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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.
⚠️ 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 10 findings
F1
Page 9
Most agencies responded properly and met their timelines.
F2
Page 9
A few agencies either did not understand or did not adhere to the Penal Code requirements for responding to Grand Jury reports.
F3
Page 9
The CPAD response for report 2017-011 was not timely nor was it fully compliant with the Penal Code.
F4
Page 9
CPAD has not submitted an amended response to the Grand Jury for report 2017-011.
F5
Page 15
Employee compensation is too low for an agency this size, making recruitment and retention difficult. The Board lacks sufficient information to form an opinion on this finding.
F6
Page 15
The current staffing levels are insufficient, which impairs the District’s ability to operate efficiently. {CW043394.1} 10 Carrying the Work of th e Grand Jury Forward June 2018 El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury ATTACHMENT A The Board agrees with this finding.
F7
Page 16
The District cannot depend on new hookups and ratepayers to supplement revenues as population growth has slowed on the Divide, necessitating the need for the District to look internally for revenue. The Board agrees that the District needs to thoroughly evaluate revenue sources, including those other than connection fees and rates. However, the rates are the primary mechanism by which the District funds operations and capital improvements.
F8
Page 16
The Jury found no evidence that either the District Board or staff is “preparing the ground” with their customers for what may be steep increases in their bills. The Board agrees that at the time the Grand Jury investigation was performed, minimal work had been done on a new rate study. Since that time, the District has accomplished the following related to a new rate study: Retained Rural Community Assistance Corporation (“RCAC”) to perform a rate study. Held two public meetings of the District Finance Committee meeting to review the methodology and policy questions for the rate study. Held one public Board meeting to review the methodology and policy questions for the rate study. Additional public meetings will be held to educate the public before any Proposition 218 hearing. The five (5) recommendations from the Grand Jury Report are listed below with the Board responses in italics.
F9
Page 46
The District Strategic Plan is not being used to guide policy decisions.
F10
Page 46
The District website is missing links to important district documents.
Recommendations 12
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R1Page 9CPAD should amend its response to the 2016-17 Grand Jury report to comply with Penal Code requirements.
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R2Page 9Grand juries should make available resources for agencies to use in creating proper responses, such as templates or detailed instructions.
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R3The District must offer competitive salaries to attract qualified professional staff. This recommendation requires further analysis. The Board does not have enough information at this time to make a determination of the appropriateness of current salaries. The District has limited reserves and revenue to fund personnel costs. To ensure sustainability of the District, rates must be increased to fund any additional personnel costs, including costs associated with a determination of competitive salaries. ATTACHMENT A Carrying the Work of the Grand Jury Forward El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury June 2018 11
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R4Page 46The Board should review and update the Strategic Plan as needed
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R5Page 46No later than October 31, 2018, the District should provide resources and training for staff to update and maintain the district website. J une 2018 Cameron Park Comm unity Services District 41 El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury
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R6Page 108Jail staff should be trained to better classify and document attempted suicide for more accurate record keeping. J une 2018 El Dorado County Jails Inspections 103 El Dorado County 20 17-2018 Grand Jury
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R7Page 12The General Counsel, or his/her designee, shall promptly provide all responsive public records, not otherwise exempt from disclosure, to the requester, in in accordance with the CPRA.
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R8Page 12The District shall retain a copy of records produced in response to the request, either in hard-copy or electronic form, consistent with the District’s records retention policy.
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R9Page 12The General Counsel, or his/her designee, shall maintain an index of CPRA requests, identifying tracking number, requester name, date request received, and date responsive records were provided. AR 3075.4 Additional Procedures for Responding To CPRA Requests Regarding Personal Accounts or Devices If a Public Records Act request seeks records sent or received on an electronic personal account or personal electronic device of a District employee or officer (see City of San Jose v. Superior Court (2017) 2 Cal.5th 608), the District shall adhere to the following additional procedural steps:
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R10Any potentially responsive records that I did not produce to the Office of General Counsel from my personal e-mail accounts or personal electronic devices were withheld by me based on my determination that those communications were primarily personal in nature. The following describes facts sufficient to show that the withheld records are not public records, and are instead, personal materials:
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R11_____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________.
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R12(Reserved for additional facts, as applicable): _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________. ATTACHMENT C El Dorado Irrigation District Public Records Act Compliance El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury 64 June 2018 I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed this ____ day of __________, 20__, at ________________ (location), California. ____________________________ (Signature) ATTACHMENT C El Dorado Irrigation District Public Records Act Compliance El Dorado County 2017-2018 Grand Jury June 2018 65 -2018 Grand Jury 66 June 2018 El Dorado County Fire Protection Consolidation EL DORADO COUNTY 2017-2018 GRAND JURY EL DORADO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION CONSOLIDATION Case 17-04 • June 30, 2018 SUMMARY Proposition 13 significantly reduced revenues for local governments including fire protection districts. Many El Dorado County (EDC) fire protection districts have struggled to survive while continuing to provide service to their districts. Compelling reasons to consolidate fire agencies in El Dorado County exist, from cost savings to operational efficiency. Yet, the fear of losing local control might cause some districts to be reluctant. The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors should take the lead to move toward consolidation of all county fire agencies. Total or partial consolidation of fire protection agencies will take time. But, more importantly, it will first take the will to start.