Tehama County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tehama County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Newville Road Bridge and Road Work
The county is close to fixing the Newville Road Bridge abutment and removing the one-lane Bailey Bridge; the new ordinance lets the Public Works Director buy easements quickly, with costs under $25,000.
Emergency bridge repairs at Kendrick Creek and Thomes Creek
The county is racing to remove gravel and shore up bridge approaches before winter floods, after a private gravel deal fell through. Residents question whether it's a true emergency, but supervisors say years of deferred maintenance left the bridge at real risk.
Simpson Road Bridge erosion emergency
Tomes Creek's channel has shifted about 100 feet toward the Simpson Road Bridge's north abutment, and a strong El Niño winter could knock the bridge out. Losing it would add roughly an hour of daily driving for families and disrupt school buses, fire and EMS routes. The Board declared an emergency but tabled the free-gravel fix over bidding concerns.
Evergreen Road Bridge Replacement Project completion
Public Works was scheduled to present a Notice of Completion for the Evergreen Road Bridge replacement, closing out the construction contract with J.F. Shea Construction. This is the final paperwork step after the bridge work wrapped up.
99W and South Main Street Improvement Project completion
Public Works was scheduled to present a Notice of Completion for the 99W and South Main Street improvement project built by S.T. Rhoades Construction, formally wrapping up the road improvements.
City of Tehama road maintenance services
Multiple residents described clogged ditches causing flooding near Hogback and Dairyville, overgrown tree limbs damaging vehicles, and star thistle blocking sight lines — and questioned whether road crews will clear drains before a wet El Niño winter.
Bus Maintenance and Administrative Facility rehabilitation
A change order added nearly $40,000 for temporary power during electrical work at the transit facility, slightly exceeding the project budget — paid from Local Transportation Funds.
Bywood Drive Road Division Charges
The county's only Permanent Road Division, on Bywood Drive, got its annual assessment approved with a 2.39 percent construction-cost increase — $279.44 per parcel for 55 parcels. The fund pays for slurry seals, overlays and future culvert work; residents got a fresh overlay in 2025. Chair Walker griped that the county shouldn't be running what amounts to a road association, but the board approved it 5-0.
Director of Public Works Appointment
The county's top public works job — which oversees roads, infrastructure and capital projects — was up for closed-session consideration by the Board. Whoever fills this role shapes how county road and construction dollars get spent.