Calaveras 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 19 of 19 recommendations
10 recommendations
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services update and organize their policies and procedures for Animal Services Officers and shelter staff to current standards and in accordance with State law by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 7
Permanent linkThe County promises completion by June 30, 2027.
Read official response · PDF page 2Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services distribute its updated policies and procedures to all paid Animal Services staff and obtain signed acknowledgement of receipt by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe County promises implementation by June 30, 2027.
Read official response · PDF page 2Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services update the job descriptions for Animal Services Manager, Animal Services Officers I and II, and Office Technician II by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe County says outdated job descriptions will be updated.
Read official response · PDF page 2Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services management conduct performance reviews of hired staff, beginning no later than December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe County states that the recommendation has been implemented.
Read official response · PDF page 3Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services provide current Officers with deescalation and crisis training as part of their standard Officer training regimen by December 31, 2026, and as new Officers are onboarded.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe County calls the recommendation implemented and describes enrollment in CalAnimals training with staggered participation.
Read official response · PDF page 4Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services adopt a Use of Force policy and provide Animal Services Officers with the appropriate protective gear and safety equipment by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe County promises a use-of-force policy by June 30, 2027 and reports that safety equipment has been provided.
Read official response · PDF page 4Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services repair the equipment on their Animal Services Officer vehicles and create a routine maintenance schedule to make sure safe, fully functioning equipment is always available, each by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe County calls this implemented, describing checks and repairs while formal protocols remain in development.
Read official response · PDF page 4Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether taxpayer money and Animal Services Officer time could be saved by hiring or contracting for in-house veterinary services, by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 10
Permanent linkThe County commits to the analysis and projects completion by June 30, 2027, citing resource constraints.
Read official response · PDF page 5Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services apply for new spay and neuter grants to offset the cost of these crucial services to the County by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 10
Permanent linkThe County calls this implemented through an ASPCA grant application.
Read official response · PDF page 6Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Calaveras County Animal Services adopt a policy to identify and list eligible rescue organizations in order to reduce the shelter population, beginning no later than December 31, 2026.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 10
Permanent linkThe County calls this implemented and describes screening protocols and an approved rescue list.
Read official response · PDF page 72 recommendations
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District conduct an independent audit for fiscal year 2024-2025 by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe District labels the recommendation implemented and reports that an independent auditor has been retained.
Read official response · PDF page 4Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District conduct independent audits for three missing fiscal years, 2021-2022 through 2023-2024, by December 31, 2026.
1 response · Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe District labels the recommendation implemented and reports that an independent auditor has been retained.
Read official response · PDF page 47 recommendations
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District review all OSHA-required programs for fire districts, comply with those requirements, including required documentation, and verify compliance beginning no later than November 1, 2026, and annually thereafter.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 10
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District designate by September 1, 2026, a Health and Safety Officer, who is not the Fire Chief or a Board member, to make sure proper training is completed and documented, and that health and safety protocols are being followed.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 10
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends all Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District Board members and staff attend biennial ethics and harassment prevention training beginning no later than September 30, 2026, in order to recognize protected activities such as reporting misconduct, fostering a “speak-up” culture, and protecting whistleblowers from adverse actions.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF pages 10–11
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District appropriately document when biennial ethics and harassment prevention training are completed beginning no later than September 30, 2026.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 11
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District implement a new Standard Operating Procedures manual that conforms to fire industry standards and a new Policies and Procedures Manual by December 1, 2026.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 11
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that all Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District firefighters, including all leadership, paid and volunteer personnel, acknowledge and document their agreement to the Fire District’s drug and alcohol zero tolerance and Stand Down policies, annually, beginning December 1, 2026.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 12
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District Board, in the interest of fairness and transparency of leadership, update their bylaws to include the rotation of Board officer positions by September 30, 2026.
No response recorded
View recommendation and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 12
Permanent linkThe jury’s formal findings, with source citations and any recorded responses.
Findings & responses
Showing 17 of 17 findings
7 findings
Calaveras County Animal Services lacks any centralized, organized, and up-to-date policies and procedures to guide Animal Services Officers and shelter staff in the performance of their jobs, negatively affecting accountability among staff and leadership.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 7
Permanent linkThe County agrees that a complete manual is needed but disputes the claimed effect on accountability.
Read official response · PDF page 1Calaveras County Animal Services job descriptions, with the exception of Animal Care Specialist, have not been updated in the last eight years, listing duties that are no longer relevant to the job or legally allowed, resulting in inconsistent and delayed resolution to problems as they occur.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe County acknowledges outdated descriptions but denies that they have caused delays or confusion.
Read official response · PDF page 2Calaveras County Animal Services management is not conducting annual performance reviews of its staff, denying staff members a crucial opportunity to receive and provide feedback on their job performance, as well as opportunities for advancement, and negatively affecting team cohesion and morale.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe County partially disagrees, recognizing evaluations as a channel for communication while disputing the relationship to staff cohesion.
