Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tehama County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Elected officials' 2.75% salary increase
Supervisors moved forward with a 2.75% raise for elected officials despite residents and a county union arguing the county should first fix documented pay disparities for rank-and-file workers.
Groundwater Fees and Flood Control
Flood control district news: de minimis domestic well users won't be charged groundwater sustainability fees, but residents remain frustrated about well registration requirements and Paines Creek flooding.
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
Aedes aegypti mosquitoes — which can carry dengue, Zika and yellow fever — were found in Red Bluff; health officials urge dumping standing water and using repellent, even in daytime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sheriff's aviation budget dispute
Sheriff Dave Kain told the Board the Sheriff's aviation budget is 'grossly inflated' and that his department is already talking with county administration about it — an early sign of a fight over next year's law enforcement funding.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opposition to grizzly bear reintroduction bill
The Board sent a letter opposing SB 1305, a state bill that would study bringing grizzly bears back to California.
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.
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.
Air Pollution Control District resolution
The air district had a public hearing plus four action items before the Board. Air quality rules can affect local businesses, burn days and permit fees in Tehama County.
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 August special election adds roughly $115,000 to the elections budget, and new SB 255 costs aren't yet included. The elections office is also the county's only passport acceptance facility.
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.
Verizon Wireless Communications Tower Near Woodson Bridge
Verizon Wireless has applied for a use permit to build a communications tower near Woodson Bridge. The proposal was scheduled for a public hearing, with staff recommending approval subject to conditions; the outcome is not on record.
Code enforcement public hearings
Eleven separate code enforcement cases went before the Board in public hearings, presented by Environmental Health staff. These hearings can result in orders affecting property owners across the county.
Sheriff staffing
Two personnel items from Sheriff Dave Kain were on the action agenda. Sheriff's Office staffing affects response times and patrol coverage across the county.
County spending and health and human services contracts
The consent agenda bundles roughly $2 million in health, mental health, drug and alcohol, and child support service agreements along with routine county warrant payments. These contracts fund long-term mental health care placements, a drug and alcohol counselor for Prop 47 families, and public health planning grants.
Public Health presentation
Health Services Agency leaders Jayme S. Bottke and Minnie Sagar were scheduled to present on Public Health matters to the board.
Boating safety enforcement funding
The Sheriff's Office was slated to accept up to $94,427.18 in state boating safety aid for the 2026–27 season, funding boating enforcement on local waterways.
Agriculture tourism text rezone (Rezone #25-02)
A public hearing was scheduled on a proposed text rezone covering agriculture tourism uses, which could shape how farm stays, tours, and events are permitted in Tehama County. The commission's recommendation, if any, would go to the Board of Supervisors for final action.
DEA cannabis eradication funding
The Sheriff's Office sought acceptance of $40,000 in DEA funding for locating and eradicating illicit cannabis plants through September 2026.