Status Update on Open Grand Jury Implementation Items

Recommendations 7

• R1
  Closed-Circuit Color Television Cameras Over 400 Closed-Circuit Color Television Cameras (CCTV) were installed throughout the eight courthouses. The cameras were placed at all public entrances, public hallways, entrances to elevators and stairwells and public filing windows. Cameras were also installed in detention areas that cover all inmate entrances, cells, corridors, stairwells and custody entrances into courtrooms. All cameras, both public and detention, are monitored by on-duty Sheriff's staff and are recorded on digital video recorders (DVRs). The images are maintained on the DVRs for approximately six months.
• R2
  Transfer Personnel Management Functions: The Board of Supervisors should transfer the personnel management functions of P/G to the OCHR. Original Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. The Human Resources Department worked with the County Executive Office to identify options available to the Board related to the personnel management functions of the Public Administrator/Public Guardian (PA/PG) department. Transfer of personnel management functions will be dependent on the option(s) selected by the Board of Supervisors regarding the structure of the PA/PG functions. The County Executive Office will provide further analysis to the Board of Supervisors in the FY 2009-10 First Quarter Budget Report to be heard by the Board of Supervisors in November 2009. Current Status: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable or is not warranted. The Board of Supervisors conducted a public hearing on December 15, 2009 to consider rescinding Ordinance 07-008 and returning the Public Guardian (PG) to an appointed position, reporting to the CEO. The motion to approve the staff recommendations of rescinding the ordinance and revising the PA/PG organization failed. As such, transfer of the personnel management functions of the PA/PG is not warranted, and those functions will remain with the PA/PG department.
• R3
  Detailed Examination of Staffing and Finances: The Board of Supervisors direct that a detailed examination of staffing and finances at Orangewood Children's Home be conducted by both the Social Services Agency and the county financial oversight staff. Original Response: The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. Social Services Agency, in coordination with the County Executive Office, is already reviewing staffing levels and finances and will include identified changes in the FY 09-10 Budget. Current Status: The recommendation has been implemented. Social Services Agency's (SSA) review of staffing levels at Orangewood Children's Home (to be renamed Orangewood Children and Family Center per Agenda Item #33 approved by the Board of Supervisors on January 26, 2010) during the FY 2009-10 Budget and Quarterly Budget Report process resulted in deletion of 20 Group Counselor positions effective July 1, 2009 and one Office Technician effective November 24, 2009. An additional reduction of 7 support positions became effective January 2010. SSA, in coordination with the County Executive Office, continues to monitor the staffing levels and finances of Orangewood Children and Family Center. Report: Guardian of Last Resort Released: May 6, 2009
• R4
  Personnel Record Review: The County Internal Audit Department should conduct an in-depth review of OCHR personnel records to determine if additional instances of questionable pension practices exist in agencies other than the PA/PG office. The audit report and any resulting County responses will be forwarded to the Grand Jury for information. Original Response: The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. The County Internal Audit Department included such a review in the 2009-10 Audit Plan approved by the Audit Oversight Committee on May 27, 2009. The Board of Supervisors and the County Internal Audit Department anticipates completing the review by December 31, 2009. The Orange County Human Resources Department will work with the Internal Audit Department on this matter. Current Status: The recommendation has been implemented. The County Internal Audit Department opened audit number 2913, completed field work, and issued a draft report on January 25, 2010. The final report is expected to be issued by April 2010.
• R7
  Separate PA and PG: The Board of Supervisors should complete a comprehensive independent review of Public Administrator/Public Guardian. Based on the results of this review and the Grand Jury report, they should reconsider whether separating the PA/PG from the Health Care Agency and turning it into a separate stand- alone County department has been cost and performance improvement effective. If not, the Board of Supervisors should return Public Guardian to the HCA or another County department. Original Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. The County Budget Office, Legislative Affairs, and the Human Resources Department continue to work to identify options available to the Board related to the Public Administrator/Public Guardian (PA/PG) department. Such options might include: Repeal Ordinance 07-008 designating the Public Administrator the ex officio Public Guardian allowing for separation of the Administrator and Guardian functions Separate Public Guardian (PG) from Public Administrator (PA) and place PG • back with the Health Care Agency (HCA) under CEO oversight Comparison of how other neighboring counties organize the PA/PG function • The County Executive Office will provide further analysis to the Board of Supervisors in the FY 2009-10 First Quarter Budget Report to be heard by the Board of Supervisors in November 2009. HCA will work with the Board and CEO as directed. Current Status: The recommendation has been implemented. A comprehensive review of the Public Administrator/Public Guardian (PA/PG) was completed by the County Executive Office staff and, on December 12, 2009, the Board of Supervisors considered Agenda Item #59, the first reading of "An Ordinance of the County of Orange, California Repealing Ordinance No. 07-008, Which Designated the Public Administrator as the Ex Officio Public Guardian." The motion to approve rescinding the ordinance as recommended failed. The Public Administrator remains as the ex officio Public Guardian (PG) and the PG function remains with the PA/PG department. The Board of Supervisors directed that the CEO bring back the issue of separation of functions during the Fiscal Year 2010-11 Budget discussions to be held in June 2010.
• R8
  Consider Moving PA Function: When the term of the current PA expires in two years, the Board of Supervisors should consider moving the Public Administrator function into the same department that administers Public Guardian activities. This action should be coordinated with the recommendation identified in R.7 to eliminate any logistic or redundancy problems. Original Response: The recommendation requires further analysis. The County Executive Office will provide further analysis to the Board of Supervisors in the FY 2009-10 First Quarter Budget Report to be heard by the Board of Supervisors in November 2009. CEO Legislative Affairs has researched the option of placement of an initiative on the next available ballot to make the PA position appointed rather than elected. If an initiative is placed on the ballot and voters in the County approve the PA as an appointed position, the Board of Supervisors would determine the placement of the PA function. Current Status: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not reasonable or is not warranted. Because the Public Administrator remains an elective, not an appointive, office, it is not warranted for the Board of Supervisors to consider moving the PA function into another department. Report: Orange County Investments: The Need for Stronger Oversight Released: June 9, 2009
• R11
  between the TAC and the TOC to discuss the safety and quality of the investment pools, the current investing climate and any issues previously raised with the Treasurer's Office. (F-12) Original Response: The recommendation has not been implemented, but will be implemented in the future. A meeting between the TAC and the TOC will be held prior to December 31, 2009. Current Status: The recommendation has been implemented. The TOC held a joint meeting with the TAC on December 28, 2009. Treasurer's reports from July 2009 through September 2009 were received and discussed. In addition, discussion was held regarding the purpose of the TAC and the relationship between the TAC and the TOC. Condition of Orange County Jails Report: Released: June 18, 2009