Read official response · PDF page 3Calaveras County Animal Services Officers are ill-equipped to fulfill their duties in the field, due to a lack of deescalation training, adequate protective gear and safety equipment, a Use of Force policy, and vehicles that are safe for Officers and the animals in their care.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe County partially disagrees and describes training, equipment, vehicle purchases, and assistance from the Sheriff.
Read official response · PDF page 3Currently Calaveras County Animal Services spends a large portion of its budget on veterinary services and transportation to animal hospitals, and the time spent in transportation greatly decreases the amount of time Animal Services Officers have to address a growing backlog of complaints from the public.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 9
Permanent linkThe County agrees and attributes the backlog to staffing constraints and competing emergencies.
Read official response · PDF page 5Calaveras County Animal Services has not obtained grants for spay and neuter programs since 2022, despite such programs having proven to reduce the number of stray dogs and feral cats in the community as well as shelter intake.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 10
Permanent linkThe County disagrees and cites a $175,000 California for All Animals grant, more than 1,000 vouchers, and an ASPCA grant application.
Read official response · PDF page 5The Calaveras County Animal Services shelter remains overcapacity for dogs despite staff and volunteers’ dedicated struggle to increase adoption rates through community education and outreach to rescue organizations.
1 response · Calaveras County Board of Supervisors
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · PDF page 10
Permanent linkThe County agrees with the finding.
Read official response · PDF page 62 findings
Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury found the Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility to be well run, clean, and properly maintained, and was impressed by the dedication of its officers and staff. Inmates are treated in a safe and respectful manner with a goal of improving their life skills.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Detention Facilities of Calaveras County: A Model of Excellence and Innovation · PDF page 4
Permanent linkCalaveras County Civil Grand Jury found Vallecito Conservation Camp #1 to be well run, clean, and properly maintained, and was impressed by the dedication of its officers and staff. The variety of programs open to inmates in addition to firefighting demonstrates a commitment to improving opportunities for employment and improved quality of life upon inmates’ release.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Detention Facilities of Calaveras County: A Model of Excellence and Innovation · PDF page 4
Permanent link3 findings
Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District has not had an independent audit performed since fiscal year 2020-2021, resulting in a lack of accountability and transparency to the public it serves.
1 response · Altaville-Melones Fire Protection District
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · PDF page 8
Permanent linkThe District agrees that audits were not current and explains its transition in leadership and financial administration.
Read official response · PDF page 3Calaveras County’s ten fire agencies fulfilled their Measure A requirement to submit management reports, including the previous year’s expenditures and current year’s budget, to Calaveras County Fire Services Joint Powers Authority.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · PDF page 9
Permanent linkCalaveras County Fire Services Joint Powers Authority fulfilled its Measure A requirement to submit an annual summary report to Calaveras County Board of Supervisors, Calaveras County Civil Grand Jury, and local media outlets.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · PDF page 9
Permanent link5 findings
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District lacks or is deficient in the following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-required programs and/or required documentation thereof: Respiratory Protection Program, Exposure Control Plan, Heat Illness Protection Program, and Injury and Illness Prevention Program. This has resulted in significant health and safety risks for its firefighters, and poses a potential legal and financial liability to the District.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 10
Permanent linkStaff grievances presented to Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District management and Board of Directors resulted in instances of retaliation and a general fear of retaliation among the staff.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 10
Permanent linkMokelumne Hill Fire Protection District’s current Standard Operating Policies are incomplete and outdated, resulting in inconsistency, lack of clarity, and non-compliance in following fire industry standards.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 11
Permanent linkMokelumne Hill Fire Protection District’s policies regarding the use of alcohol or drugs while on duty, on agency property, or conducting agency business are not consistently enforced, resulting in potential risk to firefighters and the community, as well as potential legal and financial liability to the Fire District.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 11
Permanent linkMokelumne Hill Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors bylaws do not provide for the rotation of Board officer positions nor set limits for how many consecutive years Board members may hold officer positions, allowing for individuals to hold the same position indefinitely, which impedes the sharing of responsibility, knowledge, and accountability among all Board members.
No response recorded
View finding and responsesHide detailsJury report: Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · PDF page 12
Permanent linkEditorial discussion prompts inspired by the reports. These are separate from the jury’s formal findings and recommendations.
Civic question
Supporting report
Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Calaveras County Animal Services: Road Map to a Modern Shelter - Policies and Procedures · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · Discussion - Revenues and Budgets by Fire Agency
Civic question
Supporting report
Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · Discussion - How Fire Agencies Used Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Measure A Funds
Civic question
Supporting report
Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Taking the Measure of Measure A: Local Fire Protection Ordinance Review · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Mokelumne Hill Fire Protection District: Where There's Smoke, There's Fire · Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
Civic question
Supporting report
Detention Facilities of Calaveras County: A Model of Excellence and Innovation · Background - Calaveras County Adult Detention Facility
Civic question
Supporting report
Detention Facilities of Calaveras County: A Model of Excellence and Innovation · Discussion and Findings, Recommendations, Respondents
No related coverage has been added for this cycle.
Original reports and response documents provide the evidence behind this cycle’s findings, recommendations, and discussions.
Response available
Official report
Response available
Official report