Amador County Civil Grand Jury
Explore the jury’s recommendations, read matching agency responses, and join the discussion. Everything in this cycle is connected to its original source.
Every recommendation made by the jury, with matching agency responses alongside it.
Recommendations & responses
Showing 35 of 35 recommendations
Recommendations
31 recommendations
The Council direct the city manager to adopt an annual budget cycle calendar detailing key dates for departmental submissions, reviews, work sessions, public hearings, and adoption, by December 31, 2026. [F1, F2, F6, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council charge the Finance Committee with assisting the Council and city manager with fiscal oversight, transparency, and major financial transactions, by September 1, 2026. [F1, F2, F3, F4, F6, F7, F8, F10, F11, F12, F14, F15, F16, F28, F29, F30, F34, F35, F36, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council monitor non-essential spending pending adoption of a current year budget, beginning July 1, 2026. [F3, F4]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council implement a detailed plan to address the observations, comments, areas for improvement, and the internal control findings discussed in the October 15, 2025, audit report and October 21, 2025, Council meeting presentation by Richardson and Company, LLC, and provide quarterly status updates until completed, by December 31, 2026. [F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F14, F15, F16]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council ensure the completion of the fiscal year 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 financial audits within 12 months of completion of the 2023-2024 audit. [F7, F8, F10, F11, F12, F13, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to address the outdated version of the Financial Policies and Procedures Handbook, strengthen internal controls and financial reporting compliance, and bring a plan to the Council for consideration, by December 31, 2026. [F11, F14, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to develop a plan to repay all interfund loan agreements, with interest, proposing viable alternatives to repay the loans if there are insufficient funds, and provide status reports to Council annually, beginning December 31, 2026. [F15, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF pages 51–52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to establish a framework for recruitment and hiring to standardize documentation of outreach, advertising and vetting, and bring to the Council for consideration by December 31, 2026. [F24, F25, F26]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to establish a secure, centralized personnel filing system for all current employee files by October 1, 2026. [F24, F25, F26]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to investigate availability of resources to hire two additional administrative positions in the Finance Department; one dedicated Human Resources position and one position to perform audit and other duties completed by the retired annuitant, by December 31, 2026. [F17, F18, F19, F20, F22, F23, F24, F25, F26]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to ensure desk procedures are in place for all finance and administrative functions, by December 31, 2026. [F11, F15, F17, F19, F20, F22, F23, F24, F25]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to certify availability of funds or propose a budget amendment for every agenda item requiring a financial expenditure before it is presented to Council for vote, as required by existing Financial Policies, beginning September 1, 2026. [F3, F4, F6, F28, F29, F31, F34, F35, F36, F39, F41]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council verify all city attorney invoices are reviewed for contractual compliance, identify any billing discrepancy or excessive charges prior to approval, and report findings at public meetings, beginning October 1, 2026. [F29, F30, F31, F33, F34, F35, F36, F37]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to review the Agreement for City Attorney Services and the Scope of Work—to ensure it clearly defines the desired general counsel services, explicitly lists tasks the attorney should not perform without Council approval, and sets budgetary controls for special counsel legal services—and report findings and any recommendations to Council for consideration by October 1, 2026. [F30, F31, F33, F34, F35, F36, F37, F56]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the Finance Committee to prepare a cost-benefit analysis of a contracted vs in-house city attorney and report to Council, by November 1, 2026. [F33, F34, F35, F36]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 52
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to improve future agenda packets by agendizing all informative staff presentations, providing staff reports for substantive items or a written explanation of why they are missing, and include copies of presentation materials for all oral presentations, by October 1, 2026. [F28, F29, F30, F37, F38, F39, F41, F44]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF pages 52–53
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city clerk to ensure that any PowerPoint presentation or written materials handed out during the Council meetings are appropriately posted to comply with the Brown Act and increase transparency for the public, by September 1, 2026. [F44]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council require the city manager to comply with the Protocol Manual section 7.08 and the Financial Policies section IV.D and provide regular written reports to the Council concerning all aspects of City operations and monthly financial reports, by October 1, 2026. [F1, F2, F3, F4, F7, F8, F10, F12, F14, F15, F16, F17, F18, F28, F29, F30, F31, F33, F34, F35, F36, F37, F38, F40, F41, F45]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to establish and maintain a process to provide regular status updates at a public meeting on all approved motions, to include actions taken, anticipated next steps, and any changes to timelines or funding, due by November 1, 2026, and quarterly thereafter. [F12, F15, F16, F28, F29, F30, F31, F33, F34, F35, F36, F41, F45, F52, F53, F55, F57, F58]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city clerk to post meeting minutes on the City’s website no later than 10 days of the Council meeting and provide a separate link to the minutes, so they are easily accessible, starting October 1, 2026. [F42]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council establish a formal plan and framework for training, to include onboarding materials for elected officials, department heads, and administrative officers, to meet the requirements of AB 1234 and SB 827 (ethics, the Brown Act, conflict-of- interest, fiscal and financial training), by December 31, 2026. [F3, F7, F8, F11, F12, F14, F28, F29, F30, F31, F37, F39, F40, F41, F45, F46, F47, F48, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council require the city manager to develop an enhanced training plan for elected officials, department heads, and administrative officers to build a strong, more effective leadership, and to comply with existing laws and adopted City policies, and make results available to the public, by December 31, 2026. [F3, F7, F8, F11, F12, F14, F28, F29, F30, F31, F37, F41, F45, F46, F47, F48, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to provide newly elected officials with onboarding materials within 30 days of hire so they are aware of existing laws and adopted City policies, and provide proof of completion to Council, beginning January 1, 2027. [F3, F7, F8, F11, F12, F14, F28, F29, F30, F31, F37, F41, F45, F46, F47, F48, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 53
Permanent linkThe Council require the city manager to complete public purchasing, contracting, and municipal budget training now required by the Brown Act and provide proof of completion to Council, by October 1, 2026. [F1, F3, F5, F7, F8, F10, F11, F12, F14, F15, F16, F28, F29, F30, 31, F37, F40, F41, F45, F48, F50, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to facilitate specialized training for all councilmembers on conflict resolution, professional decorum, Brown Act, financial management, Conflict of Interest, Rosenberg’s Rules of Order, and procedural fairness, by October 1, 2026. [F28, F29, F30, F31, F37, F41, F46, F47, F48, F50, F51, F52, F53, F54, F55, F56, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council direct the city manager to identify and designate a staff person to establish and maintain a formal tracking system to log mandatory training, send reminders to councilmembers and officials with training deadlines and upcoming opportunities, and make results available to the public, by December 31, 2026. [F47, F48, F49, F50]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council submit, upon completion, copies of all training certificates to a secure, centralized repository, to ensure accuracy and ease of retrieval, by October 1, 2026. [F48, F49, F50]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council establish a plan to address the lack of a Code of Conduct policy, separate from the Code of Ethics, that clearly outlines acceptable interaction protocol, with specific consequences for violations, by December 31, 2026. [F52, F53, F54, F55, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council to follow Rosenberg’s Rules of Order to preserve order and decorum at every Council meeting as specified in the municipal code, beginning September 1, 2026. [F52, F53, F54, F55, F57]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council establish a plan for a progressive, tiered approach to corrective action before considering formal censure, by December 31, 2026. [F56]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkThe Council establish a plan to hold staff accountable for policy and protocol violations, by December 31, 2026. [F60]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 54
Permanent linkRecommendations
1 recommendation
To ensure transparency and verify that audits are being conducted, the Amador County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the city management establish a quarterly, “Audit Status Tracker” publicly presented to the city council. This tracker would clearly list all ongoing and completed audits, their status, and progress, by November 1, 2026. [F1, F2]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Plymouth: Financial Audit Status · PDF page 4
Permanent linkRecommendations
3 recommendations
The Amador Transit Board of Directors direct all Amador Transit personnel to strictly adhere to established purchasing policies and procedures prior to issuing any future contracts for outside services, by October 1, 2026. [F1, F2, F3, and F4]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkThe Amador Transit Board of Directors direct Amador Transit management to provide training for all procurement personnel on the Amador Transit Procurement Policy’s procurement of outside services, by December 1, 2026. [F1, F2, F3, and F4]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkThe Amador Transit Board of Directors direct Amador Transit management to develop and implement a process to issue either sole source or Request for Proposal documentation for the procurement of bus wrap services, to include the Amador Transit Board’s approval prior to public issuance, consistent with Amador Transit Procurement Policy, and report on status to the Board, by December 1, 2026. [F1, F2, F3, and F4]
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkThe jury’s formal findings, with source citations and any recorded responses.
