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Grand Jury Hub

Fresno County Civil Grand Jury

2025-2026: from findings to follow-through

Overview

Explore the jury’s recommendations, read matching agency responses, and join the discussion. Everything in this cycle is connected to its original source.

Recommendations & responses

Every recommendation made by the jury, with matching agency responses alongside it.

Recommendations & responses

Showing 22 of 22 recommendations

Jump to recommendation

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office

6 recommendations

Recommendation R1

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should adopt a budget for the Coroner’s Office to recruit and retain at least one full-time, board-certified Forensic Pathologist prior to expiration of Master Service Agreement No. 24-014 to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8)

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner
Agency plans to implement

Says implementation will occur by October 2, 2026, citing funded Chief Forensic Pathologist and Forensic Pathologist positions in adopted and recommended budgets and the County Budget Act adoption deadline.

Read official response · PDF page 4

Recommendation R2

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop and implement an immediate plan to reduce the existing backlog of 1,164 open cases to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F3)

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner
Agency says implemented

Reports an implemented backlog reduction plan and more than 800 closed files. Says supervisory staff monitor progress and anticipates completing the remaining backlog by December 31, 2026.

Read official response · PDF page 4

Recommendation R3

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should direct the Chief Administrative Office to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis comparing annual expenditures on contracted forensic pathology services with the cost of employing full-time Forensic Pathologists to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner
Agency declines implementation

Declines implementation as unwarranted, saying annual budgeting already evaluates staffing alternatives and that recruitment shortages, rather than the cost of permanent positions, necessitate contracted services.

Read official response · PDF page 5

Recommendation R4

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors should evaluate whether the current Sheriff-Coroner model provides optimal administrative oversight for forensic pathology to be completed by March 31, 2027. (F4, F5, F6, F7)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R5

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the Coroner’s Office should develop a three-year forensic pathology staffing stabilization plan to be completed by December 31, 2026. (F2, F3, F4, F7)

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner
Agency plans to implement

Says implementation will occur by December 31, 2026. Describes proposed deputy and supervisory positions, continuing pathologist recruitment and contractor relationships, and evaluation of the staffing model by that date.

Read official response · PDF page 5

Recommendation R6

The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office should prioritize funding for three modular buildings in its 2026-2027 budget to include essential operational and public spaces to be completed by September 30, 2026. (F8)

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 16

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner
Agency says implemented

Calls the recommendation implemented because the project was prioritized and submitted for budget consideration, while expressly stating funding has not been approved and further action depends on County review.

Read official response · PDF page 6

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified

3 recommendations

Recommendation R1

FUSD Board of Education should direct executive staff to develop a procedure for completing personnel evaluations per its current policies, including a standard timeline, with some exceptions, so that these evaluations can be completed on a biennial basis, to be done by November 1, 2026. (F2, F3)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R2

The FUSD Board of Education should direct FUSD staff to complete personnel evaluations on all classified and administrative employees by the completion of the 2027-2028 school year, to be done by November 1, 2026. (F2, F3)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R3

The FUSD Board of Education should direct FUSD staff to review and update job descriptions for all full-time employees by the end of the 2027-2028 school year, to be done by November 1, 2026. (F2, F3)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees

2 recommendations

Recommendation Recommendation 1

The Clovis City Council should direct the CPD to assess whether the public record fees in the Department’s current fee schedule meet the legal standards of the California Public Records Act and includes fees that are reasonable for constituents, to be completed September 30, 2026. (F3)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation Recommendation 2

The Clovis City Council should direct the CPD to develop a written, publicly available standard operation procedure to determine how future Department fee schedules are amended, including a recommended regular periodic review schedule every five years, by January 1, 2027. (F1, F2)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!!

11 recommendations

Recommendation R1

The Fresno City Police Department should increase the number and frequency of police officers at this intersection, including enforcement by September 30, 2026. (F1, F6)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R2

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should change the green right-turn arrow lights to a flashing yellow arrow at northbound Friant Road by September 30, 2026. (Figure 4) (F2, F3)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R3

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should enhance signage on northbound Friant Road at the intersection of Shepherd Avenue by adding black striping to existing stop light fixtures by December 31, 2026. (Figure 7) (F4, F7)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R4

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should add signage on both sides of northbound Friant Road prior to the intersection of Shepherd Avenue by installing two stoplight signs, to be completed by December 31, 2026. (Figure 8) (F4, F7)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R5

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should add “Signal Ahead” markings on northbound Friant Road prior to the intersection of Shepherd Avenue by December 31, 2026. (Figure 9) (F3, F4)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R6

