Yolo County Grand Jury
1997-1998
Findings & Recommendations
26 findings
F1:
The 1997-1998 Grand Jury fully re-examined the issues raised and found compe- tent evidence supporting the complaints.
F2:
A review of the policies and procedures set forth in both the court-adopted "Rule Twenty" and the Bar Association's draft indicates that neither document ade- quately addresses the deficiencies cited by the complainants.
F3:
In addition, there is on record within the courts an undated and unsigned docu- ment entitled, "Yolo County Superior/Municipal Court Grievance Pol- icy/Procedures," which sets forth the goals of mediation, the grievance procedure and filing instructions. This document is nowhere mentioned in the current "Rule Twenty."
F4:
The district has had difficulty finding citizens to serve on the Board of Directors.
F5:
At this time the district appears to be in satisfactory financial condition. Madison Service District Ordinance No. 1, Section 23, Paragraph 23.1. Madison Services District Ordinance No. 1, Section 1. 1997-1998 Yolo County Grand Jury
F6:
appears to have been made in 1994, it was corrected promptly (after 1 month), and the problem has not recurred.
F7:
The current Public Guardian has chosen not to run for re-election. Indigent burial is accomplished through a contract for service, which stipulates
F8:
that the County will pay $279.50 for cremation or $415.00 for direct burial. The family or friends must assume any additional costs. Most remains are cremated.
F9:
Bids for cremation and direct burial services have not been requested since 1992. The current contract for burial services originally was for two years. Since 1994, the contract has been renewed annually with the same funeral home in Sacra- mento County. The contract was recently awarded again, for three years to the same Sacramento County funeral home.
F10:
It was reported that Request for Proposals (RFP) is handled by the County Pur- chasing Department at the direction of the County Public Administrator. Funeral homes are rated on services provided according to a point system.
F11:
The present contract for burial service in Yolo County gives discretionary power to either the funeral director or the Public Administrator to determine cremation or direct burial. The present contract for burial service stipulates mileage from the funeral home
F12:
not to exceed 30 miles. This excludes service to numerous areas of Yolo County without additional cost. 1997-1998 Yolo County Grand Jury
F13:
Timely service is important in the removal of remains from a hospital, a nursing home or private residence. The 1992 contract was not the lowest bid. The 1997 contract was not put out to
F14:
a formal bid to funeral homes in Yolo County. In the past, the five Yolo County funeral home directors have expressed anger and frustration at the time spent to bid when the lowest bidder was not awarded the contract. This has occurred on several occasions.
F15:
The Grand Jury was informed that the Public Administrator's office records show that no business was done with the flying service that failed to scatter human re- mains.
F16:
board often lacks its full capacity for deliberation or vote.
F17:
ages their formation. There is a lack of communication between the Commission and the Resident
F18:
Councils. The State of California recommends one Tenant Commissioner be at least
F19:
years of age if possible. 1997-1998 Yolo County Grand Jury
F20:
Since the current Public Defender took office in April 1996, court- administered legal fees assessed against clients who met the criteria to receive defense have totaled $188,000. When collected, these fees go directly into the general fund.
F21:
Only a small percentage of the $188,000 has been collected by the County's Office of Revenue and Reimbursement, which relies on volun- tary payment. Many clients are indigents who are unable to pay. How- ever, the Office of Revenue and Reimbursement has not responded to the Public Defender's question as to why no legal steps have been taken to collect from clients who are able to pay. The court-established fee for defending a misdemeanor case is $95. For
F22:
a felony case it is $120, although defense of a felony case requires much more legal experience and a much greater investment of an attorney's time.
F23:
The Assistant CAO, who handles most correspondence between the Public Defender and the CAO's office, has little experience in dealing with the types of problems facing the Public Defender. D. Positive Actions The Public Defender has developed a Policies & Procedures Manual
F24:
that is complete, clear and concise. It is updated as needed. Each em- ployee has a copy. The staff is provided with ongoing legal education. 25. 1997-1998 Yolo County Grand Jury Within the past 18 months, approximately $10,000 worth of resource
F25:
1997-1998 Yolo County Grand Jury Within the past 18 months, approximately $10,000 worth of resource
F26:
materials has been added to the Law Library.