Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tuolumne County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
13 issues in taxes budget with high priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.