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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.
⚠️ 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 16 findings
F1
Page 14
Upon investigation, the WPUD was following the Brown Act requirements.
F2
Page 14
During site review of the WPUD Offi ce, it was established that the agenda posting was available during business hours but was restricted from close inspection by a locked gate after normal business hours.
F3
It is not known how many youth have gone through SEP since its inception.
F4
Based upon the number of current TCSO staff who were at one time Explorers, the program has proven to be a viable pathway to a career in law enforcement. CONCLUSION: The TCSO is committed to the development and education of our youth to prepare them for a successful and productive career.
F5
Free transportation is available to the participants of
F6
Scholarship recipients apply with an understanding that if selected they will be given a conditional off er by the TCSO and sign a three-year employment contract.
F7
The SEP budget is self-funded through contributions from the community.
F8
The total number of youth involved in the SEP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported to be approximately 60 Explorers.
F9
Currently 35 employees of TCSO were at one time Explorers, some include current Lieutenants, Sergeants, Detectives and Deputies. FINDINGS: F1. During COVID-19 to present there are approximately 30 Explorers enrolled. F2. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the SEP. F3. It is not known how many youth have gone through SEP since its inception. F4. Based upon the number of current TCSO staff who were at one time Explorers, the program has proven to be a viable pathway to a career in law enforcement. CONCLUSION: The TCSO is committed to the development and education of our youth to prepare them for a successful and productive career.
F10
Are you currently involved in any litigation (law suits) in this county?
F11
Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the County of Tulare or any school district within the county? If yes, where?
F12
Do you have any significant problems reading or understanding the English Language?
F13
Do you have any suggestions, comments or other matters you would like to bring to the judges attention in connection with your application?
F14
Please tell us about any special skills or abilities that you have which the judges should know about in considering your application?
F15
Please tell us why you are interested in serving on the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury. (Please attach additional pages as needed) 32
F16
Describe any background experience or skills you have which would be helpful to grand jury service (i.e., computer skills, leadership skills, or experience writing/editing reports, working in groups, or conducting investigations or interviews.) Mail to: Attention: Civil Grand Jury Tulare County Superior Court 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303 Visalia, CA 93291 Or Fax to: (559) 737-4290 Or email to: administration@tulare.courts.ca.gov NOTE: Applicants for nomination as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury are subject to investigation by an appropriate law enforcement agency as to the statutory qualifications for service and the applicant’s ability and suitability for service. In support of my application for selection as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct. Signed: Date: 33 34 Photo by: L. Trask
Recommendations 16
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R1Page 14The TCCGJ recommends that the WPUD provide viewable agendas with less restriction after business hours. An additional unobstructed posting area to view the agendas should be provided outside the locked gate. REQUIRED RESPONSES: 1. Woodville Public Utilities District (F2, R1) ***Disclaimer*** Grand Jury reports are based on documentary evidence and the testimony of sworn or admonished witnesses, not on conjecture or opinion. However, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing such evidence except upon specifi c approval of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, or another judge appointed by the Presiding Judge (Penal Code Section 911, 924.1 (a) and 929). Similarly, the Grand Jury is precluded by law from disclosing the identity of witnesses except upon an order of the court for narrowly defi ned purposes (Penal Code Section 924.2 and 929). 13
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R2Page 2General Services Agency Director and Property Management Division Director • GIVE ME LAND LOTS OF LAND 7 TTuullaarree CCoouunnttyy CCiivviill GGrraanndd JJuurryy FFiinnaall RReeppoorrtt 22002200--22002211
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R3Page 2Reviewed relevant California Government and Penal Codes
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R4Page 2Compiled statistics regarding the responses The 2019-2020 TCCGJ required responses from the following agencies and reports:
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R5Page 3Tulare County Sheriff • TULARE COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE; FROM HORSES TO HELICOPTERS
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R6Page 4Tulare Public Cemetery Board and Tulare County Board of Supervisors • TULARE COUNTY PUBLIC CEMETERY DISTRICT
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R7Page 4Lower Tule Irrigation District and Pixley Irrigation District and Goshen Community Services District • “MORE MONEY ON TIME” DELIQUENT ACCOUNTS IN SPECIAL DISTRICTS DATA REVIEWED:
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R8The total number of youth involved in the SEP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported to be approximately 60 Explorers.
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R9Currently 35 employees of TCSO were at one time Explorers, some include current Lieutenants, Sergeants, Detectives and Deputies.
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R10Are you currently involved in any litigation (law suits) in this county?
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R11Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the County of Tulare or any school district within the county? If yes, where?
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R12Do you have any significant problems reading or understanding the English Language?
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R13Do you have any suggestions, comments or other matters you would like to bring to the judges attention in connection with your application?
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R14Please tell us about any special skills or abilities that you have which the judges should know about in considering your application?
