" information in the Grand Jury Report No. 1405.
F6
Employees of cities and some special districts who deal with CPRA requests are unfamiliar with the Act and the responsibilities of their agency when records are requested. Response We partially disagree with this finding. It is stated as fact that some employees of cities and special districts are unfamiliar with the Act and their related responsibilities. The District is not aware of any evidence, nor is any provided, of this statement of fact. As such, the District can neither agree nor disagree with this finding. In the case of the District, we believe our employees responsible for CPRA responses are generally familiar with the Act and their related responsibilities.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
Per Finding #6: "Employees of cities and some special districts who deal with CPRA requests are unfamiliar with the Act and the responsibilities of their agency when records are requested." The District replies to Finding #6 accordingly: The District agrees with the Finding per the "Background" information in the Grand Jury Report 1405.
F7
Among the most valuable documents that could be included in websites are: Statements of Economic Interests, Employment Contracts, Annual Audits, Travel and Entertainment reimbursements, and agendas and supporting documents for public meetings. Response We agree with this finding. In addition, as required by §933.05(b) of the California Government Code, the District is providing its reply to the report's recommendation. For each recommendation, the District is required to respond by stating one of the following actions: (1) The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary describing the implemented action. (2) The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation. (3) The recommendation requires further analysis. This response should explain the scope and parameters of the analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report. Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street, Martinez, California 94553 925.229.1000 www.4cd.edu CCCCD Response to Grand Jury Report No. 1405 09-24-2014 Page: 3 (4) The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation thereof.
Related Recommendations (1)
R7
Per Finding #7: "Among the most valuable documents that could be included on websites are: Statements of Economic Interests, Employment Contracts, Annual Audits, Travel and Entertainment reimbursements, and agendas and supporting documents for public meetings." The District replies to Finding #7 accordingly: The District agrees with the Finding. Pursuant to your request in the letter dated March 18, 2014, the Moraga School District (MSD) responds accordingly to Recommendations 1-6:
Additional Recommendations 3
These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.
-
R1Cities and special districts in Contra Costa County should consider adopting a policy similar to the Better Government Ordinance, expanding the right of the public to access to public records. Response This recommendation requires further analysis. The District will review the Ordinance and consider its applicability and relevance in concert with existing policy and procedure during the fall of 2014.
-
R2Cities and special districts in Contra Costa County should arrange for periodic training of employees who are responsible for responding to Public Records Act requests. Response This recommendation has been implemented within the District. The District's key responders have attending training provided at professional conferences, generally delivered by attorneys. Attending such training will continue to be encouraged.
-
R3Cities and special districts should consider making certain public records that are clearly disclosable under CPRA available on their websites: