📋
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.
San Mateo County Grand Jury
• 2013-2014
Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Information: Investigating the Transparency of Independent Special Districts’ Websites
⚠️ 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 8 findings
F1
Page 96
Some districts aremisinformedabout therelativeaffordabilityofprofessionally created websites. Response: Disagree. The report suggests that a website could cost as little as $1,000 to $9,000. It is noteworthy that $9,000 is suggested to be affordable when that amount constitutes approxlrnatelv 16% of the RCD's annual operating base, an amount that is already insufficient for operatIng needs. RCD staffhasdone agreat deal ofresearchaboutaffordableweb designoptions. Some ofthe most inexpensive options would enable the RCD to provide the list of documents recommended In the report but would not accomplish other needs and goals of the district for the website, including providing program information, products, and services to our constituents; communicating our vision, and sharing spatial andotherdata in auser-friendlyformat. Thereport doesnot fullyconsiderthe true costof revamping the web page, Including the cost of staff time to develop messages and content, securing images, maintenance, etcetera. Suggesting a website costs as low as $1,000 is akin to claiming that housing in the Bay Area is affordable because a supplier will sell the lumber for $10,000. In reality, there are many more costs to building and owning a home as there are with developing and maintaining a website.
F2
Page 52
Special districts lack trained in- Disagree with finding because most recording house staff to regularly update website secretaries should have those web maintenance information. skills
F3
Page 52
Privacy concerns of Boards of Disagree with finding because anyone who runs for Directors or Commissioners result in a office should know that the public should be able to lack of readily accessible contact contact them with their concerns. information.
F4
Page 52
Not all special districts recognize Disagree with this finding. This district has little the benefits of transparency delivered knowledge about other district websites’ content. through district websites.
F5
Page 52
No County independent special Disagree with finding. district has completed the District of It is better that each special district incorporate the 19 Distinction program offered by Special SDLF transparency action items into its Policies and Districts Leadership Foundation Procedures so that those 19 action items are embedded (SDLF). into the district’s operations.
F6
Page 52
No independent special district in Disagree with finding. the County has yet earned the SDLF It is better that each special district incorporate the 19 Transparency Certificate of SDLF transparency action items into its Policies and Excellence.12 Procedures so that those 19 transparency items are embedded into the district’s operations.
F7
Page 52
Only 2 of 23 independent special Agree with finding. districts in the County have achieved SDLF Recognition in Special District Governance.
F8
Page 52
No general manager or top Disagree with your finding because our district management official of any County does not have a GM. independent special district has received SDLF's Special District Administrator Certification. LTCWD 126 Lake Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028, (650) 851-8347
Recommendations 7
-
R1Page 59"Each independent special district's website will conform to the accepted criteria listed in the SDLF's transparency checklist on or before May 15, 2015." MPFPD Response: The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted and not reasonable. The District strives to achieve transparency, and will continue its efforts to improve the public's access to information about the District and its Board of Directors. The District will review its website and strive to update and improve it as necessary, while taking into account best practices in transparency and good government, including but not limited to the transparency checklist and other resources provided by SDLF.
-
R2Page 53By December 31, 2014, independent special LTCWD agrees with the finding as districts will consult with professional website appropriate to our district. LTCWD has developers if in-house staff is incapable of creating internal capabilities to manage its website. and/or managing their website as described above.
-
R3Page 53Each district will take the necessary steps to LTCWD agrees with the finding as keep its website current. appropriate to our District. LTCWD Recording Secretary is responsible for the maintenance of the website with a Board member.
-
R4Page 53Districts will complete the District of The Recommendation will not be Distinction program offered by SDLF by June 30, implemented because it is not warranted 2015. or reasonable. Because the transiency of Board and Staff member, this District will incorporate the 19 SDLF transparency items into its Policies and Procedures. The Recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted
-
R5Page 53Districts will seek to attain the SDLF or reasonable. Transparency Certificate of Excellence by June 30, 2015. Because the transiency of Board and Staff member, this District will incorporate the 19 SDLF transparency items into its Policies and Procedures.
-
R6Page 53Districts currently lacking staff or board The Recommendation will not be members who have achieved the SDLF's implemented because it is not warranted Recognition in Special District Governance will seek or reasonable. the training available under this program by June Because of the transiency of Board and 30, 2015. Staff members, these 19 SDLF transparency items will be incorporated into the District’s Policies and Procedures Manual. LTCWD 126 Lake Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028, (650) 851-8347 RECOMMENDATIONS LTCWD RESPONSE
-
R7Page 54District administrators will seek the SDLF The Recommendation will not be Special District Administrator Certification. implemented because it is not warranted or reasonable. Because of the transiency of Board and Staff members, these 19 SDLF transparency items will be incorporated into the District’s Policies and Procedures Manual. LTCWD 126 Lake Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028, (650) 851-8347