Sierra County Grand Jury
2010-2011
Findings & Recommendations
19 findings
F1:
There is insufficient staffat thejail to coverthejail, the 911 calls and Sheriffs dispatch.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1:
The Board ofSupervisorsmust immediatelyadjustthe Sheriffsbudgetto includetwo full time Corrections Officers salaries per shift. In the interim, the Sheriffmustuse currentfunds to staffthejail withtwo temporary/parttime Corrections Officers until permanent staffis hired.
F2:
Bleach, mops, cords and straps werefound inthejailcommon area where they were accessible to inmates.
F3:
There is oftenno supervisoravailable to Corrections Officers when needed.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3:
The Sheriffmustincreasethe supervision ofall Correctional Officers.
F4:
The air inthe commonareaused bythe inmates is "stuffy".
Related Recommendations (1)
R4:
The ventilation system in the Jail and common areaneeds to be evaluated and corrected so thatthe air is healthy.
F5:
A roofthathas leaked for morethanjusta briefperiod oftime suggests the lack ofcare given to the facility bycountybuilding maintenance staffand ultimately bythe Board of Supervisors. Althoughitis notthe directresponsibility ofthe Sherifffor fixing aleaking roof, itis his responsibilityto report it, andto make amotivating case to the Boardof Supervisors.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5:
The Board ofSupervisors must direct County staffto repairthe roofand approve funds to do so.
F6:
The kitchen is dirty.
Related Recommendations (1)
R6:
The Sheriffor the Supervising Corrections Officermust establishregular kitchen inspections to insure cleanliness.
F7:
Existing security systems and equipmenthave limitations and can be breached.
Related Recommendations (2)
R2:
The Sheriffmust immediately do the following: a. Remove or secure all potentialweapons withinthejail; b. Increasetraining and supervision ofstaffregarding safety; c. Establishroutine and regularsafety inspections.
R7:
The Sheriffmust reevaluate the entire security system and equipment and replace the same as necessary.
F8:
Thejail has no outdoor exercise area.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8:
The Sheriffmust conduct a feasibility studyto develop an outdoor exercise area. The Board ofSupervisors mustfund the project in the nextfiscal year.
F9:
The Loyalton substationhas no secure detention area. Page: J-2 SIERRACOUNlYGRANDJURY2010-2011 FINAL REPORT FINDINGS 1. An inadequately staffedjailjeopardizesthe safety ofnot onlyinmates and staffbutthe public at large. Itis virtuallyimpossiblefor one Corrections Officerondutyto respond to 911 calls, Sherif-fs dispatchand inmate needs simultaneously.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9:
The Sheriffmustinstall a secured "cuffing chair" (orsimilar) within the Loyalton substation. Additionally, the Sheriffmust clarify access to public and secured areas. The Sheriffshould provide the Board ofSupervisors with a cost study for converting existing substationspace into an interviewroom and detention cell Page: J -4 SIERRACOUNTYGRANDJURY2010-2011 FINALREPORT
F10:
Overthe pastfew years bills were paid late. Late fees andpenalties were incurredona regularbasis.
F11:
The DFPD has nothad anannual audit since 2006 as required by CaliforniaLaw.
F12:
The DFPD's PolicyManual provides for a systematicprocess forthehandling offunds [DFPD, PolicyManual, SectionA, DFPD PolicyNo. A-I through A-9].
F13:
Since January2011, the currentDFPD Fire Commissionadoptedpolicyrevisions to address some ofthese financial reporting failures. Therevisedpolicies areyetnotbeing fully practiced. Bills are notalways paidontime. Purchase orders and creditcard purchases (thatrequire approval bythe Fire Chief) are stillnotalways processed within the time limits setforth inthe revisedpolicies.
F14:
PolicyNo. D-2 0004was revokedbythe DFPD onJanuary 5, 2011, and arevised Policy No. D-2004 was adopted bythe DFPD on January 14,2011. Thatpolicyremovedthe administrationand bookkeeping responsibilities from the Fire Chief. TheFire Chiefwas advised in writing bythe Fire Commissioners ofthis policy change on January 5,2011.
F15:
Audited financial statements are requiredfor many grant applications. Small districts such as the DFPD canbenefit from grantfunding.
F16:
InJanuary2011, the DFPD retained Jensen Smith, CertifiedPublicAccountants to audit the financial statements ofthe DFPD for the years ending June 30, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Page: DFPD - 3 SIERRACOUI\ITYGRANDJURY 2010-2011 FII\IALREPORT C. Safety 17. Cadetswere permittedto actively fight thefire at 148 Pearl StreetinDownieville inJuly of201O. A 14 yearold female cadetwas injured as the result offighting the fire and incurredmedical expenses.
F18:
None ofthe fire firefighters orcadets knewofthe lackofWorker's Compensation insurance coverage at the time ofthe Pearl Street fire. D. Vehicle Maintenance 19. Evidence ofaroutine maintenance program for vehicles and equipmentwas notprovided to this GrandJury.
F20:
The DFPD does notbelongto the "BIT" Program (Biennial Inspection ofTerminals) as required bythe California Commercial Motor Vehicle SafetyActof1988, whichis conductedbythe CaliforniaHighwayPatrol. E. Fire Chief 21. According to the Bylaws, the Fire Chiefserves atthe "will andpleasure ofthe District Board." The Fire Chiefis to be electedbythe active membershipofthe Downieville Fire Department. The Board (Commission)then "shall ratify a candidate to the positionof Fire Chief." The term for all appointments to the Chiefposition shall endFebruary 1stof the nextleap yearfollowing the date ofthe appointment. [Bylaws, Article 6, Section 6.2].
F22:
ThePolicy and Procedure Manual, DFPD PolicyNo. D-2 0004 "PositionDescription, Fire Chief', adoptedon 5/15/2000, gave the Fire Chiefbroadpowers regarding maintenance of"all financial records" and "preparing payroll and accounting records ina timely manner." 23. Since approximately2007, the administrative/financial matters assigned to the current Fire Chiefhave notbeen completed in atimelymannerorhave not beencompleted at all. (See Facts 3, 4,5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 above). Page: DFPD - 4 SIERRACOUNTYGRANDJURY2010-2011 FINALREPORT FINDINGS 1. The DFPDhas beenunable to manage and maintainacceptedprinciplesofaccounting and financial records since approximately 2007. Thepersonresponsible for these administrative duties, namely, the Fire Chief, not onlyfailed to carrythrough onthese duties, but also failed to advise orinformthe DFPD Fire Commissionersthatthey hadnot beendone.