Tag: Ventura County Grand Jury

2025-2026 Ventura County Grand Jury panel selected

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Judges of the Superior Court by an Order signed June 20, 2024, nominated thirty-three (33) Ventura County citizens (see attached list) to the panel from which the members of the 2025-2026 Grand Jury will be drawn.

Exercising an option available under amended statutes, the Judges have named among the thirty-three (33) member panel, six (6) members of the 2024-2025 Grand Jury as “holdovers” to the 2025-2026 Grand Jury. The nineteen-member 2025-2026 Grand Jury will be drawn from this 33-member panel on July 1, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. in Courtroom 22 and eleven (11) persons not drawn from the panel for immediate service will remain alternate jurors to be drawn as replacements should that become necessary during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Ventura County Grand Jury announces release of its report Ventura County Animal Services Commission

by Community Contributor • June 18, 2025 • Comments Off

The 2024-2025 Ventura County Civil Grand Jury identified concerns regarding the Ventura County Animal Services Commission’s adherence to its bylaws, inconsistent meeting schedules, and ineffective communication. These and other issues have weakened the Ventura County Animal Commission’s core mission: to advise, guide, support, and collaborate with Ventura County Animal Services.

Ventura County Grand Jury announces release of its report prioritizing Best Practice Street Maintenance

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — Streets are a vital part of a city’s infrastructure, enabling commerce, emergency services, and recreation. They often make up the bulk of a city’s assets and are costly to maintain. Streets not kept in a best practice condition are costlier to maintain. Neglected streets also cause extra wear on the vehicles that use them.

Ventura County Grand Jury announces release of its report addressing refund delays in the Property Tax Assessment and Collection System

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The Ventura County Property Tax Assessment and Collection System is highly complex and interdependent. The Assessor’s department utilizes Oasis software to identify, track, and assess the value of property. Pertinent data are integrated with the Orbit system, which is used by the Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector departments. These departments use Orbit software to determine tax rates, calculate property taxes, prepare the tax bills, apply payments, and distribute funds to over 400 government agencies.

Ventura County Grand Jury announces release of its report Water Rates for the City of Ventura and the Underground Dam in Foster Park

by Community Contributor • May 5, 2025 • Comments Off

VENTURA — The City of Ventura supplies water to its residents from three main sources: the Ventura River, Lake Casitas, and three groundwater sources.

In the early 1900s, an underground dam was built across the Ventura River in Foster Park to supply water to the growing city of Ventura. However, construction of the dam was halted about 300 feet short of the design due to the increasing depth of bedrock and rising inflow of groundwater.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of its Report “Building Better Together: Suggestions for Smoother Permitting Processes”

by Community Contributor • June 13, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA — In response to public complaints, the 2023-2024 Ventura County Grand Jury researched the difficult and lengthy process to approve building projects in the cities of Oxnard and Ventura.

The complexity of a project mirrors that of the approval process. A development project, like a multi-unit housing project, may take years, involving land use guidelines, laws, environmental regulations, public hearings and detailed plan assessments by multiple city departments. The process for permitting an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) can be less complex.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of its Report ‘Linking First Responders: Ventura County Regional Radio System’

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The ability of first responders to communicate on a common radio system is critical when coordinating a response to a major event. The lives of first responders and the people they serve may be at risk if first responders are unable to call for assistance.

The 2023-2024 Grand Jury researched the readiness, interoperability and use of the radio communication systems first responders employ in the event of emergencies affecting Ventura County.

The Grand Jury learned that significant improvements have been made in the ability of first responders to communicate with each other. This report highlights those improvements as well as the remaining challenges.

Application Period Closing April 19 for Ventura County Grand Jury

by Community Contributor • April 9, 2024 • Comments Off

The Grand Jury is an independent panel of 19 Ventura County citizens who serve for one fiscal year, from July to June. Near the end of its term, the Civil Grand Jury files a report of its findings and recommendations with the superior court presiding judge. Afterward, the report is available to the public.

Feb. 22 — Ventura County Grand Jury to hold open house

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2024 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Grand Jury invites the public to its annual Open House on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, from 3:30 To 6 p.m. at the Grand Jury Chambers located at 646 County Square Drive, Ventura.

Learn About the Ventura County Grand Jury: Jurors Available for Speaking Events

by Community Contributor • October 19, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — The Ventura County Grand Jury seeks opportunities to speak to community organizations, non-profit organizations, and similar groups as part of its education outreach program.

