March 29, 1999

The Honorable Frank J. Ochoa

Presiding Judge

Santa Barbara County Superior Court

1100 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Re: Response to Grand Jury Report on "Performance Based Budgeting"

Dear Judge Ochoa:

It is always difficult to respond to a one-size-fits-all report not specifically tied to your individual department’s performance measures. Nevertheless, we have taken the recommendations on their face and reviewed each of our performance measures with the Grand Jury recommendations in mind.

Response to Recommendation #1.

Our review convinces us that we have already accomplished this goal. Our performance measures are categorized by service delivery segments and the performance measures tied to evaluating and monitoring the most important activities of the department, whether it be in the administrative area, the victim-witness services, or the most traditional criminal justice-related responsibilities. Child support performance measures are detailed and directly related to the quality of services provided to the clients.

Response to Recommendation #2.

Not applicable.

Response to Recommendation #3.

In light of the Grand Jury’s recommendations, we have reviewed and added materials to many of our performance measures to implement this recommendation. Specifically, enhanced descriptions to show benefit and impacts of performance measures to the criminal justice system and to our office have been added.

Response to Recommendation #5b.

This has already been done to some extent, but can be further emphasized. Efforts will be enhanced through discussion with supervisors doing personnel evaluations and through direct communications with the staff to educate and enlighten individuals as to the purposes and importance of the performance measures.

Response to Recommendation #7.

Currently, all incentives tied to performance measurements have been developed by the county, not the departments. We have no current plans to implement anything in this arena. This sounds more like a meet-and-confer item between the unions and the county, so it is not something that this department is actively pursuing at this point in time.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to respond to the Grand Jury’s Report.

Very truly yours,

THOMAS W. SNEDDON, JR.

District Attorney

TWS:rm

cc: Grand Jury Foreperson

Santa Barbara County Superior Court

1100 Anacapa Street

Santa Barbara, CA 93121

Michael F. Brown, County Administrator

Office of the County Administrator

105 East Anapamu Street, Room 406

Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2065