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).
Groundwater Fees and Flood Control
A resident warned that every property in 14 Northern California counties may face a well water fee even without a well, calling it discriminatory and possibly unconstitutional under the cost-of-service cap.
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.
Bluffs Community Housing project
The county will pass $11.7 million in state grant funds to a nonprofit partner to build 27 units of permanent supportive housing in Red Bluff for people coming out of homelessness or with behavioral health needs.
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.
Mental health services contracts worth up to $4.2 million
The county is spending up to $780,000 over two years on telehealth psychiatry for adults and children through Iris Telehealth. Services can happen at home or in the office and are largely reimbursed through Medi-Cal.
Sheriff and jail budget growth tied to jail expansion
The jail's daily population jumped from about 125 to 175 inmates, and the 64-bed expansion will push costs up another $269,000. Twelve correctional deputy positions were added mid-year but remain unbudgeted — roughly $1.5 million in future salary the county will phase in.
Juvenile detention housing contracts with Glenn and Trinity counties
The Sheriff's Office was scheduled to seek funding to hire the first three of twelve correctional deputy positions approved by the Board of State and Community Corrections for the new jail expansion. This affects public safety staffing levels and county payroll going forward.
Data center interest in Tehama County
Supervisor Hansen revealed companies are eyeing county land for data centers paired with gas turbine generation — something current zoning doesn't allow and he's skeptical of given water demands.
Ambulance dispatch services agreement with St. Elizabeth Community Hospital
The Fire Department was seeking Board approval of a dispatch-services agreement with St. Elizabeth Community Hospital for ambulance transport, costing $214,156 per year with 4% annual increases through September 2028. Dispatch quality affects how quickly 911 ambulance calls get routed.
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.
Secure Rural Schools wildfire and search-and-rescue funding
Roughly $166,000 in federal Title III money is going to fire prevention staffing, Search and Rescue equipment, and community wildfire protection work — including free defensible-space help for elderly and disabled property owners.
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.
Rent Control Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee report
A corporate owner doubled rents and let maintenance slide at Bend Ferry Mobile Home Park, and the county is one of the last in California with no mobilehome rent regulation. Supervisors want a stronger, enforceable ordinance before voting.
Grand Jury Report response
The grand jury found intimidation, bullying and poor communication in county leadership, and recommended mediation between the sheriff and chief administrator plus an ombudsman process. The board agreed to independent mediation by November 2 but signaled it won't promise what it can't deliver when elected officials have autonomy. A caller said the real problem is that existing rules go unenforced.
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.
Consolidation of Public Guardian/Public Administrator into Social Services Director
The board introduced a charter amendment making the Social Services Director also serve as Public Guardian and Public Administrator. A critic accused the county of consolidating the office before following the charter process; a public hearing is still required before final adoption.
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.
Suicide Prevention and Teen Mental Health
A grieving mother told the board suicide is 'all too common' among local teens and asked for more than a month of recognition — more outreach, a safe place for teens to turn. The board adopted the awareness month proclamation, the sheriff pledged school-based prevention training, and Supervisor Walker pointed her to the Path Center's planned teen center.
First confirmed wolf kill — rancher reimbursed
Ag Commissioner Tom Moss confirmed the county's first documented gray wolf depredation; the rancher will be reimbursed. The board also approved a data-sharing agreement giving the county confidential wolf GPS locations to protect livestock.
Behavioral health funding withhold resolved
The state threatened to withhold about $31,360 from the county's behavioral health funding over gaps in children's and adult outpatient psychiatric provider reporting. After a meet-and-confer and submitting 31 contracts, the county reached a preliminary resolution — no money lost.
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.
TinderSmart Tehama wildfire preparedness
Stephanie Dickerson of the Resource Conservation District was scheduled to give a presentation on the TinderSmart Tehama wildfire program. Wildfire preparedness is a perennial concern in Tehama County.
Executive Director appointment, Health Services Agency
The county is moving on filling its top Health Services Agency job — the person who oversees public health services residents depend on. The Board met privately on the appointment and only said it gave direction to staff; no name or decision was announced.
Certification of June 2, 2026 Primary Election Results
The Board made the June primary results official, declaring who won each county office — including two of its own members, Supervisors Zane and Hansen. This formally locks in county leadership for the coming term.
Public nuisance enforcement at 5639 Hwy 99W, Corning
The commission was scheduled to hold hearings on Case No. CE-26-6 involving property at 5639 Highway 99W in Corning owned by Frank Johnson, including an appeal of a Notice of Violation and a proposed abatement resolution. If a nuisance were declared, the county could order cleanup and bill the owner for costs.
Mineral sewer system deterioration
The Mineral sanitation district completed $277,000 in sewer repairs cutting water infiltration in half, but the plant is 35-40 years old and more repairs are needed — a factor in the district's recent fee increase.
Homeless encampment resolution funding
The county is backing two state grant applications to house people living in encampments in southeast Red Bluff and the Gerber/Las Molinas/Tehama area, building on earlier grants that got 143 people indoors.
Verizon cell tower siting near Paskenta residences
A 100-foot Verizon tower is planned on Crane Mill Road, just 103 to 340 feet from homes. Residents wanted it moved to a nearby hilltop, but federal shot-clock deadlines (day 141 of 150) forced a decision now. The commission approved it with a condition pushing the tower as far north — and away from homes — as the parcel allows.
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.
Fire Department funding and equipment replacement
The Fire Department needs about $1.6 million in carry-over funds next year, and faces steep replacement costs — a new fire engine now runs over $1.2 million and a water tender about $800,000. Volunteer recruitment and radio upgrades are ongoing concerns.
Mental health agreement amendments
The Board had a cluster of agreements scheduled on consent for psychiatric inpatient care and residential mental health treatment — including Vista Pacifica (up to $985,000) and Willow Glen Care Center (up to $1.6 million total). These contracts fund where county residents go for inpatient and residential care.
Verizon Wireless facility on Gyle Road
Verizon Wireless sought a use permit for a facility on Gyle Road, with staff identifying environmental effects that would be reduced through a Mitigated Negative Declaration. The commission was to hold a public hearing before deciding.