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Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury

2024-2025: 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 47 of 47 recommendations

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Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials

8 recommendations

Recommendation R1

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should assign the CAO to find and provide an adequate and consistent meeting and interview space for future Grand Juries so that they may meet and interview in secrecy. This should be done immediately so the 2025-2026 Grand Jury may use it.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 22

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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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should create a policy that encourages the Board and requires all senior Tuolumne County employees to read every part of every Grand Jury Report. The purpose of this is so all Board Members, Department Heads and other senior employees understand the public’s view of Tuolumne County government. This should be done within 180 days.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 22

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should direct County Administration to create/hire/purchase/develop an Enterprise Resource Planning system that keeps track of historical information for employees including positions and payments. This should be done within 365 days.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should instruct County Counsel to find an independent attorney to function as counsel for the Grand Jury when a future Grand Jury investigates an agency or department whose attorney is County Counsel. This should be done within 180 days.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should create a policy that encourages the Members of the Board and requires the Department Heads to familiarize themselves with the role of the Grand Jury. This should be done before September 1, 2025.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should create a policy for disciplining Tuolumne County Employees who use retribution and rumors to disparage other employees as well as the Tuolumne County Grand Jury. This should be done within 180 days.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should require the Tuolumne County Counsel to provide written and in person guidance regarding reimbursement procedures and budget management including procedures for increasing their budget, as necessary. This guidance should be ongoing and monthly, or as requested by the Grand Jury. This should be done within one month of the Grand Jury beginning their term and monthly and as requested by the Grand Jury.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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 Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should independently review the employment status of Senior Tuolumne County employees who are participating in Differential Treatment as described in the Grand Jury Report Dated April 30, 2025. This should be done on an as needed basis.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 23

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.

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations

6 recommendations

Recommendation R1

The Board of Supervisors should develop and implement a comprehensive public information program by January 1, 2026, utilizing both digital and traditional media platforms to proactively communicate the Board's priorities and objectives, with particular emphasis on public safety initiatives and fiscal accountability measures.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 19

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 Board of Supervisors should develop and implement formal procedures - no later than January 1, 2026 - authorizing a Public Information Officer or other designated representative to serve as the Board’s official spokesperson under clearly defined circumstances.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 19

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 Board of Supervisors should strictly and immediately comply with the Brown Act, upholding its provisions with the utmost diligence and adhering to County Counsel’s guidance on compliance.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 20

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 Board of Supervisors should immediately and consistently evaluate its Brown Act actions through the lens of public perception, recognizing that even the appearance of impropriety can be as damaging as actual misconduct.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 20

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 Board of Supervisors should establish and implement a formal annual performance evaluation process for all non-elected Department Heads and the CAO by January 1, 2026. This process must ensure full compliance with all applicable county personnel policies and procedures.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 20

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 Board of Supervisors should modify the existing reporting structure to require the Director of Human Resources and Risk Management to report directly to the Board of Supervisors rather than through the CAO, with this change implemented no later than January 1, 2026.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 20

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.

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges

16 recommendations

Recommendation R1

The Board of Supervisors should, by November 30, 2025, publish a pension reform update and continue to do so annually.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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 County should continue annual prepayments to CalPERS to reduce unfunded liabilities.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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 Board of Supervisors, Senior County Administration and bargaining units should, by June 30, 2026, examine the possibility of providing a 401(k), or similar employer retirement plan in lieu of investing in CalPERS for new employees to reduce future CalPERS liability.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF pages 21–22

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 Board of Supervisors, starting October 1, 2025, should mandate that an annual report be prepared showing all employees and costs of the ECU classification and, during the year, require clearly delineated qualifications and costs of any proposed new hires that may become part of the ECU, prior to their hiring.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should, starting October 1, 2025, prepare a long-term solvency plan addressing pensions and general fund shortfalls and address the public with this plan each year through a PowerPoint presentation.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should, by October 1, 2025, clarify and standardize what the ECU is as to definitions, qualifications, etc., and place that information in a document that is available to the public.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should review all current ECU employees for compliance with the updated ECU definitions and qualifications by November 1, 2025.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should, by October 1, 2025, implement stronger oversight of hiring practices and require public reporting on ECU staffing and costs.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors, beginning August 1, 2025, should request a monthly report from the Auditor/Controller’s Office on the status of all overdue audits including the ACFRs.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should develop a plan to finance Deferred Maintenance by November 30, 2025.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 Board of Supervisors should issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to prospective consultants for a new Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) by November 30, 2025.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 22

