San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury
2025-2026
From the annual report
The consolidated year-end volume. The individual investigations it contains are listed separately below.
📑 Year-End Report
The full consolidated volume; individual reports are listed below.
Individual reports (4)
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Findings & Recommendations
8 findings
F1:
Despite their efforts, County and local governments have been ineffective in controlling the use of illegal fireworks, including in known hotspots for fireworks activity.
F2:
All fireworks, including “Safe and Sane,” are potentially dangerous if not used properly.
F3:
The potential impacts of careless use of fireworks are amplified by the hotter environment the County is continuing to experience.
F4:
There is a patchwork of regulations within the County that can potentially lead to confusion as to where and which fireworks are legal for the public to use.
F5:
Current resource levels are insufficient for County law enforcement and fire protection services to stem the use of illegal fireworks, resulting in increasing the risk of fire and safety hazards.
F6:
Considering the size of the problem and the need to issue citations as a means of deterrent, the small number of citations issued in 2025 appears to be disproportionate to the reported use of illegal fireworks.
F7:
The sources of illegal fireworks extend beyond the local law enforcement’s jurisdiction requiring engagement with other State and Federal agencies for enforcement.
F8:
The introduction of social host ordinances in the County shows potential for reducing a number of community issues, including the improper use of fireworks, especially when combined with the use of drones for enforcement.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors work with the committee of fire and law enforcement officials representing the County, and also each city, and CSD, to reevaluate whether all fireworks should be banned throughout the County including the four locations where they are now allowed.
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors adopt a process before the end of 2026 to annually evaluate the need for surge support to law enforcement and fire preventions services to effectively suppress illegal fireworks activities during the most problematic times of the year.
R3:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors work with the Cities and CSDs to develop and facilitate the publication and distribution of educational materials in English and in Spanish on the dangers and harm of fireworks, as well as the laws and penalties associated with illegal fireworks use. This may include material focusing on fireworks safety for children.
R4:
The Grand Jury recommends that the County Board of Supervisors direct that local fire and law enforcement departments become more actively engaged in the statewide committees involved with controlling the influx of illegal fireworks into the County.
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Additional Recommendations
6
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
- Develop plan to eliminate 2025: This SLO City requirements. The Grand Jury completely the illegal street party known recommendation Council strongly recommends that the as "St. Fratty's Day". has been 2026/2027 Grand Jury follow implemented. up to confirm implementation. Received Sept. 17,
R2:
- Implement proactive measures to 2025: This Response submitted on time SLO City address future illegal street parties as recommendation and meets language Council they arise. has been requirements. implemented. Response submitted on time Received Sept. 17, and meets language
R3:
- Develop and implement a formal 2025: This SLO City requirements. The Grand Jury process to identify illegal fraternities to recommendation Manager strongly recommends that the bring them into compliance. has been 2026/2027 Grand Jury follow implemented. up to confirm implementation. Received Sept. 17, Response submitted on time 2025: This and meets language SLO City R4 - Initiate a task force to explore recommendation requirements. The Grand Jury Council creation of a student overlay zone. will not be strongly recommends that the immediately 2026/2027 Grand Jury follow implemented. up to confirm implementation. Received Sept. 17,
R5:
- Consider adopting a tiered planning 2025: This Response submitted on time SLO City appeal fee structure to promote recommendation and meets language Council accessibility of community concerns by will not be requirements. individual residents. implemented. Received Sept. 17,
R6:
- Work with the Planning Commission 2025: This Response submitted on time SLO City to move toward adopting more uniform recommendation and meets language Manager conditions for conditional use permits has been requirements. (CUPs). implemented.
R7:
- Create formal guidelines and Received Sept. 17, training outline how the police 2025: This Response submitted on time SLO City department will respond to requests recommendation and meets language Manager from the Grand Jury and other oversight will not be requirements. entities. implemented.
Findings and recommendations not yet extracted.
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
A plan is not in place for the improvement needed at the SMC and its property expansion. The absence of a plan has caused continued disorganization and delays of needed enhancements.
F2:
The SMCD does not currently have an organizational chart setting forth duties and responsibilities of the agency. This can create a lack of continuity and clarity as the organization changes.
F3:
The Board of Trustees did not consistently post agendas per the Brown Act. As of April 2026, the Grand Jury has verified that the SMCD’s agendas are being posted in a proper manner.
F4:
Physical section markers, row markers, and posted maps at the SMC are nonexistent, resulting in difficulty identifying the location of plots.
F5:
The SMCD did not have a website with pertinent district information at the time of our investigation. As of February 2026, a website has been established with pertinent SMCD information, which the Grand Jury commends.
Additional Recommendations
8
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The Grand Jury recommends the SMCD create a written improvement plan for the cemetery grounds by December 1, 2026. This should include the water expansion, paving (if needed), and repairs to the entrance gate. The Grand Jury also recommends a comprehensive vermin control plan that can be monitored to ensure the problem is adequately addressed.
R2:
The Grand Jury recommends the SMCD create an organizational chart by December 1, 2026. This organizational chart should include critical information on how the Board of Trustees functions and how all transactions are handled. This will ensure the SMCD can still function regardless of the composition of the Board.
