Tehama County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tehama County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Elected officials' 2.75% salary increase
A closed-session item on elected officials' labor negotiations drew sharp public criticism, with two callers urging no raises given the county's deficit budget. The board opted to move the item to a public agenda at the next meeting.
Fiscal Year 2026/27 County Recommended Budget
The Board adopted the county's $287.4 million budget for the coming fiscal year. The Sheriff publicly criticized the aviation budget line as grossly inflated, signaling possible budget friction with county administration.
County Recommended Budget FY 2026-27
Eight county departments pitched their proposed budgets for next fiscal year. The Sheriff's Office and Jail alone want nearly $19 million in General Fund support, and supervisors are wrestling with rising overtime, equipment, and insurance costs against thin revenues.
FY 2026-27 County Budget Adoption
The recommended budget carries a $6.8 million general fund deficit the county hopes to cover with carryover funds, after trimming it from $11.9 million through vacancy savings and revenue adjustments.
Fiscal Year 2026-27 adopted budget
The Board decided by consensus how to spend remaining fund balance: one vehicle each for the Sheriff's Office and Probation, with the rest going into the Strategic Priorities Account.
Social Services Staffing Crisis and Benefits Delays
The county's annual AB 2561 hearing showed juvenile hall peace officer positions top 20 percent vacancy, prompting a meeting with the Chief Probation Officer to build a reduction plan.
Supervisor Salary Charter Amendment
Supervisors voted 4-1 to ask voters to link their pay to the state minimum wage — about $36,192 a year instead of $12,540, starting January 2027. Critics say the ballot question hides the actual dollar figures and locks in automatic raises forever; supporters say the low pay is scaring off good candidates. Voters get the final say.
Public safety and county finances running short
Auditor-Controller Krista Peterson's June quarter report showed public safety revenue about 25 percent below what was promised — juvenile hall and probation are the big gaps — with the general fund making up the difference. She also flagged roughly $3 million sitting in vacancy contingency that could be trimmed.
Closed-session transparency and Brown Act concerns
Multiple residents accused the board of discussing elected-official pay in a closed session that legally excludes that topic, and of spending too much time behind closed doors generally. The board deferred the negotiator-appointment decision to a future agendized item.
Senior meal funding cuts
Social Services says roughly 400 people will lose their frozen Meals on Wheels benefit slots and go on a waiting list as funding dries up and costs rise. Officials hope raising the eligibility age to 65 lets them keep serving everyone currently enrolled.