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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.
Shasta County Grand Jury
• 2008-2009
Weights and Measures: Just fumes or good measure?
⚠️ 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 6 findings
F1
Page 137
On non-com puterized pumps incorrect char ges may occur if the person fueling does not assure that the pump is set to zero before pumping.
F2
Page 137
The Shasta County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures assures that the price posted is the price used in the calculation of the sales. The law requires that gas stations post prices for all vehicle fuels they sell. Prices must be posted on a sign visible from the street and on the fuel pumps. When fuel prices change, management must have the prices updated on the signs and at the pumps.
F3
Page 137
In the past several years inspectors have found no fraudulent alterations of fueling devices in Shasta County. 137
F4
Page 138
The departm ent promptly has an inspector check com plaints from citizens about possible faulty fuel pumps. About 90 percent of all complaints concerning fuel pump accuracy prove to be unfounded.
F5
Page 138
The Grand Jury finds that the weights and measures inspector is not authorized to take home the county-owned truck but leaves it at the office site at the end of the day. In some instances a gas station subjec t to an inspection is closer to the inspector’s res idence than to the office. Even when inspecting fuel stations close to his residence, the inspector must travel to the office to obtain the testing vehicle.
F6
Page 138
The Grand Jury also finds that, with all of the equipment and testing samples, the primary testing vehicle, a three-quarter-ton truck, is close to load capacity.
Recommendations 2
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R1Page 135The fueling station inspector should be auth orized to take hom e the county testing vehicle when this practice would shorten travel time, save gas and vehicle wear and tear, and allow the inspector more time to inspect fuel pumps.
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R2Page 135The Cou nty should consider increasing the load capacity of t he next vehicle used by the Shasta County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures for testing fuels and pum ps by purchasing a heavy duty one-ton truck during the next vehicle replacement cycle. Commendation The Grand Jury thinks that Shasta County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures is doing an excellent job of protecting us from unfair retail practices and inadvertent errors.