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 R12

The Board of Supervisors, by May 31, 2026, should choose and award a contract for a consultant to develop a comprehensive Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) that is due by November 30, 2026.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 23

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 R13

The Board of Supervisors should, by December 31, 2025, mandate that an alternate in-house version of a CIP be developed and look at using free or low-cost tools and templates available from organizations like Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) or the International City County Management Association (ICMA).

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 23

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 R14

The Board of Supervisors should mandate that the CAO’s office maintain an updated CIP (or alternate version of the document), beginning November 30, 2025, and use it as a tool for limiting liability and budget planning.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 23

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 R15

The Board of Supervisors should mandate that, by May 31, 2026, all County owned and leased buildings be thoroughly reviewed for life/safety inadequacies and that solutions are developed for any inadequacies found.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 23

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 R16

The Board of Supervisors, by Dec 31, 2025, should obtain a report on the state of insurance coverage on all County owned and rented buildings to verify that there are no outstanding coverage concerns by the insurance carrier.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 23

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.

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government

14 recommendations

Recommendation R1-1

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should consider eliminating all pay raises on the consent calendar. While this could lengthen some Board of Supervisors’ meetings, there would be a significant benefit to Tuolumne County Employee morale.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 20

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 R1-2

Your Grand Jury knows that there is no easy answer to Finding 1-2. The greatest limitation to Grand Jury Investigations and Recommendations is the one-year time frame. Your Grand Jury had enough time to investigate this problem with morale but did not have enough time to provide answers, even suggested answers. The best we can do is request the Board of Supervisors conduct interviews through annual evaluations themselves or by a hired consultant to better understand the issue of Department Heads feeling they are being hindered by Senior County Administration. Because this is such a large undertaking, your Grand Jury requests this be accomplished within 12 months of publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 20

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 R1-4

Your Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors create a policy that all management level positions be posted internally and externally and increase the minimum time those positions are posted to three weeks. Your Grand Jury requests that this policy be created and enacted within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 20

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 R1-5

Your Grand Jury recommends that the Board of Supervisors creates a reclassification policy that must be followed by all employees. This policy should be created by November 2025.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 20

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 R2-1

The Board of Supervisors should review the current complaint reporting structure and update to allow for additional reporting paths. The updated reporting structure, particularly regarding Human resources, should provide a secure means of reporting complaints or concerns that are outside the control of the chain of command of the complainant. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 20

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 R3-1

The Board of Supervisors should discuss during employee evaluations the requirement to act in a professional manner. That direction should include requiring Department Heads to likewise instruct their employees. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF pages 20–21

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 R4-1

The Board of Supervisors should add to the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisor’s Governance Manual, that the Board of Supervisors is to maintain oversight of the Senior County Administration. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R4-2

The Board of Supervisors should amend the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Governance Manual, to ensure that information they are receiving from only one source is accurate. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R4-4

The Board of Supervisors should amend the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Governance Manual to implement a system to ensure the directions communicated through Senior County Administration to the Department Heads are not being misrepresented. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R5-1

The Board of Supervisors should direct Human Resources and Senior County Administration to consistently interpret and apply the standard for what positions are in the Executive Confidential Unit. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R6-1 and 6-2

The Board of Supervisors should update the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Governance Manual to develop and communicate clear expectations for Senior County Administration on how to communicate with and support department heads consistently. Your Grand Jury request that this structure be updated within 180 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R6-3

The Board of Supervisors should develop a policy that allows staff to voice concerns without fear of retaliation. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 90 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 21

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 R7-1 through 7-4

The Board of Supervisors should determine if Tuolumne County is going to use HPO in some, all or none of the Departments. Then create a policy or procedure that enacts this position. Your Grand Jury request that this structure be updated within 180 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 22

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 R8-1

Update the Tuolumne County Personnel Rules and Regulations manual. This manual has not been updated since 1997. Your Grand Jury requests that this structure be updated within 360 days of the publication of this report.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 22

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.

Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports

3 recommendations

Recommendation R1

By September 30, 2025, the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors should establish a protocol confirming that their responses to Grand Jury reports are received by the presiding judge and accepted by the court as compliant with Penal Code section 933.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Recommendation R2

By July 31, 2025, the Tuolumne County Transit Agency Board of Directors should further respond to the report entitled "Tuolumne County Transit Agency" stating a date by which recommendation R2 will be implemented.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Recommendation R3

By July 31, 2025, the Tuolumne County Transit Agency Board of Directors should further respond to the report entitled "Tuolumne County Transit Agency" stating a date by which recommendation R6 will be implemented.

No response recorded

View recommendation and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Findings

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

Findings & responses

Showing 54 of 54 findings

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Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials

8 findings

Finding F1

It is a fact that Tuolumne County has failed to provide adequate office, meeting, and interview space to allow the Grand Jury to conduct confidential investigations and meet in secrecy as required.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 21

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

It is a fact that Tuolumne County has failed to address the treatment of the Grand Jury as identified in the 2022-2023 and the 2023-2024 Grand Juries’ Cover Letters which has caused delays, sometimes fatal, for investigations by the Tuolumne County Grand Jury.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 21

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

It is a fact that Tuolumne County uses a poor Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that does not maintain historical information for employee positions and payments which has caused the inability of the County and Grand Jury from investigating potential issues with employment.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 21

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

It is a fact that Tuolumne County currently uses an unworkable agreement with Calaveras County but has no adequate way to provide independent counsel for the Grand Jury when the Grand Jury is investigating any one of the many departments represented by County Counsel which has caused fatal delays in obtaining information from the County.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 21

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

It is a fact that several current and former members of the Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors either has an incomplete understanding of what the Grand Jury does or takes a dismissive attitude toward the work of the Grand Jury which causes morale problems for some Tuolumne County employees.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 21

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

In the Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices in Tuolumne County Government report issued on April 30, 2025, your 2024-2025 Grand Jury described retribution tactics and rumors being used to disparage employees and that behavior seems to exist regarding criticizing the integrity of members of the Grand Jury. It is a fact that those same tactics are still present in Senior Tuolumne County government even after the departure of the recent CAO in January 2025 and after the publication of the April 30, 2025, report. This is a condemnation on the credibility of all Grand Jury reports and continues the morale problems by Tuolumne County employees.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 22

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

It is a fact that Tuolumne County has failed to provide sufficient written guidance on reimbursement procedures as well as tools for the Grand Jury Treasury Committee to adequately track reimbursement breakdowns. County Counsel made a point at the May 6, 2025, Board of Supervisor’s meeting that the Grand Jury needs more guidance on this topic. This failure has caused the Grand Jury to be unable to understand the budget process and resulted in the 2024-2025 Grand Jury to go over budget.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 22

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

It is a fact that although the former CAO no longer works for Tuolumne County, the county still appears to be under the infl uence of her ‘confidants’ who continue to use the same practices of intimidation and Differential Treatment used before she vacated the County. It is a fact that these kinds of ‘confidants’ have a negative impact on the morale of Tuolumne County employees.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · PDF page 22

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.

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations

3 findings

Finding F1

The Board of Supervisors failed to provide sufficient transparency, nor honest and effective communication to staff and the community regarding board decisions, goals, and financial liabilities. This lack of transparency eroded public trust in the Board of Supervisors.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 19

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 Board of Supervisors failed to comply with the provisions and intent of the Brown Act, further contributing to mistrust of the Board by both the public and county staff.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 19

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

The Board of Supervisors failed to exercise adequate direction and oversight over the CAO and non-elected Department Heads to ensure proper personnel policies and procedures were followed. This failure fostered a widespread perception among county employees and the public, that favoritism influenced hiring and promotions, and that policies and procedures were implemented inequitably.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · PDF page 19

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.

