To: Board of Supervisors
From: County Counsel and Executive Office
Meeting Date: August 18, 2020
|
Department Contact: |
Christian M. Curtis |
Phone: |
234-6885 |
|
Department Contact: |
Carmel J. Angelo |
Phone: |
463-4441 |
|
Item Type: Consent Agenda |
|
Time Allocated for Item: n/a |
Agenda Title:
title
Adoption of Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code Regarding "Compensation and Mileage For Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors"
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Adopt Ordinance amending Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code regarding "Compensation and Mileage for Grand Jurors and Petit Jurors”; and authorize Chair to sign same.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
In 2008, Chapter 2.14 of the Mendocino County Code was amended to its current form by Ordinance No. 4199. Earlier versions were enacted in 2003, 1999, 1995, 1994, 1991, 1987, 1984, and 1983. On July 21, 2020, this ordinance was introduced and first reading was waived.
Summary of Request:
Under Penal Code section 890, the minimum compensation that may be provided to grand jurors is fifteen dollars ($15) per day and mileage reimbursement at the rate applicable to county employees. The statute, however, provides that the Board of Supervisors may fix a higher rate by ordinance. The Board previously enacted such an ordinance which provides a maximum fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) per day, as well as meal reimbursement if grand jurors attend for two (2) hours or more. The proposed ordinance would modify the rates and eligibility for meal reimbursement for Grand Jury members in order to assist them with staying within budget. The ordinance was drafted after consultation with Grand Jury leadership.
The proposed ordinance would largely keep Grand Jury fees at their current rates, but would modify the requirements for the amount of meal reimbursement. Currently, grand jurors receive nineteen dollars ($19) for lunch reimbursement any time that they attend a committee or panel meeting lasting a minimum of two (2) hours. The new ordinance would reduce the maximum amount of reimbursement per lunch from the nineteen dollars ($19) currently set for County employees to a limit of twelve dollars ($12). Additionally, it would provide that lunch would only be reimbursed after an attendance of at least three (3) hours of panel committee meetings instead of the current two (2) hours. It also provides that lunch is not reimbursed for meetings attended by phone or other virtual means.
The proposed ordinance also makes a few changes for the purposes of clarity and consistency with legal requirements. Reference to the County meal policy is deleted to avoid potential conflict or confusion. In particular, the current meal policy would not allow employees to receive lunch reimbursement under the circumstances specified in the current or proposed ordinances, which creates some ambiguity. Additionally, the ordinance clarifies that the minimum grand juror fees of fifteen dollars ($15) set forth in Penal Code section 890, or such future minimum as the State may later adopt, shall control in the event of conflict.
Alternative Action/Motion:
Provide alternate direction.
Supervisorial District: All
vote requirement: Majority
Supplemental Information Available Online At: n/a
Fiscal Details:
|
source of funding: GJ 2060 |
budgeted in current f/y: N/A |
|
current f/y cost: estimated savings for FY 2020-2021: $11,400 |
if no, please describe: |
|
annual recurring cost: N/A |
revenue agreement: N/A |
|
budget clarification: Estimated savings of$11,400 for line item 862250 - transportation and travel. |
Agreement/Resolution/Ordinance Approved by County Counsel: Yes
|
CEO Liaison: Executive Office |
|
|
|
CEO Review: Yes |
|
|
CEO Comments:
FOR COB USE ONLY
|
Executed By: Atlas Pearson, Deputy Clerk I |
Final Status:Adopted |
|
Date: August 19, 2020 |
Executed Item Type: Ordinance Number: 4466 |
|
|
|
|
|
|