Red Bluff, California – The Tehama County Board of Supervisors is set to address the recommendations from the 2024 Grand Jury Report at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday. According to public agency regulations, governing bodies must respond to grand jury reports within 90 days of receiving them. The deadline for Tehama County’s response is March 11.
The grand jury report included four recommendations, one of which focuses on compensating individuals who paid the well registration fee. Another recommendation highlights the groundwater sustainability agency’s need to repay a $634,000 loan from the county’s road department, which was used to fund the agency. The grand jury also criticized the inequitable nature of the well registration fees, noting inconsistent implementation and administration procedures.
To address these concerns, the grand jury recommended repayment plans that do not rely on grant funds or unfair landowner fees, particularly for properties outside the priority groundwater sub-basins. They further urged the alignment of the groundwater sustainability agency’s authority with the sub-basins defined under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). This alignment would require the Board of Supervisors to reassess and potentially amend or abolish Ordinance 2118, limiting the agency’s area of authority.
During the meeting, county staff and supervisors will review the grand jury report and discuss potential responses to its findings. In addition to this matter, Supervisor Matt Hansen previously proposed establishing a Public Safety Assessment Committee to explore the possibility of implementing a public safety tax. The committee would include representatives from various Public Safety departments, public members, board members, and union representatives. Meetings would follow regulations set by the Brown Act for transparency and accessibility.
The deadline for placing a measure on the November ballot would be 88 days before the election, as stated by Clerk of the Board Jennifer Vise. Supervisor Hansen has been working behind the scenes to identify suitable meeting locations and appoint a public safety staff member responsible for agendas, minutes, and notifications. The formation of the working group is expected to have no fiscal impact initially, but depending on their recommendations, potential sales tax revenue for Public Safety departments or other areas may follow.
Another item on the agenda is Director Coral Ferrin’s request for the supervisors’ approval to sign an employer agreement allowing Tehama County to participate in the Shasta College Accounting Clerk Apprenticeship Program. This program spans approximately 18 months and requires a minimum of 3,000 hours of hands-on training, complemented by over 693 hours of instruction provided by Shasta College. Staff considers this opportunity valuable as it creates a pipeline of skilled accounting clerks and accountants through a combination of education and practical experience.
The Tehama County Board of Supervisors meeting promises to address crucial matters related to the grand jury report, public safety tax discussions, and participation in an apprenticeship program. The decisions made during this meeting will impact the county’s governance and public services moving forward.