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges

16 findings

Finding F1

It is difficult to predict future costs of pension funds due to being linked to the investment market, causing the risk of a short fall from what was earned to what we owe.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 19

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

Tuolumne County, with the assistance of new state laws and good faith bargaining with employees, has made strides towards reducing unfunded liabilities by paying early, which saves $300K on the annual payment due as well as paying an additional $1M on the principal.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 19

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

Periodic comprehensive update reports on pension reform are valuable tools for gauging the progress of reducing the unfunded CalPERS liability, which in turn impacts the budget.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 19

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 has been a significant growth in the ECU classification over the last 5+ years, which has caused a significant financial impact on the County’s budget and CalPERS obligations.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 19

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

Within Tuolumne County Government there is a lack of understanding as to what defines ECU classification, causing confusion as to whether employees should be in the ECU classification.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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

Tuolumne County Government lacks understanding of the fiscal impact an ECU classification has on the County’s budget, thus there is no clear plan to monitor ECU growth.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 is a perception that the ECU classification has been misused thus undermining the integrity of the classification.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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

Tuolumne County has not filed an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the prior three years (2022, 2023 and 2024), causing the County to have a negative credit rating and to lose opportunities for qualifying for future grants.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 F9

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and Senior County Administration has not developed a plan to finance Deferred Maintenance based on a CIP as mentioned in their FY2022-2023 and FY2024-2025 Strategic Goals, thus not achieving their own goals.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 F10

Senior County Administration has not issued an RFP to develop a CIP, thus not providing feedback for actual costs of CIP to the County for budget purposes.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 F11

Tuolumne County Ordinance Code, section 2.12 .170, requires that the CAO's office maintain an updated CIP in their possession. Currently one does NOT exist, therefore violating the ordinance Code.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 F12

The County has a current “Adopted Budget County Capital Projects” document for the current budget cycle which facilitates budget planning.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 20

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 F13

The County has a Deferred Maintenance List that is delineated by building and is extensive, but has very little prioritization, no dates or associated costs hence there is no way to properly plan or budget for projects.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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 F14

The County lacks any sort of comprehensive project tracking document that includes costs ( staff estimates or contractor bids) , thorough prioritization and dates as to when an issue is noted and due dates for completion. Hence there is no way to properly plan or budget for projects.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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 F15

The condition of some life-safety equipment in County buildings is potentially inadequate, such as fire alarms, horn strobes (audible and visual), waterflows sensors, and emergency signage thus exposing the County to potential legal and financial liabilities.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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 F16

The County’s building insurance coverage was threatened to be canceled if measures weren't taken to eliminate the causes of previously claimed losses.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · PDF page 21

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.

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government

21 findings

Finding F1-1

There is an overall belief and feeling by Tuolumne County Employees that “friends” of those highly placed in Tuolumne County Administration were given pay raises hidden from the public, and possibly from the Board of Supervisors on the consent calendar.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · 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.

Finding F1-2

There is an overall belief and feeling by Tuolumne County Department Heads that some Department Heads were not given the necessary access and time by Tuolumne County Administration and/or Board of Supervisors. Another significant issue in this finding is that many of those interviewed told your Grand Jury that the Tuolumne County Administration policy is to meet with each Department Head at least once per month. Unfortunately, the reality was that the policy was not followed for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes the Department Head held the belief that the meetings were not productive. Sometimes the Department Heads held the belief that Senior County Administration did not support the Department Head’s positions. Sometimes the Department Head held the belief that Senior County Administration actively attempted to hinder the Department Head.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 17

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 F1-3

Some Tuolumne County employees felt that Senior County Administration was spreading rumors about poor work by Senior Department employees, including Department Heads. Your Grand Jury found through a great many interviews that these rumors, according to other Department Heads, were frequently false and spread for reasons to support “friends.”

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 17

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 F1-4

Tuolumne County has used the practice of posting job positions only internally and for very limited durations. While some jobs do not require highly specialized training or education, other jobs do require such training or education. It appears from interviews that management level jobs, the ones that require the most specialization and experience, were the same jobs that were only posted internally and only for the minimum time. We find that obtaining the best candidate for high level positions, including Department Heads, is not done by limiting the number of applicants or only posting those positions for a limited time.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 17

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 F1-5

There was differential treatment between the “in crowd” and the “out crowd” in how reclassifications were done.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 17

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 F2-1

The current reporting structure for complaints creates concerns when the complaint is about someone in the chain of command for the complainant. Your Grand Jury has interviewed multiple employees who have received backlash for making valid complaints.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 17

