Here's your chance to help our community. The Fresno County grand jury is accepting applications for jurors for the 2013-2014 term.

A county civil grand jury is composed of 19 citizens, who provide a "watchdog" role over government operations.

The jury's work makes government more efficient and exposes problems. And sometimes it sorts out the truth about political claims dividing our community.

For example, the panel last month reported that the county Assessor-Recorder's Office acted appropriately when it raised property taxes for thousands of agricultural landowners -- 23% on average in 2012 -- despite widespread claims that the increases were unwarranted.

The report called the revised tax roll "accurate and timely," and grand jury Foreman Mark Kalchik said the investigation didn't find any problems with the new Williamson Act tax calculations made by the office of Assessor Paul Dictos.

In addition, the grand jury is mandated by law to respond to citizens' complaint letters and to inquire into the condition and management of public detention facilities within the county.

Not only do grand jury reports garner media attention, but the law requires that government agencies respond to the grand jury's findings and recommendations.

The Fresno Grand Jurors Association and the Fresno County Superior Court want the grand jury to represent the entire county -- not just Fresno and Clovis. We urge residents living outside the metro area to apply.

The minimum qualifications to serve include being a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, a Fresno County resident for at least one year and the ability to speak and understand English.

Jurors serve a one-year term, which runs from July 1 through June 30. The grand jury meets about 20 to 25 hours a week.

For information on how to apply, call Sherry Spears at the court's Jurors Services Division, 457-1605, or visit the website at www.fresno.courts.ca.gov, click on Jury, then Grand Jury.