Score: +5 (6/0/1)

Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2019-2020

A Growing Concern Humboldt County Planning and Building Department

Published: December 31, 2019 7 pages

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⚠️ 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 and Recommendations 5 findings

The handling of large sums of cash used by applicants to conduct transactions with the Planning and Building Department lacks transparency and creates the perception of potential for fraud. (R-2, 3, 4)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Planning and Building Department website should be updated to make relevant information regarding permit applications for cannabis cultivation easily searchable. Information presented on the website should be regularly updated to reflect any change in relevant regulations. This should be addressed by September 1, 2020. (F-5)

Cash transactions jeopardize the safety of the public and department personnel due to a lack of robust security infrastructure. (R-2, 3, 4)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department have an audit conducted by the Auditor/Controller’s office of all incoming receipts collected for each fiscal year. This assessment should be presented to the Board of Supervisors and made public. This should be done starting fiscal year 2020-2021. (F-1, 2, 3)

Lack of transparent accounting for cannabis-related revenues (permit fees, Trust Fund monies, fines) makes it difficult to determine the economic impact of the legalization of the cannabis industry on the county. (R-2, 3)

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department have a dedicated accountant on staff to organize and maintain current financial records. This person should be a fresh hire with proven experience and necessary credentials. This should be done by January 1, 2021. (F-1, 2, 3)

The cumbersome permitting process defeats the purpose of legalization. It creates the incentive for cultivators to remain in the illicit market.

Related Recommendations (1)

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department direct customers paying in cash to remit said payments directly through the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office. Payment receipts will be accessible to the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department. This should be in effect by January 1, 2021. (F-1, 2) REQUEST FOR RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, the Civil Grand Jury requests responses as follows: From the following governing bodies : Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5; R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 ) Humboldt County Planning and Building Department (F-1, F-2, F-3, F-4, F-5; R-1, R-2,

The Planning and Building Department website is not user-friendly. Applicants are disadvantaged by lack of access to clear instructions and guides. Some information also appears to be out of date. (R-1) RECOMMENDATIONS

No recommendations for this finding

Agency Responses 3

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Auditor-Controller

October 06, 2020 • 2 pages • 2 responses • Score: +2 (+2, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

Cash transactions jeopardize the safety of the public and department personnel due to a lack of robust security infrastructure. (R-2, 3, 4)

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with this finding. F-3: Lack oftransparent accounting for cannabis-related revenues (permit fees, Trust Fund monies, fines) makes it difficult to determine the economic impact ofthe legalization ofthe cannabis industry on the county. (R-2, 3)

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree with this finding. In compliance with subdivision (b) of Section 933.05, which provides the form and content in which I am to respond, I am providing the following responses to the grand jury's recommendations. Please note that responses were not requested for recommendation Rl. R-2: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department should have an audit conducted by an auditor outside the department ofall incoming receipts collected for each fiscal year. This should be presented to the Board ofSupervisors and made public. This sho...

Planning and Building

August 14, 2020 • 1 response • Score: -1 (+0, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

1 response to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Score: -1

It is important to point out that every dollar that comes into this department is accounted for and associated directly with either a product or a service. The Grand Jury report states the accounting of the Cannabis Trust Fund is not transparent, expressing concern that the expenses for the year exceed income causing the department to withdraw from the cannabis trust fund. Stating that ifthis trend continues there may be a need to use funds from the General Fund. Once again, these statements show a lack ofunderstanding of the nature ofthe trust fund. The Cannabis Trust fund was created in the ...

Treasurer-Tax Collector

July 15, 2020 • 2 pages • 9 responses • Score: +4 (+4, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

9 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Agree Score: +1

To the best of my knowledge I agree.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Cash transactions jeopardize the safety of the public and department personnel due to a lack of robust security infrastructure. (R-2, 3, 4)

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Response: Agree Score: +1

I agree to the best of my understanding.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

The cumbersome permitting process defeats the purpose of legalization. It creates the incentive for cultivators to remain in the illicit market.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

Response: Will Implement

Due: January 1, 2021 Scheduled: To be implemented in the future with a timeframe to be determined; requires establishment of proper invoicing procedures and a shared drive operating system. Score: +1

The r:ecommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a timeframe for implementation.

Response: Unknown Score: 0

No Responses Found 1

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

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office