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 F3-1

Senior County Administration did not behave in a professional manner regarding at least one member of the Board of Supervisors.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F4-1

Your Grand Jury heard from several witnesses that the Board of Supervisors appeared to allow Senior County Administration to function with little or no oversight.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F4-2

Your Grand Jury heard from several witnesses that Senior County Administration misled the Board of Supervisors during Board meetings by misrepresenting the total amount of specific employees’ raises and if Grant funded positions were impacting the General Fund.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F4-3

Your Grand Jury learned that Senior County Administration caused confusion and mistrust among the individual Board of Supervisor members by misleading them as to the opinions of individual Board members on pertinent issues to be voted on.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F4-4

Your Grand Jury learned that Senior County Administration misrepresented instructions from the Board of Supervisors to Department Heads. This caused misalignment of direction for County Employees.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F5-1

Your Grand Jury finds that the Tuolumne County government does not consistently interpret and apply the definition given in the Executive Confidential Unit Compensation Plan when hiring and reclassifying for an Executive Confidential position.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F6-1

Your Grand Jury has found that there is inconsistency in Senior County Administration’s support for department heads, leading to concerns about fairness and transparency.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 18

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 F6-2

Your Grand Jury found a breakdown in communication between Senior County Administration and department heads, leading to significant tension and distrust.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F6-3

Your Grand Jury found systemic discouragement of staff and department heads for speaking out that suggests a culture of fear within the organization.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F6-4

Your Grand Jury found an inability to gain consensus on urgent issues with employees' reluctance to speak out for fear of reprisals.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F7-1

Your Grand Jury found that Senior Leadership at the County did not practice High Performance Organizations methodology.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F7-2

Your Grand Jury found that implementation of the High Performance Organizations methodology was not uniform across county departments for whom this would be appropriate.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F7-3

Your Grand Jury found that no effort has been made to evaluate the effectiveness and benefit of High Performance Organizations

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F7-4

Your Grand Jury found that no effort has been made to determine how much has been spent on High Performance Organizations implementation in the county. Your Grand Jury has estimated the cost was over $100,000.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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 F8-1

Your Grand Jury has uncovered credible allegations of nepotism and favoritism in hiring for the county of Tuolumne. This includes many examples of relatives and friends of relatives leading to a profound appearance of improprieties. This also included hirings completed against recommendations for hiring panels.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · PDF page 19

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.

Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports

6 findings

Finding F1

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and the Tuolumne County Sheriff issued a joint response to the report entitled "Dambacher Detention Center and Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility" within the 60-day timeframe mandated for elected officials (Sheriff), however the response was improperly addressed and not delivered to the court in accordance with the instructions given to each of the entities when they were given the Grand Jury report naming them as required respondents. Although the responses have since been delivered to the court, they were not received within 60 days (Sheriff), nor within 90 days (Board of Supervisors), of receiving the Grand Jury report, thus violating Penal Code section 933.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Finding F2

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors and the Tuolumne County Sheriff issued a joint response to the report entitled "Tuolumne County 911: Sheriff's Dispatch Center" within the 60-day timeframe mandated for elected officials (Sheriff), however the response was improperly addressed and not delivered to the court in accordance with the instructions given to each of the entities when they were given the Grand Jury report naming them as required respondents. Although the responses have since been delivered to the court, they were not received within 60 days (Sheriff), nor within 90 days (Board of Supervisors). of receiving the Grand Jury report, thus violating Penal Code section 933.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Finding F3

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors issued a response to the report entitled "Tuolumne County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)" within the 90-day timeframe mandated for a governing body, however the response was not delivered to the court in accordance with the instructions given when the Board of Supervisors was given the Grand Jury report naming them as a required respondent. Although the response has since been delivered to the court, it was not received within 90 days of receiving the Grand Jury report, thus violating Penal Code section 933.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Finding F4

The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors issued a response to the report entitled "County Services Areas (CSAs)" within the 90-day timeframe mandated for a governing body, however the response was not delivered to the court in accordance with the instructions given when the Board of Supervisors was given the Grand Jury report naming them as a required respondent. Although the response has since been delivered to the court, it was not received within 90 days of receiving the Grand Jury report, thus violating Penal Code section 933.

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Finding F5

The Tuolumne County Transit Agency Board of Directors failed to provide a timeframe for implementation of recommendation R2 in the report entitled "Tuolumne County Transit Agency", thus violating Penal Code section 933.05(b)(2).

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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 F6

The Tuolumne County Transit Agency Board of Directors failed to provide a timeframe for implementation of recommendation R6 in the report entitled "Tuolumne County Transit Agency", thus violating Penal Code section 933.05(b)(2).

No response recorded

View finding and responses

Jury report: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · 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.

Questions

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

Civic question

What information should the Board proactively publish about its priorities, decisions, and fiscal commitments?

The report recommends a comprehensive public information program using digital and traditional media to communicate Board priorities and objectives, including public safety initiatives and fiscal accountability measures.
Why this matters
Proactive communication can help residents understand decisions without having to reconstruct them from meeting recordings and scattered documents.

Supporting report

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · Findings and Recommendations

Civic question

What should a public system show about progress on directives approved by the Board?

The report describes inconsistent approaches to tracking staff progress and records a suggestion for project-management software visible to both the Board and the public.
Why this matters
A shared progress view can clarify who is responsible, what milestones were set, and whether public decisions were carried out.

Supporting report

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · Tracking Progress and Accountability & Public Reporting

Civic question

How should the Board evaluate open-meeting practices when public perception of the process is at issue?

The report recommends strict Brown Act compliance and asks the Board to consider how even the appearance of impropriety can affect public confidence.
Why this matters
Residents need confidence that deliberations, agenda changes, and decisions occur through an open and understandable process.

Supporting report

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · Recommendations

Civic question

What checks should the Board use when important information comes from a single source?

The report recommends amending the Governance Manual to ensure that information received from only one source is accurate before the Board relies on it.
Why this matters
Verification practices can reduce confusion and give residents a clearer basis for understanding public decisions.

Supporting report

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · Recommendations

Civic question

What reporting options should employees have when a concern involves their chain of command?

The report recommends additional complaint-reporting paths, particularly for human-resources matters, that are outside the complainant's chain of command.
Why this matters
Independent reporting options can help surface workplace concerns while reducing fear that the subject of a complaint controls the process.

Supporting report

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · Recommendations

Civic question

How broadly and for how long should County management positions be advertised?

The report recommends posting management positions both internally and externally and extending the minimum posting period to three weeks.
Why this matters
Broader recruitment can expand the candidate pool and make hiring processes easier for employees and residents to evaluate.

Supporting report

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government · Recommendations

Civic question

What should a formal evaluation process for the CAO and non-elected department heads include?

The report recommends a formal annual performance-evaluation process for the CAO and all non-elected department heads that follows County personnel policies and procedures.
Why this matters
Consistent evaluations can clarify expectations, document follow-through, and support accountable management.

Supporting report

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations · Recommendations

Civic question

What should residents be able to see about Executive Confidential classifications, qualifications, and costs?

The report recommends standardized public definitions and qualifications, review of current classifications, stronger hiring oversight, and public reporting on staffing and costs.
Why this matters
Clear standards and cost reporting can help residents understand how management classifications affect hiring and the County budget.

Supporting report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · Recommendations - Executive Confidential Unit

Civic question

What should an annual public pension update explain?

The report recommends that the Board publish a pension-reform update annually and continue annual prepayments intended to reduce unfunded CalPERS liabilities.
Why this matters
Recurring public updates can show how long-term obligations are changing and how current choices affect future budgets.

Supporting report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · Recommendations - CalPERS

Civic question

How should the County explain a long-term plan for pensions and General Fund shortfalls?

The report recommends a long-term solvency plan addressing pensions and General Fund shortfalls, accompanied by annual communication to the public.
Why this matters
A recurring plan can help residents understand tradeoffs, assumptions, and progress across more than one annual budget cycle.

Supporting report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · Recommendations - Executive Confidential Unit

Civic question

What should a public capital-improvement and deferred-maintenance tracker show?

The report finds that the County lacked a comprehensive project-tracking document with costs, prioritization, the date an issue was identified, and a target completion date.
Why this matters
A structured tracker can connect facility needs to priorities, budgets, schedules, and public accountability.

