One of the most important
public services of the civil grand jury is its citizens’ view of how the
public’s business is being conducted.
Often, this valuable assessment
involves cutting through thick layers of bureaucracy.
That was the challenge facing
the 2014-15 Marin County Civil Grand Jury, when it tried to look into the costs
and benefits of Marin’s $47.1 million mental health services.
These 19 citizens who form the
independent jury found their task formidable as they reported that the
important county program’s budget is undecipherable.
If it’s difficult for the grand
jurors, is it clear for the five county supervisors, who approve the grants
applications and distributions throughout the year? Is it clear for taxpayers,
whose money the programs are spending?
The grand jury determined the
program’s “budget process is flawed,” not a reassuring assessment for the
distribution of $47.1 million. The grand jury repeatedly asked for specific
budget information and could not get information about specific expenses and
benefits.
It cited a similar problem in
its assessment of the budget for county homeless programs.
The grand jury added that the
budget lacks any measurement of “whether the programs are effective, successful
or efficient.”
“Notwithstanding the sizeable
$47.1 million budget, the county must ensure that the services are being delivered
efficiently, which is essential to maximize available resources,” the grand
jury report stated.
Governmental budgets should not
require translation for outsiders. This is not an impossible problem to solve,
but it has to be, and should be, a public priority. The costs and benefits of
taxpayer expenses should be crystal clear to not only bureaucrats, but to
anyone who takes the time to look at those budgets.
Transparency and clarity should
be important goals.
May 28, 2015
Marin
Independent Journal
Editorial
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