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should add signage on northbound Friant Road prior to the intersection of Shepherd Avenue by erecting a stoplight sign with flashing yellow beacon by March 31, 2027. (Figure 10) (F4, F7)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R7

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should erect a flashing beacon with an Advance Traffic Signal Warning Sign to be situated over northbound Friant Road prior to Shepherd Avenue by June 30, 2027. (Figure 11). (F7)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R8

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should remove the left-hand turn lane at northbound Friant Road at the Friant-Shepherd intersection by December 31, 2026. (Figure 12) (F5)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 11

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R9

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should increase timing intervals for the signal lights at this intersection by September 30, 2026. (F4, F6)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 11

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R10

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should prune the evergreen trees or remove these trees in the median on northbound Friant Road approaching the intersection by September 30, 2026. (Figure 5) (F4)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 11

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Recommendation R11

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works should remove a portion of the barrier/retaining wall on the east side of northbound Friant Road far enough to allow line of sight from westbound Shepherd Avenue to Friant Road by December 31, 2026. (Figure 6) (F6)

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 11

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Findings

The jury’s formal findings, with source citations and any recorded responses.

Findings & responses

Showing 23 of 23 findings

Jump to finding

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office

8 findings

Finding F1

We commend the Fresno County Coroner’s Office staff for their consistent compassion, professionalism, and resilient service to families during some of the most difficult and traumatic moments in their lives.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F2

The Fresno County Coroner’s Office employs only one half-time forensic pathologist, which does not provide adequate in-house forensic pathology coverage.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Partially disagrees: acknowledges one half-time employee but argues that employed and contracted pathologists together provide adequate services, and distinguishes NAME best practices from mandatory accreditation rules.

Read official response · PDF page 1

Finding F3

There are 1,164 open cases creating a three-year backlog with no plan to alleviate the backlog.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Partially disagrees with the absence of a plan. Says a March 2026 strategy used overtime, management oversight and temporary staffing, completed more than 800 files, and concerned administrative closure rather than delayed cause-of-death determinations or release of decedents.

Read official response · PDF page 2

Finding F4

Due to the absence of a full-time Forensic Pathologist, the Coroner’s Office relies heavily on contracted Forensic Pathologists to perform routine and complex autopsies, provide case consultations, and deliver court testimony.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Agrees, explaining that recruitment, enhanced compensation and contracts maintain services amid a nationwide shortage of qualified pathologists.

Read official response · PDF page 3

Finding F5

Over the past three years, the County Purchasing Department increased spending on contracted Forensic Pathologists, even though these funds could have supported multiple full-time Forensic Pathologist positions under industry standards.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Partially disagrees: accepts increased contract spending but says permanent positions remain funded and recruitment shortages necessitate contracts while those positions are vacant.

Read official response · PDF page 3

Finding F6

The current Master Service Agreement expires January 8, 2027, after which continued reliance on contracted services will require renewal, rebidding, or the development of an alternative staffing model.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Partially disagrees: accepts the January 8, 2027 base-term end but says two optional one-year extensions could continue the agreement through January 8, 2029, subject to satisfactory contractor performance.

Read official response · PDF page 3

Finding F7

The hybrid staffing model creates operational inefficiencies such as scheduling challenges, case continuity concerns, delayed report completion, and limited institutional knowledge retention.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Partially disagrees with attributing difficulties primarily to the hybrid model, while acknowledging staffing shortages, workloads, scheduling challenges and administrative delays. It describes contracted pathology as a common response to national shortages.

Read official response · PDF page 3

Finding F8

The current facility lacks essential operational and public spaces necessary for effective and compassionate service delivery.

1 response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

View finding and responses

Jury report: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · PDF page 15

Permanent link
Official response
Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner

Agrees that the facility lacks necessary spaces, describing needs for adequate workspaces, breaks, sensitive duties and meetings with families.

