By: Kern County Grand Jury
PURPOSE OF INQUIRY:
The Cities and Joint Powers Committee (Committee), of the 2009-2010 Kern County Grand Jury visited the City of Tehachapi (City) on October 5, 2009, to inquire into the operations and management of the City. The Committee also inquired into federal compliance of the City with respect to the legal eligibility of employees to work in the United States as per form I-9. The visit was for the purpose of conducting an investigation pursuant to California Penal Code §925a.
PROCESS:
The City’s office is located at 115 South Robinson Street Tehachapi, CA 93561. The Committee met in a conference room with the City Manager (Manager) and several members of the staff.
BACKGROUND:
The City covers approximately 9.6 square miles. The City was incorporated in 1909 and is located in the Tehachapi Mountains approximately 45 miles east-southeast of Bakersfield. The area is known for the Tehachapi loop, Tehachapi Pass Wind Farm and proximity to Edwards Air Force Base. A maximum security prison, the California Correctional Institution (CCI), also known as the Tehachapi State Prison is in the area.
Tehachapi is known as “The Land of Four Seasons” and is an excellent environment for gliding. The origin of the name Tehachapi is in dispute. Possibilities include Native American words expressing sweetwater and acorns, the land of four seasons and windy place.
FINDINGS:
1. The population of the City is approximately 13,000. The number includes approximately 5,000 inmates in CCI.
.
2. The budget for the City is between three and four million with twenty percent in reserve.
3. The City is compliant with ethics training for all elected City Officials.
4. The City hired one new employee last year but lost three employees to attrition. The City remains compliant with the federal I-9 forms.
5. The City has the ability to perform in-house grant writing.
6. The City’s disaster plan was last updated in January 2008
7. The City has seven water wells, six are in use and one is on standby. The City has an above ground 2.5 million gallon water storage capacity.
8. There is one high school, one junior high school, one elementary school and a continuation school (outside City limits). There are two vacant junior high schools.
9. Two years ago the City dissolved the city fire department and contracted with the Kern County Fire Department. The City is very satisfied with the decision, stating the response time is three minutes to a call.
10. The City stated “there was no new home building in the last eight months because of the recent economy.” Three businesses have expanded and one is in planning stages. One new hotel has recently opened and the City is a member of I.C.S.C. (International Council of Shopping Centers).
COMMENTS:
The Committee was impressed by the professionalism and dedication shown by the Manager and Staff during the Committee’s visit.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The City of Tehachapi should post a copy of this report where it would be available for public review.
Note: Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury
Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury, click on: Sign up for early releases.
NO RESPONSE REQUIRED
http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/ViewPost/118972
No comments:
Post a Comment