Jun 11, 2026 Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting: Budget Hearings, Day 4

THANK YOU, SEAN, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

YOU SAID ZOG IS CURRENTLY SITTING AT SIX MILLION.

NO, I WOULD HAVE TO GET THE EXACT NUMBERS FROM JULIA.

BUT THAT SIX MILLION.

PORTION OF IT IS ROUGHLY ABOUT TWO MILLION DOLLARS OF THAT ZOG SETTLEMENT IS TOWARDS FIRE CAPTAINS, ENGINEERS, AND BATTALION CHIEF, MATT ALEXANDER, THAT YOU'VE MET IN ORDER TO ANNUALLY KEEP THAT STAFFING.

FROM JULIA, WHAT THE EXACT, IT MIGHT BE SIX MILLION, BUT 9.5 AT THE END OF THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

OKAY, AND I THOUGHT I JUST HEARD YOU SAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO RUN INTO THE CRUNCH SOMEWHERE AROUND 30 TO 31.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS LIKE 28, 29 WE WERE GOING TO KIND OF.

YEAH, SO FORTUNATELY AND UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THE SLOWING OF SOME OF OUR PERSONNEL, THAT'S WHY YOU GUYS SAW IT AT $2.4 MILLION.

BEING A CONTRACT SAVINGS.

SO ANY CONTRACT SAVINGS THAT I HAVE AT THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, IT PROLONGS THE PROBLEM, RIGHT? SO ANY CONTRACT SAVINGS OR ANY FIRE REIMBURSEMENT, ANYTHING THAT BRINGS MONEY INTO THE FUND BALANCE ITSELF, IT HELPS ALLEVIATE THAT, I'LL CALL IT THE CLIFF THAT'S GOING TO COME.

SO ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO BRING MONEY INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT JUST BASICALLY PROLONGS THE CURRENT FUND BALANCE.

AND I THOUGHT YOU HAD SAID A COUPLE THINGS, 11.3 CONTRACT, CORRECT? 26.7.

FOR INDEXED FOR IT'LL BE 5% A YEAR GOING FORWARD.

SO I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS, BUT THE WAY WE PROJECT IT IS 5% BECAUSE THAT'S USUALLY A SAFE NUMBER.

I'VE NEVER SEEN OUR CONTRACT GO UP UNLESS THE SERVICES HAVE REQUIRED MORE THAN 5%.

YOU BUT THAT IS JUST A MATHEMATICAL STEP THAT WE USE IN ORDER TO HELP PROJECT 29-30, 30-31.

AND YOU MENTIONED A $6.8 MILLION HIT.

I WAS THINKING THAT WAS $5.8.

$6.8 IS HOW MUCH THE COUNTY ACTUALLY DOES THE FUND OR THE GENERAL FUND TOWARDS THE CONTRACT.

AND THEN WHATEVER THAT BALANCE IS GOING TO BE IS WHAT IS NEEDED.

SO YOU TAKE 6.8 OR 11.3 MINUS 6.8, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU COME UP WITH ABOUT 4.7-ISH.

MATH ISN'T MATHING, BUT ROUGHLY ABOUT 4. WE PAY OUT OF OUR FUND BALANCE.

WE'RE A MILLION DOLLARS.

I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE 5.8.

WE'RE AT 6.8? WELL, THE CURRENT GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION IS ROUGHLY ABOUT 6.8 MILLION.

OKAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE BIT LESS THAN THAT.

IT WAS UNTIL CEO RICKERT GAVE US A MILLION DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TOWARDS THE CONTRACT.

WAS IT LAST YEAR? YEAH, THIS YEAR.

WHAT, 25, 26? AND SO NOW THE PROJECTION WOULD BE, TO KIND OF REITERATE THIS POINT, IT'S GOING TO BE 30, 31 WHERE WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING THIS CRISIS.

WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME.

THAN WHAT WE HAD BEEN TOLD, WHICH WAS 28, WHICH IS TWO YEARS FROM NOW.

YES, YOU'RE CORRECT.

SO THE FIRST PORTION, UNLESS WE HAVE A VERY BUSY FIRE SEASON, THE 29-30, THERE IS A SHORTFALL.

BUT THEIR MAJOR CLIFF IS 30-31.

OKAY, OKAY.

THAT'S REALLY HELPFUL INFORMATION.

THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

AND WITH WHAT SUPERVISOR CRYE SAID, I'M ALSO...

I THINK WE NEED TO EXPLORE ALL OPTIONS TO SEE WHAT THE COUNTY CAN AFFORD, WHETHER WE PARTNER WITH OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS, CITY OF REDDING, OR I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO SHAKE OUT, BUT THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

CAN YOU GIVE US, AND I KNOW JOE'S GOING TO CUT ME OFF HERE, CAN YOU GIVE ME AN UPDATE? I ASKED THIS QUESTION YESTERDAY ABOUT INMATE CREWS.

BRUSH CLEARING, SUGAR PINE, AND JUST YOUR COMMITMENT ON THAT AND THE $400 A DAY.

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YEAH, I'LL CIRCLE BACK SO HE DOESN'T CUT US OFF BECAUSE HE'S LOOKING AT ME.

HE'S LOOKING AT ME RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S PART OF MY PRESENTATION IN REGARDS TO THE NORTH VALLEY FUEL BREAK AND PART OF THE GRANT THAT WE RECEIVED.

SO BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE ALL THOSE RESOURCES BECAUSE WE JUST GOT ANOTHER $300,000 TOWARDS THAT GRANT.

OR HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS WHEN IT'S NOT AROUND STRUCTURES.

WE ALSO HAVE TO NECESSARILY BE INCARCERATED CREWS.

THEY CAN BE NON-INCARCERATED CREWS, BUT YOU ARE CORRECT WHEN YOU SAID $400.

OKAY, AND ARE YOU IN? HE'S NOT REACHING FOR YOU.

IS HE REACHING FOR HIS MIC? YEAH.

ARE YOU? CAN YOU GIVE A QUICK UPDATE, OR ARE YOU INVOLVED AT ALL WITH THE STATION 50? YES, THAT WAS THAT PRESENTATION ABOUT THE $2.4 MILLION.

YEAH, JUST MAYBE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON THAT AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE DOING WITH THAT.

YEAH, SO THERE WAS ONLY ONE PROPOSAL THAT CAME BACK YESTERDAY, I BELIEVE.

WAS IT YESTERDAY? YEAH, YESTERDAY THAT CAME BACK, THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO CONFIRM IF WE HAVE TO HAVE A SECOND, BASICALLY, PROPOSAL IN ORDER TO UTILIZE IT.

BUT WHAT THAT DOES OUT THERE IS IT BRINGS WATER TO THE COMMUNITY.

A GENERATOR, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A, IF THE EQUAL AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT HAS TO HAPPEN, AND THEN PAVEMENT AROUND.

APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION.

ON THE GRANT WRITER PIECE, I KNOW YOU'VE LOOKED AT WHAT BUTTE COUNTY HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRING IN AND DONE SOME PROJECTIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE FOR SHASTA COUNTY.

YES, THANK YOU, SEAN.

WHAT TYPE OF FIGURE ARE WE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH REVENUE COULD POTENTIALLY BE BROUGHT IN THROUGH SOME OF THE GRANT WRITING ACTIVITIES? YEAH, SO THERE'S MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT WE CURRENTLY PUT IN FOR, BUT WE ALSO HAVE FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE RIGHT.

SO SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT HOPE TO BE, BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE MILLIONS.

IT'S A, I'LL CALL IT A WIN.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU SHOULD UTILIZE IN ORDER TO...

BASICALLY, GUARANTEE YOURSELF THE FUNDING BECAUSE, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, THE GENERAL FUND—OR NOT GENERAL FUND, BUT AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTS TAKING AWAY MONEY, THE STATE STARTS TAKING AWAY MONEY, SO THERE'S LESS GRANTS OUT THERE, BUT THERE'S A SAME AMOUNT, IF NOT MORE, PEOPLE PUTTING IN FOR THEM. BUT, TO YOUR NUMBER, I CAN'T GIVE YOU AN EXACT NUMBER, BUT IT'S IN THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. WE JUST PUT IN FOR ONE THAT WE WERE SUCCESSFUL AT THAT WAS JUST AT 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS. THAT'S THAT DEFENSE SPACE. CAL FIRE ITSELF.

SO WE HAVE NUMEROUS ONES THAT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN PUTTING IN FOR THAT HAS FLAT A BUNCH OF MONEY THAT'S OUT THERE.

ALSO, THERE'S SOMETIMES A MATCH ON THOSE, USUALLY ABOUT 10%, STILL THE NUMBER 10 TO 20%, DEPENDING ON WHAT ONE YOU'RE IN FOR.

YOU PUT IN FOR YOU PUT IN FOR $2.4 MILLION.

IT COULD COST US $240.

WE CAN GET $2.4 FOR $240 I'M GOING TO PUT IN FOR IT, BUT IT'S NOT GUARANTEED I'M GOING TO GET IT.

RIGHT.

AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT THE GRANTS ARE FOR, THEY TYPICALLY WON'T PAY FOR THE ACTUAL FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS.

THEY'RE KIND OF EITHER PERIPHERAL PROGRAMS OR EQUIPMENT, THAT TYPE OF THING.

RIGHT.

SO ASIDE FROM THE SAFER GRANT.

IS THAT THE ONE EXCEPTION TO THAT? YEAH.

SO WE STILL HAVE, BECAUSE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT, FOR THE MOST PART, THAT 11.3 IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON THE FIREFIGHTING OPERATIONS.

YEAH, THAT'S SOLELY WITH PERSONNEL.

AND THAT IS JUST THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS OR THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOLKS THAT ARE DOING THE OPERATIONS.

BUT THAT'S JUST CAPTAINS, ENGINEERS, FIREFIGHTERS.

THAT'S SOME PERSONNEL IN THE OFFICE AND DISPATCHERS, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE IS BASED OFF OF, I'LL CALL IT,

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EQUIPMENT, THE O&E PORTION OF IT, RIGHT? THE EQUIPMENT SIDE, THE THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN ON THE OPERATIONS.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? YES.

AND THAT GRANT WRITING POSITION IS NOT FILLED YET, RIGHT? NO, I CAN'T FLY IT UNTIL JULY 1ST.

BECAUSE IT'S A NEW FISCAL YEAR BUDGETED ITEM.

AND THEN I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD SHARE A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I WAS LOOKING AT THE TAX REVENUE, WHICH I THINK YOU HAD AT A LITTLE OVER $3 MILLION, AND MOST OF IT, AT LEAST ON THE BUDGET HERE, SAYS CURRENT SECURED TAXES, WHICH IS THE $2.65, WHICH DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT'S GROWING MUCH PER YEAR.

SO DO YOU KNOW HOW THAT IS SET OR WHAT THAT'S BASED ON? YEAH, SO WE HAVE A...

MEASURE B PORTION OF IT, AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR REGULAR TAXES THAT ARE PAID TOWARDS THE CSA.

SO THAT'S THE COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF REVENUE BREAKDOWN.

SO THAT IS BASICALLY WHERE WE GET ALL THE MONEY.

DOES THAT HELP? AND THIS MIGHT BE ACTUALLY AN OLDER QUESTION, BUT I WAS CURIOUS HOW THAT TAX RATE IS SET AND IF WE EXPECT THAT THAT WILL, LIKE, IS IT CONNECTED TO JUST A PERCENT OF SALES OR A CERTAIN ASSESSMENT RATE, THAT BASICALLY, AS WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE, IF WE THINK THAT THAT WILL STAY PRETTY FLAT OR IF WE WOULD EXPECT THAT TO GROW BASED ON DIFFERENT ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. YEAH, I WOULD SAY THE ONLY WAY—AND I'M NOT GOING TO SPEAK FOR NOLA; SHE'S MUCH SMARTER THAN I AM—BUT WHEN IT COMES TO MEASURE B STUFF, IT'S BASED OFF OF PARCELS, BUT THAT WOULD DEFINITELY BE A NOLA. GOOD MORNING, CHAIR KILSTROM, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND ALL. THE SHORT AUDITOR CONTROLLER. SO, THE TAXES PORTION FOR PROPERTY TAX, SO IT IS, YOU KNOW, SEAN'S CORRECT, A PORTION OF IT IS FROM THAT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT THAT THEY HAVE, WHICH IS A FLAT RATE PER PARCEL THAT'S PLACED ON THE TAX ROLL. AND THEN THE OTHER PORTION OF IT IS THEIR SHARE OF THE 1% THAT WAS FROZEN IN TIME WHENEVER OR THEY ADOPTED AB8 BACK IN THE LATE 70S, WHATEVER, YOU KNOW.

WHEN THEY CHANGED IT AND THEY SAID, NOW, YOU KNOW, ALL YOU CAN DO IS 1% OF THE ASSESSED VALUE OF A PIECE OF PROPERTY, WHATEVER THOSE AGENCIES WERE GETTING, IT KIND OF FROZE THEIR SHARE OF THE OVERALL PIE OF THE 1%.

CAL FIRE WAS IN THAT, SO WE'RE RECEIVING THAT TAX MONEY BASED ON THAT PERCENTAGE OF THE 1% THAT THEY'RE COLLECTING.

SO IT GOES UP A LITTLE.

SO THIS TAX REVENUE WOULD BE PROPORTIONAL TO THE OVERALL PROPERTY TAX REVENUE? CORRECT.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

JUST A QUICK QUESTION, AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF FIRE SHERIFF, SO I DON'T WANT TO GIVE OFF THE WRONG IMPRESSION, BUT IF WE COME UP TO THIS CLIFF, SO TO SPEAK, ON THIS.

BUDGET IN A COUPLE YEARS.

MY QUESTION IS, AND WE CAN'T AFFORD IT, SAY THINGS JUST PROGRESSIVELY GO SOUTH ON US.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE STATE BUDGET, AND WE CAN'T AFFORD IT WHEN IT COMES TIME TO RENEW.

CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE? BECAUSE CAL FIRE'S NOT GOING AWAY.

YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BE THERE.

AND LET'S JUST SAY WE HAVE ANOTHER PICKUP.

PICK ONE OF OUR, THE CAR FIRE.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? YEAH, SO WHEN IT COMES TO WILD LAND PORTIONS OF IT, THAT IS THE CAL FIRE RESPONSIBILITY.

THAT'S ACTUALLY THE REASON WHY CAL FIRE IS HERE IS TO PROTECT LIVES AND PROPERTY AND THE RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA.

BUT IT ALSO TIES BACK INTO WHAT A PUBLIC RESOURCE CODE SAYS I'M ALLOWED TO DO, RIGHT? SO TECHNICALLY THE WAY THAT CAL FIRE IS FUNDED IS IN ORDER TO PROTECT.

THE WILDLAND PORTION.

YES, WE ARE ALL HAZARD, ALL RISK AGENCY, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO STRUCTURE FIRES, TCS, MEDICAL AIDS, TCS OR TRAFFIC COLLISIONS, SORRY, MEDICAL AIDS, ALL THE OTHER THINGS BESIDES THE WILDLAND BEING ON FIRE, THAT IS ACTUALLY THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, BESIDES THE WILDLAND, THAT IS TECHNICALLY THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY OF DOING WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE.

JUST LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, IT COMES DOWN TO FUNDING.

WHAT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS

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FUNDED FOR IS THE PROTECTION OF THE WILDLAND STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREAS.

AND SURE, YES, WE RESPOND TO EVERYTHING IF WE'RE AVAILABLE.

BUT AS EVERYBODY KNOWS, WE HAVE STATE-MANDATED ACRES THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TREAT EVERY YEAR.

AND WHEN THAT COMES TO BEING READY, WE MIGHT NOT BE IN PLACE IF A METACLADE IS 35 MILES AWAY FROM US, WE HAVE TO TAKE THOSE PARAMETERS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO TAKE CARE OF THE CITIZENS OF SHASTA COUNTY.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? YES, BUT I GUESS WHAT I'M GETTING AT IS, WORST CASE, I'M JUST TALKING WORST CASE, WE CAN'T AFFORD AND WE LOSE OUR CONTRACT WITH YOU.

AND WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY THAT'S NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, IT'S THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY.

YOU'RE NOT GOING AWAY, AND THE EMERGENCY HELPS.

WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME BACKUP.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO JUST SIT OVER THERE IN YOUR OFFICE AND SAY, SORRY, WE'RE GOING TO GET HELP.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE AS FAR AS THROUGHOUT THOSE SERVICES AT THAT TIME? IT COULD BE THROUGH THE ABH PROCESS.

BUT IT'S ACTUALLY MUCH WORSE THAN THAT.

SO CURRENTLY, ALL DISPATCHING FOR ALL FIRE DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE CITY OF READING ARE DONE THROUGH THE CAL FIRE AGREEMENT.

SO I'M GOING TO BREAK IT DOWN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO WORST CASE SCENARIO LIKE YOU'RE ASKING.

THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DISPATCH ANY FIRE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN SHASTA COUNTY.

THE REASON WHY YOU SAY THAT OR WHY I SAY THAT.

IS CURRENTLY THE LG1 PAYS FOR PERSONNEL TO BE INSIDE OF OUR DISPATCH CENTER.

THE STATE RESPONSIBILITY IS THE WILDLAND, SO WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE DISPATCHING THE WILDLAND PORTION OF IT.

BUT ALSO THE LG1, THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT THAT SHASTA COUNTY HAS, THEY PAY FOR ONE CAPTAIN AND FOUR ENGINEERS, OR NOT FOUR ENGINEERS, ONE CAPTAIN AND FOUR COMM OPS, AND ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS CAL FIRE'S.

SO IF LET'S SAY WORST CASE SCENARIO YOU SAY WE NO LONGER WANT THE SERVICES OF CAL FIRE.

YOU HAVE NO WAY FOR ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BE DISPATCHED IN SHASTA COUNTY.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CAL FIRE IN ORDER TO USE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PAYS FOR IT.

SO THAT I'VE GIVEN THE NUMBERS TO MR. RICKERT THAT'S ROUGHLY ABOUT $1.1 MILLION.

02,500 CALLS IS A COMM OP AND THAT IT COSTS ROUGHLY ABOUT $150,000 FOR WAGES, BENEFITS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT COMES ALONG WITH IT.

SO WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT IT, I'LL USE ANDERSON FOR AN EXAMPLE AND SHASTA LAKE CITY.

THEY RUN ROUGHLY, IF YOU COMBINE THOSE FOLKS TOGETHER, THEY RUN ROUGHLY ABOUT 5,000 CALLS A YEAR TO SERVICE THEIR PEOPLE.

THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DISPATCHING THOSE FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

AND SO IF WE WERE TO GO AWAY, TECHNICALLY, THROUGH THE CONTRACT AND YOU SAY YOU NO LONGER WANT US AS YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU NO LONGER HAVE DISPATCHING SERVICES UNLESS YOU ENTER INTO A CONTRACT.

AND AS WE CONTINUE TO GO DOWN WORST-CASE SCENARIO, DURING THE WINTERTIME, YOU MADE YOUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU WOULD HAVE THOSE TYPE OF RESPONSES BECAUSE MOST OF THOSE ARE GOING TO BE OUT THERE, FUELS CLEARING AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

I'M GOING WORST CASE LIKE YOU'VE ASKED ME TO.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

RIGHT? SO THEN IT ALSO COMES INTO PLAY WITH CSA-1.

TECHNICALLY, YOU TAKE A FEE, SO YOU HAVE TO MAKE A FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM THAT POINT.

AND WHATEVER THAT'S GOING TO BE.

THAT COULD BE A RESERVE PROGRAM.

THAT COULD BE WHATEVER YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT LOOKS LIKE.

BUT WHAT IT DOES NOT...

TAKING CONSIDERATION IS ALL THE REGULATIONS THAT CAL FIRE CURRENTLY TAKES CARE OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET YOUR EQUIPMENT SERVICED AT CAL FIRE HEADQUARTERS.

YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STORAGE YOUR SAFETY GEAR.

YOU DEFINITELY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO UTILIZE MANAGEMENT.

PEOPLE GET HURT.

ALL THE STUFF THAT WORKMAN'S COMP.

ALL THOSE THINGS, WHEN IT COMES TO A PAID PROFESSIONAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE TAKE ON AS CAL FIRE.

THAT WILL ALL BE SHIFTED TO YOU AS A RESPONSIBILITY.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A FIRE DEPARTMENT, YOU WOULD ALSO HAVE AN UNFUNDED LIFE PAID FOR THE STATIONS.

THESE THINGS COME INTO PLAY, AND I'VE HAD THESE

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CONVERSATIONS WITH EACH ONE OF THESE LADIES OVER HERE, AND DEFINITELY WITH SOME OF YOU BOARD MEMBERS.

WORST CASE SCENARIO, YOU MAKE YOUR OWN FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH THEN CAUSES ALL THESE TRIGGERING EVENTS.

AND YOU'VE BEEN REALIZING THE STATE FIRE AGENCY, ALSO YOUR YEARS.

TAKING 46 YEARS AND UNRAVELING IT AND GIVING IT TO YOU BACK IS DEFINITELY A YEAR, AT LEAST A YEAR.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO...

DISPATCH OUR COOPERATING AGENCIES BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE COUNTY HAS TAKEN ON THE STANCE OF WE WILL PAY FOR THAT THROUGH THE CONTRACT IN ORDER TO DISPATCH OUR PARTNERS.

BUT WHEN YOU GO WORST CASE SCENARIO, SUCH AS WHAT THEY DID IN TULARE COUNTY, THEY SEPARATED.

THEY WENT COMPLETELY OPPOSITE OF AWAY FROM THE CONTRACT.

THEY NO LONGER GET ALL THE SERVICES AND GOODS THAT CAL FIRE PROVIDES FOR FREE.

YOU GUYS GET MY ENTIRE SENIOR STAFF AND I'LL SHOW IT NEXT WEEK.

AND A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAVE SEEN THE COMPLETE BUILD OUT OF 600 CAL FIRE EMPLOYEES BRING TO THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT.

THAT PAYS 11.3 ENGINES AND SOME STAFF.

I'M SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE I'M COMING FROM BECAUSE WE ABSOLUTELY WANT TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE HAVE AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

BUT IF IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT, WELL WE'VE KIND OF BACKED OURSELVES IN A CORNER.

I'M A CONTRACTOR.

IF I SELL ALL MY EQUIPMENT AND DECIDE I'M JUST GOING TO SUB EVERYTHING OUT, I JUST GAVE AWAY THE BUSINESS.

SO THAT'S WHERE MY CONCERN IS COMING FROM.

BUT PLEASE DON'T MISUNDERSTAND ME BECAUSE I APPRECIATE IT.

NO, I'VE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS.

I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THIS IS HEADED AS FAR AS BUDGET.

THIS IS ABOUT STICKING ON BUDGET.

AND WE'VE HAD THESE HARD CONVERSATIONS.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

AND SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, IT COMES DOWN TO BUDGET.

AND I CANNOT GIFT STATE FUNDS OR PERSONNEL.

AND THAT'S WHO PAYS MY PAYCHECK EVERY DAY.

SO I'M NOT, AS YOU GUYS CAN IMAGINE, THERE'S REGULATIONS ON WHAT I CAN DO.

I CAN AND CANNOT DO.

YOU GOOD, SUPERVISOR HARMON? YES, SIR.

SUPERVISOR LONG.

SEAN, YOU AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT, AND I FORGET, IS IT CALLED THE SAFE GRANT? SAFE GRANT.

THE SAFE GRANT.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT A LITTLE FARTHER OUT IN THE FUTURE THAN I HAD ANTICIPATED TO THE 2829.

NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT 3031.

