LAKE COUNTY — The 2011-12 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report was issued June 30.
The purpose of the Grand Jury is to examine county and city government and special districts to ensure that their duties are being lawfully carried out. The Grand Jury reviews and evaluates procedures, methods and systems utilized by these entities to determine whether more efficient and economical programs may be employed.
The Grand Jury also receives letters from citizens alleging mistreatment by officials, suspicions of misconduct or governmental inefficiencies. Anyone may ask the Grand Jury to conduct an investigation and all complaints are confidential.
A final report is issued at the end of its term, including reports released during the year documenting its investigations and recommendations. Copies of the 117-page report are distributed to public officials, libraries, the news media, any interested parties and any entity that is subject to one of the reports.
Some of the findings and recommendations the 14-person Grand Jury made in the report follow.
– The Grand Jury found that the County Assessor-Recorder”s Office was understaffed, with seven fewer working staff members compared to a decade ago, a reduction of 40 percent. It recommended the Board of Supervisors (BOS) increase working funds for the department.
– The Grand Jury recommended a further study of the Middle Creek Flood Damage Reduction and Ecosystem Restoration Project be done by the upcoming 2012-13 Grand Jury so that a full report can be dedicated to the project.
– It recommended the BOS place a non-binding advisory vote on the ballot to proceed with a sales tax, which would be used exclusively to pave unpaved roads and repair and upgrade the existing roads in Lake County, including within the cities of Clearlake and Lakeport.
– It found the District Attorney”s Office lost four budgeted positions and only one position is scheduled to be filled in 2012. It recommended the BOS approve a budget increase to fill the vacant Assistant District Attorney positions.
– The Grand Jury found the Hill Road Correctional Facility was understaffed and recommended the Sheriff”s Office increase recruiting and hiring of correctional officers.
– The Grand Jury investigated the three holding facilities within the county and recommended a new video and audio system be installed in holding cells at the Southlake Holding Facility in Clearlake and Main Court Holding Facility in Lakeport to enhance officer safety.
Other recommendations for the Southlake Holding Facility included installing brighter lights for the holding cells to increase safety and removal of exposed water pipes in the holding cells to prevent potential safety hazards to the inmates.
– It recommended the Probation Department develop a Juvenile Hall handbook with rules, consequences and day-to-day routines, which would be issued at intake orientation to improve discipline at the Lakeport facility.
– It recommended the City of Clearlake continue to explore options for additional revenue to restore positions and services that were cut because of budget deficits and that the 2012-13 Grand Jury revisit the subject for a more in-depth report.
– The Grand Jury found the Transitional Housing Plus Program, which is a program that assists young adults leaving the foster care system, and other transitional youth programs be expanded by the Social Services Department as possible.
– The Grand Jury recommended the BOS and County Office of Education revisit the feasibility of Lake County School District Reorganization.
