Lake County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Lake County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Assessment appeals docket
The Board was scheduled to consider proposed findings of fact and a decision in an appeal filed by Trey Sherrell, case PL-26-357.
Tyler Technologies financial software purchase
The county's ERP software modernization project came back before the board but was continued to a future date — residents waiting for modernized county systems will have to wait a bit longer.
South Lake County Fire Permit Fee Waiver Request
The Board was scheduled to discuss a request to waive fire permit fees for South Lake County Fire. The outcome could affect fees charged to property owners in that fire district.
WorkDay ERP Implementation
The county's new WorkDay payroll system is a live concern — the Board was scheduled to discuss forming an ad hoc committee and the possibility of temporary paper payroll checks, which matters for county employees worried about getting paid correctly.
Special District Election for Fire Protection Tax
A special district election is proposed for March 2, 2027, asking voters to approve a special property tax for fire protection and emergency medical response. The Board was scheduled to order the election and approve the ballot measure language.
Final Recommended Budget FY 2026-2027
This is the county's spending plan for the next fiscal year — it determines funding for sheriff's deputies, roads, parks, libraries, and every other county service. The Board heard testimony on day two but won't finalize the budget until June 18, so residents still have a window to weigh in.
Rising employee health insurance costs
Human Resources will update the board on employee health benefits, which affect county workers and the county's costs as an employer.
Public Works hiring freeze waiver
The county picked its next Public Works Director — the job that runs roads, engineering, and county construction projects. Lars Ewing starts immediately.
Mental health and substance use funding expansion
The Board was scheduled to add roughly $4.9 million to the mental health budget and about $10 million to substance use disorder services, mostly Medi-Cal revenue, plus a $5.4 million contract for psychiatric services including telepsychiatry.
Workday ERP implementation extension
The county's Workday payroll/HR system go-live was slated to be pushed to October 1, 2026, with an added $175,000 in implementation costs.
Special District User Fees / Prop 26 Fee Study
A consultant presented a user fee study that could change what special districts charge. The Board wants the item back for more review before deciding.
Opioid settlement funds governance
The consent agenda added $700,000 to a residential recovery treatment contract and approved a $1.5 million per-year child care contract with North Coast Opportunities. Both expand services county residents rely on.
Four-Year Capital Improvement Plans
The county and LACOSAN laid out their project wish lists for the next four fiscal years — the roadmap for infrastructure spending on everything from facilities to sewer systems.
Special Districts front counter hours reduced
The Special Districts office will close its front counter over lunch and the last hour of the day through October — Sabatier objected.
Behavioral Health general fund loan repayment
Behavioral Health owes the general fund money; the Board got a fiscal stabilization update and told staff to bring back a repayment plan for approval.
Informal hiring freeze for general fund positions
The county is freezing hiring in all general-fund positions starting July 1 to shore up the budget. The CAO can still approve waivers for critical roles, but expect slower filling of county jobs.
Mobilehome Park Rent Stabilization Update
The Board took a first look at updating the county's mobilehome rent stabilization code — the rules that cap rent increases for mobilehome park residents, many of whom are seniors on fixed incomes. It comes back June 23 for a final vote.
Master Fee Schedule Amendment
The county is considering updating its fee schedule for departmental services. The hearing was continued to May 12, so residents can still weigh in.
Behavioral Health funding and Encampment Resolution Fund grant
Budget amendments for mental health and substance use services funded by a state Encampment Resolution Fund grant — including a new vehicle — were pulled and delayed to a future meeting.
Management Salaries and Benefits Amendment
The Board updated management employee pay and benefits for four years, retroactive to July 1, 2025.
County liability insurance program (PRISM)
The county was scheduled to hear how rising casualty costs are driving up its liability insurance, and whether to give notice on its primary liability coverage with PRISM and amend the joint powers agreement. This affects what the county pays to protect itself from lawsuits.
County Contract and Funding Actions
A contract amendment funding specialty mental health services through Community Behavioral Health was continued to a later meeting, leaving its terms in limbo for now.
Tax Deed Rescission — Clearlake Property
The Auditor-Controller presented a letter and memo on deficit tax-default land sales and how the Teeter Plan works — but the item was pulled and continued, so no action was taken yet.
Prop 64 Grant Funding for Probation
After pulling the item for discussion and hearing public comment, supervisors let the Probation Department apply for Prop 64 Cohort 4 funding to support its programs.
Regional jail medical care feasibility study
The county signed on to a regional study examining long-term, sustainable options for delivering medical care in jails — with costs reimbursed through an MOU with GSFA.
Consolidation of Public Services and Public Works
Supervisors merged the Public Services and Public Works departments under one director — a structural reorganization intended to streamline county operations.
Cannabis cultivation tax appeals
Two growers challenged their 2025 cannabis tax bills. One won due to foreclosure and no cultivation; the other lost because he didn't timely request a reduction in his cultivation area — a reminder that tax appeals hinge on paperwork timing.
Deficit in Tax-Defaulted Land Sales
The Auditor-Controller presented a letter and memo on deficit tax-default land sales and how the Teeter Plan works — but the item was pulled and continued, so no action was taken yet.
Federal Community Project Funding Priorities for FY 2027
The county picked its top federal funding asks: water/fire resiliency in South Lakeport, reentry housing and workforce programs, a healthcare training hub, Soda Bay Road widening, and southeast wastewater upgrades — plus backing Lakeport Fire's own request.
Mid-Year FY 2025-26 Budget Adjustments
The county tweaked its current-year budget and staffing plan mid-stream, passing both changes after a brief reconsider-and-rescind detour. These adjustments affect which services and positions get funded through June.
Community Development Department Finances and Loan Repayment
A deep dive into the Community Development Department's revenue and expenses ended without a decision — the Board continued the item so staff can bring back different operating and loan repayment scenarios.
Low-value property tax exemption
An ordinance that would exempt low-value properties from property tax was up for second reading, but the board withdrew it instead of adopting it.
Franchise Tax Board agreement for court-ordered fines
The county agreed to have the state Franchise Tax Board collect court-ordered fines, which typically improves collections on unpaid amounts.
Vision 2028 Strategic Plan and 2026 Legislative Priorities
The Board heard from every county department about the Vision 2028 strategic plan, current finances, and its priorities for lobbying state and federal lawmakers in 2026. It agreed to adopt the priorities but wants more economic development items added before finalizing.