SUBJECT
Title
RESPONSE TO 2023-2024 GRAND JURY REPORTS (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The 2023-2024 San Diego County Grand Jury recently completed its term and filed two reports with recommendations requiring a response from the County.
California Penal Code Section 933(c) requires:
• That the governing body of agencies that are the subject of Grand Jury reports respond in writing to the Findings and Recommendations addressed to such agencies; and
• Elected officials such as the Sheriff respond on behalf of their respective agencies.
Therefore, this is a request for the Board of Supervisors (Board) to review and approve the draft Finding and Recommendation responses prepared by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and authorize the CAO to transmit the responses to the Grand Jury via the Superior Court Presiding Judge. The proposed responses address the recommendations and findings contained in the following two reports and note the recommendations to which the Sheriff will respond separately:
• Cannabis in San Diego - How is it Going?
• Dog Bites in San Diego County
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Approve the proposed responses and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to transmit the responses to the Grand Jury via the Superior Court Presiding Judge.
2. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to submit a copy of the Past Grand Jurors Association Implementation Review Committee’s 2025 Annual Report to the Board of Supervisors, no later than December 31, 2025, which provides updates to the County’s responses to the 2023-2024 Grand Jury report recommendations.
3. Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to review the Grand Jury’s recommendations to the Board of Supervisors as stated in the reports listed below, and take any actions that are deemed appropriate based on this review with a report back on the review and any related actions by November 30, 2024.
a. Cannabis in San Diego - How is it Going?
b. Dog Bites in San Diego County
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Grand Jury is a body of 19 residents selected by the Superior Court of California, County of San Diego under the supervision of the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court. Members of the Grand Jury are charged and sworn to investigate county matters of civil concern and may examine any aspect of county government and city government, including special legislative districts and joint powers agencies, to ensure that the best interests of San Diego County residents are being served.
Today’s actions to approve the proposed responses and direct the Chief Administrative Officer to transmit the responses to the Grand Jury continues the County’s commitment to transparency, open government, and collaboration across agencies, ensuring that the County continues to function in the best interest of the public it serves.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The proposed actions support the County of San Diego's Sustainability Goal of engaging the community in meaningful ways and continually seeking stakeholder input to foster inclusive and sustainable communities. The Grand Jury plays a vital role in providing input on various aspects of County government and its role within the community. This process continues to center the County on the core aspect of Community Engagement within the General Management System.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with Recommendations 1 and 2. Funds for the actions requested in Recommendation 3 are included in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Operational Plan in the impacted departments based on existing staff time. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
The 2023-2024 San Diego County Grand Jury recently completed its term and filed two reports, each of which includes recommendations requiring a response from the County of San Diego (County).
California Penal Code Section 933(c) requires the governing body of agencies that are the subject of Grand Jury reports to respond in writing to the Findings and Recommendations addressed to such agencies. Copies of all Grand Jury reports and the subject agencies’ responses to them are posted on the Grand Jury website.
This is a request for the Board of Supervisors (Board) to review and approve the draft Findings and Recommendation responses prepared by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and authorize the CAO to transmit the responses to the Grand Jury via the Superior Court Presiding Judge. The proposed responses address the recommendations and findings contained in the two Grand Jury reports.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
The Grand Jury reports listed above and the County of San Diego’s corresponding responses address matters associated with all of the County of San Diego’s 2024-25 Strategic Initiatives of Sustainability, Equity, Empower, Community, and Justice.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - 2023-24 County of San Diego Grand Jury Responses