8/12/25 Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

By Linda Margaretic

Link to agenda and materials
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1696/overview
 
Link to video
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1696/media
 
 
A blessedly short meeting today.  Here are some highlights.
 
Public Comment
Rick Foster quoted Voltaire saying “ I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” He was referring to problems with zoom callers getting through. His second comment was about the long-promised Treasury Oversight Committee. He urged the BOS to ensure it happens soon.
 
Zoom Caller – again couldn’t get through.
 
Clint Koble said he’s also had trouble getting through with comments on zoom.  He went on to say that he supported Supervisor McGowan’s statements from last meeting regarding support for Chad Hermann’s appointment but that opening the process for other candidates would have been the better way.
 
Zoom Caller got through this time.  She read a document regarding the covid mRNA shot and the death rate and she ended by saying to the BOS “You don’t listen.  We are in a desperate situation.  We need you to act.”
 
Department Head Announcements
Rob Thorman, Plumas County Public Works Director reminded everyone of tonight’s Court Street public hearing meeting.
 
Registrar Marcy DeMartile announced that ballots for the Uniform District Elections will be going out October 6th.  This election is for PUSD area 5 board member and for Indian Valley, Gold Mountain, American Valley Community Service Districts.  Here’s the Plumas Sun article: https://plumassun.org/2025/08/12/elections-office-urges-local-voters-to-update-registration/  
 
Marcy also said that when the California Legislators resume August 18 they will be deciding about a state wide special election.  They must decide and call the special election by August 22. This election would be for redistricting California.   Marcy said the county hasn’t budgeted for such an election but that the State has reached out to counties asking for election costs and post-election costs.
 
Sheriff Chad Hermann introduced his new under-sheriff, Jeremy Beatley.  Chad also said that staffing for his department is looking very good. 
 
Zach Gately, County Grant Manager gave a brief update on the Strategic Planning process.  Next week (August 18-22) there will be public meetings throughout the county.  Monday’s meeting (August 18) is Greenville at the high school library 5:30; Tuesday’s meeting (August 19) is in Chester at the Almanor Recreation Center at 5:30; Thursday night (August 21) is Quincy, 6:30 at Vet’s Hall.  Tom McGowan questioned  whether one community meeting is enough.  Mimi said that this is an on-going process, indicating there will be opportunities throughout for input and changes.
 
Action Agenda
A. Presentation from Craig Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) on their strategic plan.  It was informative. RCRC has joined with other entities to develop and enrich rural counties.  RCRC is comprised of 40 counties currently.  Their revenue derives from membership fees.  Mimi urged RCRC to continue to focus on small rural counties as they expand their membership to larger counties.  Clint Koble asked if RCRC uses the counties’ CEDS (Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy). Mr. Ferguson was not familiar with this.  It seems however that there could be collaboration between Clint’s on-going efforts to rebuild Indian Valley and RCRC.  
Here is the RCRC website – worth a look. https://www.rcrcnet.org/  
 
1.Consent Agenda – all were approved
 
2.Departmental Matters – all were approved.  Item E. Fairgrounds, John Steffanic asked for approval to pay Dickens Drilling $6,687.60 for an emergency well repair.  It is worth noting that this item was one of the many upgrades on the list of energy projects by Engie.  Engie’s cost for this work, as listed on their contract, would have been somewhere in the amount of $35,000.  I asked if this item was being removed from our Engie contract and was told yes, it’s in the works.
 
3.Board of Supervisors
Correspondence Mimi said she and Kevin Goss  have had many Strategic Planning Meetings with department heads.  Mimi is a Rotarian and at a recent meeting there was a presentation by current Interim PUSD Superintendent Andrea White and Jennifer Nesbit, Human Resources.  Mimi said she learned a lot and that soon the State team will be hiring the superintendent position.
Rick Foster thanked Jeff Engel for his comments at this meeting and then asked that Dwight Ceresola give us updates on the wolf situation.  At this point Dwight said that within the next 10 days there will be a meeting with Fish and Wildlife, a State representative and sheriffs from Plumas, Lassen, Sierra and Siskiyou  Counties.
 
4.Closed Session
A. C.  D.  E.  F.  G.  H.  I. No reportable action
B. Not discussed
​
Next BOS Meeting – Tuesday, August 19, 10 a.m., third floor of courthouse