Supervisors OK responses to [Humboldt County] grand jury critiques of county

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved responses to civil grand jury reports that found problems with the county’s cash handling, its civilian feedback and the overworking of its public health guardians.

Comprised of anonymous citizens, the jury issued seven reports this year outlining critiques of various county practices. The county then responds publicly to state which of the jury’s recommendations it will implement.

In response, the county pledged to create an online feedback form to receive civilian feedback for individual public departments and hire an additional public guardian to care for elderly and disabled residents.

But the county largely disagreed with another report that found errors in the government’s cash-handling practices and policies. In responses, the county’s board of supervisors pushes back on the notion that it needs an additional accountant or to adjust how it accepts cash.

“The Planning & Building Department has sufficiently accounted for its financial activity for many years with existing fiscal staff,” the county’s responses read.

At a meeting Tuesday, the supervisors acknowledged the jury’s investigations but agreed many of the findings are not new discoveries.

“Some of the items are already being addressed or are in the process of being addressed,” said board chair and 2nd District Supervisor Estelle Fennell.

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn agreed, adding he welcomed the jury’s input.

“This opens a lot of eyes… A lot of scabs on things that need to be fixed,” Bohn said.

Eureka Times-Standard
Shomik Mukherjee
August 25, 2020