AND WAS THAT GRANT POTENTIAL FOR A MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT, THREE-YEAR MINIMUM? SO YOU CAN, WHAT I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR IS BE ABLE TO SHOW THE SHORTFALL COMING, RIGHT? BECAUSE YOU CAN'T PUT IN FOR A GRANT THAT DOES NOT SHOW THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

RIGHT NOW, IF YOU TOOK OUR, WHEN WE HAVE TO SUBMIT EVERYTHING, IT SHOWS THAT WE HAVE AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OF MONEY BECAUSE OF ZOGSELM AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS, THOSE WINDFALL MONIES THAT I TALKED ABOUT.

SO RIGHT NOW, IF WE PUT IN FOR THAT GRANT, IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE VERY SOLVENT.

BUT BECAUSE THE WAY THAT WE ARE PROJECTING ONE YEAR AT A TIME, THAT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

NOW, I DO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME THOUGHT IF WE ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT THAT IT TIES UP THE COUNTY MONEY AS A TOTALITY.

AND LET'S JUST USE EASY MATH.

SO IF YOU DO A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, THE CURRENT ONE IS ABOUT $11.3 MILLION.

THAT.

IN THE CONVERSATIONS, IT WOULD TIE UP $33 MILLION OF GENERAL, WELL, THE CONTRACT ITSELF INTO THE COUNTY FUND.

AND SO THERE'S BEEN SOME HESITATION.

BUT IN THAT CONTRACT, IT ALSO SAYS WITHIN 120 DAYS, EITHER I OR YOU CAN GIVE US A LETTER AND SAY WE NO LONGER WANT YOUR SERVICES.

AND SO THAT GIVES THE COUNTY AN OUT.

BUT GOING BACK TO WHAT YOUR CONVERSATION WAS, IF WE HAVE A LONG FUTURE CONTRACT, IT SHOWS US THE ABILITY TO BASICALLY SHOW LIKE WE KNOW THERE'S A CLIFF.

AND BEING ABLE TO SHOW THAT IS TO ARTICULATE THROUGH THAT GRANT PROCESS, THE SAFER GRANT, THAT THERE IS A NEED.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE SAFER GRANT, AS I ARTICULATED A COUPLE TIMES, IS THAT THE FIRST YEAR IS PRETTY MUCH FREE.

THE SECOND YEAR, YOU START PAYING.

AND THE THIRD YEAR, YOU START PAYING MORE.

AND BY THE END OF THAT THIRD YEAR, SUCH AS WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CITY OF READING, YOU CANNOT LAY THOSE PEOPLE OFF.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP THOSE PEOPLE.

SO EITHER A, YOU HAVE TO REDUCE SERVICES IN ANOTHER WAY AND KEEP THOSE FOLKS, OR BASICALLY HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE END OF THREE YEARS.

THAT WAS A FIVE-YEAR COMMITMENT, RIGHT, FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES? MINIMUM, YES.

FIVE-YEAR MINIMUM? I BELIEVE SO, YEAH.

YEAH, AS I RECALL YOU TELLING ME PRIOR.

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SO CAN YOU TELL US IF WE HAD A LITTLE MORE TIME FOR A MULTI-YEAR, THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, AND WE COULD GET OUT AT ANY TIME WITH PROPER NOTICE, WHAT WOULD THAT GET AND HOW WOULD THAT AFFECT OUR BOTTOM LINE AS FAR AS WHAT COULD WE GET WITH THOSE FIVE-YEAR MINIMUM POSITIONS THAT WOULD MOVE THE NEEDLE A LITTLE BIT HERE? YEAH, SO BASICALLY WHAT WOULD END UP HAPPENING IS YOU'D USE THAT SAFER GRANT AS A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INCOME.

BUT WHAT THAT DOES IS PAY FOR THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE CONTRACT, RIGHT? SO, AND OR INCREASE THE CONTRACT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO SHOW THAT AT SOME POINT THERE IS GOING TO BE A CLIFF, LIKE I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU GUYS, IN ORDER TO SAY, HEY, IF WE DON'T GET THIS GRANT, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE X AMOUNT OF PERSONNEL.

THE PROBLEM WITH X AMOUNT OF PERSONNEL RIGHT NOW IS YOU'LL PAY ENGINES.

FREE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

SO YOU HAVE THREE PAID ENGINES ON THE COUNTY SIDE AND YOU RELY ON OUR RESERVES TO DO 48% OF RESPONSE.

THEY GET DISPATCHED TO EVERY CALL, BUT THAT IS A COST SAVINGS ON THAT SIDE IF THEY RESPOND.

BUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH IT IS I WOULD HAVE TO SHOW REDUCTION OF PERSONNEL.

WITH THAT REDUCTION OF PERSONNEL, THAT'S WHERE THAT CONTRACT COMES INTO PLAY.

LIKE YOU.

THERE'S ONLY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT I CAN ACTUALLY PLAY WITH BEFORE THAT CONTRACT IS NOT A COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, RIGHT? OF COURSE, OF COURSE.

AND YOU'VE GOT PERSONNEL UNIONS AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER.

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU COULDN'T JUST MOVE THEM ACROSS THE BOARD AND BECOME UNDER THE SAFER GRANT.

YOU'D HAVE TO HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES.

SO WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? MAGNITUDE WISE AND IS THIS INCIDENTAL? THAT'S THE PART I HAVEN'T DISCUSSED WITH YOU, BUT WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS THE MAGNITUDE AND THE ABILITY TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THIS 11.3 CONTRACT? HOW MUCH COULD WE GET THROUGH THE SAFER GRANT? UNKNOWN.

AND THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS YOU WOULD FIRST HAVE TO GET THE GRANT.

EVERY FIRE DEPARTMENT THAT I KNOW OF EVERYBODY EXCEPT FOR BUTTE COUNTY RIGHT NOW INTO FISCAL HARD TIMES.

THE MORE PEOPLE THAT PUT IN FOR THESE, THE MORE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO GET THE SAME GRANT THAT WE ARE.

LIKE I SAY, YOU DON'T WANT TO BASE A BUDGET BASE OFF OF HOPE, RIGHT? BUT IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL, IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE WE PUT IN FOR.

THE FIREFIGHTER, THE ENGINEER, THE CAPTAIN, WHATEVER THAT RATE'S GOING TO BE, THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD PUT IN FOR.

UNTIL WE HAVE SOMETHING AND WE HAVE A PLAN, I CAN'T PUT IN FOR THOSE ACTIONS.

30, THERE IS A, IF WE CAN SHOW THAT, BUT UNTIL WE SAY, HEY, WE HAVE A CONTRACT IN ORDER TO SAY, YES, WE'RE GOING TO BE THAT FIRE DEPARTMENT, I CAN'T REALLY DO THAT.

OKAY, OKAY.

I APPRECIATE THE FACT THERE MAY NOT BE AN ANSWER UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY APPLY AND THEN YOU GET THE ANSWER.

BUT COULD WE BE PUTTING IN FOR 30 PERSONNEL OR COULD WE BE PUTTING IN FOR TWO, I GUESS? THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

YOU CAN PUT IN FOR AS MANY AS YOU WANT, BUT REMEMBER THAT IS PART OF THE GRANT WHERE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE FOR YEAR TWO AND YEAR THREE.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE A FUNDING SOURCE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE, I'LL CALL IT SOLVENT FOR THAT GRANT, THAT BECOMES A MUCH, THAT'S WHERE IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY.

WELL, LET'S HAVE A FUTURE CONVERSATION, MAYBE NOT NOW.

BUT I THINK IT'S SOMETHING TO EXPLORE GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT 3031 NOW FOR THE CLIFF.

SURPRISE THE PLUMBER.

YES, I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP ON SOMETHING YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE DISPATCH INFRASTRUCTURE.

SO YOU WERE SAYING THAT ESSENTIALLY THE COUNTY PAYS FOR THE CAL FIRE INFRASTRUCTURE OF $1.1 MILLION, OR ESSENTIALLY WE GET TO BENEFIT FROM THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE COMM OPS STAFF? YES, SO YOU PAY FOR ONE CAPTAIN, FOUR COMM OPS.

ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS CAL FIRE.

SO WHAT THAT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ALLOWS US TO DO IS IT ALLOWS US TO DISPATCH FOR THE SHASTA COUNTY SIDE.

IF SHASTA COUNTY WAS NOT PART OF OUR COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT, WE WOULD ONLY DISPATCH CAL FIRE.

[00:50:02]

EVERYBODY THAT IS IN THE CAL FIRE SIDE BENEFITS OFF OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CAL FIRE.

THE COUNTY BENEFITS FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE FROM CAL FIRE ALREADY BEING IN PLACE, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME UP WITH YOUR OWN INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DISPATCHING.

WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IS YOU MENTIONED THAT THAT DISPATCH SERVES THESE OTHER INDEPENDENT FIRE DISTRICTS.

AND SO CAL FIRE IS PAYING THE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS.

YEP.

THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR THE CAPTAIN AND THE FOUR COMM OPS.

ARE THESE OTHER FIRE DISTRICTS PAYING FOR ANY OF THAT? NO, AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, THIS IS THE ONLY COUNTY THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANYBODY ELSE THAT IS PAYING FOR IT.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT WITH MR. RICKER AND STAFF, WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO DISPATCHING, IT'LL BE UP TO YOU GUYS ON HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO CHARGE OTHER DISTRICTS.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO 2,500 CALLS PER COMM-OP, YOU COULD REDUCE THE, I'LL CALL IT THE FOOTPRINT OF THE COUNTY SIDE BY REDUCING A COMM-OP.

ALSO $150,000 TO, LET'S SAY, MILLVILLE OR SHASTA LAKE CITY OR ANDERSON OR SOME OF THESE VERY SMALL ONES, IF YOU DID BASED OFF OF PER CALL VOLUME AND THEN WOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH A FEE OF SOME SORT, YOU'RE GOING TO BREAK MOST OF OUR FIRE DISTRICTS.

AND THAT, I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR THEM, BUT THAT IS GOING TO BASICALLY DECIMATE THEIR EXTRA MONEY IF THEY HAVE ANY EXTRA MONEY.

AND IT JUST WILL COMPOUND.

LIKE REMEMBER WHEN OLD SHASTA WAS GOING TO COME OVER TO THE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT THEN THEY WERE ABLE TO STAND IT UP BECAUSE OF THAT SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WELL THAT SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY GOES AWAY REAL QUICK WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT DISPATCHING.

SO THAT WOULD END UP I DON'T WANT TO SAY BUT IT COULD END UP DEFAULTING TO THE COUNTY AND THEN THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO START PAYING FOR THAT ANYWAYS.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? DO YOU AND I REALIZE YOU MIGHT AND I HAVE THIS OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, BUT IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF CALLS...

THROUGH DISPATCH.

I KNOW, I THINK YOU MENTIONED ANDERSON AND CHESLA LAKE ARE 05,000.

SO THAT'S, OF THOSE COMM OPS, THAT'S ALREADY HALF, IF I'M THINKING ABOUT IT CORRECTLY.

AND SO IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PORTION OF THE CALLS THAT FLOW THROUGH DISPATCH ARE ACTUALLY NOT FOR COUNTY FIRE.

YOU ARE CORRECT.

I'M ACTUALLY LOOKING UP OUR REPORT THAT I'LL BE PRESENTING TO YOU GUYS NEXT WEEK.

OKAY, SO ROUGHLY 19.3% OF CALLS ARE DONE BY ANDERSON.

5.8% IS DONE BY BURNEY.

6.4% IS DONE BY COTTONWOOD.

2.5% IS DONE BY FALL RIVER.

5.5% OF CALLS ARE FROM HAPPY VALLEY.

1.2% IS FROM MILLVILLE.

THE COMMUNITY SERVICE DISTRICT UP THERE AT THE OLD SHASTA IS 1%.

SHASTA TRINITY, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S OUR SIDE.

SHASTA LAKE FIRE IS 12.5%.

MOUNTAIN GATE FIRE IS 2.6%.

AND THEN SHASTA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT IS 38.2%.

WOW, SO WE'RE ACTUALLY A MINORITY OF THE CALLS THAT ARE FLOWING THROUGH THAT.

YOU ARE IN THE TOP THREE.

WHAT WAS THE SHASTA TRINITY? I ASSUME THAT'S THE CAL FIRE.

YEAH, THAT'S THE CAL FIRE.

AND WHAT PORTION WAS THAT? I CAN TELL YOU, BUT YOU DON'T PAY FOR THOSE.

IT IS.

IT'S ACTUALLY NOT ON HERE, BUT I CAN GET THAT NUMBER.

ACTUALLY, I TAKE IT BACK.

SHASTA TRAINING IS 2.6, 2.6%.

SO ROUGHLY ABOUT, LET'S SAY 500 TO 700 CALLS.

THOSE ARE ULTIMATELY WHAT CAL FIRE IS RESPONSIBLE.

AND THEN ONE LAST QUESTION.

HOW MUCH IN THE CONTRACT PAYS FOR YOUR SERVICING OF TRAINING OF THE PAID CULT FIREFIGHTERS? SO IN THE CONTRACT, NOTHING.

SO I TAKE THAT BACK.

IN THE CONTRACT, YOU PAY FOR ONE CAPTAIN IN TRAINING.

SO ONE CAPTAIN IN TOTALITY, YOU PAY FOR TRAINING.

BUT WE ALSO BRING IN...

DURING THE TRAINING SEASON, I'LL CALL IT THE OFF-PEAK SIDE OF THE FIRE YEAR.

THESE CAPTAINS, THEY PAID FOR THREE MONTHS. THE OTHER

[00:55:05]

POINT TO THAT IS THAT YOU ARE GETTING A LOT. GET YOU AN EXACT NUMBER IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

THAT'S FINE. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CHIEF O'HARE.

EVERYTHING I HAD HIGHLIGHTED TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS ON, YOU PRESENTED IN YOUR PRESENTATION, SO A GREAT PRESENTATION.

APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.

PERFECT. THANK YOU ALL. ALL RIGHT, NEXT UP WE HAVE JUVENILE REHABILITATION FACILITY AND PROBATION. CHIEF NEAL. I NEEDED TO USE THE RESTROOM.

I APOLOGIZE.

AND MS. BERTAIN SAID I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO MAKE IT.

GOOD MORNING.

TRACY NEAL, CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER.

PROBATION HAS TWO BUDGET UNITS, AND I'M GOING TO START WITH THE BUDGET UNIT 262, WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 194, AND IT'S OUR JUVENILE REHABILITATION FACILITY.

THE JRF STRIVES TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND SECURE CUSTODY ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUTH REQUIRING DETENTION.

THE STAFF AIM TO MEET STATE REGULATIONS WHILE PROVIDING AN ARRAY OF REHABILITATIVE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO YOUTH REQUIRING BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM COMMITMENTS.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR FACILITY SERVES THREE GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS.

OUR TRADITIONAL YOUTH REQUIRING DETENTION, AWAITING COURT, OR SERVING A COMMITMENT.

OUR RIVER'S EDGE ACADEMY PROGRAM, WHICH IS OUR REHABILITATIVE CAMP PROGRAM.

AND OUR THIRD POPULATION IS OUR SECURE TRACK TREATMENT PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES INDIVIDUALS UP TO AGE 25.

OUR POPULATION TRENDS HAVE STAYED CONSISTENT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WITH OUR HIGHEST DAILY POPULATION BEING AT 39 AND OUR DAILY AVERAGE POPULATION BEING AT 33.

TODAY, WE HAVE 28 YOUTH IN CUSTODY, FIVE OF WHOM ARE FEMALE, 23 ARE MALE.

SO OUT OF THE 28 INDIVIDUALS, THREE OF THOSE ARE OUR SECURE TRACK TREATMENT PROGRAM YOUTH.

SIX OF THEM ARE EDGE ACADEMY.

WE DO HAVE A GRADUATION TOMORROW, AND IF YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED AN INVITATION, I WILL MAKE SURE WHEN WE'RE TO YOU.

AND 19 OF THOSE ARE IN OUR GENERAL POPULATION.

OF THE 19, WE'RE PENDING A SECURE TRACK TREATMENT COMMITMENT.

IF WE WERE TO ESTIMATE, WE'LL BE AT FIVE SECURE TRACK TREATMENT YOUTH.

PROBABLY IN THE FALL TIME.

WE HAVE TWO YOUTH OUT ON FURLOUGH AND FOUR YOUTH OUT ON GPS.

THIS BUDGET UNIT HAS HAD NO STAFFING CHANGES AND HAS HAD NO PROGRAM CHANGES THIS LAST FISCAL YEAR.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26, I WANT TO REPORT ON A COUPLE OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO EXPAND OUR WEST CAMPUS.

THIS PROJECT FIRST STARTED MANY YEARS AGO WITH THE DEMOLITION OF OUR OLD JUVENILE HALL.

WE INSTALLED SECURITY FENCING.

WE RECENTLY COMPLETED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILD OF OUR NEW VOCATIONAL SHOP AND CLASSROOM.

WE INSTALLED LIGHTING AND ADDITIONAL SECURITY CAMERAS.

AND WE HAVE WORKED TO REESTABLISH OUR GARDEN PROGRAM.

INSTALLATION OF A CONCRETE PAD HAPPENED THIS FISCAL YEAR.

AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON THAT CONCRETE PAD IS FACILITIES WILL BE BUILDING OUR INDUSTRIAL GREENHOUSE, WHICH WE ANTICIPATE WILL START AFTER JULY 1ST AND BE ONE OF OUR GOALS FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

WE ALSO INSTALLED, WELL, WE DIDN'T INSTALL, FACILITIES INSTALLED A CONCRETE PAD, SHADE COVER, AND OUR OUTDOOR EXERCISE AND WORKOUT EQUIPMENT, AND SO THAT WAS COMPLETED THIS YEAR.

MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THOSE PROJECTS WERE FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS OR STATE FUNDS.

THE CAMPUS STILL HAS WORK TO BE DONE, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO OPENING THE CAMPUS FOR ELIGIBLE YOUTH AT THE END OF THE SUMMER.

DURING PROBATION SERVICES WEEK THIS WEEK ON JULY 23RD, WE WILL HOST AN OPEN HOUSE AT 7.30 A.M.

TO 10 OF THAT WEST CAMPUS SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN COME AND SEE THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE AND SEE WHERE WE'RE HEADED IN THE FUTURE.

IT'S A PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR MANY YEARS, AND I'M PRETTY EXCITED THAT IT'S...

GOTTEN AS FAR AS IT HAS AND WE'RE LOOKING AT OPENING THE CAMPUS THIS SUMMER.

ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT WE HAVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26 IS WE CONTINUE TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS AND REGULATIONS SET FORTH BY THE BOARD OF STATE AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS AND WE RECEIVED OUR COMPREHENSIVE INSPECTION COMPLIANCE LETTER FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26.

WE JUST FINISHED OUR TARGETED INSPECTION AT THE END OF APRIL.

[01:00:01]

AND WE RECEIVED OUR COMPLIANCE LETTER AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS WEEK, WHICH I'M SURE WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE BOARD.

ONE OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THIS YEAR IS OUR JRF DIRECTOR WORKED DILIGENTLY WITH OUR IT SPECIALIST, OUR CASE MANAGEMENT EXPERT, JEFF IN THE IT DEPARTMENT, WHO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT APPRECIATES VERY MUCH ALL OF HIS HARD WORK, TO IMPLEMENT THE JRF DIGITAL PROGRAM TRACKER.

THIS TRACKER IS MOVING US AWAY FROM WRITTEN LOGBOOKS.

EVERYTHING IS DIGITAL WHEN IT COMES TO PROGRAMS WITHIN THE FACILITY.

THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT AND THE BSCC INSPECTOR WHEN THEY WERE HERE IN APRIL WAS EXTREMELY IMPRESSED WITH THE PROGRAM TRACKERS ABILITIES AND THE ABILITIES TO PRINT REPORTS TO SHOW THE MOVEMENT OF THE YOUTH WITHIN THE FACILITY IN ALL THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE PARTICIPATING IN.

WE HAVE SEVERAL GOALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

AS YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON OUR CALAIM IMPLEMENTATION.

WE WERE SCHEDULED TO GO LIVE JULY 1ST OF THIS YEAR, AND THAT'S BEEN PUSHED OUT TO OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR, 2026.

AND SO WE ARE ALL SCHEDULED AND READY TO GO LIVE OCTOBER 1ST, AND ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AS WELL AS OUR SHASTA COMMUNITY HEALTH CONTRACT, OUR MEDICAL PROVIDER, IS READY TO GO.

SO THAT'S ONE OF OUR GOALS, IS SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CALAIM INITIATIVE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING, AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST YEAR, AND IT'S KIND OF ROLLED OVER INTO THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, IS WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON TRANSITIONING ALL OF OUR POLICIES AND POST ORDERS TO AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT WITHIN OUR LEXAPOL SYSTEM.

AND WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR.

OKAY, OUR NEXT BUDGET UNIT IS THE PROBATION BUDGET UNIT.

263 AND IT CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 199.

PROBATION PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SERVICES FROM PRE-TRIAL, COURT INVESTIGATIONS, ACCOUNTABILITY, COMPLIANCE EFFORTS, COMMUNITY SUPERVISION, REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, AND OF COURSE INTERVENTION, PREVENTION, AND DIVERSIONARY SERVICES.

WE HAVE THREE OFFICES, OUR ADULT OFFICE AND OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION CENTER, WHICH IS LOCATED HERE ON COURT STREET.

AND THEN OUR JUVENILE DIVISION IS LOCATED ON MARKET STREET.

THE JUVENILE DIVISION AND OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION CENTER ARE OPEN LATE, ALLOWING ADULTS, FAMILIES, AND YOUTH TO RECEIVE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES IN THE EVENINGS AND AFTER HOURS.

THIS BUDGET UNIT HAS HAD STAFFING CHANGES.

WE HAVE DELETED FIVE POSITIONS IN THIS BUDGET UNIT.

ONE OF THEM IS A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST, AND THREE OF THEM ARE DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICERS.

ALL FOUR OF THESE POSITIONS ARE FUNDED THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION PARTNERSHIP FUND AND WILL IMPACT THE ADULT OPERATIONS.

WE'RE DELETING ONE JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICER, WHICH IS ASSIGNED TO OUR JUVENILE DIVISION, AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS ON SUPERVISION, OUT OF CUSTODY, AND TO SUPPORT THEIR CASE PLAN.

THIS POSITION IS FUNDED THROUGH OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE CRIME PREVENTION ACT DOLLARS.

AND IT HAS BEEN UNFILLED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

ALL FIVE POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY UNFILLED.

BUT THIS WILL TAKE THIS BUDGET UNIT TO 83 POSITIONS.

WE'VE HAD ONE SIGNIFICANT PROGRAM CHANGE IN THIS BUDGET UNIT THAT'S WORTH MENTIONING, AND IT'S AB 1376.

AB 1376 WAS SIGNED INTO LAW ON OCTOBER 10TH OF 2025.

AND THIS SIGNIFICANTLY CHANGES JUVENILE PROBATION SUPERVISION, ESTABLISHING 12-MONTH TERM LIMITS FOR YOUTH ON PROBATION SUPERVISION UNLESS THE COURT EXPANDS SUPERVISION AFTER A NOTICED HEARING.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU RECALL, BUT IN 2021, THERE WAS AB 1950, WHICH DID THE SAME ON THE ADULT SIDE AND CHANGED PROBATION TERM LIMITS.

TO PREPARE FOR IMPLEMENTATION, THE JUVENILE DIVISION CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL ACTIVE JUVENILE CASES TO DETERMINE WHICH REQUIRED COURT HEARINGS AND WHICH WERE ELIGIBLE FOR TERMINATION UNDER THE NEW LAW.

APPROXIMATELY 12 CASES WERE TERMINATED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1ST OF 2026, WITH ADDITIONAL TERMINATIONS COMPLETED FOLLOWING THE LAW'S EFFECTIVE DATE.

AS A RESULT OF THESE CHANGES, JUVENILE CASELOADS HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO A MINIMUM OF $1,000 PER YEAR.

HAVE DECLINED.

SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF AB 1376 IS LISTED AS ONE OF OUR FISCAL YEAR 2526 ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT WE HAVE

[01:05:01]

LISTED FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26 IS THE LAUNCH OF OUR MOBILE PROBATION VAN.

AS YOU KNOW, WE LAUNCHED THIS VAN AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL, AND THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN A FOUR-YEAR PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON.

AND IF YOU RECALL, IT WAS PART OF THE 2022 BUDGET ACT, AND IT WAS A GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAM THROUGH THE BSCC.

AND 25 COUNTIES IN THE STATE WERE AWARDED THESE GRANT FUNDS TO LAUNCH THIS TYPE OF PROGRAM, AND PROBATION RECEIVED JUST OVER $280,000.

THE VAN CURRENTLY OPERATES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS, WITH ADDITIONAL SERVICES ON SELECTED MONDAYS.

THE VAN IS ENGAGING IN APPROXIMATELY 50 OFFENDERS A MONTH, AND I HAVE THE SCHEDULE.

I WAS GOING TO LEAVE IT AT THE BACK OF THE ROOM AND HAND IT OUT TO YOU ALL IN CASE YOU'RE INTERESTED.

OUR GOAL FOR FISCAL YEAR 26-27 IS TO EXPAND OUR OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT EFFORTS TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 600 OFFENDERS ANNUALLY.

SO NEXT YEAR WE'LL REPORT OUT ON IF WE'RE ABLE TO MEET THAT GOAL.

FOR FISCAL YEAR 26-27, WE HAVE QUITE THE LONG LIST OF GOALS THAT WE WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THE FIRST ONE IS THE RISK NEEDS ASSESSMENT VALIDATION STUDY.

PROBATION HAS UTILIZED EVIDENCE-BASED RISK AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT TOOLS SINCE 2011 TO GUIDE SUPERVISION AND CASE PLANNING EFFORTS.

THE ADULT DIVISION USES THE STATIC RISK ASSESSMENT, WHILE THE JUVENILE DIVISION UTILIZES THE POSITIVE ACHIEVEMENT CHANGE TOOL.

DURING FISCAL YEAR 26-27, PROBATION WILL THANK YOU.

UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE VALIDATION STUDY OF THESE ASSESSMENT TOOLS.

THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PROJECT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY EVALUATION TO ASSESS TOOL EFFECTIVENESS, REVIEW OUTCOMES, AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE OUR PRACTICES REMAIN EVIDENCE-BASED AND ALIGNED WITH THE CURRENT RESEARCH.

ANOTHER GOAL THAT WE HAVE FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR IS THE PRE-TRIAL ASSESSMENT TOOL TRANSITION.

PROBATION HAS OPERATED A SUPERVISED OWN RECOGNIZANCE PROGRAM SINCE 2013, PROVIDING PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND RELEASE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT.

AS PART OF THIS PROCESS, PROBATION STAFF CONDUCT A PRE-TRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT TO HELP INFORM RELEASE DECISIONS.

DURING FISCAL YEAR 26-27, THE DEPARTMENT WILL TRANSITION FROM THE VIRGINIA PRETRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL TO THE PRETRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT.

SO WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING FROM THE VPRAE TO THE PRA TOOL.

THE TOOL, THE PRA TOOL, IS GOING TO OFFER SEVERAL ADVANTAGES THAT THE TEAM IS EXCITED FOR INCLUDING ENHANCED VISUAL REPORTING, OBJECTIVE RISK FACTORS, AND QUANTIFIED RISK ESTIMATES FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR AND NEW CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

ADDITIONALLY, THE ASSESSMENT CAN BE COMPLETED WITHOUT AN OFFENDER INTERVIEW, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, CONSISTENCY IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS.

ANOTHER ONE OF OUR GOALS FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS WE ARE WANTING TO RELOCATE OUR JUVENILE DIVISION TO A SMALLER, MORE AFFORDABLE SPACE.

THE JUVENILE DIVISION HAS BEEN LOCATED AT 1810 MARKET STREET IN A 12,000 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING.

WE MOVED IN THIS BUILDING IN 2021, AND AT THE TIME, THE BUILDING WAS APPROPRIATE.

BUT OVER THE YEARS, THE RENT HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, AND WITH CHANGES IN LEGISLATION AND FUNDING HAS REDUCED THE JUVENILE TEAM.

WE ANTICIPATE THIS LEASE COMING BEFORE THE BOARD SOMETIME IN JULY.

AND IF APPROVED, WE WILL BE RELOCATING THE JUVENILE DIVISION IN LATE SUMMER TO A SMALLER, MORE AFFORDABLE SPACE.

THE LAST GOAL THAT WE HAVE LISTED FOR 26-27 IS PROBATION AND THE COMMUNITY CORRECTION PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE GROUP IS WORKING WITH RDA CONSULTING TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ANNUAL REPORT AND EXPAND THE DATA AND OUTCOME METRICS FOR CCP AND CCP-FUNDED PROGRAMS. THIS IS A ONE-YEAR PROJECT.

AND IT IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

I KNOW SUPERVISOR LONG AND SUPERVISOR PLUMMER HAVE PROBABLY ALREADY RECEIVED SOME COMMUNICATION FROM RDA.

SO IT'S A ONE-YEAR PROJECT, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PROVIDING THE BOARD WITH THE CCP PRESENTATION SOMETIME IN THE SPRING OF 2027.

OKAY, THIS IS A NEW SLIDE THAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR, AND IT'S THE EXPENSE REVENUE BREAKDOWN

[01:10:02]

BY OBJECT LEVEL.

WE HAVE TWO CHARTS UP THERE, THE 262 AND THE 263.

I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF OUR REVENUE SOURCES.

FOR BUDGET UNIT 262, REVENUE INCLUDES THE FEDERAL JUVENILE HALL FOOD PROGRAM, OUR PATH CALAIM GRANT, OUR JUVENILE CAMP AND RANCH DOLLARS, OUR YOUTHFUL OFFENDER BLOCK GRANT.

AND OUR SB 823 BLOCK GRANT, OUR END PROP 172 DOLLARS.

IT ALSO INCLUDES THE REVENUE WE RECEIVE FROM OUR OUT-OF-COUNTY BED CONTRACTS AND DOLLARS FROM HHSA TO SUPPORT THE RIVER'S EDGE ACADEMY PROGRAM.

EXPENDITURES ARE ABOUT 13.7 AND REVENUE IS ABOUT 9.6.

FOR THE BUDGET UNIT 263, THIS REVENUE INCLUDES OUR JAG AND PROP 47 GRANTS, SPECIFIC FUNDING STREAMS TO SUPPORT SPECIALIZED ADULT SERVICES, SB 129 DOLLARS, WHICH IS AN MOU THROUGH THE COURT, OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE CRIME PREVENTION ACT DOLLARS, AND OUR JUVENILE STATE DOLLARS.

IT ALSO INCLUDES SB 678, WHICH IS AN ADULT REVENUE SOURCE, AND OUR CCP ALLOCATION, AS WELL AS OUR MAW AND TITLE IV-E REVENUE IN PROP 172.

IT ALSO INCLUDES REVENUE FOR OUR JUVENILE PREVENTION OFFICERS, WHICH ARE ASSIGNED TO SPECIFIC SCHOOLS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND SOME MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE.

THE 263 ALSO INCLUDES THE USE OF OPIOID FUNDS FOR YOUTH AND ADULT DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT SERVICES.

EXPENDITURES ARE ABOUT $19.5, AND REVENUE IS ABOUT $16.4.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE FOR THIS BOARD IS THAT PROBATION DOES DRAW DOWN A LOT OF STATE AND FEDERAL REVENUE, AS WELL AS WE ARE ALWAYS ACTIVELY SEEKING GRANTS.

AND SO THE FACT THAT WE ARE BRINGING IN SO MUCH REVENUE INTO BOTH OF OUR BUDGET UNITS IS SIGNIFICANT, AND I WOULD SAY RARE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

OKAY, LET'S TALK ABOUT PROBATION FUND BALANCES.

PROBATION RECEIVES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT STATE REVENUES AND THE DEPARTMENT SPENDS ACCORDINGLY AND WE RESERVE WHERE WE CAN.

ALL OF OUR STATE REVENUE SOURCES ARE EITHER POPULATION OR OUTCOME BASED.

IN SOME YEARS, REVENUE COMES IN STRONG, WHILE OTHER YEARS IT COULD BE REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY AND WE COULD RECEIVE THE BASE MINIMUM ALLOCATION.

ALMOST ALL OF THE FORMULA DRIVEN BY DATA OF PROBATION'S CONTROL.

RESTRICTED USE ACCORDING TO THE LAW.

ASSURING STRONG FUND BALANCES ARE IMPORTANT FOR THOSE YEARS WHERE ALLOCATIONS ARE AT A MINIMUM.

FOR THE 2-6-2, WE HAVE THREE FUND BALANCES GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

WE HAVE OUR PATH-CAL-AIM GRANT ALLOCATION, AND WE'RE EXCITED TO SHARE THAT WE'VE BEEN AWARDED THE PATH-4 GRANT.

AND AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, WE'LL BE COMING TO THE BOARD TO ACCEPT THOSE DOLLARS.

WE HAVE OUR SB 823, WHICH WAS OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE BLOCK GRANT, AND THAT IS DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IN 2021.

WE HAVE OUR YOUTHFUL OFFENDER BLOCK GRANT, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2007 AND IS PART OF SB 81. IN THE 263, WE HAVE FOUR FUND BALANCE ACCOUNTS.

WE HAVE OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE CRIME PREVENTION ACT, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 2000.

WE HAVE SOME PROBATION JUVENILE DOLLARS PER THE WELFARE AND INSTITUTION CODE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 2009.

WE HAVE OUR SB 678, WHICH IS SPECIFIC TO THE ADULT POPULATION AND IS THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PREVENTION INCENTIVE GRANT OF 2009.

AND THEN WE HAVE OUR AB 109, WHICH WAS PART OF THE 2011 REALIGNMENT.

I DO WANT TO STOP RIGHT HERE AND TALK ABOUT TWO OF OUR SPECIFIC FUND BALANCES.

SPECIFICALLY, THE SB 823, WHICH IS THE JUVENILE JUSTICE BLOCK GRANT DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.

AS A REMINDER, THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICERS OF CALIFORNIA WERE OPPOSED TO THE STATE'S CLOSURE OF DJJ.

THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT POPULATION THAT HAS BEEN TRANSITIONED TO COUNTIES.

THE INITIAL FUNDING FORMULA STRUCTURE WAS BASED ON THE DJJ POPULATION, LOCAL POPULATIONS, AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF YOUTH AGES 10 TO 17.

STATE FUNDING HAS BEEN MANAGEABLE TO SUPPORT THE POPULATION LOCALLY AND WE HAVE BEEN RESERVING WHERE WE CAN FOR FUTURE COSTS AND EXPENDITURES AND ALSO PLANNING

[01:15:02]

FOR UNKNOWN COSTS TO THE COUNTY.

SINCE THE CLOSURE OF DJJ, WE'VE HAD 13 INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED TO OUR SECURE TRACK TREATMENT PROGRAM.

AS I DISCUSSED EARLIER, WE JUST HAVE A COUPLE CURRENTLY, BUT I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT IN REGARDS TO THIS POPULATION.

THIS POPULATION CAN STAY WITHIN OUR JUVENILE REHABILITATION FACILITY FOR UP TO FOUR YEARS.

OUR OLDEST ONE RIGHT NOW IS CURRENTLY 20.

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN WITH THESE YOUTH IN REGARDS TO MEDICAL NEEDS, PSYCHIATRIC NEEDS, OR JUST GENERAL OPERATION COSTS.

THERE'S IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY, THEY ARE OPERATING ONE POD SPECIFICALLY FOR ONE SECURE TRACK YOUTH DUE TO THE HIGH LEVEL OF NEED, WHICH IS COSTING THEM A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE HAVE A CURRENT SECURE TRACK YOUTH THAT HAS TO HAVE A MEDICAL SURGERY.

THAT IS 100% FUNDED BY THE COUNTY.

AND SO I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH, WHILE IT MAY LOOK LIKE WE HAVE SOME SB 823 FUNDS, WE'RE SAVING THAT BECAUSE ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN.

AS WELL AS WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR BUDGET THIS YEAR, WE'VE PLANNED TO HAVE THE THREE YOUTH AND ARE ANTICIPATING TWO OTHER, BUT WE CANNOT PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY OR WHAT KIND OF SERIOUS OR VIOLENT CRIME COULD BE COMMITTED.

AND WHAT TYPE OF USE COULD BE BAKED INTO OUR FACILITY.

AND SO THAT RESERVE IS THERE TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS AND PAY FOR THINGS THAT MAY COME UP, BUT IS UNEXPECTED.

NOW, THE OTHER REASON WHY I WANNA POINT OUT THIS SB 823 FUND BALANCE IS THE STATE HAS NOW CHANGED THE FUND BALANCE.

AND SO WHILE I NOTED THAT THE MONEY HAS BEEN MANAGEABLE TO THE COST TO OPERATE, AND SUPERVISE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

GOING FORWARD, THE FUNDING FORMULA WILL EMPHASIZE PLACING YOUTH IN A LESS RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT, MEANING OUR FUNDING ALLOCATION IS GOING TO GO DOWN.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ERIC JONES AND I FIRMLY WANT YOUTH HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND IN CUSTODY, AND WE DO NOT PLAN TO RELEASE THOSE YOUTH UNTIL THEY HAVE COMPLETED THEIR COMMITMENT.

AS WELL AS THEIR REHABILITATIVE PLAN.

SO THAT PERCENTAGE OF THE FORMULA IS MOST LIKELY NOT COMING TO SHASTA COUNTY.

SO GOING FORWARD OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE WILL WATCH THAT REVENUE, BUT WE ANTICIPATE IT DECREASING SIGNIFICANTLY.

THE OTHER FUND BALANCE THAT I DO WANT TO NOTE IS OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION FUND BALANCE.

AND THIS HAS BEEN DECREASING FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

THE CCP HAS HISTORICALLY BUDGETED HIGHER THAN ANTICIPATED REVENUES RECEIVED AND HAS RELIED ON THE FUND BALANCE TO SUPPORT THE BUDGET FROM YEAR TO YEAR, DRAWING DOWN ON THE FUND BALANCE EACH YEAR.

THE CCP BUDGET, WHICH IS PROBATION, THE SHERIFF, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, AND A FEW OTHER SMALL AMOUNTS ARE GOING TO A FEW OTHER SOURCES.

THE CCP BUDGET IS ABOUT $15.7 MILLION, WHILE REVENUE USUALLY COMES IN AT ABOUT $12.2.

THIS YEAR, THE CCP WORKED TO DECREASE EXPENDITURES AND WILL CONTINUE THESE EFFORTS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO ALIGN EXPENDITURES WITH REVENUE.

NOW, THIS HAS NOT BEEN A FUN PROCESS BECAUSE I'VE HAD TO ASK MY JUSTICE PARTNERS TO REDUCE EXPENDITURES.

AS YOU CAN SEE IN MY SLIDE IN THE 263, I REDUCED FOUR POSITIONS SPECIFICALLY TO CCP.

AND THIS WORK WILL NEED TO CONTINUE OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS BECAUSE PART OF THE CCP PLANNING PROCESS IS TO LOOK AT HOW MANY YEARS OUR FUND BALANCE WILL CARRY US UNTIL WE NEED TO ALIGN THE EXACT REVENUE WE'RE RECEIVING.

AND THE CCP FUND BALANCE IS GOING TO CARRY US UNTIL FISCAL YEAR 28-29, MAYBE 29-30, AS LONG AS THE TEAM CONTINUES TO MAKE ABOUT $500,000 TO $1 MILLION IN CUTS EACH YEAR.

SO I DON'T WANT TO STAND WITH CHIEF O'HARA, BUT IT IS A REAL FACT THAT THE JUSTICE PARTNERS HAVE BEEN OPERATIONAL, RELYING ON CCP FUNDS.

BUT WE ARE ALSO QUICKLY APPROACHING A CLIFF WHERE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE CUTS, EACH OF US, TO BE ABLE TO ALIGN OUR EXPENDITURES WITH OUR REVENUE.

SO I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT ONLY BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT OUR CHARTS UP THERE,

[01:20:01]

YOU SEE THE ORANGE AB 109.

IT LOOKS GOOD AND HEALTHY.

BUT IF YOU LOOK, YOU SEE WE'VE BEEN USING IT QUITE A BIT.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO EXHAUST THAT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

JUST TO NOTE, THE CCP FUND BALANCE IS ABOUT 5.9 AND OUR SB 823 IS ABOUT 2.6.

OKAY, LET'S LOOK AT OUR BUDGET.

BOTH BUDGETS ARE CONSERVATIVE AND ALIGN WITH THE COUNTY BUDGET PRINCIPLES.

WE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO DECREASE EXPENDITURES WITHIN OUR CONTROL AND INCREASE REVENUES AND SEEK GRANTS.

CONSIDERING OUR TOTAL EXPENDITURES FOR BOTH BUDGET UNITS, WE USE VERY LITTLE GENERAL FUND.

AS NOTED IN MS. BERTAIN'S PRESENTATION, OUR GENERAL FUND USE COMPARED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS IS ONLY ABOUT 14%.

THE TWO BUDGET UNITS COMBINED SHOW A DECREASE OF GENERAL FUND USE OF JUST OVER $1 MILLION.

THE 262 BUDGET UNIT, THE JRF, HAS SEEN A SMALL INCREASE.

OF $271 IN GENERAL FUND FROM FISCAL YEAR 25-26 ADOPTED BUDGET.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST THREE FISCAL YEARS, AND I LEFT FISCAL YEAR 24-25 ON OUR CHART, BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THAT YEAR, OUR GENERAL FUND AMOUNT THIS YEAR IS SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN FISCAL YEAR 24-25.

FOR THE 263, THE PROBATION, BUDGET UNIT IS SEEING A DECREASE OF ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN GENERAL FUND USE FROM FISCAL YEAR 2526 ADOPTED BUDGET.

AND IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN FISCAL YEAR 2425.

WE MAY HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THE 263.

WE WERE PLANNING TO RECEIVE THE AB 1869, BUT AS OF NOW, THE GOVERNOR HASN'T INCLUDED IT IN HIS BUDGET.

AND WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL THAT THERE'LL BE SOME TRAILER BUDGET BILLS THAT WILL INCLUDE IT.

A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS ARE RELYING ON THAT AB 1869.

I THINK ALL OF OUR JUSTICE PARTNERS HERE ARE, AND THAT FUNDING IS DUE TO, IT HAPPENED, I THINK, IN 2020, 2021, AND THE STATE ELIMINATED FINES AND FEES, THE COURT'S ABILITY TO CHARGE THE OFFENDER POPULATION FINES AND FEES.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WATCHING CLOSELY AND WE'LL WORK WITH THE CEO'S OFFICE BECAUSE WE WERE PLANNING TO HAVE THOSE DOLLARS WITHIN OUR BUDGET.

OUR DEPARTMENT CONTINUES EFFORTS TO REDUCE GENERAL FUND IMPACT IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR AND GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

I WILL SAY WE WORK REALLY HARD AT THIS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF UNEXPECTED THINGS THAT COME UP.

WE'VE HAD TWO WATER HEATERS THIS WEEK GO OUT IN THE JRF TO ABOUT...

$45,000.

THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY DOWN AT THE JRF.

THE ADMIN FISCAL TEAM IS WORKING OUT OF A DIFFERENT BUILDING.

THAT'S GOING TO COST US A LOT OF MONEY.

AND SO WHILE I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, WE ARE COMMITTED TO CONSERVATIVE BUDGETING AND SPENDING, BUT WE CANNOT PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND THAT'S, I THINK, WHAT COMES ALONG WITH RUNNING A DETENTION FACILITY AND A...

IN ESSENCE, A CUSTODY FACILITY.

WE'RE RUNNING A COMMITMENT FACILITY WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING AND DETAINED 24-7, AND SO WE DO HAVE THOSE UNEXPECTED COSTS.

I HAVE A FEW ITEMS LISTED UP THERE IN REGARDS TO OUR EFFORTS TO REDUCE GENERAL FUND, AND LIKE I SAID, WE'LL CONTINUE.

BEFORE I CONCLUDE, I WANT TO THANK, AS I DO EVERY YEAR, JEN ROSSI WITH THE CEO'S OFFICE, BECAUSE WE COULDN'T DO OUR BUDGET WITHOUT HER.

I RECALL THIS YEAR AFTER A CCP MEETING, HER STANDING OUTSIDE WITH US WITH HER COMPUTER SUPPORTING US IN OUR BUDGET.

SO I WANT TO THANK HER AND THE AUDITOR AND NOLDA'S TEAM BECAUSE THEY GIVE US ALSO A LOT OF SUPPORT OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS DURING THE BUDGET SEASON.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, I HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM, SHANNON AND BRANDY, AND WE COULDN'T RUN THE PROBATION BUDGET WITHOUT THEM.

AND THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION, AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, CHIEF NEAL.

SUPERVISOR CRAIG.

GOOD PRESENTATION, CHIEF NEAL.

OUT OF THE 28 INCARCERATED CURRENTLY, I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THIS EVERY YEAR, YOUTH ARE REFERRED TO UP TO 25 YEARS OLD.

HOW MANY OF THOSE YOUTH, LET'S SAY...

YOU CAN CALL THEM INDIVIDUALS.

WELL, YEAH, BUT...

YOUNG PEOPLE.

19 TO 25.

HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE AT THAT AGE? SURE, LET ME PULL MY CHART.

[01:25:01]

AND I KNOW LAST YEAR SUPERVISOR PLUMMER ASKED A GREAT QUESTION REGARDING GRADUATION RATES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF...

OLDER INDIVIDUALS.

WHEN I LOOKED AT OUR BOOKINGS YESTERDAY, WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 18-YEAR-OLDS AS WELL AS 17-YEAR-OLDS. AND THEN WE HAVE OUR 20-YEAR-OLD, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A 19-YEAR-OLD.

AND THEN IS THE FUNDING ANY DIFFERENT BETWEEN THE 17 AND YOUNGER? SAME, CORRECT? SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE JUVENILE BLOCK GRANT THAT I WAS MENTIONING, THAT'S SPECIFIC ONLY TO OUR SECURE TRACK TREATMENT PROGRAM.

AND SO WE HAVE TO SPEND THOSE DOLLARS ON THAT SPECIFIC POPULATION.

IS THERE EVER, AND THIS MIGHT BE A QUESTION I WOULD ASK THE SHERIFF TOO, ASSUMING AT SOME POINT THAT ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY CAMPUS IS BUILT, WOULD THERE BE ANY ABILITY YOU THINK WITHIN THE STATE? OKAY, THERE'S NOT.

THERE'S NOT.

SO THE LAW IS VERY STRICT IN REGARDS TO MIXING.

AND I KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING BECAUSE THEY'RE OVER 18, BUT THE CALIFORNIA LAW, IF THEY'VE BEEN SENTENCED, DISPOED IN A JUVENILE COURT, THEY ARE CONSIDERED A YOUTH.

AND I KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE THAT TERM, BUT UNTIL THEY CROSS OVER, WE CANNOT MIX THE POPULATIONS.

AND THERE'S SOME...

PRETTY STRINGENT FEDERAL AND STATE LAW IN REGARDS TO SIGHT AND SOUND.

AND I TOTALLY GET IT.

AND IT'S NOT SO MUCH THAT I DON'T LIKE IT.

I DON'T THINK SOCIETY LIKES IT WHEN THEY CALL A YOUTH 19.

