Summary of Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting 7/1/25

By Linda Margaretic

Link to Meeting Files:
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1595/overview
 
Public Comment: There were none
 
Department Head Reports:
Registrar Marcie DeMartile announced that Special Districts election will be November 4, 2025. The filing date for candidates is Julye 14 to August 8.  She said it’s marriage season in Plumas County.  She said marriage licenses are issued by appointment.
Public Works/Roads, Rob Thorman said he is working with CalTrans on providing two 15 minute parking spots in front of the pharmacy.  He said that putting in a handicapped spot would be too complicated and costly but that handicapped persons can park for indefinite periods in the 15 minute spots.  Mimi requested signage to state this.  Rob said he will affix such a sign to the 15 minute parking sign.
Sara James, interim HR Director gave and HR update.  She said staff are working very hard and asked us to give them thanks.  She also said they are using online platforms such as Indeed and Cal Jobs for recruitment.
Tracey Ferguson had two announcements. 1) A Lake Study with PG&E was completed showing that Almanor and Bucks are considerably higher than normal for this time of year.  Tom McGowan reminded everyone that swimming in the rivers can be hazardous.  2) She announced that the Plumas County 2024-2029 Housing Element update has been completed and is on the county website for review and public comment.  July 28 is the deadline for submissions.  For the full report https://www.plumascounty.us/2629/Housing-Element
 
1.Updates and Reports
B. US Forest Service a new ranger was introduced.  Most campgrounds are open now and there are no campfire restrictions yet. It was reported that the data shows that this fire season already has had 30 fires (mostly man-made) and that this is twice the number for previous years at this time. It was reported that all lookouts are fully staffed.
 
2.Consent Agenda
A.B. C. E. were all approved.  Item D. was pulled and added to 3. E.
 
3.Departmental Matters
C. Human Resources – Sara James asked the Board to approve HR to move ahead with putting together a contract with RGS, a joint powers agency, to conduct a salary study for all county departments.  If approved, the study would be done incrementally and in a prioritized fashion, department by department.  The cost to the county would be $154,000.  The study would likely be completed before the end of first quarter of 2026.  Mimi explained that the data will show where increases are needed and how much but that since we cannot afford to implement them all at once there would be a 5-year plan to bring salaries up to current standards.  Tom McGowan added that RGS will also be helping us update our job descriptions making them more comparable with state standards.  The Board directed Sara to move ahead with creating a contract to bring back to them for approval.
D.This item will be carried over to next meeting.
E. Solid Waste Public Hearing – Sean Graham, Solid Waste Manager explained the revised fee schedule for Feather River Disposal (Quincy, Greenville and Chester) and for Intermountain Disposal (eastern part of county) Both of these contracts are with Waste Management.  They are 10-year contracts and we are in the eighth year. There was much discussion. Adam Thompson, owner of Mountain Building, spoke eloquently and adamantly as a citizen and a business owner. He said that the rate increases go to their negotiated monopoly and not into improving services to our county. He said that in 2023  7.1% of profits went to investors.  In 2025 it is 10%. He spoke to the poor quality of Waste Management services, as did Deb Hopkins and others. Tom McGowan asked what will happen if we don’t approve the increases.  Sean explained that a third party study is done taking into account many factors. Increases are based on this study and the “refuse rate index”. This process is stipulated in the contracts. If the Board votes “no” it would be going against the contracts and would be unlawful. Tom suggested that in the future we have shorter term contracts. Jeff Engel said that not to sign would be a breach of contract.  He said that we can go out to bid in 2027 when these contracts are up. “That’s the next chance we have” he said.  Kevin Goss requested that the next time there are contract issues on the agenda that a Waste Management representative be present.  Sean said that he let them know they could participate over zoom. In the end, the Board adopted the resolution to establish the revised fee schedule.
F. 

4.Board of Supervisors
B. Determining the process to appoint interim sheriff.  
(Here is how this agenda item is stated:  “Information and determination regarding the appointment of a new Sheriff due to retirement; Board to choose the methodology in which the appointment will be made; discussion and possible action” (See the memo with details for the process.)
 
It is not permitted, by state  law, to have a special election for sheriff should the office become vacant before a term is completed.  The BOS has the discretion to hold interviews and then select an interim sheriff OR to directly appoint the interim without conducting interviews.
 