Supporting report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · Findings - Deferred Maintenance

Civic question

How should the County prioritize and report life-safety work in owned and leased buildings?

The report recommends a thorough review of County-owned and leased buildings for life-safety inadequacies and development of solutions for any problems found.
Why this matters
Clear priorities and reported remediation plans can help residents understand safety risks, expected costs, and progress.

Supporting report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges · Recommendations - Deferred Maintenance

Civic question

What facilities should be consistently available for confidential Grand Jury work?

The report recommends adequate, consistent meeting and interview space so future Grand Juries can deliberate and conduct interviews confidentially.
Why this matters
Secure space supports legally confidential investigations and reduces disruption to time-limited oversight work.

Supporting report

Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · Findings and Recommendations

Civic question

How should independent counsel be arranged when County Counsel has a conflict?

The report recommends identifying an independent attorney for investigations involving an agency or department represented by County Counsel.
Why this matters
A reliable conflict procedure can prevent legal-support delays from limiting independent investigations.

Supporting report

Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · Recommendations

Civic question

What historical position and payment records should the County retain in a searchable system?

The report recommends an enterprise system that retains historical information about employee positions and payments.
Why this matters
Reliable historical records support audits, oversight, workforce analysis, and answers to future public questions.

Supporting report

Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials · Recommendations

Civic question

What should a public tracker show about response deadlines, court receipt, and promised implementation dates?

The compliance report identifies responses that were late, not delivered to the court, or missing required implementation timeframes, and recommends a confirmation protocol and dated follow-up.
Why this matters
A transparent response record can distinguish timely legal compliance from unresolved or incomplete follow-through.

Supporting report

Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports · Findings and Recommendations

Civic question

Which rehabilitation and vocational programs should the County help sustain or expand?

The report describes Sierra Conservation Center programs involving vocational training, community service, conservation work, and service-dog training.
Why this matters
Understanding program availability and outcomes can inform discussion about rehabilitation, workforce skills, and community benefits.

Supporting report

Detention Facilities Report · Discussion - Sierra Conservation Center

Civic question

What education, counseling, and transition support should detained youth receive?

The report describes the juvenile facility's Gold Ridge Education Center, counseling, rehabilitation curriculum, vocational instruction, and transition planning.
Why this matters
Education and coordinated transition support can affect whether young people return to school, employment, and stable community connections.

Supporting report

Detention Facilities Report · Discussion - Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility

Civic question

How should regional partners share and explain the costs of juvenile detention services?

The report describes County Probation funding most facility operating costs, with partner-county payments, grant support, and a County General Fund contribution covering the remainder.
Why this matters
Clear cost-sharing information can help residents evaluate regional partnerships and the local resources needed to maintain services.

Supporting report

Detention Facilities Report · Discussion - Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility

Sources

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

Report overview: Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials

Official report

Treatment of the Tuolumne County Civil Grand Jury by Tuolumne County Officials

Examines the workspace, technology, records access, legal support, cooperation, and administrative guidance available to the Civil Grand Jury and recommends institutional support for future juries.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations

Official report

Board of Supervisors Actions and Obligations

Reviews public communication, Brown Act practices, and the Board of Supervisors' oversight of the County Administrative Officer and non-elected department heads.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges

Official report

Tuolumne County's Unfunded Liabilities and Related Financial Challenges

Reviews pension liabilities, Executive Confidential Unit costs, overdue financial reports, deferred maintenance, capital planning, and risks associated with County facilities.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Detention Facilities Report

Official report

Detention Facilities Report

Summarizes inspections of the Sierra Conservation Center, Dambacher Detention Center, and Mother Lode Regional Juvenile Detention Facility, including rehabilitation and education programs. The report offers commendations and makes no findings or recommendations.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports

Official report

Compliance of the 2023-2024 Investigative Reports

Reviews whether required responses to five 2023-2024 Civil Grand Jury reports were timely, delivered to the court, and written using the response language required by state law.
Report overviewOfficial PDF
Report overview: Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government

Official report

Differential Treatment and Hiring Practices of Tuolumne County Government

Examines employee treatment, complaint channels, management communication, Executive Confidential classifications, leadership practices, hiring, promotion, and Board oversight.
Report overviewOfficial PDF

Response documents

No response documents have been added for this cycle.