I MEAN, IF YOU COMMIT A HEINOUS CRIME AT 18 AND THEN YOU COMMIT A HEINOUS CRIME AT 17, THE 17-YEAR-OLD WILL BE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT FISCALLY HOW THAT COULD BE COMBINED AND LESSEN YOUR LOAD AND THE SECURITY YOU NEED FOR A 25-YEAR-OLD IS...

DEFINITELY DIFFERENT THAN A 13 OR 14 YEAR OLD.

I HAVE INSECURITY, YOU KNOW, BREACHES OR WHATEVER IN 25.

I JUST THINK YOU'RE DOING SOME GOOD THINGS.

AND I JUST WAS CURIOUS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE.

WE ARE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN.

WITH A VERY DIFFICULT POPULATION THAT WE'RE RAISING.

WE'RE RAISING THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE'RE SEEING SOME GOOD SUCCESS WITH A FEW OF THEM AND NOT SO GREAT WITH A FEW OTHERS, AND THEY'RE JUST GRADUATING INTO THE ADULT SYSTEM AND BEING SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON.

YEAH, AND THAT'S JUST SOCIETY.

I MEAN, THEY COME TO YOU.

IT'S NOT YEAH, THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND I'M GOOD.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

SUPER IS ALONG.

APPRECIATE THAT.

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE DEALS WITH THE CCP, BECAUSE I'M PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.

AND WHAT IS CAUSING THE BALANCES TO GO DOWN? IS IT BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T INCLUDE IT IN THE CURRENT BUDGET? OR IS THIS AB 109 MONEY THAT'S DRYING UP? OR WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT AND WHY? YES.

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING SPECIFICALLY WITH THE CCP IS SINCE REALIGNMENT WENT INTO EFFECT IN 2011, WE WERE GETTING REVENUE, AND AT THAT TIME IT WAS ONLY ABOUT $8.9 MILLION.

IT TOOK US A WHILE FOR IMPLEMENTATION, AND DEPARTMENTS WOULD HAVE AN ALLOCATION, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE SPENDING 90% TO 100% OF THAT.

SO AS WE WERE STARTING, WE WERE ABLE TO RESERVE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS.

ALSO DURING THOSE INITIAL LIKE FIVE YEARS INTO REALIGNMENT, THE CCP EXECUTIVE GROUP AGREED THAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO CUT ANY PUBLIC SAFETY AND WE WANTED TO INVEST.

AND THAT'S HOW OUR EXPENDITURES INCREASED AND OUR REVENUES WERE COMING IN LOWER.

AND OVER THE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO MAINTAIN OUR PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE'VE ALWAYS RELIED ON THE FUND BALANCES FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO YEAR.

BUT NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IS OUR EXPENDITURES, DEPARTMENTS ARE EXPENDING THOSE AT 90 TO 100 PERCENT.

ANY MONEY IN THE RESERVE ISN'T COMING IN ANY HIGHER.

YES, IN 2011, 8.2.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE POPULATION, THAT'S NOT A SIGNIFICANT REVENUE INCREASE TO SUPPORT THE POPULATION.

AND SO NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IS.

WE'RE SEEING IN FUTURE YEARS THAT OUR FUND BALANCE IS GOING TO BE DRAWN TO ZERO.

AND SO AT THIS POINT,

[01:30:02]

WE'RE TRYING TO BRING DOWN THOSE EXPENDITURES EACH YEAR, SO WE DON'T HAVE A HUGE CLIFF, EACH YEAR TO BRING US DOWN TO WHAT OUR REVENUE IS.

AND SO IT'S REALLY, I DON'T WANT TO SAY IT'S JUST THIS TREND THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, YOU KNOW, FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS SINCE REALIGNMENT.

BUT WE ARE IN A PLACE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY, AND IT'S NOT A GREAT PLACE BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, I'M DELETING FOUR POSITIONS.

CAN WE AFFORD TO LOSE THREE DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICERS IN SUPERVISION EFFORTS FOR THE ADULT FELON POPULATION? NO, WE CAN'T, BUT WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME HARD CUTS.

OTHERWISE, WE'RE GOING TO COME TO A CLIFF, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT $3 MILLION, $3.5 MILLION CUT.

WHEREAS IF WE SLOWLY DO IT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND ALIGN THOSE REVENUES, THOSE EXPENDITURES WITH THE REVENUES, WE'LL BE IN A LOT BETTER PLACE.

OKAY, THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATION BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE'RE SUFFERING THIS STAFFING CRISIS ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND I HAVE KIND OF A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION THAT PARTICULARLY WITH OUR PROSECUTORS, WE'VE HAD A MASS EXODUS AND WE'RE FACING KIND OF AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS IN A REAL WAY.

AND SO I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE HIRING BONUSES THAT HAVE BEEN SET ASIDE OUT OF THE CCP WILL THOSE BE MAINTAINED FOR FUTURE RECRUITMENT PURPOSE, OR COULD THOSE DISAPPEAR AS THESE FUND BALANCES DWINDLE? SO YOU ASK A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, WHICH ALLOWS ME TO CLARIFY SOMETHING.

WE RECEIVE THE COMMUNITY CORRECTION PARTNERSHIP ALLOCATION, BUT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER ALSO RECEIVE A SEPARATE ALLOCATION.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S APPROVED AT OUR COMMUNITY CORRECTION, PARTNERSHIP MEETINGS OR WHEN I TALK ABOUT OUR BUDGET AT THE CCP OR WHEN WE'RE TALKING FINANCIALS, WHEN I SAY OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT 5.7, THAT'S CCP ONLY AND IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE DA'S OFFICE OR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S RESTRICTED FUNDS.

AS WELL AS FOR THOSE SPECIFIC FUNDS, THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME TO THE CCP FOR APPROVAL.

BUT THEY ARE SO KIND TO KEEP US IN THE LOOP REGARDING THOSE EXPENDITURES.

NOW, FOR THE TWO OF THEM, AND THEY BOTH CAN TALK TO YOU ABOUT THIS, THEIR DIRECT ALLOCATION IS SMALL AND HONESTLY ANNOYING FOR THEM BECAUSE THE WORKLOAD IS SO SIGNIFICANT.

THEY DON'T RECEIVE THAT MUCH MONEY TO SUPPORT THOSE OPERATIONS.

AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE SIGNING BONUSES, THAT'LL BE A QUESTION FOR MS. BRIDGET BECAUSE THAT FALLS UNDER HER DIRECT CCP ALLOCATION.

AND THAT IS, IS THAT FORMULAIC BY LAW? IS THAT HOW THAT WORKS? IT IS.

IT IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT CODE HOW THEY CAN SPEND THOSE MONIES AND HOW MUCH THEY RECEIVE.

AND IT IS POPULATION-BASED.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR LONG, SUPERVISOR PLUMMER.

YES, THANK YOU, TRACY.

I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION.

A FEW KIND OF SPECIFIC LINE ITEM QUESTIONS THAT I HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT.

THE FIRST IS IN THE JRF BUDGET UNIT.

AND I WAS, WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES, AND I'M USED TO SEEING THAT, AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE, BUT I'M USED TO SEEING THAT IN THE HHSA BUDGET UNITS BECAUSE THEY'RE CHARGING HHSA ADMIN TO DO THEIR ADMIN.

WHO'S PROVIDING THE ADMIN SERVICES FOR THE JRF? SO THE FISCAL ADMIN TEAM.

SO VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO HHSA.

SO WE HAVE A STAFF OF ABOUT 12 TO INCLUDE MYSELF, OUR CHIEF FISCAL OFFICER, AND OUR ASSISTANT CHIEF.

AND THAT'S THE STAFF THAT'S HOUSED IN THE FRONT OF THE JRF WHO ARE OUT OF AIR CONDITIONING.

BUT THAT'S THE TEAM AND THE COST FOR THAT.

AS WELL AS WITHIN THE 263 BUDGET THERE IS THAT ADMIN TOP BUDGET UNIT, THAT ADMIN COST CENTER IS LOCATED IN THERE.

SO THERE'S SOME OTHER COSTS THAT COME WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE ADMIN TEAM THAT THEN GET DISPERSED THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.

SO IT'S LOCATED IN THE PROBATION BUDGET UNIT.

AND THEN I WAS ALSO LOOKING AT THE COUNSELING SERVICES AND IT LOOKED LIKE THERE WAS A BIG JUMP THIS PAST YEAR, ALMOST A DOUBLING THAT'S BEING BROUGHT DOWN TO WHERE...

MAKES SENSE.

COULD YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE? YES, I CAN, AND THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND THAT'S SPECIFIC TO THE 262? YES.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE 262, WHAT

[01:35:02]

WE'VE REQUESTED IS THE USE OF OPIOID FUNDING, SPECIFICALLY FOR SOME OF OUR DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES IN THE JRF.

SO WE'VE REDUCED EXPENDITURES IN THE 262, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE THE OPIOID REVENUE COMING INTO THE 263, AND WE'RE CHARGING THOSE DRUG AND ALCOHOL SERVICES TO A CERTAIN COST CENTER WITHIN THE 263 BUDGET UNIT.

SO YOU SEE THAT DECREASED.

AND SO WE'RE NOT CUTTING SERVICES.

AS YOU KNOW, TITLE 15 STATE REGULATIONS REQUIRE US TO PROVIDE AN ABUNDANCE OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.

THEY'VE JUST SHIFTED BECAUSE WE'RE HOPING THAT THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE DRUG AND ALCOHOL SPECIFIC RELATED WOULD BE FUNDED BY SOME OPIOID DOLLARS, AND THEN THAT WILL ALLOW US.

TO DECREASE OUR GENERAL FUND USE AS WELL AS RESERVE SOME OF OUR TREATMENT DOLLARS FOR FUTURE USE.

THAT WAS ACTUALLY A QUESTION I HAD ABOUT, I THINK, THE 263, WHICH IS, IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S 1.7 IN OPIOID SETTLEMENT.

SO SOME OF THAT IS GOING TO THE COUNSELING SERVICES.

WHERE ELSE IS, HOW IS THAT BEING SPREAD ACROSS DIFFERENT ITEMS? SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE 034800 PROFESSIONAL AND IN SPECIAL SERVICES, YOU'LL SEE THAT THAT LINE ITEM IS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AND THAT'S WHERE THOSE TREATMENT DOLLARS WILL BE GOING INTO.

SO IN ESSENCE, WE DECREASED THE 262 TO USE LESS GENERAL FUND, RESERVE SOME OF OUR TREATMENT DOLLARS.

IF WE ARE, IF THE BOARD DOES GRANT US THE PRIVILEGE OF RECEIVING THOSE OPIOID DOLLARS, IT WILL THEN COME INTO THE 263 AND THEN ALL OF OUR TREATMENT, WHETHER IT'S JUVENILE OR ADULT, THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THE OPIOID REQUEST WOULD COME OUT OF THE 263 BUDGET UNIT.

OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE.

AND THEN IN THE 262...

TO, I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT CALAIM AND IMPLEMENTING THE JUSTICE INVOLVED INITIATIVE BY OCTOBER.

I BELIEVE THE IDEA BEHIND THAT IS THAT YOU CAN RE-ENROLL THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE BACK INTO MEDI-CAL 90 DAYS PRE-RELEASE WITH THE HOPE THAT THAT WOULD THEN REDUCE OUR MEDICAL EXPENSES BECAUSE THEN MEDI-CAL IS PAYING FOR THEM FOR THOSE LAST 90 DAYS RATHER THAN THE COUNTY.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A FLAT MEDICAL BUDGET.

IS THAT JUST TO BE CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SURE WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE? I KNOW THERE'S BEEN CHALLENGES WITH IMPLEMENTATION IN OTHER COUNTIES, BUT I WAS HOPING THAT WE'D SEE THAT GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT AS WE IMPLEMENT THIS.

I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST YEAR AT BUDGET HEARINGS.

THERE IS THIS IDEA THAT CALAIM IN PROCESSING THE 90-DAY RELEASE IS GOING TO BRING US IN SIGNIFICANT REVENUE.

THAT'S WHAT THE STATE IN DHCS IS INDICATING.

WE'RE NOT 100% SURE, AND WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A MEDICAL AMENDMENT.

AND AT THIS TIME, WE ANTICIPATE INCREASES WITH OUR MEDICAL COSTS, AND THEN WE WILL WAIT TO SEE WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO CHARGE US FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN ALL THE SERVICES AS WELL AS PROCESSING OF THOSE CLAIMS, AS WELL AS WE'RE HAVING TO BRING ON A THIRD-PARTY BILLER.

SO WE DO ANTICIPATE COSTS.

INCREASING OVER THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

AND THEN IT'S KIND OF LIKE, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT KIND OF REVENUE WE CAN RECEIVE BACK.

SO I WORKED WITH OUR DAY REPORTING CENTER FOR ALMOST FIVE YEARS FOR THEM TO BECOME A MEDI-CAL BILLABLE ENTITY.

AND I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE BRINGING IN HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF REIMBURSEMENTS AND CREDITS TO THE COUNTY.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT.

WE'RE SEEING SOME REVENUE RETURNED, BUT NOT AT WHAT THE STATE HAD ESTIMATED AND WE WERE ESTIMATING.

AND IS THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT ABLE TO BILL FOR AS MANY SERVICES AS WE THOUGHT, OR IT TAKES LONGER TO GET THEM RE-ENROLLED, OR WHAT ARE WE EXPECTING? IT'S AN ABUNDANCE OF THINGS IN REGARDS TO...

TO WHAT THE REIMBURSEMENT LOOKS LIKE, WHAT BILLABLE ELIGIBLE SERVICES ARE.

IT'S A HANDFUL OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND THE COST TO ADMINISTER THE MEDI-CAL BILLING THROUGH THEM IS ABOUT $46,000 TO $50,000 A YEAR JUST FOR THEM TO DO THE MEDI-CAL PROCESSING.

AND IT'S A LOT OF WORK.

AND I JUST USE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE JUST BECAUSE FOR ME THAT'S BEEN A HUGE EYE-OPENER.

BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PUSHING HARD FOR THEM BECAUSE I WAS ANTICIPATING CREDIT AND

[01:40:02]

REDUCING THE CCP COST FOR THE DAY REPORTING CENTER CONTRACT.

AND IT JUST HASN'T EVOLVED AS I WAS HOPING IT WOULD.

AND SO THE SAME THING WITH SHASTA COMMUNITY HEALTH AND OUR OTHER PROVIDERS.

THE COST TO THEM, THE COST TO US TO BRING IN A THIRD PARTY BILLER, IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

IN.

I AM HOPEFUL, AND I LOOK AT ASSISTANT CHIEF JONES, I AM HOPEFUL WE WILL BE ABLE TO AT LEAST RECOVER WHAT WE'RE PUTTING IN.

YEAH, IT'S UNFORTUNATE TO HEAR THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO PRODUCE OR THAT WE DON'T, AT THIS POINT, WE DON'T EXPECT THAT WE'LL SEE THE SAVINGS.

I THINK, AS YOU SAID, MANY HAD TALKED ABOUT.

IT'S BEEN A VERY HEATED CONVERSATION WITH DHCS.

ASSISTANT CHIEF JONES AND I HAVE BEEN IN MANY STATE MEETINGS WHERE THERE ARE PROBATION DEPARTMENTS NOT GOING TO IMPLEMENT CALAIM BECAUSE THE COST IS SO EXPENSIVE TO THEM.

AND THEY ARE ALREADY PROVIDING THE SERVICES IN A WAY THAT MEETS THE COUNTY'S NEEDS.

AND THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER STORY AS TO WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE BECAUSE...

THE LAW REQUIRES THROUGH CALAIM THAT YOU PROVIDE THE SERVICES.

IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY SAY HOW YOU DO IT.

INTERESTING.

WELL, IN OCTOBER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS OCTOBER IS THE DEADLINE FOR ALL COUNTIES TO HAVE THAT IMPLEMENTED.

SO SEPARATELY, THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE...

SO WE WERE SCHEDULED ORIGINALLY JULY 1ST OF 2026.

AND THEN WE, ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE JAIL, PUSHED IT OUT TO OCTOBER 1ST OF 2026.

SO IT'S QUICKLY APPROACHING AND IT'S GOING TO CHANGE A LOT OF THINGS.

ONE OTHER QUESTION ON THE JRF.

I NOTICED THAT FOR BOARDING CARE FOR OTHER COUNTIES, THAT THAT'S GONE UP A DECENT AMOUNT.

IS THAT THE POPULATION, THE VOLUME'S GOING UP, OR THE PRICE PER BED PER NIGHT IS GOING UP AND IT'S THE SAME VOLUME? HOW SHOULD WE UNDERSTAND THAT? I WANT TO HIT THAT ON TWO DIFFERENT.

WE DID WORK WITH CEO RICKARD AND THE CEO OFFICE TEAM.

WE DID INCREASE OUR BED RATES.

SO FOR A REGULAR BED, WE'RE CHARGING.

$325 A DAY.

FOR AN REA BED RATE, WE'RE CHARGING $456.

AND IF WE DO ACCEPT ANOTHER COUNTY'S YOUTH FOR A SECURE TRACK TREATMENT, THAT'S AT $780 A DAY FOR BED RATE.

I WOULDN'T SAY THAT OUR BED, OUR TAKING OUT-OF-COUNTY YOUTH HAS INCREASED OR DECREASED.

IT'S STAYED PRETTY STABLE.

BUT SOMETIMES IT'S MORE OF AN ISSUE FOR US TO TAKE A KID THAN IT'S WORTH.

FOR EXAMPLE, SISCU REACHED OUT TO US EARLIER THIS WEEK AND WANTED TO BOOK A KID.

WE SAID NO.

WE SAID NO FOR MANY REASONS.

THEIR PSYCHIATRIC NEED, THEIR HISTORY OF ASSAULT ON STAFF AND BEING UNMANAGEABLE, THEIR AGE, AND THE COUNTY NOT CLEARLY HAVING A PLAN FOR WHAT NEXT FOR THAT YOUTH.

AND SO WE ARE VERY SELECTIVE ON THE YOUTH THAT WE TAKE IN THE FACILITY.

THE REVENUE IS GREAT, AND WE WANT THAT REVENUE, BUT WE DON'T WANT ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS OR THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO CAUSE OUR COST AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS TO DRIVE AN INCREASE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE TAKE A KID FROM OUT OF COUNTY AND THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR A 5150 OR IF ALL THIS STUFF HAPPENS, OF COURSE WE'RE SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT.

BUT THE IMPACT ON OUR JRF TEAM, AS WELL AS OUR OTHER POPULATION IN THE FACILITY, THERE'S IMPACTS THAT ARE BEYOND JUST COST.

AND SO WE'RE VERY SELECTIVE.

WE WANT THE REVENUE WHERE WE CAN RECEIVE IT, BUT WE DO NOT WANT TO TAKE KIDS THAT ARE GOING TO CREATE, I'LL SAY, CHAOS IN OUR FACILITY.

AND THE...

IN TERMS OF, I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT WITH STRTPS, THE SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES, THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE A CHOICE IN TERMS OF TAKING FROM OTHER COUNTIES IN THE SENSE THAT YOU GET ON THE TA CALL AND THE STATE COULD SAY, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT.

SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A CHOICE HERE WHERE WE CAN SAY NO AND THE STATE WON'T STEP IN.

NOPE, THEY CAN'T.

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY BACK WHEN THEY PROPOSED THE CLOSURE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE THAT WE DID NOT ENTER INTO A STATE CONSORTIUM.

BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE THAT ABILITY, WE STAY FAR AWAY FROM THAT.

[01:45:02]

WITHIN OUR CONTRACT, WE HAVE IT OUTLINED AND WITHIN OUR BUSINESS RULES THAT IT IS OUR DECISION WHEN WE TAKE A YOUTH, AS WELL AS IF WE HAVE A YOUTH THAT WE WANT RETURNED TO THAT COUNTY OR FOR THEM TO FIND ANOTHER JUVENILE HALL TO DETAIN THEM, WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.

WE'VE ONLY ASKED A COUNTY TO RETURN A YOUTH ONLY LESS THAN A HANDFUL OF TIMES.

ONE LAST QUESTION IN THE...

PROBATION 263 BUDGET UNIT, WHICH WAS AROUND THE COST OBJECT OF THE PROFESSIONAL AND SPECIAL SERVICES.

IT LOOKS LIKE THAT WENT UP PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY, AND THAT WAS FROM LIKE 2.5 ESTIMATED IN THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR TO OVER 4.

WHAT IS THAT CONNECTED TO? SO THAT'S THE 038400.

THAT'S THE OPIOID TREATMENT THAT'S ALL BEEN PUSHED INTO THAT BUDGET UNIT, WHICH WE JUST TALKED ABOUT.

AND IT'S FROM THE 262.

YEP.

THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PLUMMER, SUPERVISOR CRY.

YEAH, JUST ONE LITTLE FOLLOW-UP.

THE SISKIYOU YOUTH THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO HAVE SHASKANI TAKE, HOW OLD WAS THAT YOUTH? 15.

WAIT, 15, OKAY.

AND THAT'S ACTUALLY REALLY ENCOURAGING.

I WASN'T AWARE NECESSARILY OF THAT DISTINCTION, SO I'M GLAD THAT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE ABLE TO TAKE VERSUS NOT.

BECAUSE I REMEMBER THAT WE HAD, I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS 24 OR 25, BUT WE HAD A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT TOOK A YOUTH IN, COMPLETELY INCAPABLE OF FACILITATING THAT TYPE OF YOUTH.

THEY ASSAULTED STAFF, AND THEN THAT BECAME THE COUNTY'S PROBLEM.

BECAME OUR PROBLEM.

WELL, YES.

AND THEN IT BECAME YOUR PROBLEM WITHIN THE COUNTY.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS, AS WE KEEP TALKING FISCALLY ABOUT THIS STUFF, IS JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T TAKE THE MONEY DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD.

AND I'M VERY ENCOURAGED, AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I WILL ALWAYS CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT FOR BECAUSE SO MUCH OF THIS STUFF, THIS ANCILLARY STUFF, THEY LOOK AT, WELL, IT'S MONEY, LET'S TAKE IT.

WELL, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE BACK END OF WHAT THAT'S GOING TO COST YOU.

AND WE DO, OUR TEAM DOES A REALLY GOOD JOB.

AS YOU KNOW, A LOT OF NORTHERN COUNTIES DO NOT HAVE JUVENILE HALLS, AND THEY'RE CALLING US FAIRLY FREQUENTLY TO TAKE A YOUTH.

OUR TEAM EVALUATES, ASSESSES, MAKES THAT DECISION, AND THEN WHAT SOMETIMES HAPPENS IS IT GOES UP TO ASSISTANT CHIEF JONES, STEPS IN, AND THEN USUALLY I GET A CALL FROM THE CHIEF SAYING, TRACY, PLEASE, CAN YOU TAKE THIS YOUTH? I TALK TO MY ASSISTANT WHO SAYS NO, AND I SAY, SORRY.

I'M SORRY YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THEM TO EL DORADO OR SONOMA TO BE DETAINED, BUT WE CANNOT TAKE THIS YOUTH.

OR MARS.

ANYWHERE BUT HERE.

AND THANK YOU, PROBATION JONES, FOR LAUGHING.

THE REALITY IS, AGAIN, THIS IS THE PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND.

THEY SEE THE DOLLARS, THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO JUST CRUSH US.

SO GREAT JOB.

JUST ONE QUICK FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

I KNOW YOU SAID THERE'S 28 IN CUSTODY.

AND I REALIZE IT DEPENDS ON DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS AND ALL THAT, BUT WHAT'S THE OVERALL CAPACITY OF THE JRF? SO THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

SO WE ARE FUNDED TO HOLD UP TO 50 TO 55 YOUTH.

AND SO THAT'S OUR STAFFING RATIO.

SO THAT WOULD TECHNICALLY BE IF OUR 800 POD HAD 20 YOUTH AS WELL AS OUR 900, AND THEN OUR RIVERS EDGE ACADEMY WAS AT 15 YOUTH.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE STAFFED.

