Stockton adopts policy requiring future Brown Act findings be sent to grand jury and moves to hire external auditor for ethics hotline oversight

The Stockton City Council adopted a package of responses to the 2023–24 San Joaquin County Civil Grand Jury report titled 'City of Stockton: Crisis in Government.' The council approved a new council policy (3.15) requiring that findings from any future Brown Act investigations initiated by the council be submitted to the grand jury within seven days of receipt. The action was approved 7-0.

The city attorney presented two implementation options the legislative committee had weighed regarding the ethics/whistleblower hotline: hire an independent third party (as the grand jury recommended) or conduct an internal review. The council approved a modified response stating the city intends to issue an RFP for a new external city auditor; the RFP scope will include monitoring and investigation of the fraud/waste/abuse hotline. The city attorney was authorized to submit the approved responses to the grand jury on behalf of the city and council.

Council members and members of the public used the item to re-state concerns raised in the grand jury report about outside influences and public trust. Vice Mayor Lee and others stressed that any policy and process should apply broadly to all threats or violations, not be focused on a single individual or group. Staff said the RFP and auditor selection will be handled through the city manager’s office and audit committee and that an RFP is expected in the coming months as part of a broader audit function procurement.