TAHOE CITY ” The annual inspection of the Placer County Sheriff’s Department Burton Creek Facility in Tahoe City found management and staff are “doing an excellent job despite an inadequate facility.”

The 2007/2008 Placer County Grand Jury Report released Jan. 15 recommends that County Supervisors should make the new facility a higher priority and build it sooner than projected.

Every year, the Grand Jury is mandated by Penal Code Section 919(b) to conduct an on-site inspection of all city police stations, county sheriff’s operations, and jail facilities in Placer County.

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And according to the report, “past grand juries have noted the inadequacies of this (Burton Creek) facility for several years.”

While the report found the substation and its staff in compliance with how it processes and holds detainees, the building is not completely compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, thus it does not meet public needs as required.

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The grand jury is an investigative body created for the protection of society and enforcement of the law. Part of their civil watchdog responsibilities require them to inquire into the conditions of jails and detention centers.

The grand jury conducted the inspection of the Sheriff’s Department Burton Creek Facility on Oct. 9, 2007.