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
County elected officials haven't had a raise since the 2022-23 compensation study while their assistants have, shrinking the pay gap ('compaction') and arguably discouraging future candidates. The Board leaned toward a one-time 2.75% raise plus permanently tying salaries to the management bargaining unit, at about $69,000 a year total cost ($57,000 from the general fund).
Board of Equalization matters before the Assessor
The annual tax rate resolution was adopted, fixing the rates that appear on county property tax bills for the coming year.
Employment programs for CalWORKs participants
Social Services sought an amendment to its contract with Express Employment Professionals to keep running a subsidized employment program for CalWORKs participants, raising the maximum contract to $667,350.
FY 2026-27 Property Tax Rates
The annual tax rate resolution was adopted, fixing the rates that appear on county property tax bills for the coming year.
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.
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.
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.
Sheriff's aviation budget dispute
Supervisor Zane wants an itemized public accounting of the Sheriff's helicopter program, which draws no General Fund money but uses AB 443 and forfeiture funds. Sheriff Kain defended the program's value and offered a full board presentation; Supervisor Hansen asked for it 'down the road.'
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 Director salary increase
Alongside the consolidation, the Board raised Social Services Director Rebecca Emery's salary range from 66 to 72. Public speakers criticized the raise as lacking transparency.
Solar permit fee cost recovery
A resolution on solar permit fees for Building, Fire, and Planning was pulled back for more public explanation. Critics said it conflicts with state solar permitting law and slammed excessive department fees.
WIC program funding increase
The county's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program contract got a proposed $72,579 bump, bringing total funding to about $3.05 million. That supports nutrition help for local families with young children.
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.
AJR 23 — splitting inland California into a new state
Congressman Gallagher asked counties to support a constitutional process to form a new state, citing water, wildfire, wolves, and lack of representation. Supervisors expressed a range of views — some supportive, some skeptical — and agreed to bring a letter of support to a future meeting.
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.
Elected Department Heads Negotiations
Auditor-Controller Krista Peterson said the elected department heads just want a chance to talk with the board about their compensation. The board agreed Chair Walker and Vice Chair Jones will meet with them privately as negotiators and bring options back — possibly tying elected salaries to the management salary schedule so it isn't renegotiated every contract cycle.
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.
Tehama County Transit Agency possible separation
Supervisor Hansen reported TCTC is exploring separating from the county, with two benefit-package options under review — one nearly doubling costs. The new public works director will study benefits and liabilities.
Meeting continuity despite audio system failure
The chamber's audio system failed right after the meeting started and couldn't be fixed, meaning the public couldn't hear or stream the meeting for most of the session. The Board used a state open-meeting law provision to keep going after a one-hour wait.
Retroactive Social Services Title Change
The county retitled its Chief Deputy Director of Social Services to Assistant Director retroactive to last September, which drew public criticism that retroactive raises aren't normal practice.
Microsoft O365 software purchase for Social Services
Social Services wants to skip formal bidding and spend up to $265,000 over three years on 200 Microsoft O365 subscriptions and server licenses from SHI International. The county says it's needed for security, compliance, and the state's new Child Protective Services case management system arriving in October 2026.
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.
Elections costs and second special election
The special election for the late Congressman LaMalfa's congressional seat will cost Tehama County about $115,000, with no state reimbursement expected because it stems from a vacancy rather than a state-called election.