Kern County Grand Jury
• 2025-2026
Buttonwillow Recreation & Park District - Champagne Taste on a Beer Budget
⚠️ 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 7 findings
F1
The District website has not been updated with current information to keep the public informed.
F2
The Board of Directors does not follow the Operations Manual concerning attendance; some members are missing more meetings than allowed.
F3
A member of the public has been taking Board Meeting Minutes contrary to the Operations Manual. The Operations Manual requires the General Manager to take the Board Meeting Minutes.
F4
The District is losing money each year, which is unsustainable.
F5
A corporate donor has loaned a part-time Grant Writer to the District for six months.
F6
If the swimming pool was five feet longer, it could be used as an official competition pool generating more revenue for the District.
F7
The District did not comply with Gov.Code 1780(a)(b), by failing to notify the Kern County Elections Office.
Recommendations 9
-
R1Effective immediately, the Board of Directors should follow the Operations Manual which states “Board members are not allowed to miss three consecutive meetings or six per year.” (Finding F2)
-
R2By April 1, 2026, the General Manager should start recording the meeting minutes in compliance with the Operations Manual. (Finding F3)
-
R3Effective immediately, the District should continue to search for supplemental funding, such as registering with the Kern Community Foundation, and accessing California Grants portal website, www.grants.ca.gov. (Finding F4)
-
R4Effective immediately, the District should hire a full-time Grant Writer. (Finding F5)
-
R5By April 1, 2026, consider selling the naming rights to various baseball, soccer fields, weight room, pool and the gymnasium to generate revenue. (Finding F4)
-
R6By August 1, 2026, a minimum of two people should be on the staff who can update and work on the District website. (Finding F1)
-
R7By April 1, 2026, update the District website. (Finding F1)
-
R8By August 1, 2026, extend the swimming pool five feet. (Finding F6)
-
R9Effective immediately, the District needs to come into compliance with Gov.Code 1780. (Finding F7) COMMENTS: The 2015-2016 Grand Jury Report shows a loss of $200,000. The 2021-2022 report shows a loss of $95,557. In 2025, the District operated at a $102,924 loss. Something needs to happen quickly; the District cannot keep operating at this level. There are a lot of good people involved in the District who are trying their best to keep it going. The Grand Jury encourages all the Board Members and staff to continue their effort. The community of Buttonwillow and surrounding areas need the Recreation & Park District to be kept alive. NOTES: • The Buttonwillow Recreation and Park District should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: https://www.kerncounty.com/grandjury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: https://www.kerncounty.com/grandjury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: Buttonwillow Recreation and Park Board of Directors RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05: • PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.