Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tuolumne County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
26 issues in taxes budget
Facility fee waivers for nonprofits and volunteers
A proposal to let nonprofits and volunteer groups use county facilities free or half-price ran into cost worries, prime-weekend conflicts, and confusing language about political groups — continued to November 3 for fixes.
Hunt & Sons cardlock fueling agreement amendment
Public Works sought an amendment to its fueling services agreement with Hunt & Sons, LLC, which keeps county fleet fueling arrangements in place.
Deputy Sheriffs' Association 2026-2028 labor agreement
Union and county employees spoke about stalled negotiations, healthcare costs jumping from $65 to $851 a month for one worker, flex days, and a feared county imposition — before a closed-session bargaining session.
2026-2029 Fleet & Roads labor agreement
Road crew turnover has topped 50% for five years because pay sits near the bottom of county scales; the new MOU gives 15% then 3% a year to stabilize staffing.
Transition from leased to county-owned facilities
The county pays roughly $250,000-$270,000 a year in rent and budgeted $1.5 million to move departments into county buildings, including the historic courthouse with a leaking roof. Supervisors pushed for faster action after a similar plan failed by one vote years ago.
County Employee Compensation and Vacancies
Dozens of county employees and union representatives said workers have gone five years without a cost-of-living raise, face an 11% health insurance increase, and may lose 96 personal flex days given in lieu of raises. Supervisors Brandon and Campbell voiced support for a fair contract and asked for a revenue-generation plan.
Civil Grand Jury responses
Former 2025-26 grand jurors told the Board its September 1 responses to their reports were aggressive and dismissive, citing 24 deficiencies including missed legal requirements under Penal Code 933.05. Supervisor Brandon pushed back, saying the reports omitted facts he had provided.
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 County Budget adoption
Staff showed the county's CalPERS unfunded liability payment has grown from $4.2 million to $14 million a year since 2018, with about $93 million spent. The Board is weighing how to spend $3.98 million in contingencies — roads, debt paydown, parks — before adopting the budget September 22.
Brandon campaign contribution disclosure (Levine Act)
Supervisor Brandon acknowledged he didn't disclose a $2,200 donation from a Yosemite Rivers Alliance employee before voting to extend that group's no-bid county contract. He says counsel told him it wasn't disqualifying; the Chair said the Board may need to revisit the vote.
Transient Occupancy Tax distribution for FY 2026-27
The Board was scheduled to give direction on how the county's next budget gets prepared and what it prioritizes — decisions that shape funding for services residents rely on. Because no record of the meeting was provided, what direction, if any, the Board gave is unknown.
County Workforce Vacancy Crisis and Retention
The county is running a persistent ~16% vacancy rate, lost about 100 employees in 2025 mostly over pay, and faces an 11.2% health premium hike in January. The Sheriff and DA warned of a shrinking candidate pool, and an employee publicly resigned over a contract she called a pay cut.
Food bank funding cliff
The $500,000 state CDBG grant that funded food bank distribution is wrapping up after serving 5,401 mostly low-income residents. ATCAA food bank director Miko Daniels told the Board demand has grown by at least 1,000 more people since the grant period, and healthy food is getting harder to source in bulk.
A-87 Cost Plan Volatility
Supervisors and department heads flagged wild swings in A-87 reimbursements — from -40% to +170% — and asked for a deeper dive. The sheriff said prior budget years 'fixed' gaps with A-87; staff promised a dedicated presentation.
FY 2026-2027 county budget
HHSA warned the governor's May revision cuts CalFresh and Medi-Cal administration, shifts costs to counties, and leaves indigent care unfunded — meaning counties may be asked to do more with less next fiscal year.
Jamestown county property negotiation
The Board met privately to discuss price and terms for a county-held property at 18237 4th Street in Jamestown. No decisions were announced publicly.
FY 2026-27 recommended budget
The county's next-year budget still leans on about $2.1 million of fund balance for ongoing operations, adds $725,000 for roads, and funds moving out of leased space. Supervisors sparred over fire cuts, soft tourism tax revenue, and the lack of staffing for big economic development projects.
Mobile home rent control fair rate of return hearings
The Board pulled the ordinance amending mobile home rent control hearing provisions rather than adopt it Tuesday, meaning the change will come back for action later. Mobile home park residents and owners alike have a stake in how fair return hearings are run.
New County Counsel appointment
Closed sessions were scheduled on the appointment of a new County Counsel, plus labor negotiations on the Community Development Director and all bargaining units — key leadership gaps the county is working to fill.
H.R. 1 Cost Shifts to Counties
Supervisor Campbell warned the governor's push to balance the state budget without a deficit is shifting costs onto counties, threatening HHSA funding for state-mandated programs.
County Counsel Appointment
Walter Wall takes over as County Counsel July 1 at $228,571 a year — a savings versus the roughly $22,000/month temp legal firm contract, and with far more hours.
Public health and veterans grant funding
The Board was scheduled to consider grant agreements bringing $128,000 for the perinatal health partnership, $110,000 for veteran mental health transportation, and $15,000 for cannabis eradication efforts into county programs.
State budget cuts shifting costs to counties
Supervisor Campbell warned that the governor's budget and federal HR 1 cuts are shifting costs onto counties, and the state association of counties is asking for $50 million for emergency medical and Medi-Cal benefits. It's a fiscal squeeze that could eventually hit local services.
Area 12 Agency on Aging senior services funding
A $123,148 administrative match agreement keeps county support flowing to the Area 12 Agency on Aging for senior services in fiscal year 2026/27.
CDBG 2025 grant cycle projects
The Board was scheduled to discuss and give direction on which local projects to pursue in the CDBG 2025 grant cycle. These federal community development dollars fund things like housing, infrastructure and public facilities.
Local vendor price preference ordinance
The Board was scheduled to consider an ordinance change to Chapter 2.24 on local vendor price preference. Such preferences can give Tuolumne County businesses an edge when competing for county contracts.
CDBG-DR disaster recovery grant projects
The county was scheduled to decide which projects to submit for California's Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery allocation. The choices determine which recovery projects get funded.