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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.
Shasta County Grand Jury
• 2015-2016
coverages, shared facilities, and availability of excess capacity to serve customers of other agencies, among many
⚠️ 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 9 findings
F1
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO failed to take timely action over concerns regarding meeting deadlines for Municipal Service and Sphere of Influence Reviews and financial instability, resulting in a class-action lawsuit and budgetary crisis.
F2
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO violated Government Code Section 56381(a) when it made sharp decreases to staffing in its 2015/16 budget without first finding that reduced staffing will nevertheless allow the Commission to fulfill the purposes and programs required of Shasta LAFCO.
F3
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO has not updated its fee schedule since 2013, leaving the possibility that it is not charging sufficient fees for its services.
F4
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO has failed to take advantage of additional revenue sources by not charging for Municipal Service or Sphere of Influence Review updates.
F5
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO has exposed itself to potential future risk of litigation by adopting its current five year plan to conduct Municipal Service and Sphere of Influence Review updates without consideration of recent instability of the Executive Officer position.
F6
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO is not fulfilling its purposes and programs due to severe budgetary restrictions, partially because it has failed to sufficiently explore and act on all cost saving opportunities.
F7
Page 45
Shasta LAFCO’s actions violate its own Policies & Procedures, because their policies and procedures have not been updated to reflect their actual practices. 36
F8
Page 52
There is insufficient supervision over trust fund reconciliation processes, leaving the potential for fraud or errors to occur.
F9
Page 52
There is insufficient oversight of all Sheriff’s Office cash and property held as asset forfeiture, or in assets held in evidence, leaving the potential for fraud and errors to occur. COMMENDATIONS The Grand Jury commends the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office staff for initiating the debit card process, saving time and money. 43
Recommendations 10
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R1Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that Shasta LAFCO take action of becoming aware of financial or staff concerns, and complete a comprehensive review of contracted Executive Officer performance at least bi-annually, commencing no later than December 31, 2016.
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R2Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that Shasta LAFCO revise its budget to return to prior year staffing levels to allow the Shasta LAFCO office to be open Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and to fully comply with Government Code Section 56381(a) no later than September 30, 2016.
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R3Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that Shasta LAFCO review its current Fee Schedule and make revisions as needed no later than December 31, 2016.
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R4Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that by no later than December 31, 2016, Shasta LAFCO establish a fee schedule to charge for Municipal Service and Sphere of Influence Review updates.
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R5Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that by no later than December 31, 2016, Shasta LAFCO revise its five year plan for Municipal Service and Sphere of Influence Review updates to begin completing them in the 2016/17 fiscal year.
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R6Page 46The Grand Jury recommends that Shasta LAFCO engage in cost saving efforts such as shared office space and personnel costs, shared insurance costs, reimbursement for costs from other agencies for providing them with assistance, and turning to the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions for hosting its website no later than December 31, 2016.
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R7Page 46The Grand Jury recommends Shasta LAFCO updates its Policies & Procedures no later than March 31, 2017.
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R8Page 53The Grand Jury recommends the Auditor-Controller and the Sheriff’s Office ensure all Sheriff’s Office trust account reconciliations occur monthly, with old outstanding items cleared,
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R9Page 53The Grand Jury recommends the Auditor-Controller initiates a plan by December 31, 2016, to conduct more frequent surprise audits of assets held as evidence.
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R10Page 53The Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff’s Office assigns specific management personnel by September 30, 2016, to be responsible for the oversight of all aspects of assets held under asset forfeiture and in evidence.