Findings & responses
Showing 77 of 77 findings
Findings
60 findings
The Council failed to hold public hearings in May 2025 and ensure a timely fiscal year 2025-2026 budget was adopted in June 2025 (per adopted financial policy), highlighting a significant failure in governance, financial oversight, and attention to fiduciary responsibilities.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkThe city manager and finance manager failed to present the draft preliminary fiscal year 2025-2026 budget to the Finance Committee for its review and recommendations, violating Financial Policies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkThe Council authorized expenditures and approved contracts without following adopted Financial Policies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkAfter nine months of employment, Council approved a significant city manager pay increase and augmented benefits, substantially exceeding the City’s adopted Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Salary Schedule with no proposed budget adjustment to cover this expenditure, violating the City’s Financial Policies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkCouncil approved an enhanced severance and benefit package for the city manager to minimize turnover.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkThe Finance Committee has not met since July 2024, at a time when oversight and advice on the City’s financial record keeping and budget matters have been critically needed.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 46
Permanent linkThe City has experienced a multi-year breakdown in audits and resulting financial statements, with significant reporting delays from fiscal year 2018-2019 through fiscal year 2021-2022 and a complete failure to report thereafter, violating its own financial policies and protocols.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF pages 46–47
Permanent linkYears of Council failure to ensure the City’s financial audits and financial statements are completed annually creates a critical vulnerability to waste, fraud, and abuse, indicating a severe systemic failure and breach of fiduciary duties.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkThe Financial Transactions Report due to the State Controller’s Office contains unaudited financial data.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkIncomplete implementation of recommendations from prior audits slowed the completion of subsequent audits and caused a number of internal control exceptions.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkOngoing significant deficiency and/or material weakness in internal controls related to financial transactions resulted in the auditor issuing a fiscal year 2020-2021 modified audit opinion (financial statements may not be entirely accurate or reliable).
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkChronic delays and a failure to finalize financial audits since 2021 have severely compromised the City’s fiscal transparency and its ability to borrow funds.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkCouncil approved expedited bookkeeping and audit services because it was in the City’s best interest to bring the backlog of audits current as quickly as possible.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkOutstanding audit recommendations related to significant internal control weaknesses described in the fiscal year 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021 audit reports resulted in a decision to suspend formal audits for fiscal years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, and replace with remedial, contracted bookkeeping services performed by an auditor, a material deviation from established municipal financial protocols.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkNeglect of interfund loan repayments since 2015 highlights a fundamental governance breakdown masking financial accuracy resulting in lack of transparency.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkDespite adopting a Debt Policy in 2018 with a policy goal to reduce the City’s sizable unfunded liability for OPEB, no action has been taken to address the unfunded debt obligation.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkThe finance manager performs current duties in addition to daily transactional personnel functions and other operational tasks, which may lead to burnout and errors.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkHigh turnover in the city manager and finance manager positions impacted fiscal transparency, delayed the completion of audits, and the City’s ability to qualify for loans.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkHigh turnover in the city manager, finance manager, and other City staff positions leads to serious losses of institutional knowledge that hinders City operations.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 47
Permanent linkThe Finance Department has relied upon a retired annuitant for multiple years to complete outstanding audits, indicating a failure to address the underlying staffing shortage that can significantly impact operations.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkMorale of City staff has greatly improved since the hire of the city manager and finance manager.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe reliance on a retired annuitant to perform core functions over a multi-year period without a transition plan creates a dependency on one special hire, jeopardizing the retention of institutional knowledge.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe City does not employ a dedicated Human Resource position to manage personnel paperwork, benefits, enrollment, and workers compensation, creating significant legal, financial, and liability risks for the City.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe City lacks formal, written policies or procedures regarding recruitment, interview, selection, and centralized filing for personnel files.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe City’s recruitment and hiring process for the most recent city manager position was characterized by a lack of fundamental documentation of the hiring process.