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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.

Yolo County Grand Jury • 2017-2018

The Looming Crisis of Yolo County City Pension and Retirement Medical Costs

81 pages
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Findings 13 findings

F1 Page 56
For many Yolo County residents, poor transparency and difficulties in accessing information make it hard to understand the consequences of mushrooming retirement benefit expenses and liabilities. This jeopardizes the citizens’ ability to hold elected officials responsible for providing adequate funding to all high-priority services.
F2 Page 56
Several studies reveal that the retirement benefit system has been compromised by “golden handshakes” (e.g. special pension benefit deals or enhancements) and failure to consider the cost of lifetime benefits and likely investment earning levels. This happens every time a public agency negotiates a contract with its employees. Future fiscal solutions will depend, in part, on the public’s willingness to hold state and local politicians accountable for their fiduciary responsibility as required by law and ethics (see Bibliography, , item 10).
F3 Page 56
Many city councils seem to have found it politically unpalatable or fiscally difficult to find adequate funding resources to make high enough payments to reduce unfunded pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities beyond the required payments. Additionally, when revenue generation is increased (e.g., from bonds, parcel taxes, sales, or utility taxes or fees), the money collected that may be restricted for a specific purpose, makes available other unrestricted general funds to fund retirement cost increases. This is not always clearly communicated to the public.
F4 Page 56
Beyond CalPERS requirements, the four cities approach the transparency, analysis, management and containment of growing retiree costs in different ways. There is an opportunity for increased collaboration among the cities. For example, Davis has developed a financial forecasting tool that projects revenues and expenses many years into the future. Some cities show retirement costs’ share of the “General” or “All” Funds.
F5 Page 83
safety and takes seriously the rare tragedies of school 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board directly through some of the campuses. Gates at some violence, it must also balance such concerns with valid campuses are not secured during school hours. District's school site council considers that evaluation in drafting its comprehensive safety plan. Notwithstanding, the district is in the process of requesting quotes from local fencing contractors for fencing around the junior high school entrance as well as other fences within the District. The request will be finalized on 9-30-17. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding. Some campuses within Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 WJUSD are not restricted by fencing. Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Agree - Access to some campuses is not restricted by fencing. Gates at some campuses are not secured during Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 school hours because not all gates have panic bars to exit Superintendent and the Board from the inside without a key. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Although the District acknowledges its campuses' proximity to public bike trails and city parks, it has implemented adequate policies and continues to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to maintain security during school hours. The public bike trails and parks are distinctive of the city of Davis and the District's school site councils considers this characteristic in drafting their comprehensive safety plans. The lack of perimeter fencing around some District campuses is consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center Davis Unified School District, Act, which requires the District to make school facilities telephone call 10-20-17 from and grounds available to citizens and community groups District, sent response 9-7-17, after school hours. While the District prioritizes school 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A safety and takes seriously the rare tragedies of school Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent violence, it must also balance such concerns with valid and Tom Adams, Vice community interests. The safety policies put in place President, Board of Education reflect that assessment. Additionally, according to the District's 2015 comprehensive safety assessment conducted by expert consultants, the lack of perimeter fencing as found to be reasonable given the city's low crime rate and the District's initiative to implement property line demarcations and additional signage, discussed in more detail below. Lastly, rather than implement perimeter fencing around all campuses, the District has completed strategic fencing projects on several school sites by implementing higher fencing around playground areas occupied by kindergarten and other young children. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250 delineates the check-in procedures for visitors at all school sites. A visitor shall, upon request, furnish the principal or designee with his/her name, address, and Visitors to campuses are not properly instructed to safety occupation, his/her age, if less than 21, his/her purpose
F6 Page 85
procedures to be followed. Check-in procedures for visitors 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board for entering school grounds, proof of identity, if are often not adequately clarified at some campuses. necessary, and other information consistent with the provisions of law. Additionally, safety procedures are posted visibly near the entrance of each campus and District office. Visitors are also typically accompanied by school personnel who are well-informed in the use of the emergency card and safety procedures. WJUSD agrees with this finding. Consistency in Giovanni Linaes, Executive instructing safety procedures to visitors in an area of Director, Educational Services, need. WJUSD will be providing training, reminders, and 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School clear procedures for instruction and clarifying safety District procedures to be followed Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree - Visitors to campuses are properly instructed to Linda C. Luna, District safety procedures to be followed. Check-in procedures 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board for visitors are clarified at all WUSD campuses. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. The District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250 clearly delineates the check-in procedures for visitors at all school sites. A visitor shall, upon request, furnish the principal or designee with his/her name, his/her purpose for entering school grounds, proof of identity, if necessary, and other Davis Unified School District, information consistent with the provisions of law. telephone call 10-20-17 from Additionally, visitors are made aware of safety District, sent response 9-7-17, procedures. As discussed in F-10 below, the District 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A displays a one X17 card on the wall of every Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent classroom and workspace, which details proper safety and Tom Adams, Vice procedures. Visitors are also typically accompanied by President, Board of Education school personnel who are well-informed in the use of the emergency card and safety procedures. Although not all sites currently have visible signage directing visitors to check in at the main office before entering campus, the District is currently rectifying this and expect to have proper signage implemented on all school sites within 18- 24 months from September 1, 2017. The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. District students annually participate in lockdown/shelter and fire evacuations drills. Additionally, the District annually posts the school site Students are not made aware of the importance of safety plan emergency procedures on the District's website.
F7 Page 86
compliance and their role in assuring a safe school Parents/guardians are informed of the procedures in their 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board environment. "Enrollment Packet," and students are informed of the procedures in their Student Handbooks. The foregoing practices inform students of the importance of safety plan compliance and their role in assuring a safe school environment. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond WJUSD agrees with this finding. While some students are aware of safety plan compliance and their roles in assuring safe school environments, WJUSD believes that Giovanni Linaes, Executive more can be done in this area to support all students Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 knowing safety plans and their roles in assuring a safe Woodland Joint Unified School school environment. WJUSD will be supporting this District effort with assemblies, trainings, and drills throughout the school year. Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree - Students are made aware of the importance of Linda C. Luna, District safety plan compliance and their role in assuring a safe 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board school environment. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operation of the Davis Joint Unified School Davis Unified School District, District. At least twice a year, District students participate telephone call 10-20-17 from in lockdown/shelter and various evacuation drills. District, sent response 9-7-17, Additionally, the District distributes information about 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A school site emergency procedures to students and Bowes, Ed.D Superintendent parents/guardians annually. The foregoing practices and Tom Adams, Vice inform students of the importance of safety plan President, Board of Education compliance and their role in assuring a safe school environment. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. All campus offices are located at the main entrance to each school site. While the District Access allowed only to the office area of campuses with all acknowledges that there may be other potential access other areas secured within fencing is not provided at many
F8 Page 88
points, most campuses are secured by four- or six-feet 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board campuses within the Districts. Campus offices are not always high exterior fences. As noted above, the district is in the located at the main entrance to campuses. process of requesting quotes from local fencing contractors for fencing around the junior high school entrance as well as other fences within the District The request will be finalized on 9-30-17. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding. Some campuses are not Director, Educational Services, fenced in and thus Administration offices are not always 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School located in main entrance to campus. District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Disagree Partially - Access is allowed only to the office area of campuses with all other areas secured within fencing at most school sites. Fencing exists at all school Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 sites; however, gates at some campuses are not secured Superintendent and the Board during school hours because not all gates have panic bars to exit from the inside without a key. Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond The District disagrees partially with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School district. As previously stated in F-5, the lack of perimeter Davis Unified School District, fencing around some District campuses is not only telephone call 10-20-17 from consistent with the purposes provided in the Civic Center District, sent response 9-7-17, Act, but is also reasonable given the city's low crime rate 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A and the District's initiative to implement strategic Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent fencing, property line demarcations and additional and Tom Adams, Vice signage. Although not surrounded by perimeter fencing, President, Board of Education all campus offices are located at the main entrance to the District school sites. The District disagrees wholly with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. Pursuant to District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 1250, signage is posted at every entrance to Appropriate signage directing visitors to the office areas is
F9 Page 89