Read official response · PDF page 4

Continuity and Response Report

1 finding

Finding F1

The Civil Grand Jury followed up on responses for two of the four reports for the 2024-2025 year; one report’s follow-up response was received, and the second report’s follow-up response was pending as of May 26, 2026.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Continuity and Response Report · PDF page 5

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified

3 findings

Finding F1

FUSD and the Board of Education were within their authority under the California law and their policies and procedures to pay severance to a non-certified employee.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F2

Outdated job descriptions and a lack of continuity and consistency in its personnel evaluations timeline and process may have contributed to this payout.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F3

FUSD appears to be making an effort to update job descriptions and adhere to an updated performance review cadence.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · PDF page 7

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees

3 findings

Finding Finding 1

Because there is no established policy setting standards for revising CPD’s fee schedule, the CPD and City of Clovis management were both unable to show whether its past and current record fees meet the legal standards of the California Public Records Act and other relevant laws.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · PDF page 6

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding Finding 2

Because there is no established policy setting the procedure for revising CPD’s fee schedule, the CPD was unable to provide a clear explanation of the protocol it uses to determine and review record fees for submission to the Clovis City Council for review and final approval.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · PDF page 6

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding Finding 3

The CPD record fees may have violated the California Public Records Act’s “direct costs” standard because the records fees are predetermined flat fees.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · PDF page 6

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!!

8 findings

Finding F1

Due to the high number of collisions, the Friant Road and Shepherd Avenue intersection is the most dangerous intersection in the City of Fresno.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F2

The vast majority of collisions (over 80%) occurred as drivers failed to obey the red-light traffic signal on northbound Friant Road, colliding with westbound Shepherd Avenue traffic turning onto southbound Friant Road. (Figure 1)

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F3

There are natural characteristics at this intersection that contribute to collisions: the direction of northbound Friant Road veers west as drivers approach Shepherd, limiting visibility and reaction time, and there is a slight elevation change approaching Friant Road. (Figure 2)

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F4

There are man-made characteristics at this intersection that contribute to collisions: a) Vehicles have views of six light panels, which cause confusion when entering the intersection. (Figure 3) b) Two light panels have a green light arrow for a right turn onto Shepherd Avenue which adds to the confusion for northbound Friant Avenue drivers. (Figure 4) c) There are four evergreen trees in the median that block the view of the traffic signals, giving drivers less time to react as they approach the intersection. (Figure 5)

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F5

There is an additional man-made characteristic, a sound wall whose height impedes the view on eastbound Shepherd Ave and creates a tunnel effect on northbound Friant Road, contributing to the dangerous situation. (Figure 6)

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F6

The limited ongoing police presence contributes to the elevated collision rate at this intersection.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F7

There are no signs along northbound Friant Avenue prior to the intersection of Shepherd Avenue that alert drivers of an upcoming stop light signal ahead.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 9

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Finding F8

The City of Fresno Department of Public Works has two upgrade options under consideration for this intersection, and neither of these options address the primary issue for this intersection to reduce collisions, which is drivers failing to obey the red-light traffic signal on northbound Friant Road.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · PDF page 10

Permanent link
Official responses
No response recorded
A matching agency response has not been added to Grand Jury Hub. This does not establish whether a response was submitted or is overdue.

Questions

Editorial discussion prompts inspired by the reports. These are separate from the jury’s formal findings and recommendations.

Civic question

What balance of permanent and contracted forensic pathology staffing should Fresno pursue?

The jury recommends budgeting to recruit and retain a full-time pathologist. Residents can discuss how staffing options should balance continuity, recruitment constraints and costs; the recommendation does not establish that a particular staffing model has already succeeded.
Why this matters
Stable specialized staffing supports dependable death investigations and service to families.

Supporting report

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · Recommendations, R1

Civic question

Which staff and family-service spaces should receive priority in coroner facility improvements?

R6 seeks priority funding for three modular buildings with essential operational and public spaces. Discussion can weigh which needs to address first without assuming that funding or installation has been completed.
Why this matters
Private family meetings and appropriate staff spaces affect dignified public service.

Supporting report

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · Recommendations, R6

Civic question

What should a public comparison of permanent and contracted pathology services measure?

The jury recommends a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. Discussion can consider cost, recruitment feasibility and service quality as proposed comparison criteria, not findings that one model is necessarily cheaper.
Why this matters
Clear comparisons help residents understand specialized service spending and trade-offs.

Supporting report

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office · Recommendations, R3

Civic question

What should Clovis publish so residents can understand the basis for police record-copying fees?

Recommendation 1 calls for assessing fees against the Public Records Act and reasonableness for constituents. Discussion can explore useful explanations of costs without treating the jury’s potential-compliance concern as a legal ruling.
Why this matters
Understandable fees can reduce barriers and uncertainty when residents request public records.

Supporting report

Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · Recommendations, Recommendation 1

Civic question

How should residents be able to follow Clovis’s periodic review of police record fees?

Recommendation 2 seeks a written public procedure, including a recommended five-year review schedule. Discussion can consider transparency and public input as ways to make those reviews understandable.
Why this matters
Predictable public procedures make changes easier to follow and question.

