Riverside County Grand Jury Report

By Betty A. Anderson

The Riverside County Grand Jury recently documented that laws were broken, parkland was unlawfully sold, and district credit cards were misused at the JCSD. I will work for improvements in the District to ensure that these mistakes are not repeated and for an equitable settlement to resolve the parkland sale.

The District has a new policy to restrict the use of credit cards. However, further procedures are needed to control discretionary expenditures. Currently, up to $25,000 can be spent at the discretion of JCSD managers with only limited accountability being required. New policies are needed to ensure that the lowest possible price for items are paid and that JCSD funds are used and managed properly.

In 2005 the District entered into an unlawful sale of public park land for private development. The Riverside County Grand Jury recommended the JCSD turn over the proceeds from the park property sale to the Jurupa Area Recreation and Park District (JARPD).

This matter needs to be resolved rather than swept under the table. JCSD and JARPD Boards through open forum need to develop an agreement that will equitably compensate the people of Mira Loma for park property that was taken from them.