Summary of Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting 7/8/25

By Linda Margaretic

Meeting agenda, files and video recording:
https://plumascoca.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1720/files/agenda/5924


Opening:
Chair Goss recognized Sheriff Todd Johns’ service to our county. This was followed by others- the DA extolled Todd’s fine service during extremely difficult times and presented him with a Captain America pen which brought chuckles. Chandler Peay, Mimi Hall, Jeff Engel, Jackie McLoughlin all expressed their appreciation and thanks for Sheriff Johns’ good work.
 
Public Comment:
Janet Crain had several comments – 1) she requested the board look into a microphone system for better audibility of the meetings; 2) she feels that department heads should be able to appoint or hire positions within their departments without going through the board approval; 3) she requested that when an item on the Consent Agenda says “no general fund impact” that the board explain why that is and where funding, if needed, will come from; 4) she appreciated the new big screens in the board room and requested that in addition to the agenda item displayed on them that also the back-up material for that item be displayed. Deb Hopkins said she appreciates the board creating a strategic plan and suggested creating a “housing committee” to work on the lack of housing in our county.  She suggested reaching out to other counties for suggestions.  Diana Dreiss called in and read a report from Dr. Jack Kruse regarding the harms of the mRNA covid vaccine.
 
Department Head Announcements
DA Hollister reported that over the July 4th weekend there were 10 arrests in Plumas County.  He said that this is a time of transition in the county criminal justice system with new judges, DA assistance, new sheriff.  He endorsed and encouraged the BOS to appoint Chad Hermann as interim sheriff.
 
Sheriff Johns reported that it was a busy July 4th weekend.  He praised his staff for a flawless performance of duties, often working around the clock.
 
Ag Director Willo Vieira reported that they now have a certified staff member to do “grasshopper surveys”.
 
Planning Director Tracey Ferguson reported that 15 businesses have received economic development grants. She read off the list of county businesses who have received this grant. There are 10 more grants of up to $20,000 to be awarded.  For more information call the Planning Department.
 
1.Updates and Reports
A) Plumas County Business and Economic Development.  Lots to share.  1. Fair Plan costs have increased 5 to 21%. Relief will be coming at the end of this year or next year. 2. Real Estate is slow. Prices are up. Clint said that we are a low wage county in a high-cost state. This is a bad economic combination. 3. There were 8 new business in the county last month. 4. PDH will be hiring 50 new positions for the long-term care facility.  Housing will be a problem. 5. With the closing of the local paint store, Mt. Building has now opened their paint store. 6. There were 4 times more local High Sierra Festival ticked sold this year. 7.  Crescent Mills will soon see new businesses as part of the hotel complex. 7. Chester’s first Main Street event was a success. 8. The HUB has a new mission statement - “We recruit, start, and help businesses in Plumas County”. And there’s much more.  (See Clint Koble’s full report)
 
2. Consent Agenda   F. 2) will be on next week’s agenda.  All else was approved.
 
4. Departmental Matters
A. Elections – Marcy DeMartile
2) Special election to fill vacant (unexpired)  PUSD Trustee Area #5 position.  Lots of discussion about this. As you may know the State has taken over the governance of our school district.  Appointment for this vacant trustee position was unsuccessful and the State is now requiring a special mail in election November 4, 2025.  The cost of such an election is approximately $10,000.  Only citizens who are in District #5 will receive ballots. District #5 is East Quincy, Graeagle and Whitehawk.  Objections to spending money on this election were 1) All PUSD trustees will be up for election in November 2026 so why not wait to elect this position then, and 2) the State is the actual decision making body, not the trustees. The trustees are merely symbolic leaders.  In the end the special election was approved because as Supervisor McGowan said “we have no choice”.
 
B. Human Resources Department – Sara James
1) Adopt Plumas County Pay Schedule.  Sara explained that this is the first step in the process of bringing county employee wages to an equitable place.  There will be a comprehensive salary study done during the months to come and based on the findings this schedule can be amended throughout the year as feasible. This was approved
 
C. Planning – Tracey Ferguson
Tracey requested the Board’s authorization to submit to the State Fire Marshall the official hazard map pertinent to the  Local Area Responsibility Area as identified by the State Fire Marshall n January of this year. Tracey will also submit an accompanying letter stating the many objections and concerns expressed by the Board and the citizens. (See the Letter Here).  The vote was 4 yes to 1 no with Jeff Engel voting no. This is another situation like the special school board election where we seem to have no choice but to comply with the State.
 
E. Sheriff’s Office – Todd Johns announced that department has been getting more applicants since the BOS approved the hiring bonuses. He said the impact on the budget should equal out as they hire and more staff and there will be less overtime pay.  Todd explained that the bonus is $5,000  given incrementally over a three year period.  Today’s vote was to permanently adopt this hiring incentive for Correctional Officers retroactive to May 1st. The resolution passed unanimously.
 
5. Board of Supervisors
A. Grand Jury Report.  This item was to be informational only however Tom McGowan said that there’s nothing in this report that the BOS is not already addressing.  He went on to say that the very questionable and important things the Grand Jury investigated are not in the report.  He said “hopefully it’s been kicked upstairs and further investigation is being completed and we will get more information soon I hope.” (Later in the day I spoke to a member of the Grand Jury who explained to me that the final report and recommendations must be approved by the judge and that a significant portion of what the jury reported on and gave their recommendations for was not approved by Judge Prouty. This corresponds with what I have heard over the years about the Grand Jury Report.  That very often their findings and recommendations are either not approved or if they are they are not often acted on by the board.) The Grand Jury report can be found Here and a Plumas Ponderings article explaining how the grand jury works can be found Here.
 
B. This Resolution is about the County “surplusing the Bell Lane property to Plumas District Hospital so a rural hospital perinatal birthing center can be created. County Counsel is currently working with the State Housing and Community Development department for approval.  Deb Hopkins brought up the dearth of housing in our county and asked the BOS to look around and access all available properties to increase housing. Mimi responded that the Bell Lane property has not been housing for a long time and is county owned. Planning Director Tracey spoke to this saying that the property needs renovation and that it could be used, in part, to house staff. (I think that’s what I heard) Mimi moved to adopt the resolution saying it will be “a huge partnership between the County and our local healthcare system.” The resolution was unanimously adopted.
D. Correspondence.  Mimi and Kevin are attending all the department budget meetings.  She gave an Engie update saying that our finance consultants, KNN, are writing a letter to Webster Bank asking for a formal reduction in our financing.  We are hoping for a response from the bank in a few days. Mimi is hopeful that we will be able to reduce our financing obligations. Regarding Strategic Planning, Mimi and Zach Gately are working with an outside facilitator to provide a Board  workshop.  She is hoping to have a special meeting of the BOS on July 16th for the Board portion of beginning the strategic plan (not the community portion). Mimi said she has received communications from Deb Hopkins on the outdoor theater project and the Chinese cemetery and will get back to her soon on these.
 
Before going into closed session Kevin Goss adjourned this meeting in memory of Gary McGowan
 
6. Closed Session
A. B. C. D. No reportable action
(E. was pulled from this agenda)
 
Next meeting Tuesday July 15th 10 a.m.
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