The 2011-2012 santa cruz county grand jury released its final report yesterday. The 134-page report outlined 6-main areas that the grand jury looked into. The grand jury evaluated the effectiveness of programs that seek to improve English skills for children, and recommended that schools publish more information about such programs so that parents can be better informed. The grand jury also found that the local agency formation commission needs better policies for dealing with special districts (such as water and fire-protection districts) that are facing trouble. Grand jurors also found that the city of Watsonville still lacks transparency, and recommended implementing cash-handling procedures among city government and at the strawberry festival. The grand jury report said operational status of the 225-thousand dollar fire truck that was finally delivered last year is “unclear.” The grand jury also recommended implementing better procedures for issuing building permits. And, the grand jury recommended that county supervisors request periodic updates on the condition of gas pipelines in the county.
