DATE: September 1, 2020
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Jean M. Rousseau, County Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Fresno County Civil Grand Jury Term Extension
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution extending the term of the Civil Grand Jury due to the impacts of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
REPORT
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The ongoing COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has created difficulties for the Civil Grand Jury to complete its duties. California Penal Code section 905.5 expressly permits a county board of supervisors “by resolution or ordinance” to transition a civil grand jury term from fiscal year term to a calendar year term and vice versa. At the request of the Presiding Judge of the Fresno County Superior Court, approval of the recommended action will transition the Civil Grand Jury term to a calendar year term and allow the current Civil Grand Jury to continue serving until December 31, 2020. This item is countywide.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
There are no viable alternative actions. Failure to approve the recommended actions will result in negative impacts to the Civil Grand Jury duties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Approval of the recommended action will only extend the term of the current Civil Grand Jury to December 31, 2020. The County Administrative Office provides operational support to the Civil Grand Jury and oversees Grand Jury Org 2870.
DISCUSSION:
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency on the Civil Grand Jury’s duties, the Fresno County Superior Court has determined that the term of the current Civil Grand Jury should be extended through December 31, 2020. California Penal Code section 905.5 expressly permits a county board of supervisors “by resolution or ordinance” to transition a civil grand jury term from fiscal year term to a calendar year term and vice versa. Adoption of the recommended Resolution will transition the Civil Grand Jury term to a calendar year term and allow the current Civil Grand Jury to continue serving until December 31, 2020.
The recommended Resolution will also transition the next Civil Grand Jury back to a fiscal year term, meaning that the next Civil Grand Jury will commence its term on January 1, 2021 and will serve through June 30, 2022 (18-month term) at which time the Civil Grand Jury will resume its normal fiscal year schedule.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Yussel Zalapa