The 2019-2020 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury issued its reports during the unprecedented conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county continues to be in crisis. Government attention is focused on critical public health concerns, operational difficulties and financial challenges throughout the county.

While a number of agencies responding to our reports did so in a timely fashion, many were delayed in providing responses. In a number of jurisdictions, the CZU Lightning Complex fires exacerbated these delays. Additionally, the Grand Jury experienced technical difficulties during the Interregnum (Summer Break) that impacted a number of agencies’ responses. We apologize to the public for these delays.

We hope that the published responses garner the proper attention to ultimately improve the effective and efficient operation of government.