Tulare County Grand Jury
2023-2024
Findings & Recommendations
6 findings
F1:
HHSA and TCTFOH have prioritized and coordinated with many agencies and faith-based organizations across Tulare County. Their eff orts to reduce homelessness are commendable and the leadership is strong, knowledgeable, and committed to developing solutions.
F2:
It may take weeks or months after assistance is sought to obtain services due to completing required paperwork, qualifying for assistance, and fi nding housing.
F3:
Little or no data is kept on unhoused individuals that decline services or individuals that return to homelessness.
F4:
Grants and/or programs do not always develop enough data/results to justify continuance of services.
F5:
Tulare County Homeless Veterans are referred to Fresno VA for approval of housing services.
F6:
No database connecting all stakeholders to streamline services currently exist. 24
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
HHSA and TCTFOH should maintain open communications and reach out annually to smaller communities or changing leadership to provide updates and resources to address the changing needs of unhoused individuals.
R2:
TCTFOH should post meeting handouts and PowerPoint presentations online in case insuffi cient copies are available at the meeting and should also highlight on their websites progress and updates on projects.
R3:
TCTFOH should reach out to the Veteran Community and extend an invitation to become a voting member to address specifi c needs of veterans in Tulare County.
R4:
HHSA should develop a Tulare County Data Base on homeless services and make accessible to all stakeholders that work with unhoused individuals including county and state agencies, service providers, police departments, faith-based organizations, medical assistance agencies and the community. The database would reduce the time needed to obtain services and help coordinate the support needed to assist unhouse individuals sooner. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Tulare County Board of Supervisors
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
The TCOE does not have set guidelines to address challenged books and allows each school district or school to handle the matter as they see fi t.
F2:
The TCL has strong policies and procedures embedded in their by-laws to address the request to remove or review books from shelves which prohibits the banning of books. 28
F3:
Although these school districts have not banned or removed books from their libraries, they have formed committees to address community concerns about specifi c books.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
TCOE should create a general guideline that can be modifi ed by the individual school districts.
R2:
TCL should continue with the current policies and procedures that allows them to be prepared for any books brought to their attention.
R3:
The school districts should continue their due diligence in addressing all community concerns regarding learning materials. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Visalia Unifi ed School District
Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
To date, the cities that have passed local referendums have experienced positive impact from the new source of revenues in areas such as public safety and leisure activity. 32
F2:
The cities with cannabis dispensaries have or may experience benefi ts from additional business that may be developed in support of cannabis.
F3:
The cities with cannabis dispensaries have not experienced measurable negative impact to the cities culture or daily way of life.
Additional Recommendations
1
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Each city should annually highlight to the public information about the revenues generated from all cannabis activity as well as how the funds are utilized to benefi t each city. REQUIRED RESPONSES: City Council of Farmersville
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
TCOES continues to refi ne and improve their overall emergency response plan based on actual emergencies and the required responses over the last few years including major forest fi res, challenges from COVID and the winter fl oods, as well as continued information shared by other County, State and Federal agencies. 36
F2:
To meet the complex challenges from a developing emergency experienced from the constant fl ooding, the eff ective use of private contractors is a key factor in real time performance. The successful response to repair and recovery eff orts is the ability to quickly identify the areas requiring the private contractors use, and how quickly those contractors can be contacted and physically on location.
F3:
Proactive eff orts to pre-approve a wide range of contractors and services is critical to meeting the goals outlined in F2.
F4:
During times of emergency, volunteers are a critical resource available to TCOES. They can supplement fi rst responder’s eff orts and lessen the stress, as well as repair and recovery.
F5:
Communication of the programs related to shelter operations, road conditions, evacuation orders, procedures to volunteer or be approved as a private contractor. This was a daunting task but was not only essential to success in handling the emergency, but also to the residents’ perception of the eff ectiveness of TCOES performance.
Additional Recommendations
4
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Continue eff orts to pre-approve as many contractors and service providers as possible. In addition, improve availability of information related to the approval process for contractors or service providers to become part of the program.
