Board of Supervisors Meeting | 11.4.2025

by | Nov 30, 2025 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting included two presentations. All items on the Consent Calendar were approved, as was the three items under County Matters. Two items were handled in Closed Session.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. Clerk of the Board – Recognize Trinity County Auditor-Controller’s Office Accounting Technician Jawharah Alkhaldi as Trinity County Employee of the Year for fiscal year 2024/2025. No fiscal impact.

  • CAO | Trent Tuthill – presented the Employee of the Year Award to Jawharah AlkHaldi.

A.2. Clerk of the Board – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.

  • This presentation was delayed due to the Federal Government Shutdown

A.3. Health and Human Services – Veterans Services – Receive an update from Veteran Services Officer Jennifer Dobbs and adopt a proclamation of appreciation which recognizes November as Veterans and Military Families month. No fiscal impact.

  • VSO | Jennifer Dobbs – presented the materials included in the agenda’s back up material.
  • Estimated Total Veterans in Trinity County – 1,013
  • Retroactive Payments last fiscal year over $1 million
  • Over $9 million in total for the last fiscal year.
  • The board approved the proclamation and presented it to Jennifer Dobbs and two representatives of our local VFW
  • The courthouse has green lights in all windows
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • South County Roads – a request was made to place Ruth Zenia Road on the agenda so that it can be discussed in public. Noted that the budget reflects significant increases in the Tax Collectors’ budget.
  • SNAP Funding – shared information about the lack of funding for this vital program. Suggested that the county provide funding to the food bank so they can help fill the gap in making food available to Trinity County residents.
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • Christine Gaffney | Auditor Controller
    • Provided an update regarding key deliverables of the department
    • State Controllers Office Recognition – Trinity County received special recognition for outstanding work.
    • Audit scheduled for January 12th
  • Liz Hamilton | Director of Health & Human Services Agency
    • Sunny Demello selected as new Coordinator for the Office of Emergency Services
    • SNAP – expect to learn more about funding either today or tomorrow. There is still the possibility of full funding by the USDA. Anticipate 2-3 weeks for funding to take place.
    • Accreditation Status – very few counties have achieved this status. The team is finalizing our application
  • Tim Saxon | Sheriff
    • Staffing remains a top priority. Shared details regarding status
    • Jail Health – joint efforts continue to improve health care and obtain additional funds
    • Vehicle Fleet – anticipate new vehicles from Enterprise. We are experiencing challenges with vehicles not covered by the Enterprise agreement.
  • Community Development Department – updates are all online

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Homeless Encampment – HART (homeless assistance resource team)
    • Toured encampments. Seeing more being established.
    • Working on enforcement efforts as appropriate.
    • There is no special funding set aside for this.
  • CASE – statewide association of county executives.
    • Shared updates regarding presentations and plans for the coming year.
  • Government Shutdown – the County is assisting with messaging to keep people informed regarding the impacts.
  • County Building Official – Jim Santiago will come back for a short period of time on a part time basis while we search for a full time employee.
  • Recruiting Update – Community Development Department Head interviews later this month.
  • Jail Health – recognized the significant team effort to address our challenges and continue making progress.

C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • HRN 45 Anniversary Celebration – joined board and staff members as they celebrated 45 years of service to Trinity County residents.
    • NoRTEC Board Meeting – co-chaired the board meeting in Chico.
    • Tourism Funding Ad Hoc Committee Meeting – met with committee to prepare today’s update.
    • Quarterly Jail Health Meeting – joined staff for an update and discussions about challenges, opportunities, and next steps.
    • Senator Adam Schiff’s Regional Representative | Wesley Fink – joined CAO Trent Tuthill to provide information regarding Trinity County challenges, opportunities, and needs.
    • CSAC Challenge Awards – participated as a panelist for this year’s challenge awards. There were many great examples of innovation.
    • Economic Development Summit | Lake County – takes place this week. I will be hosting a panel focused on Cannabis Tourism.
    • Lewiston Fire Chief Transition – I had the honor to emcee the event in which Mel Deardorff handed over the reins to Chuck Colby. It was great to see representatives from other volunteer fire departments, and CalFire join residents as we honored almost 50 years of service by Mel, and welcomed Chuck into this new leadership role.
    • Airport Advisory Committee – received several applications for the District 1 appointee. This should be on the agenda for our next meeting
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • First Five – budget and audit report accepted
    • NorCAL EMS – the federal shutdown is slowing down progress. Derek Cole hired to assist.
    • Fire Safe Council – document available for public input
    • HRN 45th Anniversary Celebration
    • LAFCO Meeting – later today
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Water Matters – joined CAO Tuthill, Patrick Flynn and others in a conversation with Humboldt County
    • Homeless Encampments – touring the district
    • Community Meeting
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • Veterans – free coffee and treat at festivities this week
    • Community Engagement – a lot of focus on roads, tax assessments, public safety
    • Re-election – shared that she has decided not to run for re-election. Plans to remain very active in the county. Stepping back will allow her to more fully invest in other roles that she holds
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Working with small groups to better understand their needs and develop relevant action plans.
    • Fire Department hosting a fundraising event.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR

Public Comment

  • Isabella Main – recognition and support provided for her appointment to the Behavioral Healt

Board Discussion

  • D9, D10 & D13 pulled for discussion
  • All other items on the consent calendar approved as presented

D.9. Transportation Commission – Adopt a resolution to allocate State Transit Assistance Funds (STA) for FY 2025/2026. No impact to General Fund; $52,500 from STA Trust Account

  • This matter was approved as presented.

D.10. Transportation – Approve amendment number one to the agreement with Wood Rodgers, Inc., increasing the maximum amount by $800,000 to provide Disaster Engineering Services. No impact to the General Fund; additional $800,000 from RMRA, potentially offset by FEMA, CDAA and/or FHWA ER programs.

  • Supervisor Brownfield asked for clarification.
  • Panos Kokkas | DOT Director
    • This consultant is ultimately funded by other funds. The RMRA funds are used now to qualify for future reimbursement.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

D.13. Treasurer/Tax Collector – Adopt a resolution which distributes excess proceeds from the 2023-24 Tax Defaulted Property Tax Auction. Revenue in the amount of $55,854.55 to the general fund.

  • Supervisor Brownfield asked for clarification
  • Terri McBrayer – provided clarification regarding the process. Noted that property owners do have the ability to file a claim for these funds.
  • The board approved this matter as presented.
E. COUNTY MATTERS

E.1. Human Resources – Approve a revised Driving Policy for Trinity County employees. No fiscal impact.

  • This item is postponed to the next meeting

 E.2. Auditor/Controller – Adopt a resolution approving coverage of a $1,000 deposit shortage in the Cannabis division with General Fund dollars. Increase in General Fund appropriations in the amount of $1,000.

  • Christine Gaffney – presented the item.
  • Public Comment
    • None
  • The board approved this matter as presented

E.3. Board of Supervisors – Receive an update from the Trinity County Tourism Ad Hoc Committee. No fiscal impact at this time.

  • Ric Leutwyler | Supervisor/Committee Chair – presented an update.
  • Nine applications were received, reviewed, and rated.
  • Public Comment
    • Disappointment shared that the committee chose not to award the funds to applicants who have already invested a great deal of volunteer time.  Feels it is inappropriate to allocate funds to an outside party.
    • Questions raised regarding the “measurable results” that the committee is looking for. Noted that we ask a lot of volunteers and feels it would be a mistake to not fund these organizations.
    • Matching Funds – highlighted the availability of grant funding to amplify the impact of our investment. Emphasized the importance of a more cohesive approach to promoting tourism.
    • Event funding – raised concern that if funds are not awarded for events then there will be nothing to promote.
    • Shared concern about negative impact if funding is not awarded to these volunteer groups.
    • Support for previous comments about the importance of funding local volunteer groups. Emphasized the importance of investing these funds locally instead of paying outside agencies.
  • Board Discussion
    • Supervisors shared their perspectives.
    • The board approved this matter as presented.

Previous Closed Session Report

  • Chair Gogan shared a report on the previous closed session.

 

F. CLOSED SESSION

Public Comment

  • Questions raised regarding the item focused on the public appointment of a CAO.
  • Same question asked by another.

F.1. Human Resources – Government Code Section 54954.5(e) – Public Employee Appointment: Interim County Clerk/ Recorder/ Assessor/ Registrar of Voters

F.2. Human Resources – Government Code Section 54954.5(e) – Public Employee Appointment: County Administrative Officer

ADJOURN

 

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