each District campus setting forth visitor registration 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board lacking at several district campuses. requirements, hours during which registration is required, the registration location, the route to take to that location, and the penalties for violation of registration requirements. Giovanni Linaes, Executive WJUSD agrees with this finding, WJUSD is investing in Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 signage to support directing visitors to office areas Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - Appropriate signage directing visitors to the Linda C. Luna, District 8/14/2017 office areas are at every school site in WUSD. Superintendent and the Board Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. Davis Unified School District, Most District school sites display proper signage to direct telephone call 10-20-17 from visitors to the main office prior to accessing the District, sent response 9-7-17, campuses. However, the District acknowledges that some 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A sites are missing the proper signage while other campuses Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent lack signs that are large enough for visitors to easily and Tom Adams, Vice identify. The District is currently rectifying this and President, Board of Education expects to have proper signage implemented on all school sites within 18-24 months from September 1, 2017. No response is called for. To highlight the practices of Esparto Unified School District, the District provides all Utilizing an organized emergency procedures flip chart with its teachers with safety directives in its emergency plan easy to follow directives and an easily modified format, as
F10 Page 90
on an annual basis. The District is, however, willing to 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board used in Washington School District, is highly recommended consider establishing a District committee to discuss for use as a countywide model. creating and using a similar flip chart system in the 2017- 18 school year. WJUSD agrees with this finding. WJUSD is investing Giovanni Linaes, Executive funds through the Local Control and Accountability Plan Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 to develop flip charts for school sites that have easy-to- Woodland Joint Unified School follow safety directives. District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD implemented emergency procedures Linda C. Luna, District through an organized flip chart through the collaboration 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board of the District's Safety Committee and training. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors No response is required. To highlight the practices of Davis Joint Unified School District, the District displays a one X17 card on the wall of every classroom and workspace on neon red paper, which is easier to Davis Unified School District, follow in an emergency situation than the flip chart telephone call 10-20-17 from (which the district previously used). An emergency folder District, sent response 9-7-17, is also placed in every classroom of every school site, 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A which consists of the same information as the card, as Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent well as the class roster, emergency numbers, school map, and Tom Adams, Vice and first aid procedures. Teachers are well versed in the President, Board of Education use of these folders and know to bring them with them (along with the emergency backpack) in an evacuation situation. The use of the Winters Public Library by students and the
F11 Page 91
public during school hours without established safety No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board procedures at that facility is of concern to the Grand Jury. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District It is outside of YCOE's jurisdiction to require Winters Joint Unified School district to implement safety Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo procedures. However, YCOE will support the school 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of district in addressing any findings, including F11, at the Schools district's request. Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the operations of the Esparto Unified School District. All Current use of alternate communication devices, for example school principals, office staff, Physical Education walkie-talkies, for selected staff improves the safety of all
F12 Page 92
Teachers, and Yard Duty Staff are equipped with 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board campuses when other forms of communication such as alternate communication devices, such as walkie-talkies, phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. in the event other forms of communication such as phones, the internet, and intercoms are not functioning. WJUSD agrees that the use of alternative communications devices is useful in communicating Giovanni Linaes, Executive when other forms of communication are not available Director, Educational Services, 8/7/2017 WJUSD has invested and will continue to invest in Woodland Joint Unified School having alternative devices available when needed across District all campuses. Jesse Ortiz, Ed.D, Yolo County No Response 8/2/2017 Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Agree - WUSD uses alternate communication devices, Linda C. Luna, District walkie-talkies for selected staff to improve the safety of 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board all campuses. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Pat Blacklock on behalf of No Response 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of Supervisors The District agrees with this finding as it relates to the Davis Unified School District, operations of the Davis Joint Unified School District. The telephone call 10-20-17 from District deploys walkie-talkies to every campus. The District, sent response 9-7-17, devices allow staff to communicate within the campus as 9/7/2017 resending 10-20-17. John A well as within the entire District. All front office and Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent administrative staff are trained on the emergency features and Tom Adams, Vice of this system. President, Board of Education The Yolo County Board of Supervisors needs to address and
F13 Page 93
correct traffic safety issues along Yolo Avenue in Esparto for No Response is Required 8/28/2017 Esparto Entire School Board Esparto District students accessing all campuses. Giovanni Linaes, Executive Director, Educational Services, No Response Needed 8/7/2017 Woodland Joint Unified School District Jesse Ortiz, ED.D., Yolo No Response 8/2/2017 County Superintendent of Schools Todd Cutler, Ed.D., Winters Agree with the Findings 6/19/2017 Joint Unified School District Linda C. Luna, District No Response is Required 8/14/2017 Superintendent and the Board We disagree wholly with the findings, as Yolo Avenue in Esparto is a state highway (California State Route 16) not Pat Blacklock on behalf of under our jurisdiction. However, we will continue to 8/1/2017 Yolo County Board of work collaboratively with the State to address road safety Supervisors issues on state highways in Yolo County. Appendix: Did the 2016-17 Grand Jury Improve Local Government? Findings Responses Date Who's to Respond Davis Unified School District, telephone call 10-20-17 from District, sent response 9-7-17, No Response resending 10-20-17. John A Bowes, Ed.D., Superintendent and Tom Adams, Vice President, Board of Education

Recommendations 12