Butte County Grand Jury Members Ivor Thomas Foreman Paradise Michael Coates Foreperson Pro Tempore Paradise

Conclusions 3

• CL1
  It is obvious from the review of the two budgets and from interviews with department heads a major problem the Town has is its dependence on property tax for revenue. The Town of Paradise has limited sales tax revenue due to fewer businesses and the lack of large retail stores. The Educational Relief Act Fund-transfers from local agencies to the State of California adversely affected the Town. In addition to restricted funds for staffing, maintenance and improvements to the Town’s infrastructure, employees’ salaries have lagged compared to nearby communities.
• CL2
  Oroville Fire Department appears to be in a constant state of upheaval. Although it is one of the busiest fire stations in California, the global issue is that the citizens of Oroville are not getting the quality of services that they deserve and are paying for. They run more calls out of this one station than most departments in the nation, except larger metropolitan areas. This provides the unique opportunity for more experience in a shorter period of time than most other fire departments can offer. Testimony revealed the lack of support and leadership from the Fire Chief and Battalion Chiefs has caused the department to not function as a team. The basics are there: skilled firefighters, the desire to serve their community and the necessary equipment; all that is lacking is the right leader to put the Oroville Fire Department back on the right path towards working together as a well functioning team. E-3 0 THE BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY: 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT
• CL3
  The 2002 – 2003 Butte County Grand Jury Final Report expressed concerns for public safety due to a budget deficit causing reduction in staff and services. In reviewing El Medio Fire Protection District, the current Grand Jury found the district has made many improvements towards providing service to the community, thereby alleviating concerns for public safety. It does not have a new, state-of-the-art fire station, but the station currently serves the needs of the district. The district has increased its full-time paid staff thereby increasing services to the community. It has upgraded and maintained its present equipment and purchased new equipment, as funds became available. They have addressed their weed abatement program and hired a Prevention Officer. The record keeping system E-4 2 THE BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY: 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT and manuals may need to be updated, but this does not prevent the district from functioning efficiently. They are mostly a volunteer fire department; however this does not imply their training and qualifications are below standard. Some of the firefighter’s medical training exceeds that of other similar public safety agencies. They participate in advanced training and are constantly improving their skills. There is always room for improvement, but the El Medio firefighters are clearly qualified to serve the needs of the District and beyond.

