Title
Grand Jury recommending the Board adopt revisions to Policy B-10 regarding the tabloid publication of the Grand Jury Report and Responses.
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no fiscal impact or change to net county cost associated with this item.
Background
Board of Supervisors Policy B-10 requires the Chief Administrative Officer to publish up to four Grand Jury reports and the associated responses in tabloid form in local newspapers. The Grand Jury typically releases its report near the end of the fiscal year (June 30) which also coincides with the expiration of the Grand Jury's term. Policy B-10 suggests that the Grand Jury which authored the final report should select the four subreports for tabloid publication.
The 2012-13 Grand Jury has pointed out that per Penal Code, the responses to the report are due 90 days after the date of the publication of the Grand Jury's report, and that the responses are important in the determination of which reports should be publicized. The 2012-13 Grand Jury has requested that the Board of Supervisors amend Policy B-10 to clarify that the Grand Jury which is seated at the time the responses are submitted shall be the Jury which selects the reports.
The Grand Jury recommends (Attachment A) that the following phrase be included in Policy B-10:
"Response Reports are typically not received before the end of the Grand Jury term. Therefore, the following year's Grand Jury will be permitted to proceed with the recommendations of four reports of major importance to the citizens of the County."
Staff notes that the wording suggested by the Grand Jury conflicts with other areas of Policy B-10. Should the Board of Supervisors agree to the amendment as suggested by the Grand Jury, staff recommends that the conflicting language be deleted as reflected in Attachment B.
Reason for Recommendation
The Chief Administrative Office is facilitating this request at the request of the Grand Jury.
Action(s) to be taken following Board approval
A revised Board of Supervisors Policy B-10 will be included in the Board Policy Manual.
Contact
Mike Applegarth (5123)
Concurrences
N/A