Logo courtesy of Butte County

OROVILLE, CA (MPG) – Most Butte County residents will never serve on a civil grand jury, but every year a panel of ordinary citizens is tasked with one of local government's broadest oversight roles, investigating public agencies, inspecting detention facilities, and recommending improvements where needed.

The 2025-26 Butte County Civil Grand Jury concluded its work in June, submitting its annual report to Butte County Superior Court Judge Jesus A. Rodriguez after a year spent examining county and city government operations across Butte County.

The jury, led by Foreperson Larry E. Jessee, said members reviewed complaints, interviewed witnesses, researched applicable laws and evaluated evidence before issuing reports on several public issues.

"We believe these efforts have resulted in thorough and fair assessments that will benefit our community," Jessee wrote in a letter accompanying the report.

The grand jury began with a recruitment effort that invited more than 7,500 randomly selected Butte County residents to apply. Following interviews conducted by the Superior Court, 19 volunteers were selected, sworn in and completed two days of training along with a report-writing workshop before beginning their work.

In addition to investigating complaints, state law requires every county grand jury to inspect local detention facilities. During the past year, jurors toured the Butte County Jail, Juvenile Hall and the county's new Felony Incompetent to Stand Trial facility. Jurors also observed election logic and accuracy testing before the 2025 election and visited school districts, police departments and communities throughout the county to better understand local government operations.

Unlike a criminal grand jury, California's civil grand jury serves primarily as an independent citizen watchdog over local government. State law authorizes jurors to examine county departments, cities, special districts and public records, inspect detention facilities and investigate complaints from residents. The panel may issue findings and recommendations but cannot require agencies to adopt them. Agencies, however, must publicly respond to the jury's findings and recommendations within deadlines established by state law.

This year's published reports, in addition to Chico's downtown parking kiosk system, included the City of Oroville's Gateway development agreement, where jurors found the city sold 12.9 acres for $1 without documented performance guarantees, and Paradise's town administration, which jurors concluded operated in an atmosphere of dysfunction and polarization. The report also included the jury's annual statement documenting its required inspections of county detention facilities.

"It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Butte County in this capacity, and we trust that our findings and recommendations will contribute to the continued improvement of county services and operations," Jessee wrote.

The 2025-26 Butte County Civil Grand Jury included Jessee, Roger Baker, David Cooper, Brenda Crotts, Wendy Deen, Glenn Graves, Debbie Hatfield, Stuart Haynes, Kathleen Kaiser, Kary Lasek-Morton, Gina McCammon, Abigail Mebrahtu, Bruce Racheter, Sonya Seigel, Marla Stratton, Tony Steele, J. Curtis Struble and Shelly Wetmore.