Board of Supervisors Meeting | 2.17.26

by | Feb 23, 2026 | Get Involved, Stay Informed, Trinity Resources, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting included updates from the CAO, each board member, and representatives of the Tourism Funding Ad Hoc Committee.

The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar as presented. The agenda included two updates under County Matters. The Closed Session agenda included three items.

A. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • Transparency – noted previous instances of requests for transparency. Asked that previously requested items be put on the agenda.
  • Transparency – shared view that more things need to be deliberated in public. Called for more transparency.
B. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

B.1. Report from Department Heads

  • None presented live. Written reports available online.

B.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • HART – the homelessness committee met.
  • Tub Grinder – $110,000 received after three rounds of auction bids

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • NoRTEC Executive Committee Meeting – held virtually.
    • CSAC Challenge Awards Dinner – represented Trinity County in Sacramento in conjunction with the CSAC Board Meeting the following day.
    • CSAC Board Meeting – represented Trinity County in Sacramento. Shared notes with CAO Tuthill for distribution to staff and fellow supervisors, as appropriate.
    • Trinity County Chamber of Commerce Roundtable – participated in the productive and engaging session.
    • NACO Internet & Telecommunications Committee – reviewed Interim Policy Resolutions.
    • CA Jobs First Sustainable Recreation & Tourism Cohort – participated in meetings. Working with leaders regarding multiple Trinity County representatives.
    • Fire Chiefs Association Meeting – attended meeting. Update provided regarding work on Emergency Communications System.
    • Behavioral Health Advisory Board Meeting – scheduled for later in the week.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • Prescribed Fires planned by USFS today. Not sure how the snow will impact this
    • Sierra Cascade Logging Conference – attending.
    • USFS Field Tour – included Bowerman and Lewiston. USFS Chief attended
    • Fire Chiefs Association – Chiefs appreciate county efforts and funding
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • Hayfork Cleanup – tons of garbage cleared
    • Mount George – newly named mountain in Hayfork. Requested by grandchildren
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • USFS Tour & Meeting with their Chief – helipad location near the lake was on the tour.
      • Following up on new ways to use the GNA and the possibility of releasing USFS land that is in small parcels and adjacent to residential properties.
    • NACO – preparing for meeting in Washington – requested input, requests from staff and Supervisors.
    • Roads – offered appreciation to all those who take care of our roads.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • SCED – economic development board – replaced Supervisor Leutwyler as primary due to other board appointments.
    • Crab Feed
    • CAO Tuthill & Director of Transportation – worked through detailed plans regarding road concerns in District 5. Feels very good about the time together.

B.4. Reports from Ad Hocs

• Tourism Funding – Supervisor Leutwyler obtaining updated tax data and meeting with Civitas Advisors. Committee meetings to resume in the near future.

C. CONSENT CALENDAR

Public Comment – None

Supervisor Gogan spoke in support of item C.1. Regarding the request for a one-fish salmon limit for 2026.

The board approved all items on the Consent Calendar as presented.

C.1. Board of Supervisors – Authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of request to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission regarding a one-fish salmon limit for 2026. No fiscal impact.

C.2. Child Support Services – Approve amendment number 12 to the agreement with Calserve Inc., extending the term to March 1, 2027, updating exhibit B, and increasing the maximum cost by $15,000 to serve legal documents on behalf of the Humboldt-Trinity Child Support Agency. No impact to the General Fund; up to $15,000 from Child Support.

C.3. Clerk of the Board – Approve changing Supervisor Cox to be the County’s representative on the Tourism Development Advisory Board in lieu of Supervisor Gogan. No fiscal impact.

C.4. Health and Human Services – Behavioral Health Services – Adopt a resolution which authorizes the County Administrative Officer, Director of Health & Human Services Agency, and/or Health & Human Services Agency Health Branch Director to apply for, enter into and execute any documents related to Proposition 36 funding. No impact to the General Fund; revenue in the amount of $286,688.60 to Substance Use Disorder.

C.5. Health and Human Services- Employment Services – Approve amendment number 6 to the agreement with Human Response Network increasing the maximum cost by $180,000 to provide Stage 1 Childcare services to CalWORKS recipients. No impact to the General Fund; additional $180,000 from Health and Human Services funding.

C.6. Human Resources – Approve a side letter agreement with the Probation Peace Officers Association regarding on-call compensation for Deputy Chief Probation Officers. No fiscal impact.