Many letters were read by Chair Goss and there were many spoken comments supporting the appointment of Chad Hermann. Chandler Peay, president of the Plumas County Sheriffs’ Association, stated that the association had an emergency meeting and unanimously gave their support to Chad Hermann. Michael Beatley spoke extensively about Chad’s attributes.  Sheriff Johns apologized to the Board for his early retirement and gave many reasons why appointing Chad is the very best option.  Jeff Engel made a motion to appoint Chad Hermann.  Kevin Goss seconded.  At this point Dwight Ceresola said that District 1 citizens have voiced concern about appointing and want there to be an interview process. Janet Crain said that full disclosure is important. Tom McGowan said that he has had public comments from his district about this too and that by not conducting interviews we are circumventing part of the election process in determining if there are other qualified candidates. Mimi gave her strong recommendation for Chad.  At this point County Counsel broke into the conversation to say that today’s agenda item is simply to decide on the process for selection and that legally the interim sheriff cannot be appointed until the current sheriff is actually resigned (July 28th).  Any vote today to appoint Chad would not be valid.  This was questioned by Mimi.  Todd reminded the Board that he himself was appointed before his predecessor Greg Hagwood actually left the post. Janet Crain expressed concern about public understanding and trust of this process and of not giving the chance for others to “throw their hat into the ring”. Tom McGowan supported the interview process saying it is nothing against Chad Hermann, just the public input and process.  Auditor Martee Nieman reminded us that it is the Board who makes the final decision, not the public. Deb Hopkins said the Board can be transparent about deciding to appoint and that it would be foolish to go through an interview process when Chad Hermann will most likely be appointed.  Todd Johns spoke of how stressful it would be for his department the Board chooses to open this to an interview process. With Chad the process would be seamless. Kevin Goss requested that this be brought back to the August 5th meeting. Mimi clarified the Board’s decision today – the methodology decided upon is to appoint the interim sheriff position (not to interview) and the intent is to appoint undersheriff Hermann after Sheriff Johns is no longer in office. A roll call vote was taken. It passed 3 to 2 with  Ceresola and McGowan voting no.  Goss, Hall and Engel voting yes.
 
C. Fines and Fees (as requested by Rick Foster) Rick summarized the issue. He has done a Public Records Request (PRA)to the departments asking them to disclose any fines and fees paid from 2020-2024. His concern is wasted money because things are not being done in a timely manner. The total amount of money for fines and fees, Rick estimates, is a half million dollars although he said it might only be $100,000. He is requesting that the Board have departments report to them quarterly or annually regarding fees and fines they have had to pay.  Mimi spoke saying she knows that Rick’s intention is to make government better. She defended the departments and from her perspective as a past department head spoke on behalf of the departments.  She said she wants to be Rick’s partner in better government.  She talked about the rules the departments have to follow regarding use of funding and that lack of staffing and being a small county makes this very challenging.  She also said this information already comes to the Board in the form of the budget. She went on to say she questions Rick’s methodology adding that to have a “shame list” of individuals and departments is the least motivating way to accomplish better government. She suggested working with the auditor to find a way to track the fines and fees.  Rick said he tried not to point fingers or call out names. He went on to say that even if it’s only $20, the Board needs to be aware that the money wasn’t used in a good way.  Mimi responded to say she’s talked to the departments and Rick’s queries had a demoralizing effect. She asks if there another way to accomplish this.  Todd Johns also defended the departments saying they are short staffed.  Auditor Martee Nieman said her department works hard to stay on top of things. Deb Hopkins supported keeping track of waste and unnecessary expenses.  She said that keeping track of these things helps find and correct the root of the problem.  Mimi agrees and added she wants to find the best way to do this. Martee said her department has discussed having a line item for tracking these fees. Janet Crain spoke saying she supports Rick Foster’s intent and she also supports our county employees.  She went on to say there should be a procedure in place to track these fees. Chair Goss thanked Rick for his hard work.
 
D. Appointments were approved
 
E. Correspondence was deferred to next meeting
 
5. Closed Session
A. B. C. D. No reportable action
E. This case was accepted
F. The Board agreed to pay this claim
 
Other Topics of Interest
 
Shannon Lawson’s latest post – An overview of elections
https://plumasponderings.substack.com/p/elections-a-general-overview?utm_source=publication-search