Does the Marin County Civil Grand Jury really make a difference?
As I speak to groups around Marin County who want to know more about the civil grand jury system, I invariably hear this question. So, here is my preemptive answer for anyone who has ever wondered.
• Body cameras for police: After the grand jury report titled “Get the Picture? Audio-Visual Technology and Marin Law Enforcement” was published in 2014, the county sheriff’s department and six local police departments have tested and/or are using audiovisual technology to record interactions between the police and public.
• Recycling: Per the recommendations of the 2014 report, “Recycling by the Marin County Government; Walking the Talk,” the county jail started recycling steel cans and reduced its waste stream by 25 percent. The county reduced its weekly garbage destined for a landfill by almost 1,000 pounds and increased the diversion rate from 45 to 72 percent.
• Foster care: In accordance with the recommendations of the 2014 report, “Shining a Light on Foster Care,” the Department of Health and Human Services allocated an additional $150,000 for recruitment of foster parents and agreed to budget sufficient funds to provide foster children with therapy by licensed clinical psychologists or therapists.
• Sewer systems: Per the recommendations of the 2014 report, “The Scoop on Marin County Sewer Systems: Parts I and II,” multiple sewer agencies have passed ordinances that require homeowners to improve laterals, greatly improving the overall system of sewage removal in Marin. Agencies are also working to get state approval to use treated wastewater to flush pipes rather than fresh, potable water.
• Senior care: After the grand jury report, “Aging in Marin: What’s the Plan?” the Board of Supervisors dedicated $100,000 to Aging and Adult Services to draft and execute a plan known as the Aging Action Initiative.
• Unfunded health care benefits: As a result of the 2013 grand jury report, “Marin’s Retirement Health Care Benefits: The Money Isn’t There,” there has been a dramatic increase in community awareness about this liability. Also, the majority of municipalities and districts in Marin have made specific changes to reduce this financial burden on taxpayers, as recommended in the report.
• County software conversion project: After the 2013 grand jury report, “Marin’s Software Saga Continues — But Is There MERIT in ATOM?” the Board of Supervisors formed an independent advisory committee to help guide the MERIT project, as was recommended, and invited a member of the grand jury to participate on that committee.
• Community services funds: In 2013, the grand jury published two reports that were critical of this county disbursement program which every year gives away an average of $300,000 as a result of supervisor recommendations for pet projects in their individual districts. In part, as a result of the grand jury recommendations, the supervisors substantially reduced the level of funding, delegated the oversight responsibility to the county administrator, and made the process more transparent and less prone to possible abuse.
• Plastic bag usage: Also in 2013, the grand jury report, “Holding the Bag,” was published. Per the recommendation of this report, all municipalities with the county without a plastic bag ban agreed to enact a ban. The county and Fairfax already had a ban and all others with the exception of Corte Madera subsequently enacted a ban. (A statewide ban passed in September 2014 is now void pending the November 2016 election.)
Since the year 2000, there have been 136 Marin grand jury reports published. To access these reports and to download an application, visit www.marincounty.org/depts/gj. Updates on selected reports can be found at www.mccgja.org/?page_id=10.
By Rich Treadgold
POSTED: 03/29/15, 10:56 AM PDT
Rich Treadgold is president of the Marin County Civil Grand Jurors’ Association.
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