Alpine grand jury report available to residents

The Alpine County civil grand jury 2008-09 has published its findings and residents may obtain a free copy at the Alpine County Courthouse in Markleeville.

The report represents 12 months of work by a dozen volunteer members of the community. Their sworn purpose is to act as an independent and confidential body to inquire into "county matters of civil concern," as prescribed by the California Constitution. The constitution provides that the jury has legal counsel available at no cost, including a judge, the district attorney, county council, and the attorney general's office.

Each year the grand jury must review a specific county office or department. Also, it reviews written and signed citizen complaints alleging misconduct of government employees or elected officials, or inefficiency of government.

Reading the report allows the public windows into county operations. Otherwise, we depend on word-of-mouth about the departments and/or employees who are doing a good job. We rely on those volunteers' informed accounts.

This year's report by the grand jury reviewed the department of public works, since that department had not been reviewed for 18 years.

More than 20 individuals gave interviews and many documents were reviewed. The report cites both strengths and weaknesses in the department.

For example, it states that the construction of the Markleeville Library Park "involved a total upgrade to the grass area adjacent to the Markleeville Library." The drinking fountain in the park was purchased for approximately $3,500. However, "due to improper installation," the drinking fountain repair cost the taxpayer "approximately $4,000-$5,000 for the repair."

The grand jury made several recommendations to the department of public works based on its findings. For example, Finding 25 states that "The three county large snowplow/sanders have exceeded the industry-standard of years in service as first-line equipment of usually 10-15 years. The years of service of the current county plows are two at 21-years, and one at 29-years. Each of these units new would be valued at approximately $160,000 each to replace."

Correspondingly, recommendation 16 states, "The grand jury suggests the county address the immediate need to replace the three large snowplow/sander units. The minimum target the grand jury is recommending is to replace one within a year, the other two at three-year interval each for the result of three new units within seven years by 2016."

After reading that section, a citizen would understand why the county would elect to purchase expensive equipment during these difficult economic times.

Will the department follow the recommendations? According to law, the department has 90 days to respond to the recommendations. The response must be one of the following: a summary regarding the implemented action; a timeframe to implement the action in the future; an explanation of why the matter needs further analysis and a six-month plan to review necessary information; or an explanation of why the recommendation is not warranted or not reasonable.

Several issues regarding both elected and appointed personnel are reviewed in the report. Individuals must respond to recommendations within 60 days. The board of supervisors will receive a copy of the responses.

The final part of the report includes sample documents, e-mails, and reports, as well as information about requirements and applications for grand jury service.

The Grand Jury for 2009-10 is now accepting letters from Alpine County residents. Submit letters to Alpine County Grand Jury, P.O. Box 102, Markleeville, CA 96120.