Sharing Information | Encouraging Engagement
This board meeting included two presentations: an update from the U.S. Forest Service, and an annual update from the SMART Workforce Center. Updates were provided by our department heads, our CAO, and each member of the Board of Supervisors.
The board pulled one item (D.3) from the Consent Calendar for discussion and approved the remaining items as presented. A public hearing was held on the Solid Waste parcel fee delinquent list. Under County Matters, the board approved two budget adjustments and gave direction to staff on a potential update to the county’s subdivision code.
A. PRESENTATIONS
A.1. Clerk of the Board – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County. No fiscal impact.
Tara Jones, District Ranger, provided the update.
- Projects – updates were shared on several ongoing projects across Trinity County, with roughly 78,000 acres covered by current plans.
- Road Work – several projects are underway or beginning soon. Lake Forest Road was rocked as part of the Good Neighbor Authority Agreement.
- Planning – work continues on several plans, some in collaboration with the Watershed Research & Training Center and the Trinity County Resource Conservation District.
- Trinity County Collaborative – a field trip is planned for August 21st.
- Upcoming Projects – projects are planned at Crossroads (the intersection of Highways 3 and 36) and in Hayfork.
- Fire Support – crews are engaged in support of current fires in the Northwest, with additional staffing planned during peak fire conditions.
A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive an annual update from SMART Workforce Center regarding their workforce development programs. No fiscal impact.
Kristine Zua Zua, Interim Executive Director, and Betsy Ray, Program Director, presented, with Heidi serving as the local contact from the Weaverville office.
- Background – SMART began serving Trinity County in 2008 and operates under NoRTEC, which covers 11 counties (including the four served by SMART).
- Programs & Assistance – SMART offers a range of services to help people prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce, including career planning, training, work-based learning, and support services such as interview prep, work attire, transportation assistance, and limited housing assistance. Program examples include the Job Readiness Program and the Expanded Subsidized Employment Program.
- Trinity County Data (25/26) – 268 individuals served (40% young adults, 10% adults); 146 referrals under the expanded subsidized employment partnership; and 5 participants through the HIRE grant serving justice-involved individuals, with appreciation offered for the strong collaboration with the Trinity County Probation Department.
- Employer Partnerships – through a partnership with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, participants were placed in temporary work crews that helped restore forest lands and public campgrounds, and some were subsequently hired into permanent roles.
- Business Services – 39 unique Trinity County businesses were engaged and 306 services provided, focused on filling open positions, human resources guidance, information on tax credits, and on-the-job training.
- Online Job Board – always open.
B. PUBLIC COMMENT
- Environmental Impact Report (EIR) – a commenter noted written comments submitted with concerns regarding the draft EIR that support the work on a new General Plan, highlighted several points, and requested that the board place the matter on a future agenda with specifics on the items of most importance.
- Public Engagement – shared recent examples where engagement is working well and offered suggestions for improvement, emphasizing broad public engagement over one-on-one meetings and more opportunities for engagement on strategic items.
- 2026 Fire Safe Community Awards – the nomination period is open, with several ways to submit nominations (email, website, social media). Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM.
- Clean Up – appreciation was offered for the county’s efforts cleaning up properties such as the “Hayfork Compound.”
C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
C.1. Report from Department Heads
- Sheriff Saxon
- Emergency Communications System – duplexers have been installed, with initial feedback indicating a positive impact on reception quality; a process is in place to document and address remaining challenges. Base radios should be installed later this month, which may allow reconfiguration to further enhance transmission quality. Efforts continue to address problems associated with the Hayfork Bally facility.
- Personnel – the office has lost some staff and continues to accept applications, onboard, and train new personnel.
- Drew Plebani | Community Development Director
- Environmental Health – due to a staffing shortage, an interim agreement is in place to receive support from Tehama County, focused on work that requires special certifications. Additional team members are testing for the certification.
- EIR – the draft is available for public review and comment through October 31st.
- Qualified Opportunity Zones – preliminary designations were released this week; it appears only one of the county’s three zones was approved. This will be addressed at the next board meeting.
- Pro Housing Designation – meetings are scheduled to work through funding opportunities. The county still anticipates $650,000 in PIP funding this year and continues to gather information on uses and timelines. Because these are reimbursement funds, more information is needed; pre-approved ADU plans are among the options being considered, and Drew will provide an update at a future meeting.
C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer
- LAMP Project (Community Development) – this matter will be addressed in a future meeting; the survey remains open.
- Budget & Library – a Shasta College MOU is now in place to continue library operations next year in the same manner.
- Trinity River Reconsultation – completion is anticipated in late 2026 to early 2027.
- Property Clean Up – 11 properties are currently in the receivership process, a complex and often lengthy legal process. The Hayfork property was the first to get started, and a similar property in Lewiston is now underway.
C.3. Reports from Members of the Board of Supervisors
- District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
- Jail Health – joined the quarterly meeting. This is a great example of our solution-oriented value; the group’s collaboration has already saved the county millions of dollars. I am working with team members to evaluate a prototype hub that could enhance the user experience and management oversight.
- Assemblymember Chris Rogers – joined Assemblymember Rogers for a leadership event at Fountain Ranch in Salyer, and then in Weaverville for his community meeting with 25–30 attendees.
- NoRTEC Executive Committee – participated in this virtual meeting last week.
- Women Entrepreneurs of Trinity County – we have received 306 nominations for a total of 125 women entrepreneurs. I have begun reaching out to confirm their desire to participate and to gather their stories.
- Fire Chiefs Association – met with Dwight Stewart, Trinity Center Fire Chief and Training Lead for the Fire Chiefs, regarding a prototype hub designed to assist the chiefs and their departments.
- District 2 | Jill Cox
- Quarterly Forest Supervisor Meeting – coming up.
- Fire Safe Council – highlighted the nomination process currently underway to recognize those who make a difference.
- RCRC Basket – noted the online process for recording a donation to this important initiative.
- District 3 | Liam Gogan
- Town Hall – held last week in Hayfork.
- Trinity County Fair – engaging with stakeholders to support the organization.
- Calcutta Night – coming up soon, sponsored by the Hayfork Rotary.
- Narcotics Concern – noted a new drug entering the market that can be more dangerous than fentanyl; Narcan does work with this drug.
- No out-of-county travel.
- District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
- NACo Conference – covered many subjects across the Public Lands committee, including wolves and data centers, and shared a list of policy resolutions NACo will support in the months and years to come. A Trinity County–sponsored proposal was adopted unanimously; it would allow jurisdictions more freedom in the use of funds and more time after disasters for reporting related damage.
- Data Centers – work is underway on a checklist for counties to use when considering proposals, with focus on gathering impact information and on reusing vacant facilities rather than new, undisturbed land.
- Wildlife Habitat Connectivity & Land Use – focused on highway crossings that allow wildlife to cross safely, with reports of reduced accidents.
- Ethical Leadership Training – highlighted the importance of maintaining focus on county values.
- Wills & Trusts Program – a program to help people put these in place; nationwide this is a significant problem, especially for native populations.
- District 5 | Julia Brownfield
- Ruth Rodeo – attended and described it as a huge success.
- Ruth Festival – a two-day event coming up soon.
- Watershed Research & Training Center – attended the meeting.
- No out-of-county travel.
C.4. Reports from Ad Hocs
- Tourism Funding – reached out to Wayne with the Trinity Journal and the Trinity County Chamber of Commerce regarding a potential new platform for promoting events around the county.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
- Public Comment – a request was made to pull D.3 for discussion.
The board approved all remaining items on the Consent Calendar as presented.
D.3. Community Development – Planning – Approve Amendment No. 5 to the agreement with Mintier Harnish, extending the term to December 31, 2027, increasing the maximum cost to $2,621,339.50, and adding Exhibit F to expand the scope of work for facilitation of the County’s Comprehensive General Plan update, program EIR, and Zoning Code update. Additional $132,000 from the General Plan Update fund.
- Drew Plebani | Community Development Director
- Provided additional details, explaining that the amendment reflects the additional costs associated with decoupling and expanding the scope of work to be completed.
- CAO Tuthill shared that Mintier Harnish indicates the level of effort being made by Trinity County is far greater than any other jurisdiction they are working with.
The board approved this matter as presented.
E. PUBLIC HEARING
E.1. Solid Waste – Conduct a public hearing to consider adopting a resolution confirming the FY 26/27 Solid Waste parcel fee delinquent list. No impact to the General Fund; estimated revenue of $275,000 to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.
Diane Radar, Deputy Director – Solid Waste, presented.
- Bills were sent in April, with payments collected through June and late payments through July, and low-income credits applied. The document shared with the board reflects the most recent list.
The board approved this matter as presented.
F. COUNTY MATTERS
F.1. General Services – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 25/26 for General Services (Dept. 1750) increasing Salaries & Benefits by $20,987; and a budget adjustment for General Fund Contingency (Dept. 9901) decreasing provisions for contingency by $20,987. Current Contingency balance is $493,612.
- CAO Trent Tuthill presented.
The board approved this matter as presented.
F.2. Transportation – Approve a budget adjustment for FY 25/26 for Misc. Public Works (Dept. 3110) increasing Revenues by $100 and Interfund Expenses by $740 and decreasing Services & Supplies by $141; and a budget adjustment for General Fund Contingency (Dept. 9901) decreasing provisions for contingency by $499. Current contingency balance is $472,625.
- Panos Kokkas | Director of Transportation – noted the adjustment covers some additional administrative costs on the East Weaver Creek Project.
- Supervisor Cox acknowledged the great work and the importance of the project.
The board approved this matter as presented.
F.3. Community Development – Planning – Discuss and/or provide direction to staff regarding a potential update to Trinity County Code Section 16 – Subdivision. Unknown fiscal impact.
- Drew Plebani | Community Development Director and CAO Trent Tuthill presented.
- This item responds to the board’s direction to investigate the investment of time and money required to update and streamline processes.
- Staff believes this should be a staff-owned deliverable, with the understanding that they carry many other responsibilities — both routine and special matters such as the General Plan, EIR, and Zoning Code update. The recommendation is for staff to do the heavy lifting and engage a consultant only to review the end product, potentially in conjunction with ongoing zoning code work.
- A Technical Review Committee approach may be more valuable than the existing Subdivision Committee (which has handled only one item since being re-established); this group would review projects early on so clear, cohesive guidance could be delivered to applicants at the start of the process.
- Alignment with neighboring counties could be beneficial; staff plans to use recently updated documents from other counties as a template. There are currently seven subdivision projects on the books, six of them from 2025. The appointment of a new county surveyor will be on the next board agenda.
- Board direction is to support staff’s recommendation, treating this as an important component of a multifaceted effort to enhance the county’s policies, processes, and tools — all with the goal of positioning Trinity County as a place that is great to work with. The board also acknowledged that the stated timing goals may be optimistic given other demands on staff’s time.
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