The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the findings of a grand jury report that criticized hiring and management within the Building and Planning Departments. The majority of the report centered on the controversy surrounding Stephanie Moreno, a former Amador County Supervisor hired in 2006 to oversee the two Departments as head of the newly formed Community Development Agency. Moreno’s actions became the centerpiece of recent Supervisors meetings and raised questions about both the Board’s hiring procedures and her credibility. Supervisors voted to pay Moreno 89,300 dollars after her attorney claimed he could prove sexual discrimination accusations she had made against certain Supervisors. Moreno was criticized in the report for “confrontational behavior”, “lacking the technical skills and sufficient related experience to successfully perform her job”, and mismanaging county funds, among a number of other accusations. In total, the jury made 17 findings that target either Moreno or the Board of Supervisors. By 2007, several employees working under Moreno began to publicly object to her authority, including firing several employees and her lack of experience with anything related to planning or building. Consultants hired by Moreno herself discovered missing records and evidence that officials sometimes signed off on substandard construction. Moreno also reported directly to the board, bypassing the normal chain of command through the county's chief administrative officer. Among the accusations made against the Supervisors were a failure to conduct a background check, and a failure to “clearly define the reporting relationship of the position.” The grand jury that created the report is comprised of citizens appointed by Superior Court Judge John Martin to oversee government operations. A majority of the Board members defended their actions and backed Moreno. Supervisor Tom Tyron, who agreed to the support the Grand Jury findings, also filed the original complaint against Moreno and was one of her biggest critics. Story by Alex Lane.
Sunday, 02 November 2008 23:44
Calaveras County Grand Jury Report
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the findings of a grand jury report that criticized hiring and management within the Building and Planning Departments. The majority of the report centered on the controversy surrounding Stephanie Moreno, a former Amador County Supervisor hired in 2006 to oversee the two Departments as head of the newly formed Community Development Agency. Moreno’s actions became the centerpiece of recent Supervisors meetings and raised questions about both the Board’s hiring procedures and her credibility. Supervisors voted to pay Moreno 89,300 dollars after her attorney claimed he could prove sexual discrimination accusations she had made against certain Supervisors. Moreno was criticized in the report for “confrontational behavior”, “lacking the technical skills and sufficient related experience to successfully perform her job”, and mismanaging county funds, among a number of other accusations. In total, the jury made 17 findings that target either Moreno or the Board of Supervisors. By 2007, several employees working under Moreno began to publicly object to her authority, including firing several employees and her lack of experience with anything related to planning or building. Consultants hired by Moreno herself discovered missing records and evidence that officials sometimes signed off on substandard construction. Moreno also reported directly to the board, bypassing the normal chain of command through the county's chief administrative officer. Among the accusations made against the Supervisors were a failure to conduct a background check, and a failure to “clearly define the reporting relationship of the position.” The grand jury that created the report is comprised of citizens appointed by Superior Court Judge John Martin to oversee government operations. A majority of the Board members defended their actions and backed Moreno. Supervisor Tom Tyron, who agreed to the support the Grand Jury findings, also filed the original complaint against Moreno and was one of her biggest critics. Story by Alex Lane.
