R14 Discussion and Possible Action Including Approval of the Board of Supervisors' Response to the 2025/2026 Grand Jury Report and Disbanding the Grand Jury Ad Hoc Committee for the Grand Jury Reports Titled, "From Policy to Practice: Digging Deeper into the Board of Supervisors Oversight of Planning and Building Services" and "Continuity Compliance Report"; and Direct the Clerk of the Board to Return Original to the County Counsel's Office for Submission
(Sponsors: Supervisor Williams, Supervisor Haschak, and County Counsel)
Vote Requirement: Majority
Re: R14 — Response to Grand Jury Recommendation R2
I ask the Board to amend that response and retain the Grand Jury’s original March 1, 2027 deadline for completing the final Planning and Building Services policy library.
The proposed response extends completion until June 2028 based on limited staffing and competing daily responsibilities. However, the response provides no staffing data, workload analysis, labor estimate, implementation plan, or other evidence demonstrating why an additional 15 months is necessary.
Mendocino County needs more housing. Property owners may help meet that need by constructing ADUs, improving existing homes, or modifying properties to accommodate additional residents. Before investing in plans, engineering, permits, and construction, they need written, publicly accessible, and consistently applied procedures. Property owners should not receive different answers based on unpublished practices or which employee handles an application.
If PBS lacks sufficient resources to meet the March 1, 2027 deadline, the Board should determine what resources or priorities must change—not simply postpone completion until June 2028.
Please amend the response to R2 and retain the original March 1, 2027 completion date. I take no position on the remaining findings or recommendations in R14.
Re: R14 — Response to Grand Jury Recommendation R2
I ask the Board to amend that response and retain the Grand Jury’s original March 1, 2027 deadline for completing the final Planning and Building Services policy library.
The proposed response extends completion until June 2028 based on limited staffing and competing daily responsibilities. However, the response provides no staffing data, workload analysis, labor estimate, implementation plan, or other evidence demonstrating why an additional 15 months is necessary.
Mendocino County needs more housing. Property owners may help meet that need by constructing ADUs, improving existing homes, or modifying properties to accommodate additional residents. Before investing in plans, engineering, permits, and construction, they need written, publicly accessible, and consistently applied procedures. Property owners should not receive different answers based on unpublished practices or which employee handles an application.
If PBS lacks sufficient resources to meet the March 1, 2027 deadline, the Board should determine what resources or priorities must change—not simply postpone completion until June 2028.
Please amend the response to R2 and retain the original March 1, 2027 completion date. I take no position on the remaining findings or recommendations in R14.