EL DORADO COUNTY GRAND JURY
2007-2008 FINAL REPORT [Abstract]
The El Dorado Civil Grand Jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of the law. It is an arm of the Court and a representative of the public. Although it is an arm of the Court, it operates independently of direct Court supervision. It is a check against governmental authority. It is not a branch of the County, nor is it answerable to the District Attorney.
Items:
- Assisting Road Repair Community Service Districts
- Clean Tahoe Program
- Jails & Juvenile Facilities
- Mother Lode Union School District
Assisting Road Repair Community Service Districts
Case No. GJ 07-026
REASON FOR REPORT
Community Service Districts (CSD's) are a category of Special Districts. They are established and regulated under State Government Code §61001. Regulations generally have increased over time and can be a burden for small districts with limited budgets and management expertise. The present and previous Grand Juries have received complaints alleging misconduct by a few small special districts. Alleged misconduct is not necessarily intentional. Rather, it may result from inadequately trained boards of directors. Consequently, the Grand Jury sought ways for the County to assist road repair district boards of directors to better manage their responsibilities and reduce incidents of alleged misconduct.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The County Department of Transportation should invite road repair district directors to its annual training sessions held for Zones of Benefit advisory committee members, and do so on a continuing basis.
- The County should publish the “Zone of Benefit Advisory Committee Manual” and make it available, free of charge, to every road repair district director. As soon as possible, this Manual should also be provided through the internet. This will allow easy upgrading by the Department of Transportation and ready access of the latest upgrade by users. Hard copy Manuals should continue to be published.
- The Manual published by the Department of Transportation should also include the following:.
- A section listing contacts, with phone numbers, email addresses and mail addresses, where users can obtain information about sourcing licensed contractors; this listing should include the Builders Exchange of El Dorado County.
- References for many specifications that are given in the "Road Maintenance and Repair Guidelines" section of the Manual which will allow users to obtain more detailed specification information when needed.
Clean Tahoe Program
Case No. GJ 07- 011
REASON FOR REPORT
The El Dorado County Grand Jury received a letter from the South Lake Tahoe District Attorney’s Office that prompted an investigation of the Clean Tahoe Program’s procedures for managing its funds.
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION
In the investigation of Clean Tahoe's management of funds, financial controls were found to be deficient. However, the deficiencies are in the process of being corrected.
The Clean Tahoe Program is small and requires management and overhead functions that are disproportionately high and expensive in small publicly financed organizations. These costs would be lower if shared with similar costs in a larger organization. In principle, this can be achieved either by absorbing Clean Tahoe into a larger organization or by selecting a larger organization to perform the essential services that are now performed by the Clean Tahoe Program.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The City and County should seek a capable public or private organization to provide, at less cost, the services now provided by the Clean Tahoe Program.
- Savings that may be realized by the City and County replacing the Clean Tahoe Program with a new service provider should be passed to the property owners by reducing their property tax assessments.
El Dorado County Jail
Placerville
BACKGROUND
The El Dorado County Jail located in Placerville was built in 1988. The maximum capacity is 265 beds. The jail population at the time of the Grand Jury inspection was 208 inmates.
FINDINGS
The 2007-2008 El Dorado County Grand Jury has arrived at the following findings:
- The jail is well maintained, having addressed past Grand Jury concerns regarding maintenance issues.
- The jail staff is committed to public safety and the secure incarceration of inmates. Providing excellent programs and services for inmate self- improvement facilitates inmates’ assimilation back into the community.
COMMENDATION
The leadership and staff of the Placerville Jail are commended for their rigorous adherence to its mission statement and dedication to the rehabilitation of incarcerated adults.
South Lake Tahoe
REASON FOR REPORT
Section 919(a) and 919(b) of the California Penal Code requires the grand jury to annually inspect any jail or prison within the county. This includes juvenile correctional facilities.
COMMENDATION
Despite needing increased personnel and repairs in certain areas of the facility, many programs leading to rehabilitation of inmates were noted, most specifically in the areas of mental health, vocational training and community service.
The leadership and staff at the South Lake Tahoe Jail are commended for their rehabilitation programs for inmates. Further, the leadership and staff are commended for their outstanding community response during the Angora Fire.
El Dorado County Juvenile Hall
Placerville
REASON FOR REPORT
Section 919(a) and 919(b) of the California Penal Code requires the grand jury to annually inspect any jail or prison within the county. This includes juvenile correctional facilities.
FINDINGS
In accordance with the California Penal Code §933 and §933.05, each finding will be responded to by the government entity to which it is addressed. The responses are to be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. The 2007-2008 El Dorado County Grand Jury has arrived at the following findings.
The facility is in excellent, pristine condition. There is a plan to update the communication system and to expand the facility. Both of these items are in the current capital improvement program.
Mother Lode Union School District
Case No. GJ 07-001
REASON FOR REPORT
The El Dorado County Grand Jury received a complaint from a citizen alleging that Mother Lode Union School District (MLUSD) was spending district funds inappropriately. These allegations were limited to expenditures for incremental building space, equipment, travel, and personnel costs for in-house technology services.
FINDINGS
- No evidence of wrong doing was uncovered regarding the expenditure of MLUSD funds.
- Mother Lode Union School District is commended for taking a politically and financially aggressive approach to improving the educational practices in their district.
Full Report Here: http://www.co.el-dorado.ca.us/grandjury/pdf_2007_2008/Midyear/completedocument.pdf
