Supervisors heed Grand Jury's report

For the Times-Standard
Posted: 02/06/2009 01:27:16 AM PST

One indispensable element of good government is holding elected and appointed officials accountable for their job performance. In the case of elected officials, the voters have the opportunity to evaluate each official's performance and hold him or her accountable when up for re-election. But for appointed officials, this must be done by those in charge of government operations.

In its 2008 year-end report, the Grand Jury of Humboldt County found that the Board of Supervisors had no policy for conducting regular and timely job performance evaluations of appointed county department heads. Based on this and related information, the Grand Jury made three specific recommendations to remedy this situation. (The full report can be found at www.co.humboldt.ca.us/grandjury).

These recommendation affect the following positions: Agricultural commissioner and sealer of weights and measures, chief probation officer, child support services director, community development services director, conflict counsel, cooperative extension director, county administrative officer, county counsel, health and human services director, library services director, personnel director, public defender, and, public works director.

Prior to the Grand Jury's report, the only time most appointed official's were “evaluated” was at a time of crisis when an individual was called before the Board of Supervisors and reprimanded in closed session, or when one was given a commendation in open session for commendable service. With no formal mechanism in place for regular and timely evaluations, there are missed opportunities to build trust, establish common goals, make necessary course corrections along the way, and commend and encourage department leaders. One time-tested way to provide this opportunity is with the use of formal, annual written evaluations, as contained in the Grand Jury's recommendations.

It is pleasing to note that when this situation was brought to the Board of Supervisors for response, as required by state law, board members took the matter seriously and responded positively. They agreed with all three of findings of the Grand Jury and stated their intentions to establish the necessary policies and procedures to accomplish the Grand Jury's recommendations. This Grand Jury report and its consequences will be a benefit to all parties concerned, the board, the appointed officials, and the citizens of this county as it serves to improve county government in the years to come.

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Phil Minor, past president -- California Grand Jurors Association -- Humboldt County Chapter, and a three term member of the Humboldt County Grand Jury, resides in Eureka.

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