The process of recruiting and selecting residents for the Marin County Civil Grand Jury to be seated in July is underway.

I recently had the privilege of serving two terms on the civil grand jury and want to emphasize the importance of the grand jury in overseeing the performance of our local officials and governmental entities. In performing that oversight function, it is particularly important that the diversity of the community be reflected in its composition.

We are fortunate to live in a county that prides itself on having capable, thoughtful people in positions of leadership who run local governmental entities and county departments.

That was clear from the more than 200 interviews the grand jury conducted. It was also clear that local and county officials have considerable respect for the civil grand jury, which provides public officials with the community’s perspective on how they are performing their jobs and what improvements should be considered.

The civil grand jury is composed of 19 Marin residents and 11 alternates, who are selected by the judges of the Marin Superior Court to serve a one-year term. It has jurisdiction over the county and local elected officials and more than 150 governmental entities in Marin. This includes county departments, town governments, school districts, police and fire departments, water and sanitary districts, as well as special districts. It also has jurisdiction over detention facilities in Marin, including San Quentin. It does not issue criminal indictments and does not have jurisdiction over state and private entities.

A key feature is the civil grand jury’s independence from interference by public officials and governmental entities. Its proceedings are confidential. It sets its own rules, determines the issues to be investigated, conducts its own investigations, and issues reports annually with findings and recommendations. The public officials and entities that are the subject of the reports are required to file a written response to the reports. The grand jury’s reports and the responses are public documents and can be found on the grand jury’s website.

In addition, a public hearing is often required for a governmental entity’s response to the report.

In the past five years, the civil grand jury has issued 43 reports that have addressed a wide range of issues that impact the lives of Marin residents. In many instances, the recommendations have been implemented. Some recommendations can be implemented in the short term, while others require time and significant funding.

In 2022, after reviewing the tension existing between the Marin City community and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office, the civil grand jury recommended the creation of a civilian commission to monitor its performance. The Marin County Board of Supervisors agreed, and the Civilian Oversight Commission and the Office of the Inspector General have been established.

In 2023, after the defeat of Measure I to extend the sales tax to help fund the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, the civil grand jury created a report entitled “SMART at a Crossroads: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?” It challenged the district to explain to voters the benefits and to retain consultants to evaluate the feasibility and timing of a tax measure to continue operations. The SMART Board of Directors agreed with the recommendations, and they are being implemented.

In 2024, after many school districts sent parents and guardians a list of school supplies to purchase for the upcoming school year, the civil grand jury issued a report that recommended, under California law, that public schools should provide, at no cost to the student or their families, all the supplies, materials and equipment necessary to fully participate at school. All Marin school districts agreed with the recommendation.

Those are just a few of the many successes the grand jury has had in overseeing the performance of our local governmental entities. Serving affords an individual that rare opportunity to have an impact on governmental operations and policymaking.

It is a fascinating experience. You get an intimate insight into the workings of county and municipal government. And, yes, you can (and do) make a difference. Those interested in serving can find the application on the Marin County Civil Grand Jury website at bit.ly/4ixFKC9.

Rod Kerr was foreperson of the 2023-24 Marin County Civil Grand Jury. He currently chairs the San Anselmo General Plan Advisory Committee and serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission.