San Joaquin County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
• Agency Response
“San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation: Budget Challenges and Matters of Trust 2018-2019” (Case No
⚠️ 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
F1
1 The Parks and Recreation Division budget has not kept pace with inflation, nor has it benefited from substantial growth in the overall County budget, thereby hindering the Division’s ability to maintain and improve the parks. Agency Response
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
1 By March 31, 2020, the Parks and Recreation Division complete a comprehensive analysis of the County parks system that includes the tradeoffs required to operate the system under a structurally balanced budget.
F2
1 Contrary to the original intent of the Park Endowment Trust, the Parks and Recreation Division has proposed, and the Board of Supervisors has approved, the use of principal for operations and maintenance in the park system each year since 2010-2011. Agency Response
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
1 Starting with the 2020-2021 proposed budget, the Parks and Recreation Division discontinue the use of both the Micke Grove Trust and the Park Endowment Trust to fund operation and maintenance of the parks.
F3
1 The Grand Jury found it difficult to determine Wells Fargo’s effectiveness in managing the William G. Micke Estate Trust because the biennial reports filed with the court do not contain performance information. Agency Response
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
1 By December 31, 2019, the Board of Supervisors require Wells Fargo to submit an annual 6 of 9 Board of Supervisors performance report for the William G. Micke Estate Trust. This report shall include the total return compared to an industry-standard benchmark with a similar risk profile.
F4
1 Despite a strong recommendation in the Taussig report that staffing cuts would be inappropriate, the Parks and Recreations Division has continued to eliminate positions. Agency Response
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
1 By March 31, 2020, the Parks and Recreation Division provides the Board of Supervisors with a plan for addressing the findings in the Taussig report, including (1) appropriate staffing levels, (2) rising costs of services and maintenance, and (3) long-term funding options.
F5
1 Departmental reorganizations and turnover have resulted in the loss of historical knowledge amongst the Parks and Recreation leadership and staff. Agency Response
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
1 By June 30, 2020, the Parks and Recreation Administrator gather together into a living document the necessary information to accurately document requirements of the trust funds, the stipulations related to grants awarded for each park, the requirements for managing any property donated to the County parks system, and any other historical information that may be required by future Parks and Recreation Division administrators and employees.