Sonoma County highlights critical work of civil grand juries, encourages people to volunteer for service

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today honored the important work of civil grand juries in investigating and reporting on local governmental operations to ensure they are being conducted efficiently, honestly and in the best interest of the public.

The Board of Supervisors also adopted a gold resolution proclaiming March as Civil Grand Jury Appreciation Month and endorsed the ongoing drive to recruit new civil grand jurors.

“Civil grand juries help to highlight problems and inefficiencies in local government, and their recommendations improve the services that taxpayers expect,” said Supervisor David Rabbitt, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “I thank grand jurors for their service. We are always in need of more dedicated community members to serve in this role.”

Sonoma County Superior Court is currently recruiting candidates to serve on the 19-member panel for the 2024-25 term, which begins in July. Jurors must be willing to spend 10-25 hours a week on the work of the Civil Grand Jury. To apply, visit the Sonoma County Superior Court’s website, Civil Grand Jury page. The application deadline is April 29.

The Sonoma County Chapter of the Civil Grand Jury Association of California is holding two upcoming recruiting events:

• Open house at the Santa Rosa Central Library, 211 E St., March 5 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Q&A presentation at AQUS Cafe Foundry Wharf, 189 H St., Petaluma, March 19, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

For information on how to apply for civil grand jury service, go to the Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury web site.

The Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury is made up of volunteers who dedicate a year of service to the watchdog body that operates under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court.

The results of most Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury investigations are contained in reports that lay out the findings of specific problems or issues and make recommendations for solutions. By law, the governing body of any agency that is the subject of a grand jury report must comment on the findings and recommendations of the report. The comments must specify what action, if any, has been or will be taken by the department or agency regarding the recommendations or explain why no action has been taken.

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Contact Information:
Matt Brown, Communications Specialist
publicaffairs@sonoma-county.org
575 Administration Drive, Suite 104A
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
(707) 565-3040