C.7. Human Resources – Change the salary range for the Lead Mechanic classification from T220 to T225. No impact to the General Fund; approximate cost in salary and benefits per month for a Lead Mechanic at A step at Range T220 is $6,582 and at Range T225 is $6,861.

C.8. Sheriff – Adopt a resolution authorizing participation in the 2026/2027 Boating Safety and Enforcement Financial Aid Program. No impact to the General Fund; revenue in an unknown amount to the Lake Patrol budget.

C.9. Solid Waste – Approve an Easement Agreement between the County of Trinity (Grantor) and Trinity Public Utilities District (Grantee) on APN 018-090-064 and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign the Easement Agreement and any other documents necessary to record the easement. No fiscal impact.

C.10. Transportation – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 25/26 for Transit – Dept 3360, increasing Fixed Assets by $58,000. No impact to the General Fund; current cash balance in Transit – Fund 160 is $2,465,867.58.

D. COUNTY MATTERS

D.1. Health and Human Services- Admin – Receive an update from Health & Human Services Agency on the potential impacts of House Resolution 1 (H.R.1). No fiscal impact.

Public Comment – None

  • Liz Hamilton | Director of Health & Human Services
  • Presented information included in agenda back up materials
  • HR1 was signed into law on July 4, 2025.
  • Significant changes were made to SNAP (CalFresh) and Medicaid (Medi-Cal) programs, including but not limited to:

• Placing restrictions on program eligibility requirements

• Reducing benefit allotments and services covered

• Imposing additional administrative requirements for counties and participants

• Shifting program costs from the federal government to states and consequently, to counties

  • This undoes much of what was put in place via the Affordable Care Act
  • 23% of Trinity County population receives Medi-Cal benefits
  • 15% of Trinity County population receives CalFresh benefits
    • These numbers are lower than in the past.
  • Significant increase in workload for county staff.
  • Medi-Cal – 436 people may end up with new co-pay requirements
  • Staggered implementation timeline – provides a runway of sorts.
  • Behavioral Health – includes mental health & substance use disorder
    • We refer mild-to-moderate cases; we serve the more severe cases.
    • Will have to cover the costs for indigent individuals – this could be significant.
  • Work-related requirements are changing as well. This will require additional staff time.
  • Concerns
    • Increased workload
    • Cuts to safety net services
    • Increased healthcare churn
    • Funding reductions
    • Additional administrative costs
    • Unknowns
  • Recommendations
    • Staff Training
    • Data Monitoring
    • Data Driven Advocacy
    • Partnerships – provide volunteer opportunities, jobs, etc.
      • Work closely with The SMART Center
    • Fiscal Strategy
  • Trinity County Income
    • Median $53,000 to $54,000
    • 7% to 20% below poverty
    • Likely more people in Trinity County that qualify for coverage than those currently covered.
  • Opportunities
    • Shasta College – has strong programs in place for those who are looking to increase capabilities.
      • Tuition, Childcare, Clothing… all can be covered for qualified participants
    • Trinity County Economic Development Plans
      • This should include remote work opportunities

 

D.2. Health and Human Services – Behavioral Health Services – Receive an update from Health & Human Services Agency on the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA). No fiscal impact.

  • Liz Hamilton | Director of Health & Human Services
  • Presented information included in the agenda backup material
  • Online Survey is available – State Sponsored to help us determine the level of understanding regarding  these matters, and to identify perceived priorities.
    • 90 responses to date
  • 1% Tax on personal income over $1 Million established some time ago
  • Recent changes alter the way the funds are allocated across types of service
    • A bigger portion of the money going toward housing
    • Funding to counties for staff costs dropped from 10% to 5%
  • County Responsibilities
    • Develop a three-year County Integrated Plan
    • Annual Reporting
    • Community Engagement – discussed the possibility of community-based meetings
  • 2016-2024 – 44 suicides in Trinity County – much higher than the state average.
    • Education & Prevention are key
    • Social Connections are key
    • Persons over 65 and our youth are most at risk
Prior Closed Session Report
  • direction was given to staff on all matters on the prior Closed Session agreement.
E. CLOSED SESSION

Public Comment

  • CAO Appointment – shared concerns that so much of this process is being handled in Closed Session.

E.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(c) – Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation No. of Cases: One

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

E.3. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Labor Negotiations County’s Designated Representatives: Laila Cassis, Margaret Long and Suzie Hawkins Employee Organizations: Skilled Trades Unit

ADJOURN

 

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