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe lack of a hiring policy, a dedicated Human Resources position, and adequate filing system contributes to an absence of administrative oversight.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkCouncil updated its Protocol Manual, replacing the prior version dating back to 2008.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe Council and city manager have frequently bypassed or inconsistently applied established administrative and operational policies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe city manager frequently made decisions based on expediency over adopted City protocols, bypassing necessary financial oversight and the intended role of advisory bodies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe city manager presented a contract previously signed by the city manager, city attorney, and city clerk without Council approval, eight months after services started, violating City policies.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkFailure by Council and the city manager to address documented policy violations fosters an attitude that compliance is optional rather than mandatory.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe public appreciates the tangible results and overall progress of city projects such as improvements to Howard Park infrastructure and completion of the amphitheater at Picnic Hill.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkThe city attorney performs tasks—without Council direction—that could be handled by internal staff or a Council subcommittee, i.e., revising the protocol manual.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 48
Permanent linkDespite public and councilmember criticisms of rising legal fees and requests to review itemized attorney invoices, Council failed to provide rigorous, consistent, proactive scrutiny of monthly invoices. This systemic failure in oversight allowed expenses to exceed budgeted amounts without appropriate authorization or adequate justification.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThere is a lack of transparency to the public and Council regarding spending on legal services, specifically general municipal and estimated cost vs actual.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThere are no cost control measures in place to preauthorize or closely track high legal expenditures, and increased oversight is needed to control these expenses.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThe city manager failed to uphold fairness and accountability by responding to verbal requests from some councilmembers to include items on future meeting agendas while requiring others to provide such requests in writing, in violation of agendizing rules contained in the 2008 Protocol Manual.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkStaff reports are missing from many Council meeting agenda packets, a violation of adopted policy.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkInformation to be provided in staff reports, such as who requested the agenda item, fiscal impact, and the specific action the Council is asked to take, has not been consistently presented in the agenda.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThe city manager fails to provide current financial data to Council as required by policy as part of Council meeting agenda packets despite numerous requests from councilmembers and the public.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkA culture of non-responsiveness exists during Council meetings where the city manager and the mayor ignore repeated and frequent information requests from councilmembers and the public.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkCouncil meeting minutes were not posted or provided to the public for September, October, November, and December 2025 (as of March 31, 2026).
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThe City demonstrates a high level of transparency by publishing Council meeting audio/video to the City’s YouTube channel within 24 hours of adjournment.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkOral presentations made during Council meetings typically do not include written presentation materials or staff reports. The absence of visual aids (e.g. PowerPoint slides or written handouts) makes it difficult for attendees and online viewers to fully comprehend, analyze, and retain presentation information and hampers transparency.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThe city manager does not provide regular, comprehensive reports concerning all aspects of City operations to Council as required in protocol manual.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 49
Permanent linkThe Council lacks policy mechanisms and enforcement tools to detect or prevent serial "daisy-chain" violations.
No response recorded
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Permanent linkThe City has no formal, mandatory onboarding or ongoing training program for elected officials.
No response recorded
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Permanent linkThe absence of training, particularly on the code of conduct, meeting protocols, and financial management, contributes to continued lack of decorum on the dais and impacts City operations.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkThe City has kept inconsistent and incomplete training records.
No response recorded
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Permanent linkThe lack of financial training by elected officials and the city manager has contributed to a failure in exercising proper fiduciary control over City funds, exemplified by weak internal controls, poor file management, and inconsistent record keeping.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkDuring Council meetings, the mayor has ignored councilmember calls for a Point of Order, violating City policy and causing disruption and conflict among meeting participants.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkDuring Council meetings, the councilmembers frequently talk over each other, engage in arguments, use inappropriate language, or mutter asides that disrupt deliberations, without consequences, violating the adopted Protocol Manual and Code of Ethics.