The Grand Jury investigates matters affecting aspects of government in Ventura County. The Jury comprises 19 citizens who are impaneled by the Presiding Judge of the SuperiorCourt and serve as a “voice and conscience” of Ventura County residents concerning their local governments.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of the Report Deaths in Ventura County Detention and Jail Facilities

by Community Contributor • June 22, 2023 • Comments Off

VENTURA COUNTY — In the period 2016 to 2022, there were 25 deaths of persons detained in jails operated by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. Causes of deaths included suicide, drug overdose and medical complications. The 2022-2023 Ventura County Grand Jury conducted an investigation concerning current policies and practices to prevent deaths and promote safety of persons detained in the Pre-Trial Detention Facility and Todd Road Jail.

2022-2023 Ventura County Grand Jury — Water Availability for Wildfires in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • June 14, 2023 • Comments Off

In the 2017 Thomas fire and the 2018 Woolsey fire, water shortages hampered firefighters’ ability to protect structures. Ventura County frequently experiences conditions of low humidity, high winds and dry brush, conducive to dangerous wildland fires. Ventura County has ninety-six percent of its rural and unincorporated lands classified as very high fire zones.

The 2022-2023 Ventura County Grand Jury conducted an investigation of current protocols and procedures utilized by 15 Ventura County public water purveyors to supply adequate water for wildland fire suppression.

The Grand Jury finds that having written procedures for actions taken by public water purveyors during a Fire Weather Watch, Red Flag Warning, active fire and/or Public Safety Power Shutoffs due to wildfires is a best practice that is lacking in Ventura County.

The Grand Jury finds that most public water purveyors do not have adequate backup power in the event of disruptions due to fire damage or loss of utility power.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of the Report Addressing District-Based Representation for the Ojai City Council

by Community Contributor • May 17, 2023 • Comments Off

The California Voting Rights Act of 2001 established the requirements for cities to adopt district-based representation in municipal elections. The Ojai City Council voted to implement district-based representation in December 2018, and has since conducted elections with members elected by district.

Since December 2021, one Ojai City Council Member no longer resides within the district from which they were elected and has not maintained a domicile within their district.

Learn About the Ventura County Grand Jury: Jurors Available for Speaking Events

by Community Contributor • September 14, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Grand Jury seeks opportunities to speak to community organizations, non-profit organizations, and similar groups as part of its education outreach program.

The Grand Jury investigates matters affecting aspects of government in Ventura County. Jurors serve as a “voice and conscience” of Ventura County residents concerning their local governments. The Jury comprises 19 citizens who are impaneled by the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of the Mental Health Services and Wellness Centers in Ventura County Schools Report

by Community Contributor • June 23, 2022 • Comments Off

Across America, school-aged children are experiencing an unprecedented mental health crisis. One in three high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. In Ventura County, between 2017 and 2019, one of six students in grades 7, 9, and 11 considered suicide. Half of all mental illness presents itself by age 14, yet few children get the services they need. There is a shortage of sustainable resources addressing mental health concerns among school-aged youth.

The 2021-2022 Ventura County Grand Jury investigated the resources used by the Ventura County Office of Education, Ventura County Behavioral Health, and five Ventura County public school districts to meet the mental health needs of school-aged youth. These school districts represent more than 60% of the County’s public-school population.

Ventura County Grand Jury Announces Release of the Cybersecurity of Water Providers in Ventura County Report

by Community Contributor • June 15, 2022 • Comments Off

Cyber-attacks are a serious threat to the public drinking water supply. Recent cyber-attacks around the United States have resulted in community water supplies being poisoned or their suppliers’ business operations being held hostage by ransomware. In recognition of this critical threat, the 2021-2022 Ventura County Grand Jury investigated the cybersecurity of Ventura County public water providers.

The Grand Jury investigated two primary areas of cyber vulnerability in the water sector: the information technology used to bill consumers and record usage, and the operational technology used to control and monitor treatment and delivery of the water supply. Malicious actors can take advantage of network vulnerabilities and/or weak user access controls in either information or operational technology to disrupt the business and the water service, and potentially degrade public safety.

March 3 — Ventura County Grand Jury to hold open house

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Civil Grand Jury is inviting the public to its annual Open House which will be held on Thursday, March 3, 2022, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

The Civil Grand Jury is a panel of 19 Ventura County citizens who conduct investigations into the effective and efficient operations of all governmental entities within the county. Investigations originate either from a public complaint or from within the Grand Jury.

Ventura County Civil Grand Jury Announces Release of Report on Detention Facilities in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • June 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Pursuant to authority granted in California Penal Code Section 919(b), the 2019-2020 Ventura County Civil Grand Jury inquired into the conditions and management of detention facilities in Ventura County.

March 12 — Ventura County Grand Jury to hold open house

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura County residents have an opportunity to meet the 2019-2020 Ventura County Grand Jurors and tour the Grand Jury Chambers on March 12, 2020. The public may meet the Grand Jurors between 1 PM and 3 PM, review Grand…