Commendations 19

• CM1
  The team effort of all individuals to present to the public a quality experience is outstanding.
• CM2
  The effort of the CEO to find alternative funding in the form of grants represents a stellar commitment to her position and the citizens of Butte County.
• CM3
  The efforts of the Maintenance personnel to repair and maintain an aging facility
• CM4
  To the Superintendent of Juvenile Hall and staff for running an excellent facility.
• CM5
  To Ron Reed for providing immeasurable volunteer hours for Butte County Juvenile Court and Hall improvements.
• CM6
  To Linda Wilms, R.N. and staff for their organizational skills and commitment to the County Jail and Juvenile Hall.
• CM7
  To the Chico Police Department for maintaining an agency with high morale and job satisfaction: -Well-trained and up to date staff C-17 BUTTE COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT -Good community relations -Progressive event management -Commitment to the community -Professionalism.
• CM8
  To the VIPS—they are outstanding. The Chico Police Department and the community benefit every day from their dedication and support.
• CM9
  Special thanks to the CPD administrative staff for getting us files, information and appointments…. cheerfully!
• CM10
  Paradise Animal Shelter is extremely successful in meeting the needs of both the animals and their community. With the continuous efforts from PASH and the local veterinarians, retailers, and citizens, support in the form of donations help to make this shelter successful. At Butte Humane Society, we found that, as with other shelters, the concern for animal welfare is a very high priority. They have had success in their annual fundraiser for the shelter. It did not appear that there is any organized volunteer organization that helps Butte Humane Society to help cut costs. Northwest S.P.C.A. has been successful in recruiting funds to build the facility that they so desperately needed. This new facility will meet the needs not only of the animals sheltered there, but for staff and the community. Responses Required (Penal Code 933 & 933.05) Butte County Animal Control City of Chico, Animal Control Town of Paradise Animal Control (Police Department) A-10 BUTTE COUNTY WIDE REPORTS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Exhibit A Northwest S.P.C.A Fee schedule Impound $20.00 $40.00 (x2) $60.00 (x3) Transport $25.00 Boarding $ 7.50 per night Unaltered penalty (State) $35.00 $50.00(x2) $100.00(x3) Microchip $15.00 License $15.00 altered $20.00 unaltered Rabies vaccinations $ 8.00 Quarantine boarding $10.00 per night Owner surrender Dog less than 6 months of age $25.00 Dog more than 6 months of age $75.00 Cat under 6 months of age $20.00 Cat over 6 months of age $40.00 Adoption/ S/N deposit (Spay/neuter) Dog $30.00 + $30.00 Cat $25.00 + $20.00 ** All fees pertaining to redemption, quarantine, or surrender of an animal, are payable by cash ONLY** A-11 BUTTE COUNTY WIDE REPORTS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Exhibit B Butte Humane Society and City of Chico Fee schedule Please note there are three different agency/state fees imposed on this schedule. City Fees (per day) Impounds Dogs/puppies Cats/kittens Livestock 1st offense $25.00 $10.00 $25.00 2nd. offense $35.00 $15.00 $30.00 3rd. offense $45.00 $20.00 $35.00 Boarding $ 8.00 $ 8.00 $ 8.00 Boarding fee assessment begins on the day of impounding, regardless of time of impounding. *Multiple animals from the same household are charged impound and boarding fees for the 1st offense only. Disposal Pick up for disposal by City AC (animal control) $5.00 $ 5.00 Brought in by public 0-49 lbs. $ 8.00 50-100 lbs. $12.00 Over 100 lbs. $25.00 Livestock $60.00 Spay/Neuter Fine 1st offense $35.00 $35.00 N/A 2nd offense $50.00 $50.00 N/A 3rd offense $100.00 $100.00 N/A *All subsequent offenses carry $100.00 fine * < = less than > = more than * Adoptions Spay/Neuter A-12 BUTTE COUNTY WIDE REPORTS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT *s/n = spay/neuter Dog $60.00 + $50.00 s/n deposit Materials Fee for volunteers $15.00 Volunteer Hours Volunteer hours for dogs Male/neutered up to 75 lbs 11 hrs. Male/neutered over 75 lbs 15 hrs. Female spayed up to 60 lbs 11 hrs. Female spayed 61-75 lbs 14 hrs. Female spayed over 75 lbs. 25hrs. Dogs > 1yr but < 3 yr. add 12 hr Dogs > 5 yr. add 7 hrs. Volunteer hours required for cats. Cat $45.00 + $40.00 s/n deposit Hours for kittens 4 Hours for cats 6 Rabbit $20.00 Guinea Pig $10.00 Hamster/rats Mice $ 5.00 Exotics Staff quote Micro-chipping $15.00 Euthanasia Dogs 30 lbs. $20.00 30-69 lbs. $30.00 70-100 lbs. $40.00 over 100 lbs. $50.00 Cats/rabbits $20.00 Puppies/kittens <3mos. $10.00 Birds $10.00 Pocket Pets* $ 5.00 Rats/mice/hamsters/etc. Exotics staff quote. Cremations Private 0-24 lbs. $95.00 Group 0-24 lbs. $ 70.00 25-49lbs. $105.00 25-49lbs. $ 80.00 50-75lbs. $120.00 50-75lbs. $ 90.00 75-99lbs. $140.00 75-99lbs. $100.00 0-120lbs. $170.00 100-120lbs. $110.00 over 120lbs. $220.00 over 120 lbs. $130.00 A-13 BUTTE COUNTY WIDE REPORTS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT Exhibit C Paradise Animal Control Fee Schedule Adoption fees Dogs $22.00 Cats $16.00 Small animals (rabbits, chickens, etc.) $ 3.00 Small livestock (sheep, goats, pigs, etc.) $14.00 Large livestock (cattle, horses, etc.) Sealed bids Surrender fees Dogs $15.00 puppies/kittens $ 3.00 (under 3 mos) Cats $ 2.00 kittens under 8 wks $ 1.00 Impound ($8.00 per day board) Altered dogs & cats 1st offense $25.00 2nd offense $35.00 3rd offense $65.00 Unaltered dogs & cats 1st offense $36.00 2nd offense $50.00 3rd offense $100.00 Quarantine ($11.00 per day) Euthanasia Dogs <50 lbs $31.00 over 50 lbs $60.00 over 80 lbs $75.00 Cats $2.00 Puppies <3mos. $3.00 Kittens <8 weeks $1.00 Disposal Dogs < 50lbs. $16.00 Dogs > 50lbs. $31.00 Cats $3.00 A-14 BUTTE COUNTY WIDE REPORTS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT BUTTE COUNTY FAIR Reason for Visit/Investigation The Grand Jury is charged with investigating the operations of various Butte County government offices and districts. The last time the Butte County Fair went through this process was with the 1999-2000 Grand Jury.
