Title
a. Review the findings and recommendations of the 2023-2024 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (CGJ) reports on: 1) cannabis tax revenues and 2) the Monterey Fire Department;
b. Consider draft responses to the above referenced 2023-2024 Civil Grand Jury reports; and,
c. Order the Board’s responses to be filed with the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Review the findings and recommendations of the 2023-2024 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Reports titled “Cannabis Tax Revenues: Highs and Lows” and “Monterey Fire Department: Overdue for Overhaul”;
b. Consider draft responses to the above referenced 2023-2024 Civil Grand Jury reports; and,
c. Order the Board’s response to the Monterey County CGJ reports be filed with the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The 2023-2024 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Reports titled “Cannabis Tax Revenues: Highs and Lows” and “Monterey Fire Department: Overdue for Overhaul” were respectively issued on May 3 and May 13, 2024. The Grand Jury requests responses from your Board to Findings F1-F8 and Recommendations R1-R9 to the cannabis tax revenue report, and Finding F15 and Recommendation R15 to the City of Monterey fire department report, which are within the County’s scope of responsibility. California Penal Code, section 933(c) requires your Board respond to the Presiding Judge within 90 days.
Recommended responses are included in Exhibit A and Exhibit B for your Board’s consideration. Upon adoption by your Board, responses will be submitted to the Presiding Judge. Additionally, it should be noted that the Civil Grand Jury requested responses from the Auditor Controller’s Office, District Attorney, Health Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Treasurer Tax Collector on the cannabis tax revenue reports; the response letters are included as Exhibit C.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Auditor Controller, District Attorney, Sheriff, and Treasurer Tax Collector’s responses to the 2023-24 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury report titled “Cannabis Tax Revenues: Highs and Lows” are attached for informational purposes. Board approval is not required for such responses, as the elected offices respond directly to the Civil Grand Jury pursuant to Penal Code section 933.
FINANCING:
There are no fiscal impacts to the General Fund associated with this report.
Prepared by: Karina T. Bokanovich, Management Analyst III
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Chief Assistant County Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Exhibit A - Draft Board Response to 2023-2024 CGJ Report re: Cannabis Tax Revenues
Exhibit B - Draft Board Response to 2023-2024 CGJ Report re: Monterey Fire Department
Exhibit C - Auditor Controller, CAO-Cannabis Program, District Attorney, Health, Sheriff, and Treasurer Tax Collector responses re Cannabis Tax Revenue Report
Exhibit D - Emergency Communications response re Monterey Fire Department Report
Exhibit E - 2023-2024 CGJ Report re Cannabis Tax Revenue
Exhibit F - 2023-2024 CGJ Report re Monterey Fire Department