Supporting report

Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees · Recommendations, Recommendation 2

Civic question

What voluntary progress updates would make implementation of grand jury recommendations easier to follow?

The continuity report records follow-up on two earlier reports, one update received and one pending, and makes no new recommendations. Discussion concerns useful voluntary updates, not a finding that required initial responses were missing.
Why this matters
Initial agency positions and later implementation progress answer different accountability questions.

Supporting report

Continuity and Response Report · Findings, F1; Recommendations, None

Civic question

What safeguards would make Fresno Unified’s personnel evaluations consistent and useful?

R1 calls for procedures and a standard timeline for biennial evaluations, with some exceptions. Discussion can explore fair benchmarks and support for employees rather than assuming individual personnel shortcomings.
Why this matters
Consistent procedures help employees understand expectations and administrators identify support needs.

Supporting report

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · Recommendations, R1

Civic question

How should Fresno Unified explain progress toward completing employee evaluations?

R2 calls for evaluations of classified and administrative employees. Its wording contains both a 2027–2028 school-year completion target and November 1, 2026; those source dates are preserved, not reconciled here. Discussion can address clear milestones and progress reporting.
Why this matters
Understandable milestones let residents follow administrative commitments without exposing private evaluations.

Supporting report

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · Recommendations, R2

Civic question

How should Fresno Unified keep job descriptions current as technology and work change?

R3 recommends reviewing and updating all full-time job descriptions. It contains both a 2027–2028 school-year target and November 1, 2026. Discussion can consider a clear update process without silently correcting the jury’s timetable.
Why this matters
Current descriptions support fair evaluation and clear responsibilities.

Supporting report

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified · Recommendations, R3

Civic question

How should Fresno balance targeted intersection enforcement with other policing needs?

R1 recommends more frequent police presence and enforcement at Friant and Shepherd. Discussion can consider resource priorities and outcomes without assuming enforcement alone would resolve all collision causes.
Why this matters
Limited public resources require clear reasons for safety priorities.

Supporting report

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · Recommendations, R1

Civic question

Which warning and signal-visibility improvements should Fresno prioritize at Friant and Shepherd?

R3–R7 propose signal contrast, advance signs, road markings and flashing warnings with different deadlines. Discussion can weigh staging and understandable driver information, not claim that these changes are installed.
Why this matters
Clear warnings and visible signals help drivers recognize an approaching intersection.

Supporting report

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · Recommendations, R3–R7

Civic question

How should Fresno weigh safety and neighborhood impacts when changing trees or the sound wall?

R10 proposes pruning or removing median trees, and R11 proposes removing enough of the barrier wall to improve sight lines. Discussion can consider safety and neighborhood trade-offs as questions beyond the report’s proposals.
Why this matters
Visibility changes affect drivers and nearby residents differently.

Supporting report

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!! · Recommendations, R10–R11

Sources

Original reports and response documents provide the evidence behind this cycle’s findings, recommendations, and discussions.

Report overview: Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office

Response available

Silent Guardians: The Unsung Work of the Fresno County Coroner’s Office

Examines forensic pathology staffing, open case files, contracted services, administrative oversight and space for staff and bereaved families. The jury commends staff and recommends staffing, backlog and facility improvements. The published cover leaves its report and release dates blank.
Report overviewCounty response & auditOfficial PDF
Report overview: Continuity and Response Report

Official report

Continuity and Response Report

The 2025–2026 jury reviews responses and implementation follow-up for 2024–2025 reports. It reports receiving all required original responses, records one current follow-up finding and makes no new recommendations. Pending voluntary status updates are distinct from missing required responses.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified

Official report

A Sharper Focus for Fresno Unified

Reviews a severance-payment complaint and finds the district acted within its authority. The investigation also identifies inconsistent personnel evaluations and outdated job descriptions, and recommends clearer procedures and timelines for updating descriptions and completing evaluations.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees

Official report

Overcharged? Clovis Police Department Record Fees

Examines how Clovis police record-copying fees are calculated and reviewed. The jury identifies unclear procedures and potential conflict with the Public Records Act’s direct-cost standard, recommending a fee assessment and a publicly available procedure for future reviews.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!!

Official report

Intersection of Friant and Shepherd: An Accident Waiting to Happen, Again!!

Examines collisions, red-light violations, signal visibility, road geometry, the sound wall and police presence at Friant Road and Shepherd Avenue. Recommendations address enforcement, signal timing and arrows, warning signs, trees, lane changes and sight lines.
Report overviewOfficial PDF

Response documents

County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner response · Fresno County Administrative Office and Sheriff-Coroner · 2026-08-06 · PDF