News
By Michael Hernandez, 5-7-24
REDDING, CA—The Shasta County Board of Supervisors moved to fill the Registrar of Voters (ROV) vacancy caused by the resignation of County Clerk and Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen on May 5. The position which is elected has no salary range but pays a monthly income of $12,536/month or $152,948/year.
The Board of Supervisors considered two options at their May 7 meeting given by Monica Fugitt, Director of Support Services: making a direct appointment or initiating a recruitment process that would be completed by July 16. The Supervisors chose to initiate a recruitment process.
During public comments, the only two persons mentioned were Assistant County Registrar of Voters Johanna Francescut (mentioned by 13 persons during public comment); and Bob Holsinger, who ran for Registrar of Voters in 2022 but lost to Allen, a registered Democrat, who has been in her position since 2004—elected five times; overseen 41 elections; and counted more than 1.7 million votes during her time in office (overseeing a staff of 21). However, during Supervisors comments it was shared that six individuals have expressed interest in the position.
The Registrar of Voters/Elections Department is the primary election service provider and sole voter registration custodian for approximately 112,000 voters in Shasta County which is home to 179,195 according to a California Department of Finance Report.
Shasta County Addresses Homelessness
“Some 56 percent of Shasta County’s homeless have not had a home for over 10 years,” said Health and Human Services Agency Director Laura Burch. The homeless problem is exasperated by “poverty, no stable housing, lack of affordable housing, scarcity of affordable housing, high rental costs, psychiatric issues, substance issues, unemployment, low wages, family issues and lack of education,” said Burch.
Statistics for the housing market show the median price to purchase a home in the county is at $366,500 with the median income at $68,000. Currently, there are only 82 homes available for rent and the median price for rent of an apartment is $1,211 with only 90 available apartment rentals.
Shasta County has been the lead agency (since 2018) for the NorCal Continuum of Care which is comprised of seven Northern California counties focused on “addressing homelessness and promoting self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness.”
The new lead agency for the NorCal Continuum of Care will be the City of Redding. Five major grants have provided funding of 10.4 million dollars. Shasta County will save upwards of $600,000 by no longer being the lead agency said Burch to the Shasta Board Supervisors.
Compensation for Supervisors
Shasta County staff recommended that Board Supervisors receive a monthly wage increase to align with the current average wage of $78,420 determined by a study. This is a salary increase of 46 percent from the current salary of $53,508. Board Supervisors have not received any Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) since 2002. A two percent decrease was given in 2010. The amount proposed by staff was based on a survey of nine other counties (Butte, El Dorado, Humboldt, Kings, Madera, Napa, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Yolo) that were either surrounding Shasta County or of similar size (100-300,000 population).
The approved ordinance gives Board of Supervisors the same Cost Of Living Adjustments provided to employees of the County’s largest employee union, United Public Employees of California-General Unit. Additionally, the ordinance provides a five-thousand-dollar annual vehicle allowance for cost of mileage, insurance and other travel related expenses on the Supervisor’s personal vehicle when used for County business. Supervisors would not be entitled to any further mileage reimbursement, nor would they utilize a county vehicle when traveling on county business.
The expected cost for the new ordinance is $200,000 per year. Three of the five supervisors have terms ending December of this year: Tim Garman (District 2), Mary Rickert (District 3), and Patrick Jones (District 4).
Pacific Gas and Electric Company Property Tax Refund Claim Rejected
A property tax claim refund of almost $2 million for the fiscal year 2019-20 made by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was rejected. The Auditor-Controller is required to calculate the tax rate required for the accurate billing of property taxes in Shasta County. The county claims their unitary rate complies with state law.
County Awards $1.2 million Juvenile Rehab Facility Contract
Builder Solutions, received a $1.2 million contract for the construction of a 3,000 square-foot building containing a classroom, restrooms, and a workshop adjacent to the Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility at 2468 Radio Lane, Redding. Originally a low bid was submitted by Jeff Walker Construction Company who then lost the bid after a formal bid protest was received.
Two Proclamations Adopted
- Laura Russell from the Department of Works as Shasta County Employee of the Month for May 2024.
- Employee Appreciation Week (May 12-18) and May 18 as Employee Appreciation Day.
Board Appointments
- Amy Morin, a commercial banking manager, appointed as a Public Member to the Superior California Economic Development District—is a multi-county agency that assists with commercial real estate loans and refinancing, business loans and economic development planning. Morin will serve until she resigns or is replaced.
- Patty Plumb, appointed to the Shasta County Elections Commission by District 4 Supervisor Patrick Henry Jones. The Elections Commission is a five-member advisory body whose purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Shasta County Board of Supervisors on all elections-related activities. Plumb will serve for the duration of the year (the term of District 4 Supervisor Patrick Jones).
Supervisors General Comments
- Kevin Crye (District 1): “We got to drive tourism to Shasta County and get sales tax dollars. We also need to look at the charges for apartments.”
- Tim Garman (District 2): “I hope and pray we will get more arts and music programs in our schools.
- Patrick Jones (District 4): “We need an in-depth discussion of air travel in Shasta County.”
- Chris Kelstrom (District 5): The community should go to the “Cottonwood Rodeo this weekend and attend the parade.” (Bobby Jones Arena, 3917 Main Street). rodeosusa.com/rodeos/cottonwood-mothers-day-rodeo/
District 3 Supervisor Absent
Shasta County District 3 Supervisor Mary Rickert did not attend the board meeting.
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Michael Hernandez, from California is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes.”
Citizens Journal is looking for three to five $300 mini-grants to expand our Shasta County online news platform and build audience for our posted stories. Will you be willing to contribute toward a six-month mini-grant? Please see example of news coverage for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors May 7 meeting. Please give me feedback on this news story and other stories you may wish to share?
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Michael Hernandez, Shasta County Reporter