IF YOU RECALL, LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS BEFORE THE BOARD, I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE OUR HIGHEST DAILY POP WAS AT 46.

AND SO THAT PRIOR FISCAL YEAR, WE WERE GOING INTO THE WEEKEND FREQUENTLY HAVING TO HAVE A PLAN FOR IF WE HAD MORE BOOKINGS COME IN OVER THE WEEKEND OR POTENTIALLY FURLOUGHING A YOUTH TO OR PUTTING THEM OUT ON GPS TO BRING OUR POPULATION DOWN.

SO WE'RE STAFFED TO HANDLE...

50 TO 55 AND OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE CAN HANDLE THAT MUCH.

SO NOT TECHNICALLY.

SO I THINK YOU ASKED SOME VERY GOOD TARGETED QUESTIONS.

SO OUR FACILITY IS A 90 BED RATED CAPACITY FACILITY.

BUT IN THAT'S MOST ROOMS DOUBLE BUNKED.

THE LAW REQUIRES THAT WHEN A YOUTH IS BOOKED, THAT WE DO A VULNERABILITY AND ENOUGH.

TO DETERMINE IF A YOUTH IS REQUIRED TO BE ROOMED ALONE, WHICH THEY MOST LIKELY ARE REQUIRED TO BE ROOMED ALONE, WHICH NATURALLY BRINGS OUR POPULATION DOWN.

SO, AND THEN IF YOU GO INTO OUR FACILITY, YOU THINK 90 BEDS ARE SO BIG.

BUT WHEN WE'RE OPERATING AT 39, 40, 45 YOUTH, WE ARE PACKED.

AND JUST ANTICIPATE PUTTING 20.

INDIVIDUALS IN A ROOM SMALLER

[01:50:03]

THAN TO EAT, TO PROGRAM, TO RECREATE.

AND THINK ABOUT THE LEVEL OF SKILLS AND THE PRO-SOCIAL SKILLS THAT THEY MAY BE LACKING AND HOW THAT LOOKS OPERATIONALLY.

AND WE DON'T LIKE YOUTH TO BE ROOMED TOGETHER.

FOR MANY REASONS.

I WON'T GO INTO ALL THE SPECIFICS, BUT WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRAUMA AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS HAPPENING, THEY SHOULDN'T BE ROOMED TOGETHER.

THANK YOU, CHIEF NEAL, AND GREAT PRESENTATION, AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TIGHTENING THE BUDGET EVERYWHERE YOU POSSIBLY COULD, AND IT'S MUCH APPRECIATED BY THIS BOARD AND THIS COUNTY, SO THANK YOU.

NEXT UP WE HAVE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, MS. ASHLEY JONES, ON HER WAY UP.

GOOD MORNING.

DO I NEED TO WAIT? I'M ASHLEY JONES, PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW ME.

OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE.

IT'S TO PROVIDE CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED, COST-EFFECTIVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNABLE TO AFFORD COUNSEL.

OUR JOB IS MUCH MORE THAN DEFENDING AN INDIVIDUAL.

WE ENSURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND WE SERVE AS ONE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT PROTECTS EVERY CITIZEN BY ENSURING THAT THE PROSECUTION MAKES THEIR BURDEN OF PROOF BEFORE A PERSON'S INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY CAN BE RESTRICTED.

OUR CEO RECOMMENDATION FOR OUR DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR INCLUDES EXPENDITURES OF JUST UNDER $9 MILLION.

THAT IS A 1% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR'S ADOPTED BUDGET, BUT ACTUALLY ABOUT A 3.2% DECREASE FROM OUR CURRENT ADJUSTED BUDGET.

AND THE DIFFERENCE IS PRIMARILY DUE TO TWO NEW POSITIONS THAT ARE ENTIRELY GRANT FUNDED WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL IMPACT TO THE GENERAL FUND.

REVENUES ARE BUDGETED AT APPROXIMATELY $1.64 MILLION.

OPIOID SETTLEMENT AND GRANT FUNDING, WHICH SUPPORT OUR SOCIAL WORKER UNIT, HAVE INCREASED WHILE CCP REVENUES, AS TRACY MENTIONED, HAVE DECREASED.

LAST YEAR WE ALSO RECEIVED AN INCREASE IN FUNDING IN THE STATHAM-ROBBINS CRIMINAL CONSTRUCTION FUND TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, BUT THOSE FUNDS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR AS THAT PROJECT COMES TO AN END.

HERE YOU WILL SEE THE ENDING FUND BALANCES FOR THE VARIOUS RESTRICTED FUNDS UNDER DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT.

ONE OF OUR LONG-TERM GOALS IS ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACE.

EVEN WITH OUR CURRENT STAFFING CHALLENGES, OUR CURRENT FACILITIES HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY CONSTRAINED.

FOR THAT REASON, WE HAVE REDUCED OUR RELIANCE ON CERTAIN FUND BALANCES THIS UPCOMING YEAR AND ARE PRESERVING THOSE RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE POSSIBILITY OF ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL OFFICE SPACE SHOULD AN APPROPRIATE OPPORTUNITY BECOME AVAILABLE.

AFTER THE USE OF RESTRICTED FUNDS, THE GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION DECREASES BY APPROXIMATELY 1.7% COMPARED TO THE PRESENT FISCAL YEAR.

IN ADDITION, PRIMARILY DUE TO STAFFING SHORTAGES AND VACANCIES AND THE RESULTING SALARY SAVINGS, THE DEPARTMENT IS PROJECTED TO RETURN NEARLY $1.9 MILLION TO THE GENERAL FUND THIS YEAR.

DESPITE OUR STAFFING CHALLENGES THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE HAVE RECEIVED NEARLY 4,400 NEW MATTERS.

WE RECEIVED OVER 1,400 REAPPOINTMENTS, WHICH ARE TYPICALLY GOING TO BE PROBATION VIOLATIONS OR POST-CONVICTION MATTERS.

WE COMPLETED OVER 700 INVESTIGATION TASKS AND SECURED NEARLY $850,000 IN GRANT FUNDING TO EXPAND HOLISTIC DEFENSE SERVICES.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS AND PEER SUPPORT STAFF HELPED TO ADDRESS ADDICTION, MENTAL ILLNESS, AND HOMELESSNESS.

WHEN WE HELP SOMEBODY OVERCOME THESE STRUGGLES AND AVOID FUTURE INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, WE IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND THIS YEAR, WE SAW THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF TREATMENT COMPLETIONS IN DEPARTMENT HISTORY.

LOOKING BACK AT THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARDS MANY OF OUR GOALS THAT WERE DISCUSSED AT LAST YEAR'S BUDGET HEARINGS.

AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, WE WILL LAUNCH OUR NEW CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH WILL INCREASE EFFICIENCY AND DATA EXCHANGE BETWEEN OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WE ALSO HOSTED TWO REGIONAL TRAININGS WITH THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION IN THE OFFICE OF THE STATE

[01:55:02]

PUBLIC DEFENDER, A HUGE SHOWING OF GRATITUDE FOR BOTH JEN AND THE CAO'S OFFICE AND ALL THEY DID TO HELP ACCOMMODATE THAT.

WE HAD ATTORNEYS FROM ALL OVER THE NORTH STATE ATTENDING SOME OF THOSE TRAININGS.

WE'VE ALSO PARTNERED WITH DIFFERENT STATEWIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND BEEN REACHING OUT TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LAW SCHOOLS TO IMPROVE RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT EFFORTS.

WE BROUGHT FELONY REPRESENTATION BACK IN-HOUSE, HELPING CONTROL LONG-TERM COSTS.

AND WE ALSO SECURED THAT SIGNIFICANT HOLISTIC DEFENSE GRANT.

ONE AREA WHERE WE FAILED TO MEET OUR GOAL THIS YEAR WAS STAFFING, AND I WILL DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES LATER ON, BUT I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT DESPITE OUR STAFFING CHALLENGES, OUR OFFICE ACCOMPLISHED A WHOLE LOT THIS LAST YEAR, AND THAT'S TRULY A TESTAMENT TO THE DEDICATION AND RESILIENCE OF OUR TEAM, WHO CONTINUES TO PERFORM UNDER VERY DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

THIS CHART SHOWS OUR FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS OVER THE PAST YEAR WHICH HAS INCREASED FROM 37 TO 42.

AND WHILE THE DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN OVERALL, ATTORNEY ALLOCATIONS HAVE DECLINED FROM 24 TO 22 DURING THAT SAME TIME PERIOD.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE PRACTICE OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

LEGISLATIVE REFORMS, INCLUDING EXPANDED DIVERSION PROGRAMS, THE RACIAL JUSTICE ACT, AND RETROACTIVE RESENTENCING, HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED THE WORK THAT PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND PROSECUTORS ARE REQUIRED TO HANDLE.

THE RAPID EXPANSION OF BODY-WORN CAMERAS, WHICH IS NOW USED, I BELIEVE, BY ALL OF OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, IS ADDING THOUSANDS OF HOURS OF WORK TO THE ATTORNEY'S PLATE.

THOSE ARE VIDEOS THAT NEED TO BE REVIEWED AND LITIGATED PRIOR TO TRIAL.

WHILE THESE CHANGES HAVE HOPEFULLY MADE OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM MORE FAIR, THEY HAVE MADE EVERY SINGLE CASE THAT WE TOUCH CONSIDERABLY MORE TIME-INTENSIVE.

THE RESULT IS THAT WE HAVE FEWER ATTORNEYS DOING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE COMPLEX WORK, AND...

THEIR EFFORTS ARE MUCH MORE LABORIOUS THAN THEY HAVE BEEN IN YEARS PAST.

AT THE SAME TIME, OUR OVERALL ACTIVE CASELOADS HAVE INCREASED.

WE ARE ACTUALLY AT A HIGHER ACTIVE CASELOAD THAN WE WERE IN FISCAL YEAR 24-25 WHEN THE OFFICE HAD TO DECLARE AN OVERLOAD AND STOP ACCEPTING NEW FELONY APPOINTMENTS.

ALTHOUGH OUR DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY AUTHORIZED FOR 22 ATTORNEY POSITIONS, WE ONLY HAVE 17 ATTORNEYS CURRENTLY WORKING IN THE DEPARTMENT.

THESE STAFFING LEVELS REQUIRE THAT THE ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER AND MYSELF CARRY FULL-TIME CASE LOADS, TIME THAT SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO TRAINING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BUDGETING, AND MANAGEMENT, IS INSTEAD SPENT REVIEWING CASE FILES, MEETING WITH CLIENTS, AND APPEARING IN COURT.

WHILE OUR ATTORNEYS CONTINUE TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND DO INCREDIBLE WORK, THEIR WORKLOADS ARE SIMPLY NOT SUSTAINABLE, AND ANY FURTHER DISRUPTION TO OUR STAFFING LEVELS WILL LIKELY RESULT IN THE NEED TO OUTSOURCE CASES.

THE STAFFING CHALLENGE IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT THE NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS THAT WE HAVE, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE HAVE LOST.

I NEED TO EMPHASIZE HOW PROUD I AM OF OUR NEW ATTORNEYS.

THEY'RE DOING INCREDIBLE WORK.

THEY ARE VERY TALENTED, DEDICATED, AND WORKING UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, PUBLIC DEFENSE IS A JOB WHERE EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

IN APRIL, WE LOST TWO ATTORNEYS, ONE OF WHOM HAD NEARLY THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS HANDLE THE MOST COMPLEX CASES, MENTOR AND TRAIN NEWER STAFF, AND PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT KEEPS THE DEPARTMENT RUNNING.

THIS SLIDE COMPARES NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO WHAT OUR ATTORNEYS ARE CURRENTLY HANDLING.

EVEN THE ABA STANDARDS, WHICH HAVE BEEN HIGHLY CRITICIZED AS UNREALISTIC, RECOMMEND SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER CASELOADS THAN WHAT OUR ATTORNEYS ARE HANDLING TODAY. MORE RECENT STANDARDS RECOGNIZE THAT MODERN CRIMINAL PRACTICE IS FAR MORE COMPLEX AND REQUIRES SIGNIFICANTLY MORE ATTORNEY TIME THAN IN YEARS PAST.

THE FIGURE ON THE SLIDE ONLY REFLECT NEW CASES THAT THESE ATTORNEYS RECEIVED SINCE JULY 1ST THROUGH JUNE 1ST OF THIS YEAR.

THEY DON'T ACCOUNT FOR THE CASELOAD THAT THE ATTORNEY HAD AT THE START OF THE FISCAL YEAR.

THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY HOURS IN A DAY.

EVERY CASE REQUIRES EVIDENCE REVIEW.

CONSULTATION WITH THE CLIENT, LEGAL RESEARCH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, TRIAL PREPARATION.

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE CASES ALSO REFLECT REAL PEOPLE.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO IMAGINE IF YOU HAD A LOVED ONE WHO HAD SOME JUSTICE SYSTEM CONTACT WHO'S WAITING IN JAIL AND IS TOLD BY THEIR ATTORNEY, WELL, I'M GOING TO GET TO YOU, BUT I'VE GOT 20 CASES, 30 CASES, 40 CASES AHEAD OF YOU THAT I NEED TO RESOLVE BEFORE WE GET TO ACTIVELY WORKING ON YOUR CASE.

THESE STANDARDS EXIST.

BECAUSE ATTORNEYS NEED THE TIME AND RESOURCES TO EFFECTIVELY DO THEIR JOB.

SO HOW DID WE GET HERE? WHY HAVE OUR STAFFING CHALLENGE HAS BEEN SO SIGNIFICANT AND THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE JUST NOT COMPETITIVE IN TODAY'S JOB MARKET I PULLED THE SALARY

[02:00:01]

FIGURES FOR COMPARABLE NORTH STATE ALONG WITH THE CRIMINAL FILINGS AND FTE ALLOCATION DATA TO SEE HOW SHASTA STACKS UP.

WE HAVE LOST ATTORNEYS TO MANY OF THE JURISDICTIONS ON THIS CHART HERE.

WE ARE DIRECTLY COMPETING WITH THESE COUNTIES FOR NEW GRADUATES.

OUR STARTING SALARY IS ABOUT $22,000 BELOW THE MEAN STARTING SALARY FOR THESE COUNTIES AND $45,000 TO $50,000 BELOW THE STARTING SALARY FOR SACRAMENTO AND BUTTE COUNTY.

NO ATTORNEY GOES INTO GOVERNMENT WORK, WHETHER PROSECUTION, DEFENSE, OR COUNTY COUNCIL FOR THAT MATTER, TO BE RICH.

IT'S NOT A PROFESSION WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE WEALTHY, BUT PEOPLE HAVE FAMILIES TO PAY, THEY HAVE STUDENT LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS.

AND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN A WORKFORCE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE.

THE GAP ONLY WIDENS FOR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS.

IN FACT, THE MORE EXPERIENCED AN ATTORNEY GAINS, THE GREATER FINANCIAL INCENTIVE THEY HAVE TO LEAVE FOR ANOTHER JURISDICTION.

KNOWING WHEN A CASE SHOULD SETTLE OR GO TO TRIAL, KNOWING HOW TO EFFECTIVELY NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR COUNTERPARTS, KNOWING HOW TO COUNSEL A CLIENT TO MAKE A LIFE-ALTERING DECISION, ARE THINGS AND SKILLS THAT ONLY EXPERIENCE AND TIME CAN HELP DEVELOP.

WHEN WE LOSE AN EXPERIENCE IN ATTORNEY, WE DON'T JUST LOSE A POSITION, WE LOSE YEARS OF TRAINING, EXPERTISE, LEADERSHIP.

WE INCUR THE COST OF RECRUITING AND TRAINING REPLACEMENTS.

PRODUCTIVITY DECLINES AND EVERYBODY WHO IS LEFT HAS TO INHERIT THAT EXISTING CASELOAD, INCREASING THEIR OWN WORKLOADS, LEADING TO HIGHER RATES OF BURNOUT AND EVEN FURTHER ATTRITION.

WHEN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER STAFFING IS INADEQUATE, THE INTEGRITY OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SUFFERS.

AND WHEN ONE PART OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM LACKS RESOURCES TO PERFORM ITS CORE FUNCTION, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS IMPACTED.

INNOCENT PEOPLE REMAIN INCARCERATED LONGER WHILE THEIR ATTORNEYS WORK THROUGH HUMONGOUS CASELOADS.

VICTIMS WAIT LONGER FOR JUSTICE.

JAIL CAPACITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY ARE DIRECTLY IMPACTED.

WHEN ATTORNEYS HAVE EXCESSIVE WORKLOADS, CASES TAKE LONGER TO RESOLVE AND AS A RESULT INDIVIDUALS REMAIN IN CUSTODY LONGER WAITING FOR A DISPOSITION OF THEIR CASE.

THOSE DELAYS INCREASE JAIL POPULATION, DRIVE UP DETENTION COSTS, AND REDUCE AVAILABLE CAPACITY FOR HIGHER RISK OFFENDERS.

EVERY UNNECESSARY DAY THAT A CASE SITS UNRESOLVED IS ANOTHER DAY THAT A JAIL BED REMAINS OCCUPIED, UNAVAILABLE FOR USE, AND ANOTHER DAY THE COUNTY BEARS THE COST OF THAT DETENTION.

EFFICIENT CASE PROCESSING IS NOT SIMPLY A DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVE.

IT'S AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE COUNTY'S OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPRESENTATION DOESN'T...

STOP JUST BECAUSE WE'RE SHORT STAFFED.

THE WORK IS STILL THERE.

IT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE.

IT JUST BECOMES MORE EXPENSIVE.

IF OUR DEPARTMENT REACHES CAPACITY WITH OUR CURRENT STAFFING LIMITS, THE COUNTY WILL BE REQUIRED TO OUTSOURCE THOSE CASES AT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COST.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND IN FISCAL YEAR 24-25 WHEN THE DEPARTMENT DECLARED AN OVERLOAD.

THE COST TO OUTSOURCE THOSE CASES FOR ABOUT A NINE-MONTH PERIOD DROVE UP DEPARTMENT COSTS TO THE HIGHEST IN DEPARTMENT HISTORY.

OUR GOALS FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR ARE SIMPLE, TO FULFILL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN A FISCALLY SOUND MANNER.

IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE MUST STABILIZE OUR STAFFING.

IF OUR DEPARTMENT WAS A MEDICAL PATIENT, I WOULD SAY RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE ER AND WE'RE ACTIVELY BLEEDING OUT, AND WE NEED TO STOP THE BLEEDING.

THAT'S STEP ONE.

IN THE SHORT TERM, MY IMMEDIATE GOAL IS TO WORK WITH COUNTY LEADERSHIP TO DEVELOP A RETENTION BONUS PROGRAM.

I BELIEVE THAT INVESTING IN RETAINING OUR EXPERIENCED STAFF IS ONE OF THE MOST SOUND INVESTMENTS THE COUNTY CAN MAKE.

THESE ARE ONE-TIME COSTS THAT CAN BE OFFSET THROUGH EXISTING SALARY SAVINGS.

WE ALSO SHOULD BE LOOKING AT EXPANDING THE USE OF AI TECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO ASSISTANCE IN REVIEWING BODY CAM FOOTAGE.

SO THAT ATTORNEYS CAN FOCUS MORE ON THE WORK THAT ONLY ATTORNEYS CAN DO.

ONCE THOSE GOALS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON LONG-TERM RECOVERY AND STRATEGIC PLANNING.

ONE GOAL I BELIEVE IS FULLY OBTAINABLE WITHIN THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR IS TO WORK WITH SUPPORT SERVICES AND COUNTY LEADERSHIP TO TRANSITION OUR EXISTING ATTORNEY ALLOCATIONS TO ALTERNATIVELY STAFFED POSITIONS.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 16 ATTORNEY ALLOCATIONS THAT CAN BE FILLED BY A DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER.

ONE, TWO, OR THREE.

WE HAVE FOUR ATTORNEY POSITIONS FOR OUR SENIOR DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

BUT YOU CAN'T JUST JUMP IN BETWEEN THOSE TWO.

IF SOMEBODY GAINS THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE...

AND IS HANDLING THE WORKLOAD OF

[02:05:02]

A SENIOR DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER, BUT THERE'S NOT A VACANCY FOR THOSE FOUR ALLOCATIONS, THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PROMOTE.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO RECEIVE THAT RECOGNITION EITHER IN TITLE OR WITHIN OUR CURRENT SALARY SCHEDULE.

AN ALTERNATIVELY STAFFED MODEL WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT AN ATTORNEY COULD BE PLACED IN THE ONE, TWO, THREE, OR SENIOR, ALL WITHIN THE SAME FTC ALLOCATION.

IT WOULD CREATE CAREER PATHWAYS.

REWARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND HELP WITH RETENTION FOR OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS.

THIS MODEL I BELIEVE IS ALREADY EMPLOYED WITH SOME OF OUR DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING COUNTY COUNCIL AND IMPORTANTLY GIVEN THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES THAT WE'LL BE STARTING THIS FISCAL YEAR OFF WITH, I BELIEVE THAT THE MINIMAL INCREASED COST FOR THIS STRUCTURE CHANGE COULD BE FULLY ABSORBED WITHIN THE CURRENT CEO RECOMMENDED BUDGET WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS.

AND FINALLY, WHILE I UNDERSTAND IT AS A LONG-TERM GOAL THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION, I DO BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO BE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE OUR ATTORNEY COMPENSATION MORE COMPETITIVE.

I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF ALL OF THE WORK OF OUR STAFF, NOT JUST THE ATTORNEYS, BUT OUR INVESTIGATORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND CLERICAL AND SUPPORT STAFF.

WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO ANY OF OUR WORK WITHOUT ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY DO BEHIND THE SCENES EVERY DAY.

BY WORKING TOGETHER, I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO PROTECT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FULFILL OUR RESPONSIBILITIES IN A FISCALLY SOUND MANNER.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

I DON'T SEE ANYBODY IN QUEUE.

THANK YOU, MS. JONES.

DO WE HAVE ANY? SUPERVISOR PLUMMER.

YES, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED YOU LOST TWO ATTORNEYS IN APRIL.

AND YOU MENTIONED WHEN YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT THE COMPARABLE SALARY THAT IT WAS TO SOME OF THE, I WAS CURIOUS WHERE THOSE SPECIFICALLY WENT, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO SHARE THAT.

ONE WENT INTO PRIVATE PRACTICE IN A CIVIL LAW FIRM.

THE OTHER ONE IS DOING PRIVATE PRACTICE CONFLICT DEFENSE WORK AND THEN PANEL WORK FOR, I BELIEVE, REMOTE PANEL WORK FOR ANOTHER PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WITH A STARTING RATE OF $150 AN HOUR.

I KNOW THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE HAD WORKED ON GETTING A CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING FOR, WHICH UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T PAN OUT CORRECT AS FAR AS WE'VE HEARD SO FAR.

AND THEN THE AXON.

TECHNOLOGY.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE, AND I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO MS. BRIDGET, I DON'T THINK WE'VE HEARD BACK.

I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A DECISION EXPECTED TO BE REACHED UNTIL EITHER LATE FALL OR EARLY IN NEXT CALENDAR YEAR.

AND SO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THAT, IF WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO RECEIVE, THAT WOULD BE SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD.

AND FOR YOUR OFFICE, THAT WOULD INVOLVE BOTH JUST GETTING THE BASE TECHNOLOGY AS WELL AS THEN THERE WAS THE AI ADD-ON THAT WENT ON TOP OF THAT, RIGHT? IF I'M REMEMBERING CORRECTLY.

SO THAT IS WHAT WE DISCUSSED INITIALLY.

THE CURRENT CEO RECOMMENDED BUDGET INCLUDES THE BASE AXON TECHNOLOGY.

SO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS HAD THEIR OWN LICENSES FOR SOME TIME.

OUR DEPARTMENT HAS NOT.

SO THAT PORTION IS ALREADY BUILT INTO OUR BUDGET.

THE ADDITIONAL AI ADD-ON WOULD BE, I BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT $93,000 IN TOTAL OVER THE COURSE OF THE CONTRACT, WHICH GOES THROUGH JULY OF 2033.

THANK YOU, ASHLEY, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

AND I JUST WANT TO GET THIS OUT THERE FOR THE AMOUNTS.

SO YOU, I BELIEVE, BECAUSE I'VE MET WITH BOTH YOU AND THE DA, AND WE'VE HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE RETENTION BONUSES.

AND SO CAN YOU PUT OUT WHAT THE REQUEST WOULD BE WHERE YOU THINK, BECAUSE I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU SAID THIS IS A LONGER-TERM DISCUSSION TO WORK TO FIGURE OUT THIS PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITH ATTORNEYS THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY STRUCTURE.

THROUGH ALL THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.

AND SO AS WE WORK TOWARD THAT, I THINK IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE RETAIN THOSE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STILL DOING THE WORK AND NOT LOSE THEM AGAIN.

SO CAN YOU PUT OUT WHAT THE AMOUNT WOULD BE FOR THE RETENTION BONUSES OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE $30,000 EITHER OVER A TWO-YEAR OR THREE-YEAR TERM.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

SUPERVISOR HARMON.

THANK YOU FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS.

THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TREATMENT COMPLETIONS.

OUR SOCIAL WORKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD.

THAT STOOD OUT TO ME.

[02:10:01]

WITH THE SHORT STAFF.

I MEAN, YOU'D AGREE THAT WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE A GOVERNMENT POSITION FOR PRIVATE PRACTICE, THAT'S LIKE APPLES AND ORANGES, CORRECT, ABOUT PAY AND COMPENSATION, USUALLY? I THINK THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS PEOPLE LEAVE.

MR. ROSICRUCIAN.

I THINK PEOPLE STAY IN THIS JOB A LOT LONGER THAN THEY—WE DON'T GET PAID ENOUGH TO DO WHAT WE DO.

WE DO THIS JOB BECAUSE WE LOVE IT.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE TOUGH CHOICES THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

ABSOLUTELY, BECAUSE YOU'VE LEFT.

PERSONALLY THE SHASTA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TWICE AND HAVE COME BACK.

THAT'S TRUE.

TO LEAD IT AND THEN YOU CAME BACK.

WHY DID YOU COME BACK TO LEAD IT? THIS IS WHAT MY CALLING IS, I BELIEVE, AND I THOUGHT I WAS THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB.

WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE STILL, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TAKING LESS MONEY, STAY THERE, RALLY AROUND YOU AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE STILL COMING? I THINK WE'VE DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF IMPROVING OFFICE CULTURE, BEING AN OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS EACH OTHER.

BUT THAT CAN ONLY GO SO FAR.

AND WHEN I'M IN THE OFFICE TILL 7 OR 8 AT NIGHT AND I SEE MY MISDEMEANOR DEPUTIES THERE AT THAT HOUR.

IT'S NOT GOOD.

NOT GOOD.

I AGREE WITH THAT.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THAT.

BECAUSE I THINK YOU'VE DONE, I THINK, A GREAT JOB EVER SINCE THE RETIREMENT 10 YEARS AGO OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER THAT WAS THERE QUITE SOME TIME WHO I THINK REALLY STARTED, LET'S JUST SAY, THAT.

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS LESS THAN SUBPAR OUTCOMES.

I THINK YOU HAVE REALLY TAKEN IT AND WORKED VERY HARD.

SUPERVISOR LONG, I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION AT THE END, SO I'LL JUST LEAVE THE BUDGET CONVERSATION FOR US LATER, BUT APPRECIATE IT.

MS. JONES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THANKS FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

ALL RIGHT, NEXT UP WE HAVE THE SHERIFF.

LOOK AT CHIEF O'HARA, SHERIFF.

HE JUST WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO YOU.

I'M TELLING YOU, HE WANTS TO BE A COP.

HE COMES RUNNING UP HERE TO SIT NEXT TO YOU.

SO BEFORE I GET GOING, I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT WHAT I'M GOING TO DO HERE IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW, AND THEN UNDER SHERIFF RANDALL WILL BE COMING UP AND PRESENTING THE ACTUAL NUMBERS AND THE BUDGET DETAILS.

THANK YOU, BOARD.

BUT BEFORE I GET GOING...

YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN EIGHT MONTHS PLUS WITHOUT A CFO AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND SO THAT BURDEN HAS FALLEN ON MY UNDERSHERIFF, RANDALL, ON AARON BERTAIN, ON JEN DUVALL, AND NODAL SHORT, INCLUDING THE ACCOUNTING TEAM THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER SINCE THEN.

SO IT'S BEEN A HUGE LEARNING CURVE, IT'S BEEN A SCRAMBLE, AND IT'S TOUGH WITHOUT A CFO.

THE GOOD NEWS ON THAT IS WE HAVE TWO THAT ARE IN BACKGROUNDS RIGHT NOW AND GET A CFO HIRED HERE SOON.

BUT FOR THIS BUDGET CYCLE, IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT, INCLUDING ME.

EVERYBODY'S LEARNED A LOT MORE ABOUT THE BUDGET THAT AT LEAST ME AND THE UNDERSHERIFF WHO TYPICALLY DON'T GET IN THE WEEDS AS MUCH AS THAT CFO.

SO I GUESS I TELL YOU THAT TO HAVE A LITTLE PATIENCE WITH YOU. WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT I THINK, BETWEEN GENE AND JEN AND AARON, WE'LL ANSWER QUESTIONS ON. SO JUST, AS THE OVERVIEW REMINDS YOU, THIS IS OUR DEPARTMENT MISSION AND PURPOSE. MEMBERS OF COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY WE SERVE THROUGH FAIR AND ETHICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. AND I KNOW THAT THOSE ARE JUST WORDS, SERVICE WITH PRIDE AND EXCELLENCE, BUT I CAN TELL YOU, JUST LIKE OTHER PEOPLE WITHIN THE COUNTY AND WITHIN THESE DIFFERENT AGENCIES, WE THRIVE AND WE ARE ABLE TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS BECAUSE WE HAVE VERY COMMITTED PEOPLE THAT CARE ACTUALLY ABOUT THE PROFESSION AND ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE AND SAFETY AND WHAT WE DO, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ANYTHING THAT WE DO ACHIEVE. A BRIEF LOOK AT THE AGENCY SPREAD OUT IN FOUR SPECIFIC DIVISIONS: SERVICES DIVISION, ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION, AND A CUSTODY DIVISION. AND WITH THAT, THERE'S ABOUT 242 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES THAT ARE ALLOTTED TO CERTAINLY OPERATING THAT CAPACITY, BUT A LOT OF ASPECTS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT BUDGETS TO ACCOUNT FOR. I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE AGENCY OVER THE LAST YEAR, BECAUSE WE'VE HAD QUITE A FEW, WHICH I'M VERY PROUD OF.

FIRST, WE'LL START WITH THE INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION.

YOU KNOW WE'VE RECENTLY SOLVED TWO COLD CASE, COLD CASES WHICH IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

ONE OF THOSE COLD CASES WHICH YOU KNOW IS THE 40-YEAR-OLD CASE, ARNDT CASE UP IN BURNEY.

OUR INVESTIGATORS ARE ACTUALLY

[02:15:18]

BEING SHOWCASED AND PRESENTING AT THE CALIFORNIA HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION ALONG WITH THE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DA'S OFFICE.

THAT WAS A VERY SIGNIFICANT CASE, THE OTHER ONE IS STILL BEING WORKED ON.

WE'VE HAD NUMEROUS CATCH A PREDATOR OPERATIONS WHERE THOSE RESULT IN NOT ONLY SIGNIFICANT SENTENCING, BUT AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECT OF THAT TO OUR CHILDREN AND OUR COMMUNITY ARE HUGE.

THOSE HAVE GONE ACROSS THE BOARD, NOT JUST HERE LOCALLY, BUT PREDATORS REACHING OUT FROM OUT OF STATE EVEN INTO OUR COUNTY.

AND WE'VE MADE SEVERAL ARRESTS WITH THAT.

AND WE'VE ALSO ADDED TO THE HIGH-TECH CRIMES PORTION OF THAT INVESTIGATION DIVISION, WHICH HAS RESULTED IN FRAUD CASES AND BETTER INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES.

ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, THAT'S BASICALLY YOUR PATROL.

WE HAVE VASTLY IMPROVED OUR PROACTIVITY.

SO THAT MEANS INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING AROUND AND WAITING FOR CALLS TO COME IN AND RESPONDING TO THOSE CALLS, THOSE MEN AND WOMEN ARE OUT.

BEING PROACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, LOOKING FOR POTENTIAL CRIME AND PROBLEMS, TAKING A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THAT, WHICH ALSO RESULTS IN A BETTER AND SAFER COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE EVEN WRITING RAMIAN SEARCH WARRANTS AT THE PATROL LEVEL, WHICH WASN'T HAPPENING BEFORE.

WE HAVE OUR ABANDONED VEHICLE ABATEMENT TEAM DOING A GREAT JOB, BEING CONSISTENT, HELPING CLEAN UP THE COUNTY.

AND THEN OF COURSE ALL THE STAFF ACROSS THE BOARD, NOT JUST IN THE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, BUT EVEN SUPPORT STAFF HAVE ENGAGED IN NUMEROUS COMMUNITY EVENTS AND PARTICIPATION.

THE CUSTODY DIVISION, COMING A LONG WAY HERE.

THEY HAVE DEPLOYED NEW RADIOS, RFD DOCUMENTATION, KEEPING INMATES.

WE JUST TRANSITIONED TO MEDICO, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WHICH IS OUR NEW MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE JAIL.

THAT TRANSITION HAS GONE.

FAMOUSLY WELL SO FAR.

IT'S EMPLOYING DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES, DIFFERENT CULTURE, EVERYTHING WITH THAT.

WE HAVE A MAIL SCANNER TO REDUCE CONTRABAND IN THE FACILITY.

WE'VE INCREASED THE CO TRAINING AND WE ARE, IF YOU'RE NOT AWARE, IT'S JUST A REMINDER, IT'S THE CORE ACADEMY, WHICH IS THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ACADEMY.

FOR A LOT OF OUR COUNTIES IN THE NORTH STATE HERE, WE'VE DONE FOUR OF THEM OVER THE PAST YEAR AND GRADUATED SEVERAL.

CEOS AND SOME OF THOSE CEOS HAVE EVEN GONE ON AND WENT TO THEIR HOST COUNTIES AND THEN COME BACK TO US AS LATERALS LATER.

SO THAT'S PRODUCING GOOD RESULTS FOR US AS WELL.

THE SERVICES DIVISION THAT IS KIND OF BEEN IN FLUX THERE WHERE WE HAVEN'T HAD A PERMANENT CAPTAIN ASSIGNED TO THAT.

WE HAVE AN ACTING EVEN CURRENTLY, BUT THAT DIVISION IS DOING WELL FOR US TOO IN HIRING AND RETENTION AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.

THE BODY CAMERAS, THE PRA REQUESTS ON...

ALL THOSE ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS.

THE CORONER'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO RAISE THE BAR.

THAT ONE IS STAFFED VERY WELL NOW AND REALLY HAS COME TOGETHER NICELY, DOING A GREAT JOB.

WE HAD A CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WITH THE CORONER'S OFFICE, ABLE TO INCREASE THE CAPACITY, AS BAD AS IT MAY SOUND, OF STORING BODIES AND DOING THE INVESTIGATIVE WORK THAT THEY DO THERE.

THAT'S GONE VERY WELL.

THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB AND VERY PROUD OF THOSE FOLKS.

AND OF COURSE, LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I DON'T WANT TO FAIL TO MENTION OUR SUPPORT STAFF.

ALL OF OUR SUPPORT STAFF, WHICH INCLUDES VOLUNTEERS IN THE ORGANIZATION, ARE DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT BACKBONES OF AGENCIES.

YOU KNOW, YOUR SUPPORT STAFF CAN MAKE OR BREAK YOU.

AND THEY PUT IN A LOT OF HARD HOURS FOR, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, NOT THE TYPE OF PAY AND COMPETITIVE PAY THAT WE WOULD...

WANT EVERYBODY TO BE IN, BUT THEY'RE THERE DOING THE JOB DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THEY'RE COMMITTED AND WE NEED THEM.

SO LET ME TALK ABOUT, REAL QUICK, A LITTLE ABOUT LITTLE DIFFICULTIES AND HURDLES.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF MY PARTNERS COME UP HERE AND TALK ABOUT THE SAME THING I'M GOING TO COVER HERE. BECAUSE THE RANGES OF SALARIES FOR YOUR PARTICULAR, YOUR ENFORCEMENT PEOPLE, THESE ARE DEPUTIES AND SERGEANTS, YOU SEE THAT RANGE SHOWS FROM 13 TO 42.5%. AND THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE UNDERPAID THAT THEY ARE COMPARATIVELY. AND THE COMPARATIVE FOR THOSE THREE IS ANDERSON PD, REDDING PD, AND BUTTE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND THOSE RANGES, DESPITE HAVING THOSE RANGES, WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE IN BEING ABLE TO STAFF AND HIRE PEOPLE IN AND CONTINUE

[02:20:02]

TO PROVIDE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE.

BUT THAT'S A REALITY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE FACING.

AND IT'S DIFFICULT WHEN YOU HAVE THAT TYPE OF DISPARITY IN A COUNTY, NOT JUST A COUNTY, BUT PRETTY MUCH THE NORTH STATE. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. I'M NOT GOING TO GO LINE BY LINE, EACH ONE, AND DETAIL THOSE DEFICIENCIES.

THIS IS JUST GIVING AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE'RE FACING AS COUNTY. MY RECORD STAFF STARTING WAGES, 18.90. AND FOR A COMPARATIVE, THANK YOU, IN-N-OUT BURGER IS $20 AND STARBUCKS ANYWHERE FROM $20.25 TO $22.99 STARTING WAGE. SO THAT'S THE TYPE OF DEFICIENCIES WE'RE UP AGAINST AND THINGS THAT WE FACE, WHICH MAKES HIRING AND RETENTION GOT TO BE YOUR FOCUS, AND YOU'VE GOT TO DO WHAT IT TAKES WITHIN YOUR ORGANIZATION TO OVERCOME THOSE HURDLES, WHICH DOES NOT MAKE THAT, AGAIN, EASY FOR US TO DO. AND THEN, JUST ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT, I SAT BACK THERE AND LISTENED TO THE PRESENTATIONS, AND I KNEW I WAS GOING TO PRESENT SIMILAR STUFF HERE.

AND IT'S KIND OF DEPRESSING TO WATCH PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE BUDGET CUTS AND THE LACK OF FUNDING THAT WE SUFFER AS A COUNTY, WHICH IS THE REASON I'M GOING TO USE THESE TWO THINGS.

YOU KNOW, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE'S NOT MONEY COMING IN, THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT'S NOT FOCUSED ON PUBLIC SAFETY SO MUCH ANYMORE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LIVE IN A STATE LIKE CALIFORNIA, WHO KEEPS PUTTING PRIORITIES WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T BE AND CUTTING FUNDING AND EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING.

I LOOK AT THE VOTING IN OUR STATE, AND YOU KNOW, OUR STATE WAS MOSTLY RED, EXCEPT ALONG THE HEAVILY POPULATED AREAS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES THAT ARE FORCED DOWN OUR THROAT.

AND WE AS PUBLIC SAFETY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING THAT SYSTEM GOING.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS MY ASK WOULD BE IS I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU ALL REINSTATE IMPACT FEES.

WHY IMPACT FEES DON'T DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO GENERAL FUND MONEY.

THEY DO OFFER A REVENUE SOURCE WHERE WE CAN IMPROVE SERVICES.

AN EXAMPLE I'LL USE TO YOU IS WHEN WE ADDED A LIEUTENANT TO THE JAIL BECAUSE OF THOSE LACK OF SUPERVISION THAT WAS IN THERE, THAT'S AN INCREASE OF SERVICE.

NOW WE FORGOT TO INCORPORATE ADDING A VEHICLE TO THAT, LIEUTENANT, BECAUSE IT'S A NEED.

AND IF I HAD IMPACT FEES TO DRAW ON, THAT'S AN AREA WHERE YOU COULD REACH INTO IMPACT FEES, DRAW THAT MONEY IN A VEHICLE TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE SERVICES.

I KNOW THAT, AGAIN, IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE OUR BUDGET NEEDS, BUT WE NEED REVENUE COMING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

I SAW BUTTE WAS BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES IN PRESENTATIONS AHEAD OF ME, AND I'D LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT IF YOU DON'T KNOW, BUTTE COUNTY PASSED A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX, AND CHICO, THE CITY OF CHICO, PASSED A PUBLIC SAFETY SALES TAX, WHICH IS THE REASON.

THEY ARE HIGHER ON THOSE BAR SCALES, WHICH IS THE REASON THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE COPS FROM READING PD, DEPUTIES FROM ME, COPS FROM PROBATION, PROSECUTORS ACROSS THE BOARD.

THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO ALL THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE MORE MONEY COMING IN.

THEY'RE ABLE TO DEDICATE IT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY'RE ABLE TO RAISE THEIR BAR ON THAT.

NOW, AGAIN, I'LL TELL YOU THAT I'M NOT JUST UP HERE COMPLAINING.

IT'S OUR JOB TO FIGURE IT OUT.

AND I KNOW THAT WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO FIGURE IT OUT.

FORTUNATE THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE SOME SUCCESSES AT THE SHASTA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH DEPUTIES AND JAILERS.

I'LL TELL YOU, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT STUDIES IN THE STATE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IN 2019, THE COUNTY, NONE OF YOU WERE UP HERE THEN.

I WASN'T EVEN IN HERE.

THEY SPENT SOME MONEY ON A SURVEY OF THE JAIL AND A STAFFING SURVEY AND THE NEEDS AND SUPERVISION THERE.

AND I COULD TELL YOU WE OPERATE THAT JAIL AT PROBABLY HALF TO TWO-THIRDS OF WHAT THAT STUDY HAS PRODUCED FROM THE DAY IT PRODUCED IT.

AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE REASONS WHY WE'VE HAD SOME INCIDENTS IN THE JAIL AND WHY WE'VE HAD SOME HIGHER RATES BECAUSE THE STAFFING IS NOT THERE.

BUT AGAIN, IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS AND WE DON'T FIGURE OUT THOSE FUNDS ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. WITH NO FURTHER ADO, I'M GOING TO LET UNDER SHERIFF GENE RANDALL COME UP, GIVE YOU THE NUMBERS AND I'LL STAND BY AND WE'LL ALL BE READY TO TAKE QUESTIONS AT THE END OF THE PRESENTATION.

[02:25:09]

MORNING BOARD, GENE RANDALL.

CURRENTLY STAFFING WE HAVE A VACATION GOING TO BE OVER AND NC RATE RUNS ABOUT 12 THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO BESTY DIVISION BECAUSE IT HAS JOB TURNING AROUND MENTIONED EARLIER AND GETTING THE MAIL SCANNER UP THE EQUIPMENT AS A LOT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SPACE AND THEM AROUND AND SAY THAT WE CURRENT VACANT, PEOPLE IN BACK DEPUTIES, TWO OLD CUSTODY COOKS, TWO DEPUTY SHERIFF POSITIONS FOR THE TRANSPORTATION UNIT, AND FOUR PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICE OFFICERS.

WHICH THE STATS ON THOSE ARE A LITTLE BIT TRICKY.

THE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICE OFFICER POSITIONS HAVE BEEN PRIMARILY USED AS STEPPING STONE POSITIONS.

A LOT OF FOLKS THAT WERE HIRING IN THOSE POSITIONS FIND THAT ARE QUICKLY TRANSITIONING INTO CORRECTIONAL DEPUTY ROLES, GOING TO THE CORPS ACADEMY.

IT'S OFF TO THE MID-MANAGEMENT OVER IT.

THIS IS A SNAPSHOT QUARTERLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS OF THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS OF WHAT OUR RETENTION RATES LOOK LIKE.

YOU CAN SEE IT'S BEEN FAIRLY STEADY, KIND OF HOVERING AROUND THE 14 TO 12 PERCENT RATE.

WE DID HAVE SOME STRUGGLES EARLY ON WITH THE JAIL WHERE WE HAD THE HIGHER RATES OF THE 17 PERCENT, BUT AGAIN THAT'S BEEN FAIRLY STABLE FOR THE LAST COUPLE QUARTERS WITH THE JAIL FILLING UP.

AND LIKE I SAID, I'M ANTICIPATING HIRING THE LAST THREE CORRECTIONAL DEPUTY POSITIONS, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.

AND THEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE AUTHORIZATION TO DO SOME PROVISIONAL HIRING BEHIND SOME FOLKS THAT ARE ON LONG-TERM OJIS OR ON-JOB INJURIES.

SO SOME OF THE FISCAL YEAR 1 ACCOMPLISHMENTS, I KNOW THE SHERIFF HAS MENTIONED SOME OF THESE ALREADY.

BUT ONE OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS WE DID WAS TAKE A LITTLE BIT HARDER LOOK AT OUR BUSINESS OPERATION.

WE REALLOCATED A COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER INTO OUR MAJOR CRIMES UNIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DOWNLOADING PHONES.

PRIOR TO THAT, WE WERE USING A DETECTIVE TO PRIMARILY DOWNLOAD CELLULAR PHONES TO TAKE OVER THAT ROLE.

WE WERE USING A DETECTIVE TO SPREAD THE CASELOAD MORE EVENLY AMONGST THE DETECTIVES.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT MOVE.

THE CIVIL UNIT WAS JUST A SHORT WALK.

GREAT JOB, YOU KNOW, THEY SUPPLY THESE.

CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CENTER PROVIDED SERVICES TO 3,442 VICTIMS AND 14...

EXCUSE ME, 1,442 VICTIMS RECEIVED SERVICE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

AND THEN UP IN BERNIE, WE GOT OUR FITNESS FACILITY THAT'S BEEN ESTABLISHED UP THERE, AND IT'S UP IN WORKING ORDER.

AND THE EQUIPMENT FOR THAT WAS PROVIDED BY A WELLNESS GRANT THROUGH THE BUREAU OF BSEC.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

[02:30:03]

ONE OF OUR GOALS COMING UP FOR THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR IS GOING TO BE TRANSITIONING ALL OES EQUIPMENT FROM THE LOCKHEED CAMPUS OUT TO NORTHERN EXPANSION.

THAT'S ONE OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT HERE IN AN UPCOMING SLIDE.

WE WANT TO GET OUT TO THE LAKES AND CONDUCT SOME MORE OUTREACH, ESPECIALLY IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.

WE GET SOME COMPLAINTS ON THE WATERWAYS, SO WE DEFINITELY WANT TO DO SOME BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION OUT THERE.

ANOTHER GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR CIVIL PROCESSES AND WE'RE GOING TO BE TRANSITIONING TO TELEA SOFT WHICH IS GOING TO BE A NEW SOFTWARE WE'RE SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT IT'S BEEN LACKING IN THAT AREA FOR SOME TIME.

DEFINITELY THE GOAL IS STRENGTHENING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY PROGRAM ONE OF THE MATRIX WILL BE LOOKING AT OUR THE AMOUNT OF 4024 WARRANTS WE'RE ISSUING THAT'S SIMPLY THE PENAL CODE SECTION FOR FAILING WORK RELEASE.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT WE CAN GAIN SOME COMPLIANCE AND MOVE PEOPLE THROUGH THAT PROGRAM SUCCESSFULLY.

