Tehama County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tehama County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Domestic Violence Shelter Services Funding
Empower Tehama served 1,701 people last year and is expanding services to Corning, with candlelight walks in both communities this month.
Invasive mosquito found in Red Bluff
Health officials confirmed West Nile virus in sentinel chickens in Tehama County, with deaths already reported in Butte and Glenn counties. Officials urge DEET repellent, staying in at dawn and dusk, tight screens, draining standing water — and vaccinating horses, which are highly susceptible.
Flock camera program expansion
A resident objected to FLOCK automatic license plate reader cameras installed without a public vote, citing Fourth Amendment concerns and documented law enforcement misuse elsewhere, and asked that they be removed.
Meals on Wheels service funding
The Board was scheduled to consider an interagency MOU funding up to $245,562 for Meals on Wheels meals through the Community Action Agency and Probation for the fiscal year. This program delivers meals to homebound residents.
Sheriff's Office staffing and operations
Five separate action items under Sheriff Dave Kain were on the agenda, likely covering staffing, contracts, and purchasing for the Sheriff's Office. Details are unknown without the meeting record.
Public safety ordinance
The Sheriff, District Attorney, and Probation Department jointly brought forward an ordinance for the Board's consideration. Details weren't available in the materials provided, but it's a coordinated public-safety measure worth watching.
Animal Care Center medical donation
The Animal Care Center stood to receive a $19,560.40 donation from the Paschek Living Trust for its medical fund — money that helps pay care costs for shelter animals. A nice boost for the county's animal services without touching the county budget.
Human trafficking victim advocacy grant
The District Attorney's office planned to apply for a $147,000 CalOES grant to support human trafficking advocacy work. Grant money means more victim services without raising local costs.
Permit costs for sheds, carports and small structures
Building Official Patrick Ewald laid out why a $1,300 carport can cost $500-plus in permit and review fees — and pitched fixes: right-sized fees, pre-approved plans, and a streamlined plot-plan review. Supervisors want to make compliance cheaper and easier, and the state's new virtual inspections could help starting next July.
DUI enforcement grant funding
The Sheriff's Office accepted $104,100 from the Cannabis Tax Fund grant program for DUI checkpoints, saturation patrols and drug-recognition training, in coordination with CHP and neighboring agencies.
Health Services Agency staffing realignment
A consent item would create new Community Health Worker and Peer Support Specialist classifications and reclassify seven positions, retroactive to January 1, 2025 — affecting staffing in mental health and drug and alcohol services.
Welfare and IHSS fraud investigations agreement
A consent item would have Social Services and the District Attorney sign a shared agreement for fraud investigations, with up to $505,000 in compensation for fiscal year 2026-27.
Public Guardian office placement
A resident asked whether the Public Guardian/Public Administrator might be moved under the District Attorney's Office. The department considered it but decided to keep the function where it is.
Jail communications tower replacement
The county is spending about $118,000 to replace the radio tower at the Tehama County Jail, and Sheriff Kain wants a dedicated fund for countywide radio funding.
Board code of conduct enforcement
A public commenter accused Supervisor Hansen of violating the board's own code of conduct by making derogatory remarks about a waste management task force volunteer, and asked what consequences the board will impose.
Adult Protective Services technology upgrade
Social Services marked Elder Abuse Awareness Month, reporting 960 abuse responses in the past year by just five social workers, plus a success story of a vandalized-home victim restored to his house.
Morgue HVAC upgrade
The coroner's office gets a long-needed HVAC upgrade to cut the risk of system failure and contamination, with bids opening July 9.
Social Services office security agreement
The Board was scheduled to consider an agreement with the District Attorney's office to station security personnel at the Red Bluff Social Services office for up to $130,040 in 2026-27 — a workplace safety measure for staff and visitors.
Youth drug & alcohol prevention programs
An amended agreement with the Tehama County Department of Education would boost funding for Club Live and Friday Night Live — school-based youth prevention programs — to $88,073 per year.