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R15Please tell us why you are interested in serving on the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury. (Please attach additional pages as needed) 32
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R16Describe any background experience or skills you have which would be helpful to grand jury service (i.e., computer skills, leadership skills, or experience writing/editing reports, working in groups, or conducting investigations or interviews.) Mail to: Attention: Civil Grand Jury Tulare County Superior Court 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303 Visalia, CA 93291 Or Fax to: (559) 737-4290 Or email to: administration@tulare.courts.ca.gov NOTE: Applicants for nomination as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury are subject to investigation by an appropriate law enforcement agency as to the statutory qualifications for service and the applicant’s ability and suitability for service. In support of my application for selection as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct. Signed: Date: 33 34 Photo by: L. Trask
Conclusions 29
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CL1 Page 17A presentation by the TCSO.
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CL2 Page 18Meetings focus on community service, ethics, and their importance to law enforcement.
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CL3 Page 17Reviewed internet sites. 16
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CL4 Page 18Scholarships are available, but not limited, to the SEP graduates who attend the Police Academy in pursuit of a career in law enforcement.
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CL5 Page 18The Sence Foundation interviews all candidates and determines the amount of the scholarship to bequeath to each candidate.
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CL6 Page 18Scholarship recipients apply with an understanding that if selected they will be given a conditional off er by the TCSO and sign a three-year employment contract.
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CL7 Page 18The SEP budget is self-funded through contributions from the community.
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CL8 Page 18The total number of youth involved in the SEP prior to the COVID-19 pandemic was reported to be approximately 60 Explorers.
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CL9 Page 18Currently 35 employees of TCSO were at one time Explorers, some include current Lieutenants, Sergeants, Detectives and Deputies. FINDINGS: F1. During COVID-19 to present there are approximately 30 Explorers enrolled. F2. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the SEP. F3. It is not known how many youth have gone through SEP since its inception. F4. Based upon the number of current TCSO staff who were at one time Explorers, the program has proven to be a viable pathway to a career in law enforcement. CONCLUSION: The TCSO is committed to the development and education of our youth to prepare them for a successful and productive career.
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CL10 Page 33Are you currently involved in any litigation (law suits) in this county?
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CL11 Page 33Are you or any of your immediate family members employed by the County of Tulare or any school district within the county? If yes, where?
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CL12 Page 33Do you have any significant problems reading or understanding the English Language?
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CL13 Page 33Do you have any suggestions, comments or other matters you would like to bring to the judges attention in connection with your application?
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CL14 Page 33Please tell us about any special skills or abilities that you have which the judges should know about in considering your application?
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CL15 Page 33Please tell us why you are interested in serving on the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury. (Please attach additional pages as needed) 32
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CL16 Page 34Describe any background experience or skills you have which would be helpful to grand jury service (i.e., computer skills, leadership skills, or experience writing/editing reports, working in groups, or conducting investigations or interviews.) Mail to: Attention: Civil Grand Jury Tulare County Superior Court 221 S. Mooney Blvd., Room 303 Visalia, CA 93291 Or Fax to: (559) 737-4290 Or email to: administration@tulare.courts.ca.gov NOTE: Applicants for nomination as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury are subject to investigation by an appropriate law enforcement agency as to the statutory qualifications for service and the applicant’s ability and suitability for service. In support of my application for selection as a member of the Tulare County Civil Grand Jury, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct. Signed: Date: 33 34
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CL17 Page 19A role of the Tulare County Auditor-Controller is to monitor special districts fi nances to assure that districts are fi nancially solvent. The annual, or in some cases, two (2) years audits are to be fi led with the State Controller Offi ce and the County Auditor-Controller Offi ce per California Government Code (CGC) §26909.
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CL18 Page 19Each special district is to have fi nancial audit reports conducted by either the County Auditor Controller or a Certifi ed Public Account (CPA) per CGC §26909.
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CL19 Page 19Internet search FACTS:
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CL20 Page 19The County Auditor-Controller provides a copy of the SDMR to the TCBOS. FINDINGS: F1. During the review of the SDMR by the TCCGJ it was revealed that a number of special districts were in violation of CGC §59352. 18 F2. Further review of the SDMR revealed funds held by special districts outside the county treasury were over 1.4 million dollars as of June 30, 2019. F3. The TCCGJ determined that many of the special districts in violation of the above codes are not made aware of the defi ciencies or issues noted in the SDMR. CONCLUSION:
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CL21 Page 33Do you have any physical or mental condition which would interfere with your ability to function as a Civil Grand Juror? If yes, explain briefly What accommodations would the Court need to provide to accommodate your physical or mental impairment?
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CL22 Page 33Education (Circle highest grade completed): 6 (or less) 7 8 9 10 11 12 College: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Name of schools attended and degrees or certification attained:
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CL23 Page 33Clubs or organizations: List any civic, service organizations or any volunteer work to which you belong.
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CL24 Page 33Spouse / Domestic Partner Name: Occupation: If retired, list previous occupation you retired from Employer:
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CL25 Page 33Are you or any immediate family member an appointed or elected public officer of any public agency? If yes, explain:
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CL26 Page 20The SDMR is too limited in its distribution.
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CL27 Page 20It appears there is no penalty levied to the special districts for non-compliance with CGC.
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CL28 Page 33Occupation: Employer: If retired, previous occupation
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CL29 Page 33Can you afford the time required to be a Civil Grand Juror (approximately 10-12 hours per week)? If not, briefly state why not: