Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Shasta County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
34 issues with high priority
Social Services Fund shortfall
The social services department is running a negative cash balance because state and federal funding — including impacts from HR1 federal cuts — has shrunk. The county loaned up to $10 million to keep it afloat, and staff floated voluntary furloughs, overtime cuts, and closing the California Street office.
Potential county litigation
Behind closed doors, the Board discussed a threatened lawsuit by Clerk/Registrar Clint Curtis and committed that elections employees involved in an investigation will be represented and indemnified by the county if sued. The Board then voted 4-1 to waive privilege over that closed session discussion.
Opposition to AB 1383 pension legislation
Even though Governor Newsom vetoed AB 1383, the county wants its opposition on record because the bill would have raised pension costs for public employers, including safety employees. Supervisors split 3-2 on whether to send the letter now or gather more law enforcement input first.
Opioid settlement funds for workforce programs
The county has roughly $10-12 million left in opioid settlement money, but there's been no formal way for community groups to apply. The board directed staff to create a competitive RFP process for up to $1.5 million.
County Counsel employment agreement fails
Supervisors failed to renew County Counsel Joseph Larmour's contract for a new four-year term, leaving his current agreement in place until it expires. Dissenting supervisors cited the early timing of the extension and an 18-month severance package.
Veteran suicide prevention and recovery services
Our Heroes' Dreams reported helping 30 homeless or addicted veterans with $249,852 in opioid settlement dollars, exhausting the funds five and a half months into a 12-month contract. Supervisors signaled interest in finding more money.
Potential censure of Registrar of Voters
Two investigations found misconduct by the county's elections chief, and the board formally censured him 3-1. Supporters and critics filled the room for hours; Curtis says he'll sue, and the vote followed his loss in the June election.
Churn Creek and Balls Ferry road repaving
A $1.58 million contract will repave two heavily used roads, with $1.78 million budgeted from restricted road funds.
West Central Landfill Unit 5A construction
The County awarded a $5.16 million contract to build the next cell at West Central Landfill, keeping landfill capacity available for the region.
Filling vacancies in elected county offices (Measure F)
A charter amendment would require most vacancies in elected county department head positions to be filled by special election, with an open public recruitment only if no election is possible within 12 months.
Election certification for Congressional District 1 special election
The Board formally certified the June 2 special election results. Several residents used public comment to raise election concerns, though the certification itself is a mandatory legal step.
County email retention and public records transparency
How long the county keeps emails before deleting them — directly affects what's available in Public Records Act requests. Residents pushed back against a one-year deletion policy and got two years with a one-month grace period instead.
Charter amendment limiting eminent domain
The Board is moving two Charter amendments toward the November 2026 ballot: one limits the County's power to take property through eminent domain, the other lets the Board appoint (by a 4/5 vote) or call an election to fill a vacancy in an elected office. Two similar measures failed with voters in 2024, so how these are worded could matter to the outcome.
State election lawsuit against the County
In closed session the Board voted 4-0 to provide no defense for the County or Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis in the Attorney General's election lawsuit (People v. County of Shasta, now on appeal as C106517).
Youth suicide prevention program
Public Health presented local suicide statistics, program funding, and a new multi-agency Suicide Fatality Review Team aimed at better coordination to help people at risk.
Ballot Measure Election Results
Shasta County voters just passed Measure B, and now California’s attorney general is hinting he may step in. If you live there, this isn’t just a ballot result—it could change how your county government runs.
Attorney retention bonuses
The county will pay $10,000 retention bonuses to attorneys in the DA, Public Defender, and County Counsel offices, funded from interest on general reserves. Supervisor Long also wants multi-year funding and brought a plan for $30,000 bonuses over three years.
AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Fee Increase
Every fee-paying registered vehicle in Shasta County will pay $1.25 more for air quality programs starting October 1. The board rejected the $6 maximum staff proposed, and the first dollar of the increase goes to lower member jurisdictions' assessments. The rest funds clean-air grants and district programs.
County Election Results
Shasta County’s election results are rolling in, with Francescut looking likely to take the county clerk job and moderate candidates leading supervisor races. Those winners will shape county policy—and local political tone—for years, so it’s worth watching even if you skim the headlines.
County defense in Katske election litigation
Two related lawsuits — Katske v. Clint Curtis et al. and Katske v. County of Shasta — challenge election-related conduct in Shasta County. The Board had to decide whether the County defends its Clerk and employees and whether taxpayers fund outside attorneys.
Keswick six-lot subdivision and rezone
A 1.5-acre property on Keswick Dam Road can now be split into six single-family residential lots. The rezone and tract map were approved unanimously, but LAFCO approval is still needed and questions remain about city water/sewer service and Redding's 2045 General Plan.
December 2025 storm damage repairs
Supervisors found the storm emergency is ongoing, letting the county skip competitive bidding to fix roads, bridges, and facilities faster.
Senior suicide and senior homelessness studies
Supervisor Plummer asked the Commission on Aging to dig into two growing problems — senior suicide and senior homelessness — and report back with findings by the end of the year.
Substance use disorder treatment expansion
Opioid settlement money is going to build a 75-bed residential treatment facility at Good News Rescue Mission, unlocking $17.8 million in state matching funds. That means more local treatment beds for people struggling with addiction.
Carr Fire rebuilding obstacles and housing production
Supervisor Plummer pulled the annual housing report to ask why so many Carr Fire victims still haven't rebuilt. Staff said the streamlined rebuild procedures for fire victims expired and suggested reaching out to those landowners with grant or help programs. Fewer approved applications and slow rebuilding show the recovery isn't done.
Cottonwood sewer capacity and connection fee increase
The Cottonwood sewer plant is at 77% capacity, and the county wants new connections to pay $28,300 instead of $6,700 to fund a $29 million expansion. Supervisors worried the huge fee could kill development and hurt individual landowners, so they delayed a decision until after budget hearings. Without it, staff warn new development could be banned outright.
Pathways to Leadership Campus Expansion youth mental health facility
The county is putting up to $1.92 million in opioid settlement money toward a youth behavioral health campus in the Anderson area with treatment beds for youth in crisis. Support is contingent on backing from the Anderson City Council, probation, and local law enforcement.
Manton solar project appeal (Use Permit 24-0009)
Battle Creek Alliance appealed the Planning Commission's approval of the RCPA Solar 14 project near Manton. The Board let the approval stand 4-1, ruling the commission had acted within its authority.
Jail medical services contract
The county is switching jail medical care from Wellpath to Mediko at roughly 40% higher cost, but the new deal doubles medical staffing and boosts addiction treatment in the jail. Sheriff Johnson said the competitive RFP drew seven proposals this time versus one last time.
state lawsuit over Measure B
A lawsuit challenges the legality of a proposed county charter amendment on elections that qualified for the June ballot. Supervisors had to decide whether the county pays for the Registrar of Voters's attorney and whether the measure's proponents can defend it themselves — decisions that affect whether voters get to weigh in.
Measles outbreak and public health priorities
The county's Health Officer confirmed an active measles outbreak and stressed vaccination is the prevention tool. Residents who suspect exposure should contact their medical provider.
Behavioral health provider shortage and telepsychiatry spending
Supervisors more than doubled the telepsychiatry contract after hearing about vacancies in behavioral health. The $4.3 million cap reflects how hard it is to keep psychiatric care staffed in rural Northern California.
CDBG-DR multifamily housing funding for City of Anderson
The county is taking over an $11.58 million state grant that Anderson can't administer itself, steering the money into multifamily housing within that city after the 2018 disasters. Residents of Anderson could see new or repaired affordable housing as a result.
Local Political Takeover / Far-right Governance
Far-right activists have effectively taken over Shasta County’s government, and local politics has turned toxic. That means your county board—the one making decisions about services, budgets, and local rules—is now a battleground. If you live there, this isn’t abstract national politics; it’s your daily local government.