AND THEN A GOAL THAT I THINK IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WAS IMPROVE OUR STAFF MORALE AND INCREASE RETENTION AND MAINTAIN OUR APPROPRIATE STAFFING LEVELS WITHIN THE JAIL.

AGAIN, WE WANT TO REDUCE OUR OPIATE-RELATED RISK.

WE'RE HELPING DELIVER.

WE'RE DOING THIS WITH OUR STAFF AT THE CORONER'S OFFICE.

THEY'VE CURRENTLY COMPLETED.

A BUNCH OF TARGETED TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS.

SO THEY'RE GONNA BE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE SCHOOLS TO PUT ON PREVENTION ON THE DANGERS OF OPIOIDS.

AND THEN OBVIOUSLY THE SHERIFF'S PROJECT IS CONTINUING WORKING ON OUR 90 ACRE PARCEL AND BEING AN ALTERNATIVE CAMPUS THERE.

OVERALL SNAPSHOT OF OUR BUDGET.

ESSENTIALLY, OUR EXPECTED OR ASKED THIS YEAR FOR OUR BUDGET TOTAL IS THE $83.3 MILLION.

ONE OF THE NOTABLE INCREASES THAT WE HAD IS GOING TO BE THE INCREASE DUE TO THE FEES AT SHASCOM.

AND SHASCOM IS OUR CENTRALIZED DISPATCH THAT WE USE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHING.

AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THERE VOTED TO MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE DUE TO THE RETENTION OF DISPATCHERS, WHICH RESULTED IN ABOUT A $320,000 INCREASE OR AN OVERALL 16% INCREASE TO US DURING THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

IN OUR 235 BUDGET, IN OUR 06 OBJECT, WE HAVE A $1.5 MILLION LINE ITEM.

AND CURRENTLY, PART OF THAT'S GOING TO OUR NORTH.

BRIEFLY, EXPANSION PROJECT IS A METAL BUILDING THAT'S GOING TO HOUSE MANY OF OUR ASSETS THAT WE'RE MOVING ON.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT THING FOR MORALE.

IT'LL BE GREAT TO HAVE EVERYTHING IN A CENTRALIZED LOCATION BECAUSE WE HOUSE A LOT OF OUR EMERGENCY VEHICLES THERE.

OUR ARMORED VEHICLES, OUR EMERGENCY RESCUE VEHICLE, OUR BOMB UNITS, BOATS WHEN THEY'RE NOT MOORED AT SHASTA.

THERE'S GONNA BE JUST A TREMENDOUS SHOT.

ALSO IN THAT OBJECT, WE'RE GONNA HAVE SOME STANDARD BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS.

AND THEN THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE'RE PLANNING ON TAKING DELIVERY OF A MOBILE COMMAND VEHICLE, WHICH IS ALSO GONNA BE EXCITING FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

IT'LL REPLACE THE ORCA, WHICH HAS BEEN IN SERVICE FOR AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN HERE, IF I CAN REMEMBER.

SO I THINK WE'RE LOOKING AT HOPEFULLY REPURPOSING THAT TO ANOTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENT, AND THEN TAKING THE DELIVERY OF OUR COMMAND VEHICLE, WHICH IS PURCHASED 100% WITH ZOG FIRE FUNDING.

THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS A COUPLE OF OUR REVENUES THAT WE TAKE IN.

THE FIRST ONE IN OUR BUDGET, 260, IS AB 109 REALIGNMENT.

WE'RE PROJECTING TO START WITH A FUND BALANCE OF $2.3 MILLION.

THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PARTNERSHIP EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE APPROVED EXPENDITURE REQUESTS LISTED HERE, AND THAT'S IN THE TOP RIGHT KIND OF CORNER THERE.

EXCUSE ME.

AND REVENUE DISTRIBUTION PERCENTAGES RESULTED IN THE USE OF ABOUT $554,000 OF THE FUND BALANCES, SO IT LEFT AN ENDING FUND BALANCE OF ABOUT $1.6 MILLION.

THE SECOND ONE FOR AB 109 FUNDING IS IN 246.

THAT'S GOING TO BE USED PRIMARILY DOWN AT OUR WORK RELEASE, AND THAT'S WHERE WE FUND OUR ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY FROM.

AND THAT'S DURING OUR 25-26, WE WERE DOING A LOT FOR DEPUTY SHERIFFS IN THAT YEAR.

[02:35:02]

CONSEQUENTLY, WE WERE EXTRA HELP IN GETTING CAUGHT UP.

THIS YEAR, WITH THE MOMENTUM WE HAVE HIRING.

IT'S NOT ONLY EAST BUT IN TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE WE TOOK A CONTRACT BACK OVER FROM THE MARSHALL'S OFFICE TO DO LOCAL TRANSPORTATION.

SO WE HAVE DEPUTY SHERIFFS IN THAT DIVISION.

SO WE ENDED 2526 WITH A FUND BALANCE OF ABOUT $437,000.

THIS YEAR I'M NOT ANTICIPATING WE HAVE A FUND BALANCE THAT GREAT WHEN WE END.

AND THEN A THIRD REVENUE THAT WE HAVE STOOD DNA PENALTIES AND BASICALLY THAT'S DERIVED IT'S TO REIMBURSE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

TO COLLECT SAMPLES AND FOR FINGERPRINTING.

AND IT'S TO REIMBURSE LIKE OUR LOCAL AGENCY AND CRIME LABORATORIES FOR PROCESSING ANALYSIS AND TRACKING AND STORING DNA EVIDENCE.

WE'RE PROJECTING AN ENDING FUND BALANCE OF ABOUT $130,000 THERE.

AND THEN ON THIS SLIDE, IT'S GOING TO BE MORE OF THE FUND BALANCES.

THE FUND BALANCE FOR 235 IS AB 109 FUNDING THROUGH COMMUNITY CORRECTION PARTNERS, OR CCP.

THE EXPENDITURES AND REVENUES DISTRIBUTION IS APPROVED BY THE COMMUNITY CORRECTION PARTNERSHIP AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

AND THEN THE SECOND ONE, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT.

FELONY ENFORCEMENT, WHICH IS OUR SAFE GRANT.

IT PROVIDES FUNDING, SUPPORT, SPECIALIZED LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS FOCUSED ON REDUCING SEXUAL ASSAULT THROUGH PROACTIVE MONITORING, INVESTIGATION, APPREHENSION OF REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS.

AND BASICALLY THAT RUNS OUT OF ONE OF OUR CRIME SUPPRESSION UNITS OUT OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION.

AND THEN OUR FUND BALANCE 235 UNDER...

GRANT FUNDING IS USED FOR OUR MARIJUANA ERADICATION TEAM.

THAT TOO RUNS OUT OF OUR INVESTIGATION DIVISION AND OUR CRIME SUPPRESSION UNITS.

THEY DO A GREAT JOB OUT THERE.

THEY JUST RECENTLY HAD A BIG CASE WHERE WE DIDN'T ENDURE MARIJUANA GROW, TOOK A BUNCH OF PROCESSED MARIJUANA AND SOME GUNS OFF THE STREET.

THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB OUT THERE.

AND THEN LASTLY, THE COUNTY FINGERPRINT AUTOMATED FUND.

AND THAT WAS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 76102 AND IT PROVIDES FUNDING FOR ACQUISITION, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT SYSTEMS. AND ESSENTIALLY WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR RECORDS, ANY BOOKING IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THAT WE DO HAS TO BE TIED TO A FINGERPRINT.

SO THAT WAY FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES.

AND THEN I BELIEVE THIS IS MY LAST SLIDE.

THIS IS JUST OUR GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION.

I WON'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THAT.

IT'S PRETTY SELF-EXPLANATORY.

THAT'S THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTION WE RECEIVED TO MAKE OUR BUDGETS WORK.

THE TOTAL IS ABOUT $46.4 MILLION OVER ALL OF OUR BUDGETS THAT ARE LISTED THERE ON THE SLIDE.

THANK YOU, UNDER SHERIFF.

BEFORE WE CONCLUDE, THERE'S JUST A FEW THINGS I WANTED TO TOUCH ON.

I FORGOT TO TELL YOU WHEN I WAS UP HERE.

SO I HEARD OUR PARTNERS TALKING ABOUT GRANTS AND INCOME WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TRYING TO GET REVENUES IN TO HELP WITH OPERATIONS.

IT'S NO SECRET THAT THERE ARE SOME GRANTS OUT THERE THAT ARE AVAILABLE.

THEY ARE VERY COMPETITIVE, AS WAS MENTIONED UP HERE BEFORE.

BUT I DO WANT THE BOARD TO BE WELL AWARE THAT IT WAS VERY TRUE WHAT WAS STATED UP HERE.

SOMETIMES, AND I THINK ACTUALLY SUPERVISOR CHRIST SAID SOMETHING ABOUT IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD TAKE THE MONEY IF IT'S THERE.

SOMETIMES THOSE GRANTS ARE OUT THERE.

AND THEY ARE WORTH US GOING AFTER.

THEY'RE MORE LABOR-INTENSIVE THAN THEY'RE WORTH.

AND SOME OF THOSE, AS AN EXAMPLE, WOULD BE SOME OF THOSE TRAFFIC GRANTS THAT COME OUT.

THEY WANT SO MUCH DATA AND SO MUCH BOOKKEEPING AND SO MUCH OVERSIGHT THAT IT IS NOT COST-EFFECTIVE FOR US TO PURSUE.

SO THERE'S A PROCESS THAT GOES ON WITH THOSE.

I WELCOME ANY TIME YOU HAVE, YOU FIND OR SEE A GRANT THAT MAY APPLY TO REACH OUT AND LET US KNOW, BECAUSE WE WILL EVALUATE IT, AND IF IT IS...

WORTH IT, WE WILL PURSUE IT, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S NOT WORTH PURSUING, SO JUST YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT.

THE CCP, I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO, YEAH, I TOOK NOTES ON MY HAND, SORRY.

I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO TRACY NEAL.

YOU SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD OF TRACY NEAL.

I WAS JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS AT STATE SHERIFFS WITH ALL MY FELLOW SHERIFFS IN THE STATE, AND DURING OUR ROUNDTABLE,

[02:40:01]

THE TOPIC CAME UP OF CCP, AND I LISTENED TO SOME HORRIFIC...

STORIES FROM SOME OF MY SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SHERIFFS AND PARTNERS ABOUT HOW DYSFUNCTIONAL, FRACTURED, AND JUST INEFFICIENT THEIR CCPS WERE, WHICH ARE ALL LED BY THE PROBATION OFFICERS DOWN THERE.

AND I WON'T MENTION WHICH SPECIFIC COUNTIES, BUT IT WAS VERY...

VERY CLEAR TO ME THAT WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE THE COLLABORATION AND SUCH A GOOD LEADER IN TRACY AND KEEPING OUR CCP GOING STRONG.

AND SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT, TRACY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING WITH THAT.

AND SHE IS RIGHT.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO CROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE CCPS ARE FACING BUDGET CUTS, NOT JUST OURS.

AND WE'RE DOING A GOOD JOB, I THINK, COLLECTIVELY AS A BOARD AND AS PUBLIC SAFETY IN MANAGING THOSE.

AND THE LAST THING I WANTED TO MENTION WAS, AGAIN, SPEAKING OF MONIES COMING IN, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS JOINED A NORTH STATE MARIJUANA AND AFRICAN COALITION, WHICH IS PRIVATELY FUNDED, BUT THAT PRIVATE FUNDER, PHILANTHROPIST, IS GOING TO END UP GIVING US A DEPUTY'S POSITION AND A DOG AND OUR ABILITY TO START OUR DIRECTED ENFORCEMENT AS PART OF OUR CENTIF AND MARIJUANA UNIT.

SO THAT'S A WAY THAT, AGAIN, WE'RE REACHING OUT TO TRY TO FIND OUR OWN FUNDING THAT IS NOT RELYING ON FUNDS.

ARE HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, SIR.

AND GENE, I APOLOGIZE.

I WAS LISTENING TO YOU THE WHOLE TIME, BUT I DID TAKE A COUPLE TEXTS, BUT THERE WAS A FIRE UP IN SHINGLETOWN.

SO FORTUNATELY THE FIRE CHIEF IS IN THE ROOM, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S UNDER CONTROL.

SO I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT.

I WASN'T JUST MESSING AROUND.

SUPERVISOR CRAIG.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I STATE THIS JUST SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THE CEO AND HIS STAFF WORKS ON THE BUDGET.

SO...

AND THEN THAT'S PRESENTED TO US, AND THEN WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

SO IT WAS STATED THAT ABOUT A BUDGET CUT.

THERE WAS NO BUDGET CUT.

TECHNICALLY, IT'S JUST A FLAT BUDGET.

YES, TECHNICALLY YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT IS A FLAT BUDGET, AND I THINK THE PUBLIC SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE ASKED FOR IS A FLAT BUDGET.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL DELIVERING.

HOWEVER, YOUR COSTS AND YOUR INCREASES, COSTS, EVERYTHING ACROSS THE BOARD GOES UP.

YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE INCREASES.

ABSOLUTELY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S REALLY STATED THAT THIS BOARD HASN'T ASKED TO CUT.

IT'S JUST THE COSTS GO UP AND WE'RE JUST NOT INCREASING.

AND THAT WAS WHAT WAS PRESENTED.

SO DO WE WANT TO START ON THE POSITIVE OR THE NEGATIVE SIDE? SO LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

I KNOW.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS THIS MORNING.

WE HAVE ROUGHLY, AND I'M TRYING TO GET AN EXACT NUMBER.

I THOUGHT IT WAS IN THE 80S.

IT MAY BE WELL OVER 100 WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT AIR QUALITY.

AIR POLLUTION MANAGEMENT BOARDS BUT WE HAVE 80 FEES IN THIS COUNTY IMPACT FEES BRINGING THOSE BACK OR NOT THAT'S GOING TO BE FOR YOU KNOW ANY FUTURE BOARD TO DECIDE YOU KNOW I DON'T THINK IT IS THE POSITION OF UH I WON'T SAY THE DEPARTMENT WELL I'LL SAY THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE ELECTED TO COME UP AND SAY WHAT WE SHOULD INSTALL I THINK THE CASE NEEDS TO BE MADE OF FUNDINGS NEEDED IT'S OUR JOB TO FIGURE THAT OUT PERSONALLY BECAUSE ON THE IMPACT FEES I MEAN YOU YOU CAN PICK A BUNCH OF FEES AND JUST TAX SOMETHING ON FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

I KNOW WE DISAGREE ON THIS ONE, SUPERVISOR, BUT THAT WAS A FEE THAT WAS ALREADY EXISTING THAT WENT AWAY, AND THAT WAS A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR US THAT HAS ALSO BEEN CUT.

SO THAT'S MY POINT ON IT.

THAT'S WHY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT REINSTATED.

WELL, AND THE REASON, I MEAN, I FELT STRONGLY ABOUT CUTTING IT WAS BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT'S AN ILLEGAL TAX.

SO IF WE WANT TO DO A TAX, LET'S JUST PUT A PUBLIC SAFETY TAX FOR IT.

I MEAN, NOT WE, BUT I'M SAYING THAT WOULD BE THE ITEM.

SO LET'S GO POSITIVE NOW.

SO COMPENSATION OR PAY IS 13 TO 42.5%.

YOU GUYS ARE BEHIND OTHER COUNTIES.

I MEAN, THAT'S SIGNIFICANT.

YEAH, THAT'S A BIG RANGE.

AND I COULDN'T.

I DIDN'T EVEN TRY AND VERIFY IT.

I BELIEVE IT.

I KNOW TIM MAPES DID HIS GREAT GRAPHICS TO MAKE IT REALLY STAND OUT.

BUT EXPLAIN TO ME MUCH HOW COUNTY COUNCIL HAS DONE IT, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAS DONE IT, YOUR OFFICE HAS DONE IT.

YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO RECRUIT AND PUSH STAFFING LIMITS.

I MEAN, BRIAN COLE, A HIGHLY RESPECTED RPD OFFICER, JUST LEFT FOR ANOTHER PLACE.

SO WHY IS IT? ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS, EVEN IN THESE TOUGH FISCAL TIMES, EVEN THOUGH 42.5%, YOU GUYS ARE COMPENSATED LESS IN SOME POSITIONS.

HOW DO YOU STILL RECRUIT LIKE THAT? WELL, IT'S TOUGH.

WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO DOLLARS,

[02:45:01]

IT'S DOLLARS.

I THINK ASHLEY JONES SAID IT VERY WELL THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE IN THIS NOT FOR THE MONEY.

THEY'RE IN IT BECAUSE THEY CARE.

IT'S A CALLING.

IT'S A DUTY OF SERVICE.

IT'S COMMITMENT TO SERVING A COUNTY AND SERVING THE PEOPLE.

HOW WE KEEP THEM AND HOW WE CREATE AND ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT IS...

MORE OF THE CULTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION, I WOULD THINK, AND I LIKE TO BELIEVE, BECAUSE WE CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PEOPLE LIKE TO COME TO WORK.

THEY APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO.

WE SHOW THEM THAT THEY'RE APPRECIATED.

WE TRAIN THEM AND CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY WANT TO BE.

AND WE RELY ON THOSE PEOPLE THEN TO HELP US RECRUIT OTHER PEOPLE IN THE PROFESSION AND GET THEM IN THE DOOR AT OUR AGENCY.

I MEAN, AND THAT SEEMS LIKE THE COMMON CULTURE.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE LEAVE.

THAT'S WHY SOMETIMES PEOPLE STAY.

I APPRECIATE THAT.

IS THERE, YOU KNOW, I THINK I'M GOING TO SAVE THE REST, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION AND, YOU KNOW, YOUR APPROACH BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE STILL HAVING INCREDIBLE OUTCOMES.

INCREDIBLE OUTCOMES.

DOING SO MUCH MORE WITH LESS AND STILL, YOU KNOW.

CREDIT TO OUR STAFF, FOR SURE.

AND YOU'RE WIDELY RESPECTED WITHIN THE STATE AS A SHERIFF, SO THANK YOU.

THERE WILL BE NUMBERS YOU MIGHT AS WELL COME UP.

YEAH, A FEW SPECIFIC LINE ITEM QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

AND SOME OF THESE ARE KIND OF SMALL THINGS, BUT I WAS KIND OF JUST CURIOUS TO UNDERSTAND THEM BETTER.

ONE IS IN THE BUDGET UNIT 235, WHICH IS.

KIND OF THE OVERALL SHARE.

I SEE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CITY OF READING AND TO A BUNCH OF OTHER COUNTIES THERE.

I WAS CURIOUS WHAT THOSE ARE FOR.

WOULD YOU HAVE TO BE MORE SPECIFIC WITH IT? 235, IS IT ONE OF THE SUB-BUDGETS? IN THE, LET'S SEE HERE.

SO IT'S, YEAH, BUDGET UNIT 235.

AND THEN IF I LOOK ON THE FINANCIAL SCHEDULE UNDER OTHER CHARGES, IT HAS CONTRA TO CITY OF READING, WHICH IS ABOUT $400,000.

CONTRA TO CITY OF ANDERSON, TO TEHAMA COUNTY, TRINITY COUNTY, SISKIYOU, BUTTE, GLENN, LASSEN, PLUMAS.

OH, YES, SORRY.

IT'S GOING TO PROBABLY, IT'LL BE ALLEGATIONS FROM THE SAFE GRANT.

COULD YOU SAY MORE ABOUT THAT? YEAH, IT'LL BE REVENUE.

SO WE KIND OF ADMINISTER THE GRANT ON BEHALF OF A BROADER REGION AND THEN DISPERSE IT TO OTHER PARTIES? CORRECT.

WE MANAGE THE SAFE GRANT FOR THE REGION, AND THEN WE DISPERSE THOSE REVENUES TO THE CONTIGUOUS COUNTIES AND AGENCIES.

YEAH, I WAS JUST LIKE, WHY ARE WE CONTRIBUTING? ARE THEY DELIVERING SERVICES TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THAT MAKES MORE SENSE? THEY SUBMIT FOR THOSE MONIES, SUPERVISOR, FOR DIFFERENT PROJECTS.

THAT'S HELPFUL.

THAT ARE RESTRICTED WITHIN THAT GRANT, FOR INSTANCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL PREDATORS OR STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND THEN WE ARE THE FIDUCIARY FOR THAT AND DISPERSE THOSE MONIES ACCORDINGLY.

AND THEN THE SECURITY UPGRADE CAPITAL PROJECT OF $980,000, COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT PROJECT? IS THAT SOMETHING, AND MAYBE HAS THAT BEEN ON THE DOCKET FOR A WHILE, BUT WE'RE EXPECTING TO START IT THIS YEAR? AND KIND OF WHAT WILL THAT ACHIEVE WITHIN THE JAIL FACILITY? SO I THINK THE SECURITY UPGRADE, THE ONE THAT WE'RE IN, IT ATTACHES TO OUR MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

SO THAT WAY, THE MOVEMENT OF THE EXACTLY MOVES ON.

JAIL TO THE OTHER.

SO PHYSICALLY RIGHT NOW WHAT WE REQUIRE THE SPILLMAN SYSTEM OR WE KEPT IT IN THE I'D LIKE TO ADD TO THAT TOO, SUPERVISOR.

THERE'S ALSO, THAT'S THE BIGGEST PART OF IT, BUT THERE'S ALSO THE REPLACEMENT OF THE 1970 CAMERAS THAT ARE JUST GRAIN.

YOU CAN'T REALLY TELL MUCH WHAT IS GOING ON.

SO NEW CAMERA SYSTEMS AND THEN ALSO THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS AND STUFF, THE SECURITY CELLS WE'VE HAD INMATES BEING ABLE

[02:50:01]

TO DEFEAT THEIR LOCKS.

AND SO WE'RE HAVING TO REPLACE ALL THAT.

THAT'S ALL PART OF THE SECURITIES AS WELL.

AND DO WE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS A PUBLIC WORKS QUESTION, DO WE EXPECT THAT TO BE COMPLETED THIS COMING FISCAL YEAR OR IS THAT UNDETERMINED AT THIS POINT? OR SUBJECT.

WE EXPECT THAT TO BE COMPLETED SOMETIME.

SOMETIME.

AND THEN WHEN I LOOK AT OVERTIME PAY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE HOVERING AROUND THAT $200,000.

OR SORRY, $2 MILLION.

I KNOW THE CEO RECOMMENDS BROUGHT IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT TO $1.5.

AS WE'RE, YOU KNOW, YOUR VACANCY RATE IS GOING DOWN, SO STAFFING'S GOING UP.

DO WE EXPECT THAT OVERTIME PAY LINE ITEM TO CONTINUE TO GO DOWN, OR ARE WE STILL SEEING A NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT OVERTIME, WHETHER IT'S IN THE GL OR THE BERNIE SUBSTATION? SO I'M ASSUMING THAT NUMBER IS FROM 26,000 FROM THE JAIL BUDGET, THAT SEEMS TO BE ABOUT RIGHT.

I WOULD EXPECT FOR 26-27 TO TREND DOWN BECAUSE THE STAFFING LEVELS ARE INCREASED.

WE'RE STILL BALANCED WITHIN OBJECTS BECAUSE OF THE VACANT POSITIONS.

BUT DUE TO THE VACANT POSITIONS, THAT ASIDE, I THINK THE OVERTIME WILL TREND DOWN NEXT FISCAL YEAR SO LONG AS OUR VACANCY RATE STAYS AS LOW AS IT IS.

OKAY, GREAT.

AND THEN LAST QUESTION, AND THIS WAS A SMALL THING, BUT I WAS KIND OF CURIOUS ABOUT IT.

IT LOOKS SO UNDER THE BERNIE SUBSTATION, YOU HAVE THIS INFOGRAPHIC OF THE LAST AND FOREST CAMPGROUND PATROL HOURS.

AND THERE IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S SHOWING FOR 25, 26, OVER 100 HOURS OF PATROL TIME.

