Grand Jury

MARIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT SUMMARIES 5 MARIN COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY 2017-2018 • OCTOBER 2018 Marin residents support a large number of special districts (in- cluding: police, fire, and sanita- tion), each governed by a board of directors that is accountable only to the voters, yet public oversight is largely missing. Some Marin districts have responded to budget tightening by consolidating and sharing resources, while other districts have responded with larger budgets and higher fees. is report examines the merits of consolidating special districts, why certain attempts have succeeded where others have failed, and what path forward is in the best interest of the residents of Marin. e creation of so many special districts in Marin was not by de- sign, occurring over time without a master plan as once-isolated rural communities developed their own services. Today these com- munities have become connected neighborhoods that are still served by a patchwork of districts. For decades attempts to combine sanitary districts have failed. is report examines why, including differences in funding schemes, fear of losing local control, and lack of oversight. Increasingly, special districts will be required to respond to climate change challenges. Large capital expenditures will be required as Federal and State funds dimin- ish. Consolidated districts will be better able to prepare for these scenarios. e path to move from sepa- rate districts to one consolidated district is complex and requires months or years of increased cooperation. It begins with shared service agreements, proceeding to formal contracts and finally consolidation. By 2030, the population of Marin residents over 60 years old is expected to increase to 34% (from today's 27%). e Grand Jury was concerned that the County may not be prepared for this rapid demographic shi, and that resources might be lacking for elders in the community. During the investigation the Grand Jury was pleased to find that seniors in Marin County have a wealth of information and ser- vices available to them. Marin goes beyond the requirements of both federal and state law by providing additional support and funding to agencies responsible for elder care and awarding grants to nonprofits that also deliver services to elders. e Board of Supervisors has declared 2018 as the "Year of the Older Adult" with plans for exten- sive social and educational events throughout the year. Despite the County's commit- ment to this important issue, and the impressive support mecha- nisms that County agencies have in place, there still remain some areas where improvements can be made. CONSOLIDATION OF SANITATION DISTRICTS MARIN IS AGING: Are We Ready? RECOMMENDATIONS R1. Marin LAFCO (Local Agency Formation Commis- sion) should complete the planned reorganization of Murray Park and San Quentin Village Sewer Maintenance Districts with Ross Valley Sani- tary District. R2. Central Marin Sanitation Agency, Sanitary District #1, Sanitary District #2, and the San Rafael Sanitary District should reorganize into a single sanitary/sanitation district. R3. Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin, Almonte Sanitary District, Alto Sanitary District, Richardson Bay Sanitary District, Homestead Valley Sanitary District, Public Works Department of the City of Mill Valley, and Tamalpais Community Services District should reorganize into a single sanitary/sanitation district. Each entity should initiate a reorganization application with Marin LAFCO. R4. e County of Marin should allocate additional funds to Marin LAFCO. RECOMMENDATIONS R1. e Board of Supervisors should request that Health and Human Services include information about how to register cell phones and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) phones for emergency alerts as part of community outreach. R2. e District Attorney should include registration of VOIP and cell phones in the DA's outreach program. R3. Marin County should develop a plan for a designated elder shelter. R4. e Board of Supervisors should actively lobby State Legislators to allow state grants to be used to help elders with mental illness and co-occurring dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Video Podcast: https://goo.gl/JuACdt Video Podcast: https://goo.gl/brg2Hy Photo Credit: iStockPhoto

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