2024 07 17 Fresno County Responds to Grand Jury Report No.4

SONJA DOSTI | COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

JULY 17, 2024

FRESNO COUNTY RESPONDS TO CIVIL GRAND JURY'S REPORT No. 4

FRESNO, CA - The respondents listed in the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury's Report No. 4 have read the report and thank the jury members for their service and investigation. Food safety is a priority for Fresno County's Department of Public Health (DPH) and the goal is to support local businesses while ensuring public safety.

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Office (CAO), and DPH have previously identified many of the areas highlighted in the report and have actively been addressing them.

Among the areas already being addressed by the County:

• The Board of Supervisors approved salary increases for the DPH Environmental Health inspector positions that will ultimately become a 23% increase by July 2025.
• The Board of Supervisors have not only approved salary increases, but also approved free downtown parking and more affordable health care to help attract and retain staff.
• DPH plans to update existing fees and add new fees to support the division's program operations and address updated California Retail Food Code requirements. The proposed fees will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in the early fall.
• DPH has implemented significant website improvements since the Grand Jury interviewed staff and continues to identify areas to improve such as navigation and accessibility.
• The Grand Jury raised concerns with the AMANDA system. This software has improved efficiencies in billing and workflows for inspections. Because handwritten reports have been challenging in the past, an electronic inspection report, on average, is available to the business within 24-72 hours. In the case of a facility closure, a hard copy is provided immediately.
• In October 2024, Fresno County will be hosting the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) statewide Pre-Standardization Conference to ensure the uniform interpretation and application of the California Retail Food Code.

Fresno County's Department of Public Health, including the Environmental Health division, prioritizes public safety when it is involved with any food-borne illness investigations. This was demonstrated during the recent botulism outbreak in Fresno County. The quick action of Environmental Health inspectors, in collaboration with our communicable disease investigators, mitigated spread and coordinated the delivery of the life-saving anti-toxin. This is just one of numerous examples of the important work of the dedicated public health staff.

The County will provide additional and more detailed comments and response to the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury within 90 days of receipt of the report, per California Penal Code section 933(c).

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