R3:
The Grand Jury recommends the SMCD create an updated map of the SMC with grave site information that can be protected and visible to the public on site by December 1, 2026. The SMCD should add section and row markers within the SMC that correspond to the new map. The map and physical files should be scanned to a digital location and then stored in a place where they cannot be damaged.
R4:
The Grand Jury recommends that the SMCD include the additions listed, as noted in the narrative above.
R5:
Reviewed Health and Safety Codes
R6:
Reviewed SMCD documents
R7:
Interviewed five knowledgeable parties
R8:
Reviewed legal documents NARRATIVE Each Cemetery District is required to perform these minimum duties based on Section 9000 to Section 9667 of the Health and Safety Code of the State of California: • Have a Board of Trustees with three to five members. • Conduct board meetings at least every three months in compliance with the Brown Act. • Maintain accurate and current records of all remains interred. • Adopt an annual budget by August 30th of each year. • Provide regular audits. • Establish operating conditions and fees. • Provide and operate an endowment care fund, which must have a legally defined minimum payment for each interment. The endowment principal cannot be spent; the fund must be invested in a limited number of projects. The income from the fund can only be spent on care of the cemetery. CEMETERY EXPANSION/IMPROVEMENT PLAN Part of the Grand Jury’s investigation of the SMCD was to determine if the land deeded was actually incorporated and if any improvements had been made to the expanded area. New fencing has been added to a portion of the total acreage around the current cemetery grounds. If the SMCD wishes to develop or use the newly acquired land for cemetery expansion, then it should make an expansion plan to identify and prioritize the issues which are determined to be the most important. The following items need to be incorporated into a written plan for the expansion/improvement of the SMC: • Expand water distribution to the new sections of the cemetery and repair the existing water system • Electrical service expansion to the new section • Grading and paving for the new section • A plan for identifying the new section for individual plots • Determine how trees will be incorporated and protected during expansion • Implementation of a vermin control plan • Obtain bids for main gate repairs • Consider adding a columbarium • While engineering plans are not required, the Grand Jury believes a written plan needs to be developed and adopted on how the SMCD will proceed with the improvements, including a timeline to accomplish the plan. SMCD should inquire into the availability of State or County grant funding to assist with these improvements. Photo of new fencing around expanded area. BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND AGENCY ORGANIZATION The SMCD Board of Trustees, responsible for the operation of the SMC, consists of three members appointed by the County Supervisor of District Five. The SMCD has two paid employees, a groundskeeper and a secretary. The secretary is responsible for creating an agenda for monthly board meetings, recording minutes at those meetings, and the public posting of the monthly agenda and minutes in Santa Margarita. The SMCD does not have written roles and responsibilities for each member of the organization. An organizational chart should include critical information on how the Board of Trustees functions and how all transactions are handled. This will ensure the SMCD can still function regardless of the composition of the Board. The Brown Act requires boards of public institutions, such as the SMCD, conduct their business with transparency. During the Grand Jury’s investigation, it was found that the SMCD was not in compliance with the Brown Act. The Brown Act requires public postings of board agendas no less than 72 hours in advance. Previous agendas, posted in public locations, have been removed and are no longer available for the public to review. Prior to finishing this report, it was verified that agendas are being posted in a public place in accordance with the Brown Act. CEMETERY MAP, SECTION AND ROW MARKERS In most cemeteries, if someone is looking for a burial site, the current practice is to obtain the plot location from a database online and use that information to locate the physical gravesite. This is difficult to do at the SMC. The Grand Jury toured a different, nearby cemetery and saw that it was well-groomed, well-mapped, and consistently maintained. The SMC is over a century old, and its rural setting was originally part of a ranch; however, that does not mean the grounds do not need to be organized. During the site visits to the SMC, the Grand Jury observed three primary areas of plots, each divided by curbed and paved driveways. However, the following was noted: • There were no markings on the curbs indicating sections or rows • There were no posts or signs indicating sections or rows • There was no posted map indicating where the sections and/or rows would be located Photo of missing row and curb markings Photo of discarded row markers Although the SMCD Board of Trustees has a large map and physical files indicating where remains are buried, the only way to access this information is to directly contact the Cemetery District. It is incumbent on the SMCD board to organize the SMC grounds in such a manner that allows people to physically locate a burial plot on site. The upcoming cemetery expansion could provide an ideal opportunity to complete this project, as the new section would need to be mapped and organized as well. CEMETERY CONTACT INFORMATION, WEBSITE, AND PLOT FILE AUTOMATION The Grand Jury reviewed the approach other County public cemeteries use to effectively communicate their activities to the public and found most utilize a public website as a central location to post all their necessary information. In a previous report, the 2021/22 Grand Jury had recommended that the SMCD create a website that included contact information. During the start of this investigation, the Grand Jury concluded the SMCD had still not provided a website with adequate information and transparency to the public. Prior to the publishing of this report, it was found that a website was established in February of 2026, with pertinent SMCD information. The Grand Jury commends the SMCD for taking action. The website includes: • Meeting notices, agendas, and minutes • Contact information, such as phone number, email, physical address, and mailing address • Trustees’ names • Driving directions • Map of SMC, including burial plots/locations • SMCD By-laws • General information requests The following items should be added: • Trustees’ contact information • Hours of operation • Instructions on how to find a gravesite • Digitized paper files • Instructions to schedule a burial • Notices of interments