San Andreas, CA…The 2019 – 2020 Calaveras County Grand Jury has just released a report entitled The Grand Jury Report Card – “Responses to the 2018-2019 Grand Jury Report”. The Summary section of the report states why the grand jury undertook the investigation and notes the report’s most significant issues, findings, and recommendations, as follows: “The power of the Grand Jury lies in its ability to publish fact-based reports that inform and educate citizens as well as local government officials. Although the Grand Jury has no authority to enforce the recommendations included in such reports, it can determine whether local government agencies and officials have provided reasonable responses. These responses must follow a format and timeline clearly defined by law (California Penal Code §933.05). The independent work and voice of Grand Juries are strengthened when local government entities and officials are held accountable and responsible to the will of their constituents.

The 2019-2020 Calaveras County Grand Jury has reviewed the responses to the 2018-2019 Calaveras County Grand Jury Final Report for compliance with the law. This report presents the analysis of that review.

The 2019-2020 Calaveras County Grand Jury deemed most responses compliant regarding mandated response times; however, several respondents failed to comply with the relevant provisions of the Penal Code and/or were lacking detail by which the agency’s subsequent actions could be gauged.

The 2019-2020 Calaveras County Grand Jury appreciates the time and attention that all responders devoted to the work of the 2018-2019 Calaveras County Grand Jury. Although invited responders were not required by law to respond, several did, and the Calaveras County Grand Jury thanks them for their willingness to provide additional feedback.

The 2018-2019 Final Report contained nine reports as follows:
• Animal Control Services
• Audit and Finance
• Calaveras County General Plan
• Code Compliance
• Community College Districts
• Continuity – Responses to 2017-2018 Calaveras County Grand Jury
• Educational Support/Services for Homeless Students in Calaveras County
• Jails/Law and Justice
• Jenny Lind Veterans Memorial District

The Continuity Report was the only report for which no responses were requested. Various County department heads and agencies were requested to reply and offer comment regarding the findings and recommendations presented in the published reports.”

The grand jury’s website http://grandjury.calaverasgov.us/, where the entire report can be viewed or just click the image above.

Larry Abernathy, Foreperson
Calaveras County Grand Jury