Group talks to supervisors about denied reimbursement,
funding
Group talks to supervisors about denied reimbursement, funding
The San Benito County supervisors heard from past and present members of the San Benito County Civil Grand Jury about concerns over funding the group’s activities at the Tuesday board of supervisors meeting.
The most pressing concern from the group is that the most recent request for reimbursement was denied by the County Office of Administration with what the jury members felt was inadequate explanation.
Don Dixon, one of the grand jury members, said the members had agreed to hold multiple meetings on the same day to cut the cost of mileage reimbursements. When they filed their second reimbursement claim for the year, they were told that they could not be reimbursed for more than $15 a day – even if they held multiple meetings on the same day.
Rich Inman, the county administrative officer, explained why the reimbursement has yet to be paid. He said that the ordinance supporting the grand jury allows the members to be paid $15 a day – regardless of how many meetings are held on the same day. His office did not have the authority to approve the claims. His department then went to the court, which oversees the work of the grand jury, and asked for approval of the claims. Inman was informed that it is the board of supervisors who have authority over budget items so Inman said he will bring an agenda item before the board with a resolution to allow for the reimbursement to be paid.
“There was never any intent toward the grand jury of curtailing them,” Inman said. “It’s my understanding that it will be reimbursed … I will bring it forward with a resolution to take care of this.”
Supervisor Jerry Muenzer asked once the claim is paid how much of the grand jury budget will be left for the second half of the year. Management analyst Catherine Shaw said that the group will have spent $15,000 of their budget and would have $5,700 of their original budget left. Muenzer asked if that would be enough to meet the needs of the jury meetings and to publish a final report. Shaw said that based on the grand jury’s estimate, it would not be enough.
“So we will need to augment that budget or cut it,” Muenzer said.
Roxy Montana, a former grand jury member and former foreperson, said that it is the job of the grand jury to represent the people – and to review county budgets, agencies and departments.
The grand jury conducts an annual investigation of the county jail and juvenile hall. They also look into complaints that are brought forth by members of the community such as local school’s not saying the Pledge of Allegiance and concerns animal shelter facilities. The group sends recommendations to department heads for improvements of the of the agencies they investigate – and the departments respond back with plans to rectify the issues. A final report is published at the end of the fiscal year.
“For the millions involved, $25,000 is a steal,” Montana said, of the grand jury’s annual budget.
She noted that the members have to investigate issues on the county, which can include drives to the far reaches. She also noted that the group has limited space available for meetings.
Margie Barrios, a supervisor, said that she would like to look into setting up a permanent, dedicated meeting spot for the grand jury in the future.
Dixon also was concerned about cuts to the grand jury budget. He commented on notes to department heads to reduce their budgets by 25 percent. He said that the jury members believe the budget should be based on the types of investigations the jury undertakes for the year – not a flat rate. He said that the 2011-12 budget was developed without input from grand jury members.
Inman said the 2011-12 budget was based on expenditures by the grand jury for the three prior years.
“My concern here is that there seems to be a sense of de-valuing what the grand jury does,” said John Sitton, the president of the San Benito County Chapter of the California Grand Juror’s Association. “The board of supervisors should go back and look at the budget. It is inhibiting (jurors’) ability to do the job.”
The supervisors were quick to say that they do not want to inhibit the work of the grand jury.
“No one on the board wants to minimize the scope of work,” said Anthony Botelho, a supervisor. “I always felt it is important work. That’s not the issue. No agency is getting more money in the near future. We are only looking at cuts.”
He said that the supervisors eliminated a monthly meeting to cut down on costs and suggested that the jury members look at ways to economize.
“When we receive the reports, we respect them,” Barrios said. “We look at them – the jail and juvenile hall are looked at very seriously.”
2011-2012 Civil Grand Jury members
Josephine Gallegos
Jeremy Lyon
Linda Buckhout
Susan Killian
Laurie Grice
Mimi Cooper
Arthur Bliss
Mike Alcorn
Gary F. Anderson
Don Dixon
Connie Gray
Richard Gray
Steve Greer
John A. Lemos
Jwanita Alexander
Joseph D. Nunes
George Costa, Jr.
Terry McLean
