Yolo County Response to 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report "Continuity Report for the 2014-2015 Yolo County Grand Jury: Fostering Positive Change"

Respondents’ comments contained in the 2014-15 Grand Jury Final Report were timely and comprehensive in addressing both findings and recommendations. Response: The respondents agree with the finding.

The Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services respondents indicated an assessment plan addressing the possibility of utilizing solar panels on the Yolo County Central Landfill property would be implemented in the future but did not provide a time frame for completing the action as required by Penal Code Section 933.05(b)(2). Response: The respondents disagree partially with the finding. While the department did not provide a specific time frame for completing the action, they did provide the following response as explanation: This recommendation will be implemented, however, due to budget and staffing limitations, will likely not be implemented by July 1, 2016. The division previously looked into the possibility of using solar panels on the landfill property to produce electricity. It was determined at the time that moving forward with a solar project was not economically feasible, especially as the landfill is regulated by many different local, state and federal agencies which apply additional and costly requirements that do not apply to other sites. A fresh look into this issue may result in a more feasible and economical approach, which the landfill would welcome.

The County maintains a Grand Jury Reports Response and Follow-up Schedule tracking implementation of Grand Jury recommendations, which contains important information of significant interest to the Grand Jury and the general public. Response: The respondents disagree partially with the finding. The response and follow- up schedule is an internal tracking tool and does not “contain important information of significant interest.” The public was made aware of the tracking tool via the “2014-2015 Yolo County Grand Jury Report – Closing the Loop: How Yolo County Implements Its Responses to the Grand Jury” and the County’s subsequent response. With the exception of the Grand Jury, the County has not received any requests for the document or the information contained within.

The Grand Jury found that, while the Grand Jury Reports Response and Follow-up Schedule can be obtained by request, it is not currently released to the general public on a scheduled basis or conveniently available through internet access or other electronic means. Response: The respondents agree with the finding.