Corning Cemetery

The camp is housing 80 inmates with a maximum capacity of 120.

The camp has 4 Fire Crews, each with 15-17 inmates.

The inmates are eligible for camp based on their classification and level of security which excludes any sex-related offense, murder, escape, arson or history of violent crimes.

Camp inmates provided 66,956 community service project work hours in 2019.

Camp inmates provided 36,112 firefighting work hours in 2019. COMMENDATIONS 1. Salt Creek inmates and staff are to be commended for providing 66,597 community service hours through project and conservation work in 2019. 2. Salt Creek inmates and staff are to be commended for providing 36,112 firefighting hours in 2019. The Salt Creek Conservation Camp lies 29 miles west of Corning outside the town of Paskenta. 2019-2020 Tehama County Grand Jury Final Report 56 CORNING CEMETERY DISTRICT SPECIAL DISTRICTS COMMITTEE SUMMARY Members of the Grand Jury conducted an interview of Corning Cemetery District (CCD). The interview was not complaint based but the CCD had not been investigated in the past ten years. During the interview it was learned that the Corning Cemetery District had a loss of revenue putting it in peril of being unable to continue. Included here is the report of the Tehama County Auditor. METHODOLOGY Members of the 2019-2020 Grand Jury Special Districts Committee met at the office of the CCD, at 4470 Oren Avenue, Corning, CA 96021, on March 3, 2020, to conduct the interview with two members of the CCD. DISCUSSION The Sunset Hills Cemetery was established in 1905. They are now a Tehama County Special District and have a website: https://corningcemetery.specialdistrict.org The CCD comprises 14 acres, seven which are currently in use. CCD is funded by property taxes, burial fees, and interest from the reserved endowment fees. A portion of all burial fees go to an endowment fund which will be used to maintain the grounds when no more burial plots are available. This is not likely to occur soon. 2019-2020 Tehama County Grand Jury Final Report 57 The District currently has a full-time manager hired on January 16, 2020, one part-time office employee, two grounds keepers, and another office worker employed through Cal Works at no cost to the District. The CCD was near financial collapse in 2017. The bookkeeping system now uses checks and balances for recording purchases. Purchases are made with a Warrant Request to the County. An inventory system has been put in place. Funds are balanced monthly or more often. The CCD Board of Trustees oversee and approve all expenditures at monthly meetings. In addition to the County Auditor, an independent certified special district auditor reviews the income and expenditures yearly. Although now financially stable, CCD is currently at 52% of projected monies needed for the fiscal year. The increase in cremations, in lieu of full plot burials, has resulted in a reduction of revenue. Some adjustments have been made to the fees to put them in alignment with other local districts. 2019-2020 Tehama County Grand Jury Final Report 58 Capital expenditures needed for a tractor, golf cart, small truck and a trailer have been put on hold. It has been necessary to rent a trailer when needing to move dirt. FINDINGS