Board of Supervisors Meeting | 8.5.2025

by | Aug 12, 2025 | Economic Development, Get Involved, Stay Informed, Trinity Resources, Your Opinion Matters

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This board meeting included four presentations, updates from our CAO, CIO, and Supervisors, thirty items on the Consent Calendar, a Public Hearing, one under County Matters, and two under Closed Session.

The presentations included recognition of Yoni Desmond’s receipt of the Lynne Goodwin Award, a proclamation regarding World Breastfeeding Week, an update from our U.S. Forest Service District Ranger, and a review of the PARS Trust that supports funding of retirement plans for county employees.

A. PRESENTATIONS

A.1. Health and Human Services – Public Health – Adopt a proclamation recognizing August 1-7, 2025 as World Breastfeeding Week.

  • The board adopted the proclamation and presented it to Liz Hamilton | Director of Health and Human Services Agency and members of her staff.

A.2. County Administrative Office – Receive a presentation recognizing Yoni Desmond for her exemplary work and dedication and for achieving the Lynne Goodwin Award.

  • Liz Hamilton | Director of Health and Human Services Agency presented information about this award. She noted that this award is not awarded every year and shared examples of why Yoni received this special recognition. This included bringing students to the State Capitol to discuss the “Take Back Our Bathrooms” initiative.

 

A.3. County Administrative Office – Receive an update from U.S. Forest Service representatives regarding matters of interest in Trinity County.

  • Tara Jones | USFS District Ranger
  • Stopped 95% of fires within
  • Fire—Since June 30th, the forest has had more than 5,000 lightning strikes, resulting in 57 fires. 54 of those were held to 2 acres or less. Within the last week, the westside had seven fires: 1 in the Hayfork District, 2 in the Weaverville District, and 4 in the Big Bar District.
  • Provided an update on Fuels Management projects – four timber sales will be initiated this week. Fuels Work Implemented-So far this year, approximately 500 acres plus 12 miles of Hazard Trees
  • Proactive efforts are underway to support forest health, addressing increasing tree mortality
  • Provided an update on road work and watershed restoration.
  • Staffing Change – Sara Ackridge is leaving the USFS – Ben Sundall will fill in until a replacement is found.

 

A.4. Human Resources – Receive a presentation on the PARS 115 Combo Trust performance review for the 24/25 fiscal year.

  • Laila Cassis | Director of Human Resources
  • PARS & PFM Asset Management Representatives | Matt Spooner, Denis Mullins, Alexandra Irving, Andrew Brown – presented content included in the back up material for the agenda.
  • No money has been withdrawn from the trust since its inception.
  • Consistent contributions began in 2019.
  • Trust approximately 50% funded
  • Pension – approximately 60% funded
  • Investing based on a “moderate” objective – this is not changing significantly 50% equity, 50% bonds
  • 5.84% annual growth rate historically and projected to stay in the same range.
  • Key Takeaways
    • The 50/50 split reflects a moderate risk approach
    • 5.84% annual growth rate is strong
    • A long-term approach is key
    • Discount Rate is six… well aligned with annual growth rate – this is the growth rate required to maintain funding levels vs liabilities
    • From a percentage funded perspective, at 50% we are way ahead of the average OPEB in CA and nationwide.
    • Similarly, with 60% funding of pension obligations, the county is in very good standing.

 

B. PUBLIC COMMENT
  • SEIU representatives offered comments related to a closed session item at this point, so they can return to work as care providers.
    • Comments that compensation for their caregiver role is so low that they must work other jobs to pay the bills.
    • The people who do this work are the backbone of support services for those in need, yet are paid the equivalent of “poverty wages.”
    • Urged the board to prioritize a wage increase for this group of employees.
  • Concerns were shared regarding staff shortages in Trinity County. Feels that responses to proposals from staff are met with “gaslighting.” Shared examples that she felt illustrated the county’s lack of support for staff.
  • Zenia Mountain Road – shared concerns about the severity of road damage, the impact on first responders, and others. Asked for ditches to be cleared and chip seal applied. Asked that this matter be put on the agenda for a future meeting.
  • Cost of Living – asked the board to direct staff to investigate price fixing by local gas stations. Noted that prices are $.10 to $.30 less on the coast.

 

C. REPORTS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

C.1. Report from Department Heads

  • Dan Reid | CIO
    • Consolidating domains and email platforms so that all county departments are on the same platform
    • Help Desk Ticketing Platform
    • Security Awareness Training – measurable improvement in security
    • Website Usability & Engagement – collaborating with staff on this matter.
    • Cloud platform study and plan.
    • Challenges – staff limitations, aging infrastructure,
    • IT Steering Committee – coming soon.

 

C.2. Report from County Administrative Officer

  • Budget: Departmental meetings continue to close the $2.8 million gap between original requests and available funds. This fiscal year is starting off much better than last year ($8 million gap). New revenue sources are helping. The budget documents will be available to all next month.
  • North State Behavioral Health joined others in collaboration regarding Behavioral Health involvement in Justice-Involved matters. Trinity County is an active participant.
  • Homeless Encampments – staff is forming a group to follow up on efforts initiated via the ad hoc committee. Anticipate changes based on Presidential Executive Order.
  • CSAC Leadership Visit – participated with others in these meetings
  • Quality of Service Recognition – Recorders Office (Lisa) received positive feedback from the public.

 

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

  • District 1 | Ric Leutwyler
    • NoRTEC – ongoing meetings for nomination of the new Executive Director.
    • PSA2 – Board Meeting on 7.21.25. Special meeting tomorrow, 8.6.25
    • Jail Health – Quarterly meeting to review progress and plans. Excellent progress is being made by all involved.
    • CSAC Leadership Visit – hosted Jeff Griffiths | CSAC President, and Michael Sweeney | CSAC Staff. Met with leaders to discuss education, transportation, health and human services, insurance matters, law enforcement, and more.
    • Tourism Development Advisory Board –
      • Met with Civitas, who agreed to provide additional support at no extra charge. They met with the Ad Hoc Committee
      • I met with leaders of three tourism investment districts, who offered their support.
      • Considering adding two members of the Planning Department Staff to the Advisory Board. This would allow me to join the Ad Hoc Committee for meetings with lodging business owners.
  • District 2 | Jill Cox
    • LAFCO – two-hour training session.
    • Fire Safe Council gave appreciation to CalFire and USFS for their great response to wildfires this season.
    • CSAC Leadership – joined visitors and focused on crosswalk safety
    • RCRC
      • The application for the regional planning grant for Zero Emission Vehicles was not successful.
      • The photo contest is underway
      • Fundraising Basket: We are currently putting together this year’s basket. Last year, our basket raised $3,000 and promoted Trinity County.
      • Board Meeting this week in Sacramento – includes staff retention ad hoc meeting
    • USFS
      • Minersville Boat Ramp – a lack of engineers has stalled the project. Efforts are underway to shuffle resources. She reached out to Senator McGuire’s office for support.
      • Trinity Journal – commitment to always include information in
    • Medical Leave – six weeks starts in mid-September.
  • District 3 | Liam Gogan
    • CSAC Leadership Visit – joined visitors for lunch, described TMC as best he could in the brief time allowed.
  • District 4 | Heidi Carpenter-Harris
    • NACO Conference in Philadelphia – July 10-15
      • Strong energy and a productive meeting
      • Public Lands Caucus – nationwide, 70% of counties are considered rural.
      • Gateway Communities – focus on ways to support communities that sit on the edge of public lands and high-use public resources
      • Public Lands and AI Energy needs – this is being discussed
      • Wolves – discussion regarding growing concerns regarding impact on livestock, etc.
      • FEMA Reform – discussion regarding how changes will impact rural communities.
      • Artificial Intelligence and wildfires – researching ways this can help.
      • National PILT Fly-in
      • Western Region Meeting – next one in Hawaii.
      • California Caucus – discussed priorities
    • North Coast Air Quality Board Meeting – discussed changes that are coming
    • Collaborative Meeting
    • Community Meetings are being scheduled.
  • District 5 | Julia Brownfield
    • Budget Meetings – joined departmental budget reviews.
    • Fire Departments – Appreciation was offered to all for their response to recent fires.
    • Sheriff’s Department – ongoing meetings regarding support for their district
    • Roads – the community is coming together regarding ways to collaborate.
    • Zoning – meeting with Drew Plebani, and will host community meetings.
D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  • Public Comment
    • D23 – replacing windows at the Jail, wondering why this is handled this way.
    • D28 – MOU for Epic – suggests refocusing on more serious drug issues.
    • D29 – Robotic Bomb – asked about the need/priority of this.
  • The board approved all items on the consent calendar as presented.
E. PUBLIC HEARING

E.1. Solid Waste – Public Hearing – Solid Waste Resolution Delinquent List No impact to the General Fund; Revenue of $247,228.00 to the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund.

  • Diane Rader | Deputy Director of Solid Waste
  • Approximately 25% of people don’t pay on time
  • There is an additional $35 fee for not paying on time.
  • Public Hearing Opened at 11:16 and Closed at 11:17 with no public comment
  • The board approved this matter as presented.

 

F. COUNTY MATTERS

F.1. Human Resources – Approve the updated PARS Investment Policy Statement. No fiscal impact.

  • Laila Cassis | Human Resources & Risk Management Director
    • This is a vote to adopt the plan as presented this morning.
  • The board approve this matter as presented.

 

Report on Previous Closed Session
  • Templates for annual reviews of County Counsel and CAO are now available online
G. CLOSED SESSION

Public Comment

  • Support is offered for increasing wages for caregivers, and suggested that escalation clauses for management be revisited.

G.1. Government Code Section 54954.5(f) – Labor Negotiations County’s Designated Representatives: Margaret Long, Laila Cassis and Elizabeth Hamilton Employee Organization: IHSS

  • Direction given to staff

 

G.2. Government Code Section 54954.5(b) – Real Property Negotiations Property: 35 Arbuckle Court Project Agency Negotiators: Liz Hamilton, Margaret Long, Trent Tuthill Negotiating Parties: John Paladini Under Negotiations: Price and terms or lease

  • Direction given to staff

 

ADJOURN