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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.

Plumas County Grand Jury • 2018-2019 • Agency Response

The Honorable Douglas M. Prouty Presiding Judge of the Grand Jury Plumas County Superior Court

Published: June 03, 2019 31 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 6 findings

The Elections Division is well-organized in its approach to ensuring an accurate vote count.

The County Clerk-Recorder’s Office, tasked with three different and unique functions of county government, operates with a below-mandated staff augmented with part-time, as- needed employees. Currently one of the County Clerk’s employees is performing duties for two positions, as a result of a non-Elections Division position in the County Clerk’s Office being unfilled. This position has been unfilled since June 2018. See, e.g., procedures to ensure ballot secrecy (Elections Code 3017(b)); procedures to track a n d c o n f i r m r e c e i p t o f m a i l b a llots (Elections Code 3017(c)); procedures designed to permit voters to learn if their ballot was accepted (Elections Code 301§9.5(a)); delivery of election day duties (Elections Code 14210). § § § 10

The Elections Division is doing a good job in being transparent and trying to educate and encourage voting in Plumas County.

The Elections Division has not conferred with County Counsel to confirm compliance with Elections Code Section 3005’s precinct registered voter count requirement.

The Elections Division does not have a comprehensive written departmental policy and procedures manual, nor does there exist a detailed table of contents or index that unifies the various separate procedure documents and renders them readily searchable.

Current voting systems being used by the County will be decertified as of the end of 2019. There is funding available through the Help America Vote Act to match Plumas County’s costs dollar to dollar up to $206,500.00 toward replacing Plumas County’s aging voting system equipment.

Recommendations 8

R1

The Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Plumas County Elections establish a written departmental policy and procedures manual, or at a minimum develop a fully integrated table of contents or index to facilitate efficient usage of the various procedures. Such manual should include procedures confirming that the quantitative limit set out in Elections Code §3005 is satisfied in connection with each election. It is also recommended that the Elections Division confirm with County Counsel or other appropriate counsel compliance with Elections Code Section 3005.
R2

The Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Elections Division seek, the County Administrator consider recommending, and the Board of Supervisors deliberate and consider approving, funding for the purchase and installation of new voting system equipment and software in order to comply with AP 19:020.
R3

The Civil Grand Jury recommends that the County Administrator inquire into why the vacant position in the County Clerk’s Office remains unfilled and that findings be reported to the County Board of Supervisors for consideration of further action.
R4

The 2017-2018 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors direct the Department of Facility Services to relocate the security camera system monitor to the front desk and relocate cameras for optimum surveillance.
R5

The 2017-2018 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Board of Supervisors authorize funds to purchase an Animal Shelter management computer program.
R6

The 2017-2018 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff’s Office reevaluate the benefits of the use of inmates and hire additional employees and/or enlist volunteers to assist in the operation of the Animal Shelter.
R7

The 2017-2018 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff’s Office include the Animal Control Supervisor in their annual budgeting proceedings.
R8

The 2017-2018 Plumas County Civil Grand Jury recommends the Sheriff to direct his staff the develop an office policy and procedure manual for the operation of the Animal Shelter. Pursuant to Penal Code section 933.05, the Plumas County Civil Grand Jury requires responses from the following governing bodies: Board of Supervisors (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5) Plumas County Sheriff (R6, R7, R8) Response Date; Content Responding Recomme Summary of Reply and 2018-19 Response Timely responsive to PC Agency ndation Civil Grand Jury Analysis or Tardy? §933.05 (b)? Board of R1 September 18, Yes Further analysis needed. On Supervisors 2018; Tardy May 1, 2018 BOS approved a contract for repair and service of crematorium. Will then need to see if a cost analysis will be necessary. Board of R2 September 18, Yes Will be implemented. BOS will Supervisors 2018; Tardy direct Facility Services to reconnect the generator. 2018- 2019 Civil Grand Jury follow up found that the generator has been reconnected and is now functional. Board of R3 September 18, Yes Will be implemented. BOS will Supervisors 2018; Tardy direct Facility Services to address the camera password issue. Grand Jury follow up found that the software is functional. Board of R4 September 18, Yes Will be implemented. BOS will Supervisors 2018; Tardy direct Facility Services to address moving the camera monitor. 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury follow up found that the camera monitor is functional and visible to front desk personnel. Board of R5 September 18, Yes Further analysis is needed. Supervisors 2018; Tardy Since the budget process was completed for fiscal year 2018- 2019, the funds were not appropriated but the current software is sufficient for operational needs. Sheriff’s R6 August 30, 2018; Yes Will not be implemented. Until Office Timely funding is secured / approved, Sheriff’s Office will consider GJ Recommendation regarding use of inmates. 2018-2019 Civil Grand Jury follow up found that currently the facility is staffed by two employees and five volunteers. Inmates are not currently being used at the facility. Sheriff’s R7 August 20, 2018; Yes Implemented. Animal Control Office Timely Supervisor has always been involved in the budgetary process; information that the GJ was given that ACS was not involved was erroneous. Sheriff’s R8 August 20, 2018; Yes Further analysis needed. Office Timely Sheriff’s Office will look into any deficiencies related to policy manuals. No timeframe or further actions are indicated. Grand Jury follow up found that the policy manual has already been drafted. A printed copy is available at the front desk. 3. Jail Report Each year the Plumas County Civil Grand Jury visits and inspects the condition and management of all correctional and holding facilities in Plumas County. The 2017-2018 Civil Grand Jury toured the County jail facility twice to review the physical plant, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the jail’s state of cleanliness. The State of California announced on June 8, 2017 that grant funding was to be awarded to Plumas County in order to help fund the building of a new jail facility. The complete responses submitted for this report appear on the Plumas County Grand Jury website at http://www.countyofplumasJ.AcoILm R/EAPrOchRiTv e.aspx?AMID=38