R2:
Improve eff orts to recruit and pre-approve volunteers in a manner like contractors and service providers outlined in R1. The goodwill, skills and commitment from many residents in this county are assets that need to be fully developed. There should be ample information making it easy for residents to volunteer in advance, or at the height of an emergency.
R3:
Frequent posting to emergency service announcements via television, radio and the web to make it easier for residents to know ahead of an emergency to use the AlertTC website. Continue eff orts to improve access to real time information related to evacuations, shelter operations, road conditions pertaining to closures and detours. A possible source of emergency information released would be to alert all cell phones (similar to an Amber alert) and frequent posting of emergency service announcements via television and radio. Explore automatic inclusion for alerts to all county residents.
R4:
Continued refi nement of process and procedures for outreach to the vulnerable segments of the population. REQUIRED RESPONSES: Tulare County Board of Supervisors
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
Due to the lack of a quorum, the leadership of the EPCD Board has hampered making decisions. The leadership issue is not refl ective of prior member’s ability or eff orts, but the lack of necessary membership to fulfi ll quorum requirements. Strategic planning has suff ered.
F2:
EPCD long-term sustainability is a concern. The lack of revenue growth is highlighted by the failure of the two recent bond measures.
F3:
In spite of the lack of water and resources at Deer Creek Cemetery, and to a lesser extent Hamilton Cemetery, EPCD has the opportunity to develop plans for utilization of the properties.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The TCBOS should continue the eff ort to increase the size of the ECPD Board to fi ve members.
R2:
EPCD should continue with eff orts to improve the districts’ website, update all prior postings of the required public information and meet all disclosure public information requirements moving forward.
R3:
The EPCD Board should become familiar with and ensure full training and compliance with all state laws concerning public district cemeteries REQUIRED RESPONSE Tulare County Board of Supervisors Recommendations R1 INVITED RESPONSES Exeter Public Cemetery District Findings F1–F3 Recommendations R2–R3
Findings & Recommendations
5 findings
F1:
The volume of rain and snow from the winter storms was unprecedented, further exacerbated by the short window in which the storms occurred and the warmth of the later storms.
F2:
RMA’s response to the storms during the January through March period was commendable. The mobilization of resources required to recover, repair and rebuild under the challenges outlined was to be commended.
F3:
RMA’s challenges and eff orts were not limited to roads and bridges, but included damage inspections to private property, assistance with fl ood debris removal and recovery from private property. RMA also assisted with grant programs for local businesses and residences aff ected by the fl oods.
F4:
During the height of the emergency period, the challenges of gathering and disseminating information related to road closures and detours was cumbersome and at times ineff ective.
F5:
The reimbursement of costs from federal and state agencies for the repair, rebuild, replacement of roads and bridges is signifi cant and delays of these payments will impact RMA’s future operating budget.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
Explore all opportunities to address the fi nancial defi cit created by the storms recovery to minimize impacts to RMA’s normal operating budget.
R2:
Continued review and update of potential best practices available to reach and assist communities isolated by fl ood damages to bridges and roads.
R3:
Continue to review and improve real time reporting, the system for communication of road closures and alternate routes available during fl ooding or other emergencies. REQUEST FOR RESPONSE: Board of Supervisors
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Findings & Recommendations
3 findings
F1:
It is a constant demand on the County to preserve and maintain parks into perpetuity.
F2:
All monies invested into the parks since 2022 and forward, have been necessary and needed infrastructure improvements and patron friendly amenities for all to enjoy.
F3:
All residents in the Tulare County area need to be aware of the model of good stewardship in order for our parks to survive to be enjoyed by future generations.
Additional Recommendations
3
Not linked to specific findings.
R1:
The County of Tulare should continue to strive to make the decisions for the parks system for the best benefi t of its residents by increasing budget and park staffi ng.
R2:
The PAC should continue its outreach eff orts to every school, church and organization to constantly invent ways to better the parks, raise awareness of good stewardship and searching for volunteers when in need.
R3:
The County of Tulare should continue to seek out any grants or any funds available to keep up with the demands of continuing maintenance, repairs and groundskeeping. REQUIRED RESPONSE: Tulare County Board of Supervisors Findings: