Amador County -  The Amador County Board of Supervisors responded Tuesday to positive and negative findings on government departments in the 2009-10 Grand Jury Report, which aims most of its criticism at Amador County Animal Control.

After some revision, the board gave approval to an agenda item outlining responses to the jury’s findings. Each finding includes a response from the department head and the supervisors.

In his response, Animal Control Director John Vail disagreed with four of the jury’s findings.

 The Grand Jury said “in cases of stray or wandering animals and nuisance complaints…adequate documentation of dates and times is needed to identify habitual offenders.” The report said offenses must be witnessed by an ACAC Officer. Vail disagreed partially with this finding, writing in response that not all offenses must be witnessed by an ACAC Officer, and some reports may first be filed with the District Attorney.

The Grand Jury also said many of the department’s policies have been modified and are not contained in writing in the agreements at the General Services Administration office. Vail disagreed, writing the “agreements have not been modified,” but “some agreements may be expired and do need to be renegotiated.”

The report said County leash laws are defined by California Government Code” and “ACAC can only seize or impound a dog or issue citations if a dog is on property other than that owned by its owner or the person who has the right to control the dog.” Vail said California Government Code “does not define County leash laws,” but “does prescribe actions that may or may not be taken by Animal Control Officers.”

Jon Hopkins, General Services Administration Director, said he agrees with some of the findings, but he has seen “many Grand Jury reports” over the years and they are “not always accurate.”

Martha Shaver, County Counsel, said “in most cases, grand juries take a lot of time.”

Supervisors agreed with all of the responses made by Vail.

The Grand Jury also found some services provided by the Amador County Detention Facility to be inadequate because of overcrowding, a lack of proper funding and antiquated equipment. Most findings on this and other departments were positive.

In a letter of response to Judge Susan Harlan, who oversaw the grand jurors, Chairman Brian Oneto said “the report reflects a tremendous amount of effort on behalf of the grand jurors.”

Supervisors unanimously approved their response to the findings.

Supervisors John Plasse and Ted Novelli were absent.

Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.