• CM11
  The Gridley School District has replaced a series of interim superintendents with a new administrator. This change has resulted in the financial stability now enjoyed by GUSD, and by the apparent good relations it has with staff. Communication is the key to openness between the Board, the Superintendent, GTA, CTA and the public. The superintendent and his entire office staff are new to GUSD and the superintendent indicated to the Grand Jury that he would never have allowed a meeting to occur without the CTA or meeting minutes. The Butte County Office of Education is commended for its expertise in teacher salary and retirement issues. It uses this expertise to help districts to the extent it is asked, and to the extent its budget and staffing allow.
• CM12
  CUSD deserves credit for their response to the Emma Wilson parent who appeared before the Board of Trustees with a concern that food values were not listed on weekly menus. Carbohydrate Charts were provided to school health offices to facilitate diet choices and are displayed or filed in the health office. The health staff is commended for the warm and child friendly atmosphere in the health offices visited. Although the health office areas vary in size and suitability from school to school, the warmth and child friendly atmosphere helps the children feel at ease when they visit. A lot of time and personal effort have gone into the décor at the six sites visited. Children appear to have their health needs safely and adequately met by caring staff at the schools.
• CM13
  We commend Computers for Classrooms for partnering with CUSD to bring free, late model refurbished computers to classrooms, students, teachers and other personnel. It B-17 BUTTE COUNTY SCHOOLS : 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT is acknowledged that donations and the tireless efforts of the consultant and volunteers are behind the success of this program. The benefits are vast and far-reaching.
• CM14
  The Grand Jury commends the Bidwell Junior High School Principal and ASB Activity Director for immediately beginning to change processes after attending their first FCMAT training session in 2000 where they discovered that they were not in compliance with guidelines.
• CM15
  This was the Grand Jury’s first exposure to much of the information we received. We appreciated the time and effort expended by these agencies in educating us. The Grand Jury came away with heightened respect and admiration for the Protocol Team concept. The Grand Jury recognizes the Chico Police Department, Butte County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office for the courteous and respectful manner with which we were treated at all times.
• CM16
  There are a significant number of employees who have worked for the Town for many years. These employees receive some of the lowest pay for city or county jobs, yet they continue their employment with the Town of Paradise. The Town just had several employees retire after decades of service to the Town. The employees are to be E- 9 THE BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY: 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT commended for their dedication to the citizens of the Town of Paradise. Their goal is to try and “get the job done” given significant constraints.
• CM17
  As Oroville continues to grow, the city is focusing on bringing in tourism and cultural venues to the area. It is refreshing to see this unique museum become a part of the City of Oroville. ♦ Schools and civic organizations should utilize this museum and Mr. Bolt’s expertise to provide education to all interested persons regarding the history and evolution of tools and their use by humans. E-3 6 THE BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY: 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT ♦ Anyone who is fascinated by things that are antique and unique should take a few hours and visit this museum. Responses Required (Penal Code §933 933.05) None E-3 7 THE BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY: 2005/06 BUTTE COUNTY GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT EL MEDIO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT Reason for Investigation The Grand Jury, as a part of its oversight mandate, reviewed the El Medio Fire Protection District to gather information on the workings of a fire department.
• CM18
  The members of the Grand Jury who toured the station and talked with the firefighters were impressed at their skills and knowledge. Every piece of equipment was demonstrated and the functions of the apparatus were described so that even a lay person could understand. The firefighters were professional, neatly dressed, and enthusiastic about demonstrating to the Grand Jury, the skills and abilities needed to be a firefighter.
• CM19
  The Property Tax section of the Butte County Auditor-Controller’s Office appears to be a quiet and stable workplace; the Administrative Services section seems to be functioning at a high level and independently of the management. By and large, the Butte County employees we met in the Auditor’s Office, are some of the hardest working and dedicated people we have ever met. Those who poison the workplace do not seem to ultimately dissuade these employees from conscientiously performing their duties, to the best of their abilities, in the service of the Butte County taxpayer.

No Responses Found 4

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.