Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Board of Supervisors' Response to 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury Report "Will the Next Big One Leave You High and Dry?"
RECOMMENDATION:
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Approve the Board of Supervisors' response to the 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury Report "Will the Next Big One Leave You High and Dry?"
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BACKGROUND:
On July 8, 2025, the 2024-25 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury issued a report titled 2024-25 Civil Grand Jury Report "Will the Next Big One Leave You High and Dry?" (Report). The Board of Supervisors is required to submit comments on the findings and recommendations pertaining to the matters over which it has decision-making authority within 90 days.
The Board's response to the Report was due to the Honorable Stephanie Garratt, Judge of the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo, by October 6, 2025. The following response was delayed and is provided for Board approval.
DISCUSSION:
The Report requests that the County respond to two (2) findings and two (2) recommendations. The Board's responses to each are as follows:
FINDINGS
Finding 1:
The County Department of Emergency Management has not followed EPA recommendations that it coordinate disaster responses with County water providers, which may compromise its ability to execute a response to a catastrophic interruption in water distribution service.
Response: The County disagrees partially with this finding. Coordination between emergency management agencies and water utilities is important to prepare for and respond to emergencies. The 2021 and 2026 San Mateo County Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan includes the County, 20 cities and towns and special districts across the County. These planning efforts gathered and updated contact information for water agencies. The San Mateo County Department of Emergency Management also maintains com...
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