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.
Park Fire-burned parcel cleanup
A road-access agreement with Sierra Pacific Industries lets county crews reach the last two burned properties needing debris cleanup, working around a closed bridge at South Antelope Creek.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
European Grape Moth detection agreement
A state cooperative agreement was on the agenda for trapping the Asian citrus psyllid, an insect that threatens citrus trees. It would bring up to $8,837 in state funds to the county Agriculture Department.
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.
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.
Air Pollution Control District resolution
Roughly $25,000 is left in the state wood smoke grant, but the air district plans a September 21 workshop on redirecting AB 617 incentive funds to keep vouchers flowing — up to $10,000 for a heat pump for eligible low-income households.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Countywide emergency radio communications project
The county set up a dedicated reserve account for upgrading emergency radio communications, anchoring a $550,000 federal Community Project Funding award and requiring board sign-off on future spending.
Corning Veterans Hall Remodel
The Board was scheduled to take an action on the remodel of the Corning Veterans Hall, presented by Administrative Services Director Tom Provine. This facility serves veterans and community events in the Corning area.
Corning Veterans Hall remodel project
The Board was scheduled to take an action on the remodel of the Corning Veterans Hall, presented by Administrative Services Director Tom Provine. This facility serves veterans and community events in the Corning area.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opposition to grizzly bear reintroduction bill
CSAC's CEO told the board the state budget includes only about a quarter of the money needed to implement Prop 36, and that he's pushing for $50 million for gray wolf mitigation — while opposing grizzly reintroduction (SB 1305). The board signaled it may write opposition letters.
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.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
An agreement with Housing Tools would help administer state housing and homeless grant programs serving the county and the cities of Red Bluff and Tehama.
Foster youth education support MOU
A memorandum with the county Department of Education would coordinate education support for foster youth, with about $222,000 in federal pass-through funding.
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.
Golden State Connect broadband project
Supervisor Hansen reported the countywide broadband project is rebidding with cost increases but still coming to Tehama County, with shovels in the ground hoped for by August.
Bob Nolan exclusion from waste task force
Supervisor Hansen moved to keep Bob Nolan off the Integrated Waste Management Task Force over his harsh online criticism of the county. It sparked a free-speech fight among supervisors and sharp public pushback, ending with the seat left vacant.
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.
Foster caregiver support services agreement
A proposed agreement with the Shasta County Office of Education would fund a child care navigator, trauma-informed training, and emergency child care for foster caregivers — up to $196,698 for the year.
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.
Meals on Wheels operations and funding
Several items touched the Meals on Wheels program: a $14,852 budget transfer, a $150-per-month lease with the City of Red Bluff for the Community Center, and a regular agenda action item. The program delivers meals to seniors across the county.
Verizon Wireless telecommunications facility at Black Butte Lake
Verizon Wireless is seeking a county use permit for a project at Black Butte Lake, which could affect cell service for residents and visitors in that area. The public hearing was the chance for neighbors to weigh in before the Commission decided.
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.
Library Funding and Hours
Residents showed up to say the county's libraries matter — asking for more hours and staffing. County Librarian Alicia Meyer presented the Library budget and explained which positions are funded and how contract expenses work.
Cottonwood Travel Center Use Permit
A travel center project in Cottonwood was scheduled for a public hearing and possible approval with conditions. The proposal includes environmental review under a Mitigated Negative Declaration, and residents may appeal any decision within 10 days for a $575 fee.
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.