I’m here to comment on the current Grand Jury report regarding Planning and Building Services, published on June 11, 2025 and Grand Jury reports in general. I am concerned that this report is not on the agenda today.
I understand that your comprehensive response will take some time and homework by the ad hoc committee, but three recommendations – 1, 3, and 11 – specify a due date of July 1, 2025. I would think at least these three recommendations should have been discussed today. R1 and R3 recommended direction for the application of existing law. How hard is it to direct staff to follow the law? Even if your final response doesn’t end up supporting the findings in this report, you can’t go wrong with directing staff to follow the law. This simple action would show us that you are taking this report and the work the Grand Jury is doing seriously. And it would be an example of true transparency.
I am concerned that all Grand Jury business, other than appointing ad hoc committees, appears on the Consent Calendar. The Grand Jury is a valuable tool, a tool you apparently aren’t willing to use. Hiding the reports and your responses on the Consent Calendar suggests anything but transparency. In the future, I would like to see all Grand Jury reports regarding county government be on the regular calendar with updates and discussions throughout the process - in the spirit of a truly transparent government.
I’m here to comment on the current Grand Jury report regarding Planning and Building Services, published on June 11, 2025 and Grand Jury reports in general. I am concerned that this report is not on the agenda today.
I understand that your comprehensive response will take some time and homework by the ad hoc committee, but three recommendations – 1, 3, and 11 – specify a due date of July 1, 2025. I would think at least these three recommendations should have been discussed today. R1 and R3 recommended direction for the application of existing law. How hard is it to direct staff to follow the law? Even if your final response doesn’t end up supporting the findings in this report, you can’t go wrong with directing staff to follow the law. This simple action would show us that you are taking this report and the work the Grand Jury is doing seriously. And it would be an example of true transparency.
I am concerned that all Grand Jury business, other than appointing ad hoc committees, appears on the Consent Calendar. The Grand Jury is a valuable tool, a tool you apparently aren’t willing to use. Hiding the reports and your responses on the Consent Calendar suggests anything but transparency. In the future, I would like to see all Grand Jury reports regarding county government be on the regular calendar with updates and discussions throughout the process - in the spirit of a truly transparent government.