No response recorded
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Permanent linkDuring public comments, the public has requested the Council “do better,” “stop bickering,” and “do the job you were elected to do,” but the Council has failed to respond to these requests. The rampant lack of civility evident at most Council meetings undermines Council credibility and constituents’ trust in their local government.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkCouncilmembers have used print and social media to vent about alleged inappropriate Council activities instead of discussing the issues during public meetings, in part because the mayor cut short their opportunities to speak in public meetings.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkCouncil’s open animosity, personal attacks, and demonstrated lack of decorum on social media and on the dais, fails to set an example of credible leadership and civility to the community.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkWhen addressed, breaches of protocol are often treated with the most extreme measures (censure or litigation) rather than a progressive, tiered approach to corrective action, i.e. first using verbal warnings, written warnings, fines, or reprimands that would be much less inflammatory and costly.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkA lack of decorum on the dais, constant bickering, and disrespectful language from councilmembers have turned public meetings into a public embarrassment, discouraging members of the public from engaging in City government.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 50
Permanent linkThere is no consistent process for tracking and reporting to the public the implementation status of approved Council motions.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkCouncil and city manager do recognize employee and staff contributions during public meetings.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkCouncil approved invoices for contracts the city manager had signed that substantially exceeded his authorization limit of $15,000 for non-emergency spending with no reprimand or consequences for the violation.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · PDF page 51
Permanent linkFindings
2 findings
The Grand Jury finds the City of Plymouth failed to conduct required audits during the years of 2021 through 2025 as required by CA GC section 53891.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Plymouth: Financial Audit Status · PDF page 3
Permanent linkThe city mayor, city council, city manager and the City of Plymouth’s Finance Department have begun to conduct the missing audits.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: City of Plymouth: Financial Audit Status · PDF page 3
Permanent linkFindings
4 findings
Findings
4 findings
Contract Value. Amador Transit’s contracts for bus wrap advertising services currently result in annual revenue of over $100,000 to the contractor and thus require either an approved sole source justification or competitive bidding procurement.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkRequired Documentation Not Provided. Neither Requests for Bids nor Request for Proposal packages were developed, approved by the Amador Transit Board of Directors, or released to the public for competitive bidding for the bus wrap services contracts in effect from 2011 through January 2027, in violation of policy.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkContracts Issued Sole Source. Amador Transit management failed to provide the Grand Jury with approved sole source justification for the Amador Transit’s bus wrap services contracts between 2011 and January 2027, as required for noncompetitive contracts.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkOther Vendors Excluded. Amador Transit management prevented qualified vendors from competing for Amador Transit bus wrap services, risking loss of reputation and exposing the county to potential litigation.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · PDF page 12
Permanent linkFindings
6 findings
The Vote Center provides accessible parking and is compliant with ADA requirements, equipped with the necessary materials and technology to meet accessibility standards.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkThe Elections Office operates in full compliance with current California state election laws and established procedures, maintaining up-to-date policies and security procedures.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkElections office staff have maintained their California State Elections Official Certification.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkThe Amador County Elections Department demonstrated exemplary performance in all aspects of election operations, including ballot preparation, election system configuration, publication of voter materials, community outreach, maintenance of updated training manuals for Election and Vote Center workers, voting‑system security and management, and technical support.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkThe Elections Department maintained effective election management controls, reflecting a strong and continued commitment to ensuring voting integrity within Amador County.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkThe employees of the Amador County Registrar of Voters Office and the citizen poll workers contributed significant time and effort to ensure county elections are conducted openly, accurately, and impartially.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · PDF page 4
Permanent linkFindings
1 finding
The County Administrative Officer, Public Works Director, and the Amador County Board of Supervisors failed to respond to the Grand Jury report “Poorly Maintained and Deteriorating County Roads,” by September 23, 2025, the required 90-day response period.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Response Compliance Report · PDF page 5
Permanent linkEditorial discussion prompts inspired by the reports. These are separate from the jury’s formal findings and recommendations.
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Plymouth: Financial Audit Status · Recommendation R1
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Recommendation R4
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Recommendation R7, continued on the following PDF page
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Recommendations R13–R15
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Findings F38–F44
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Recommendation R19
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Findings F51–F57
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Findings F19–F22
Civic question
Supporting report
City of Ione: Reading the Tea Leaves · Recommendations R8–R11
Civic question
Supporting report
Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · Findings F2–F3; Recommendation R3
Civic question
Supporting report
Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · Finding F4; Recommendation R3
Civic question
Supporting report
Amador Transit: Our County’s People Mover Resource · Recommendations R1–R2
Civic question
Supporting report
Health and Human Services: Social Services Department · Findings F1–F2
Civic question
Supporting report
Health and Human Services: Social Services Department · Finding F4
Civic question
Supporting report
Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · Summary; Methodology
Civic question
Supporting report
Other Activities: Election Observer Panel · Finding F1
Civic question
Supporting report
Response Compliance Report · Finding F1
Civic question
Supporting report
Response Compliance Report · Background
Amador County Civil Grand Jury
Superior Court of California, County of Amador
Amador Transit · September 3, 2026 meeting packet
Civil Grand Jury Reports archive
Original reports and response documents provide the evidence behind this cycle’s findings, recommendations, and discussions.
Official report
Official report
Official report
Official report
Official report
Official report
Official report