AND THEN WHEN I LOOK AT THE REVENUE, IF I'M READING IT CORRECTLY, IT LOOKS LIKE WE GET PAID $2,000 FOR THAT.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S IF I'M COMPARING APPLES TO APPLES.

BUT I WAS CURIOUS, DO WE IT LOOKS LIKE WE GET REIMBURSED A LITTLE BIT FROM, I GUESS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THAT PATROL.

SO I'D HAVE TO LOOK AND SEE WHAT THE NUMBERS CAME IN FOR FOR 26-27.

MY CAPTAIN HAD BRIEFED ME ON THIS.

I THOUGHT THAT THE FOREST SERVICE GAVE US A LOT OF $15,000 FOR CAMPGROUND PATROL BECAUSE THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT AREAS OF CAMPGROUND PATROL.

THERE'S ONE IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY, AND THEN THERE'S ONE AROUND SHASTA LAKE AS WELL.

GENERALLY, THEY GIVE A FIXED AMOUNT.

YEAH, $15,000 WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE IF IT'S 100 HOURS, YOU KNOW, $150 PER HOUR.

IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS $2,000 IN THE BERNIE SUBSTATION BUDGET, YOU KNOW, WHICH I WAS LIKE, OH, IF WE'RE ONLY GETTING COMPENSATED $20 PER HOUR FOR THOSE PATROL THAT, I DON'T KNOW, IF WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE NOT COVERING OUR COSTS HERE.

SO EVEN THOUGH IT'S A SMALL ITEM, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD A LITTLE BIT TO THE CONVERSATION.

SOMETIMES WHEN YOU SET ASIDE THE BURNOUT FACTOR FOR WORKING YOUR EMPLOYEES TOO MUCH, IT'S ACTUALLY CHEAPER WHEN YOU'RE PAYING THEM OVERTIME BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE PAY, THE BENEFITS, THE RETIREMENT, ALL THE EXTRA PACKAGES.

SO IF YOU CAN GET IT, IT'S A SHORT TERM SOLUTION SO THAT YOU DON'T BURN OUT YOUR EMPLOYEES.

TO BE.

IT'S ACTUALLY A SAVINGS TO, MY EXPERIENCE ANYWAY, IT CAN BE A SAVINGS TO RUN OVERTIME TO FUND PART OF YOUR OPERATIONS.

WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHEN WE HAD THE CRISIS IN THE JAIL WHEN I FIRST CAME IN AND THERE WERE SUCH LOW STAFFING.

WE WERE HAVING TO RUN A LOT OF OVERTIME TO SAVE SOME OF THE STAFFING THAT WE HAD LEFT FROM BURNOUT.

ALRIGHT, SHERIFF, I DON'T SEE ANY MORE QUESTIONS.

YOU SUBMITTED YOUR BUDGET, AND THERE'S QUITE A FEW CUTS FROM THE CAO'S OFFICE AFTERWARDS, BUT YOU DIDN'T APPEAL YOUR BUDGET, SO APPARENTLY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT WORK? YEAH, I'M ABLE TO LIVE WITH IT AND CONTINUE TO LIVE WITH IT.

TWO MORE PARTING COMMENTS THERE, CHAIR.

[02:55:01]

SO FOR US, OPERATIONS, PROBABLY THE TWO MOST IMPACTFUL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING FOR US, WHICH IMPACTS THE WHOLE COUNTY, IS LITIGATION IS ONE OF THEM, ESPECIALLY IN THAT JAIL.

AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW THAT MOST OF THE TIME WE DO EVERYTHING 100% RIGHT AND THERE'S STILL A LAWSUIT THAT COMES.

AND THE TREND IS NOW TO...

BE PUNITIVE AND AWARD DAMAGES NO MATTER WHAT.

JUST YESTERDAY THERE WAS A CASE, THIS IS NOT OUR CASE, OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING CASE THAT WAS SUCCESSFULLY GOT THROUGH THE CRIMINAL PROCESS, MEANING THE OFFICER WAS NOT HELD FOR ANY WRONGDOING IN OUR AGENCY.

IT WENT TO FEDERAL COURT ON A CIVIL SUIT AND THEY LOST 10 MILLION DOLLARS AND THE OFFICER DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG.

THIS IS THE TREND IN CALIFORNIA.

THIS IS WHAT'S GOING ON.

COSTING THE COUNTY AND OUR AGENCIES.

THE OTHER ONE IS BOOK RECORDS REQUESTS ARE JUST OVERWHELMING TO OUR AGENCY.

IT'S COSTING US A LOT OF TIME, MONEY, AND STAFFING JUST TO KEEP UP WITH THOSE.

AND SOME OF THOSE ARE AS FRIVOLOUS AS SOME COLLEGE STUDENT IS DOING SOME STUDY IN SOME PAPER, AND THEY BLANKET THE...

THE STATE OR THE UNITED STATES LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WITH THESE PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS, AND BY LAW WE HAVE TO HONOR THEM, ESPECIALLY NOW THAT WE HAVE, BLESS YOU, THAT WE HAVE A BODY CAM THAT HAS CREATED, ALTHOUGH BODY CAMS HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT GOOD FOR US FOR THE MOST PART, AND WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC RECORDS, IT IS A REAL BURDEN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT VIDEO AND REDACT SO MUCH VIDEO FOR A PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST.

THAT IT CAN TAKE FOR AN HOUR OF VIDEO, IT CAN TAKE 15 HOURS OF TIME OF REDACTION.

SO IT'S VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE.

THANK YOU, SHERIFF, AND THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

FOR THE STAFF IN THE ROOM, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE DA NEXT, AND THEN WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK AND FINISH THE HEARINGS AFTER THE DA PRESENTS.

THIRTY MINUTE BREAK OR SO AFTER WE UH...

AFTER WE GET THIS LAST PRESENTATION SO JUST UH...

LET YOU ALL KNOW WELCOME CHAIR KALLSTROM, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, STEPHANIE BRIDGET, DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

WE DID PUT SOME COPIES OF THE PRESENTATION IN THE BACK A LITTLE LATE IN THE MORNING, SO THEY ARE THERE IF ANYBODY WANTS THEM.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GRAB THAT.

SO MY OFFICE IS BROKEN UP INTO TWO SECTIONS.

WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAIN AREA, THE BULK OF THE EMPLOYEES THERE.

THAT HAS OUR MISSION IS TO SEEK THE TRUTH THROUGH FAIR, HONEST, AND ETHICAL PROSECUTION.

THEN WE HAVE A CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CENTER THAT'S INSIDE OF OUR OFFICE, FULLY STAFFED IN OUR OFFICE, WITH A MISSION OF TO MEET THE NEEDS OF CRIME VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH COLLABORATIVE SERVICES PROVIDED WITH COURTEOUS, EFFICIENT PROFESSIONALISM.

WHILE IT'S TWO DIFFERENT UNITS IN THE OFFICE, WE WORK COMPLETELY COLLABORATIVE, AND ALL OF IT IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SO TO JUMP RIGHT INTO OUR FINANCES, THE DA'S OFFICE, I BROKE THIS UP INTO THE TWO DIFFERENT BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT BUDGETS.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SIDE, OUR EXPENSES ARE FULL, LIKE EXPENSE TO THE COUNTY, EXPENSE TO THE COMMUNITY IS JUST A LITTLE OVER $17 MILLION.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S BROKEN UP INTO VARIOUS CATEGORIES WITH SALARIES AND BENEFITS BEING OUR BIGGEST EXPENSE AT 75%.

AND THEN OUR NEXT BIGGEST EXPENSE WOULD BE OUR SERVICES AND SUPPLIES.

WE HAVE A FEW OTHER EXPENSES AS WELL, BUT THE TOTAL BEING JUST OVER $17 MILLION.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE VICTIM WITNESS SIDE, THAT IS $2 MILLION.

AGAIN, THE BIGGEST PART OF THAT BEING THE SALARY AND BENEFITS, AND THEN SERVICES AND SUPPLIES AT 5%.

WHEN WE LOOK AT REVENUE, THIS IS NOT GENERAL FUND MONEY.

THIS IS MONEY OUTSIDE OF GENERAL FUND.

SO THIS IS THE REVENUE WE BRING IN FROM OTHER SOURCES.

ON THE DA SIDE, WE'RE JUST SHORT OF $4 MILLION IN REVENUE THAT WE BRING IN.

THAT'S BROKEN DOWN TO VARIOUS CATEGORIES WITH INTERGOVERNMENTAL CHARGES BEING ONE OF THE BIGGEST AT 75%.

NOW, THAT'S GOING TO BE LIKE OUR STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS AND OTHER REVENUES THAT WE GET COMING IN FOR THAT PIECE.

[03:00:01]

THEN WE HAVE OUR FINES AND FORFEITURES AND PENALTIES AT 20% CHARGES FOR OTHER SERVICES. IT'S UNDER 1%, SAME WITH MISCELLANEOUS AND OTHER FINANCING.

SO THAT MAKES UP THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF REVENUE THAT WE CAN GET ON THE DA SIDE.

ON THE VICTIM WITNESS SIDE, WE BRING IN ABOUT $1.6 MILLION.

AND AGAIN, THAT TOTAL EXPENDITURES IS ONLY RIGHT AROUND $2 MILLION.

SO THAT'S ALMOST COMPLETELY FUNDED BY INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVENUES, WHICH AGAIN WOULD BE STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS COMING IN.

WITH THE REMAINING 8% BE OTHER FINANCING SOURCES.

OUR FUND BALANCE, WE DO HAVE VARIOUS FUND BALANCES THAT WE DRAW FROM.

THIS SHOWS THE LAST FIVE FISCAL YEARS, INCLUDING PROJECTION INTO THE FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

REAL ESTATE FRAUD, REAL ESTATE, WE DO GET A CERTAIN AMOUNT WHEN PEOPLE DO REGISTER OR FILE DOCUMENTS WITH THE COUNTY REGARDING PURCHASES AND SALES OF REAL ESTATE.

THAT MONEY GOES RIGHT INTO A FUND WHERE WE USE THAT FOR WORKING ON INVESTIGATIONS OR PROSECUTIONS THAT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH REAL ESTATE AND REAL ESTATE FRAUD THAT'S OCCURRING IN OUR COUNTY.

TYPICALLY, THE AMOUNT WE BRING IN, WE SPEND IN THAT FISCAL YEAR.

IT'S A VERY LOW AMOUNT.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT, YOU'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT CCP.

WE DO GET...

A DIRECT ALLOCATION, WHICH WAS DISCUSSED TO MY OFFICE, JUST LIKE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, GETS A CERTAIN AMOUNT EACH YEAR.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT KIND OF HAS MAINTAINED PRETTY SIMILAR OVER THE YEARS.

WE ALSO GET CCP MONEY THAT THE COMMITTEE VOTES ON.

THAT'S JUST A GENERAL ALLOCATION, AS CHIEF NEAL DISCUSSED, THAT IS BROUGHT IN FOR THE COUNTY EACH YEAR.

WE ALL AS A COMMITTEE VOTE ON THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND FUNDING, SO WE HAVE A FUND BALANCE IN THAT AREA.

CONSUMER PROTECTION, THE LARGE GREEN, THAT'S OUR CIVIL UNIT, OUR CIVIL UNIT THAT DOES DIFFERENT CASES TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY.

CASES WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON ISN'T GOING TO GO AND SUE MACY'S OR OTHER BIG COMPANIES, WHERE IF THERE ARE STATEWIDE COMPLAINTS, WITH CERTAIN FRAUD HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE ARE PART OF THAT TASK FORCE STATEWIDE.

WE JOIN IN ON THOSE CASES.

WE FIND LOCAL ISSUES WHERE OUR COMMUNITY IS BEING DEFRAUDED, AND WE WORK TO GET THOSE CORPORATIONS TO STOP DOING THAT, CHANGE THEIR PRACTICES, AND BE UNDER A COURT ORDER WHERE THEY ARE BEING MONITORED.

SO WE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

SO THE MONIES THAT ARE IN THAT GREEN CATEGORY, OUR EARMARKED FOREIGN CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON THAT CIVIL UNIT.

ARSON PROTECTION, WE HAVE MONEY THAT IS IN A FUND BALANCE THAT PAYS FOR AN INVESTIGATOR AND THE WORK THAT WE DO ON THE PROSECUTION SIDE FOR ANY ARSON-RELATED CASE, AS WELL AS ANY EQUIPMENT THAT MAY BE NEEDED FOR THE INVESTIGATORS TO GO OUT.

MAY IT BE HELPING OUR CAL FIRE OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR WHOEVER.

RESPONDING TO THESE FIRE INCIDENTS OR JUST INVESTIGATING THOSE CASES INTERNALLY OURSELF.

FOR CCP, WE DO HAVE SEVERAL POSITIONS THAT ARE FUNDED BY THAT.

WE HAVE THREE OF OUR PROSECUTORS, AND THIS IS ACROSS BOTH FUND BALANCES.

WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF INVESTIGATORS, A LEGAL SECRETARY, TWO PARALEGALS, AND AN AGENCY STAFF SERVICE ANALYST.

CONSUMER PROTECTION HAS THE ONE ATTORNEY.

LEGAL SECRETARY AND AN INVESTIGATOR, AND ARSON HAS AN INVESTIGATOR PLUS AN ATTORNEY WORKING IN THAT UNIT.

FOR GENERAL FUND USE, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SIDE, FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE ARE ENDING, THE GENERAL FUND THAT WAS PROVIDED TO THE DA'S OFFICE WAS $10,608,000.

WE ARE RETURNING $1.8 MILLION OF THAT TO THE COUNTY AS UNUSED.

BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE $1.9 MILLION, SO THAT'S ABOUT $4 MILLION BEING RETURNED TO THE COUNTY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED THIS YEAR, HOWEVER, WASN'T USED DUE TO A DECREASE IN STAFFING.

FOR 26-27, THE BUDGET WE'RE HERE TALKING ABOUT TODAY, $10,962,000.

NOW THAT IS AN INCREASE IN $353,000 WHEN I THINK WE WERE

[03:05:03]

JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS OR YOU GUYS WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH THE SHERIFF.

OBVIOUSLY WHAT WAS GIVEN THE INSTRUCTIONS TO EVERYONE IS A STATUS QUO BUDGET.

A STATUS QUO BUDGET WHEN YOU HAVE INCREASES IN MEDICAL INSURANCE.

JUST ACROSS THE BOARD.

STATUS QUO MEANS WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER IT, SO THERE'S AREAS THAT HAVE TO BE CUT.

SO WHEN YOU COME IN AND YOU PRESENT A STATUS QUO BUDGET WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU HAVE, IT ENDS UP BEING SOME TYPE OF A CUT.

NOW, IN MY CASE, I DID WORK WITH THE COUNTY BACK AND FORTH, AND WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME ADDITIONAL GENERAL FUND REVENUE TO KEEP US FROM HAVING TO ELIMINATE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.

GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE ARE IN THE POSITION THAT WE ARE IN, WE DID INCREASE OUR FUND BALANCE USES BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT AND DID AGREE TO FREEZE A FEW POSITIONS THIS CALENDAR YEAR.

FOR OUR VICTIM WITNESS, IN 25-26, THE GENERAL FUND COST WAS $576,000.

FOR GOING INTO THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, 385,000 THAT YOU'LL SEE THAT AS A DECREASE OF 190,000 AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE WERE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE CAO'S OFFICE WITH DEPUTY CHIEF BERTAIN IN ORDER TO GET SOME OPIOID FUNDING APPROVED SHOULD BE APPROVED SO THAT WE CAN GET 190,000 WHICH IS GOING TO FUND AN ADVOCATE SO THAT DECREASED OUR COST TO THE COUNTY.

AS WE'VE GOT OPIOID FUNDING THAT IS GOING TO COVER THAT.

SO THAT'S A GOOD DECREASE IN THE GENERAL FUND COST.

WHEN WE LOOK TO ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WHEN I WAS PREPARING THIS, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE KIND OF MOST BENEFICIAL TO PUT UP WHAT I PUT UP LAST YEAR BESIDE THIS YEAR JUST TO GIVE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON.

LAST YEAR WE FILED 6,580 CASES.

NOW WHEN I TALK ABOUT FILED, THAT DOESN'T REFLECT THE INPUT THAT WE GET.

WE GET EVERY YEAR, IF I LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST FIVE TO TEN YEARS, WE GET ON AVERAGE AROUND 11,000 CASES THAT ARE SUBMITTED TO OUR OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION.

SO THEY'RE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF REVIEW.

CASES ROLL FROM ONE YEAR TO THE NEXT YEAR.

BUT IN 2024, WE FILED 6,580 CASES.

AND IN 2025, AND AGAIN, THESE ARE CALENDAR YEARS, THAT'S THE WAY WE TRACK MOST OF OUR DATA, WE FILED 6,242 CASES.

IT'S A SLIGHT DECREASE.

WE'VE WORKED REALLY HARD TO TRY TO MAINTAIN OUR LEVEL OF SERVICES OVER THE LAST YEAR.

STILL DECREASED SERVICES AS I PRESENTED TO YOU LAST YEAR, BUT AT LEAST MAINTAIN THAT DECREASED SERVICES BASED ON STAFFING.

HOWEVER, I DO ANTICIPATE WHEN I'M HERE NEXT YEAR, HAVING 2026 BESIDE THAT, AND THAT NUMBER WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT GIVEN OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF STAFFING AS WE HAVE HAD TO STOP PROSECUTING AND WORKING ON CERTAIN CASES AND TRIAGE THOSE UNTIL WE GET SUFFICIENT STAFFING.

IN 2024, WE DID 42 JURY TRIALS.

THAT'S ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE END.

IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN WE RAN THE NUMBERS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S...

HAPPENED BEFORE THAT I'VE SEEN, BUT WE DID EXACTLY 42 JURY TRIALS AGAIN IN 2025.

IN 2024, THERE WAS 27 CHILD MOLEST SEX CRIMES CASES THAT CAME TO RESOLUTION EITHER THROUGH PLEAS OR JURY TRIALS.

AND THEN IN THIS YEAR, IT WAS 22 CASES.

THOSE 22 CASES, THEY DO REPRESENT A COMBINED SENTENCES.

OF OVER 1,027 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS TWO LIFE SENTENCES.

SO WE ARE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME AND GETTING PEOPLE WHO HURT OUR CHILDREN PUT AWAY FOREVER FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ONE CASE HERE IN PARTICULAR.

IT'S A CASE WE ACTUALLY WORKED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, TIMOTHY TAYLOR.

THAT WAS A VERY LENGTHY JURY TRIAL.

IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE JUST TO EVEN GET TO THE POINT AND GET OUR VICTIMS TO COME TO COURT.

THAT TRIAL WAS TWO MONTHS LONG WHERE WE TAKE ONE PROSECUTOR WHO'S OUT OF COMMISSION JUST IN TRIALS, DOING THAT FOR ALMOST TWO MONTHS.

THAT INVOLVED TWO VICTIMS. BOTH OF THEM HAD TO COME AND TESTIFY ABOUT YEARS OF SEXUAL ABUSE, INCLUDING RAPE BY FORCE, TORTURE, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE THAT THEY HAD TO ENDURE

[03:10:01]

FOR YEARS.

HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF ALL 60 COUNTS AND SENTENCED TO 830 YEARS TO LIFE PLUS TWO ADDITIONAL LIFE SENTENCES.

IN 2024, WE HAD FIVE MURDER CASES THAT EITHER WENT TO TRIAL OR THERE WAS A PLEA.

2025, WE HAD A BIG UPTAKE IN THAT.

WE HAD NINE CASES, SEVERAL JURY TRIALS AND SEVERAL PLEAS THAT WENT THROUGH TO COMPLETION.

THOSE NINE TRIAL CASES HAVE A COMBINED SENTENCE OF OVER 212 YEARS TO LIFE PLUS SIX.

LIFE WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE SENTENCES.

ONE OF THEM TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE ONE THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISCUSSED.

WE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM.

ONE OF OUR SENIOR PROSECUTORS, SENIOR DEPUTY D.A. KELLY CAPEL, WORKED WITH THEM FROM THE BEGINNING, WHICH INCLUDED THERE WAS A PREVIOUS JURY TRIAL WITH A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DEFENDANT FROM ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO THAT THEY BELIEVED AT THE TIME HAD COMMITTED THIS MURDER. SO IT WAS PULLING ALL THE TRANSCRIPTS FROM THAT JURY TRIAL, 04,000-PLUS PAGES TO READ THROUGH THAT, FIND OUT WHERE WE'RE AT, CAN WE PROVE IT WITH THIS ADDITIONAL PERSON, WORKING WITH THE D.A.'S OFFICE IN ARIZONA TO HELP EVERYBODY BE ABLE TO TRAVEL TO ARIZONA TO GET THE DNA SAMPLES THAT WE NEEDED, AND ULTIMATELY INTERVIEW THE SUSPECT, WHO DID END UP PLEADING GUILTY.

AND HE PLED GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, TWO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, LYING IN WAIT, AND COMMISSION OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND DID RECEIVE LIFE WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. IN 2024, 162 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, AND IN 2025, IT WAS 154 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES, WITH A COMBINED 125 YEARS PRISON JAIL TIME THAT WAS IMPOSED FOR THAT UNIT.

ONE THING I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT HERE THAT WILL COME INTO MY ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE NEXT SLIDE FOR ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHES IS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCES, WE DID START UP A NEW PROGRAM OVER THE LAST YEARS CALLED DVERT.

THAT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENHANCED RESPONSE TEAM.

THAT'S WHERE WHEN WE GET IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASE, WE HAVE OUR INTERNAL INVESTIGATORS ALONG WITH OUR CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT, THEN MAKE IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM.

WE'RE WANTING TO CONTACT THEM WITHIN 24 HOURS, 48 HOURS OF THE OFFENSE OCCURRING.

THAT WAY WE CAN GO OUT, OUR VICTIM ADVOCATES CAN PROVIDE THEM SERVICES, EXPLAIN THE PROCESS, ANSWER ALL THEIR QUESTIONS, AND THEN OUR INVESTIGATORS CAN DO A SUPPLEMENTAL INTERVIEW TO GET ANY ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE, REALLY GET A VERY COMPREHENSIVE HISTORY.

OF ANY PAST ABUSE OR ANYTHING THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN COVERED WHEN WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, A PATROL FREQUENTLY RESPONDS ON THE WEEKEND AND THEY'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS OF CALLS THEY'RE RESPONDING TO.

THIS WAY WE'RE ABLE TO GO AND TRY TO REALLY SIT DOWN WITH THEM WITH AN INVESTIGATOR.

THAT'S BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE DONE THAT WITH MULTIPLE CASES OVER THE LAST YEAR THAT WE RESTARTED THAT.

IN ONE PARTICULAR CASE, THOMAS CARTER.

THAT 19-YEAR STATE PRISON, HE ENDED UP PLEADING TO TWO COUNTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PLUS STRIKES AND GREAT BODILY INJURY AFTER DOING HORRIFIC ABUSE TO HIS VICTIM, PUNCHING HER REPEATEDLY, STRANGLING HER MULTIPLE TIMES, THREATENING HER LIFE, TELLING HER HE'S GOING TO DIG A HOLE AND BURY HER.

MUSIC UP REALLY LOUD, THE NEIGHBORS COULDN'T HEAR.

COULDN'T COME IN THAT DAY TO COVER UP, SO NO ONE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR HER.

IT WAS REALLY THE ABILITY TO KIND OF GET A LOT OF DETAILS AND WORK ON CASES LIKE THAT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET A 19-YEAR STATE PRISON IN THAT CASE, AND THANKFULLY WITHOUT EVEN MAKING THE VICTIM HAVE TO COME INTO COURT AND TESTIFY.

SO OUR UNIT HAS THE CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CENTER, AND IN 2024, WE SERVED.

03,937 VICTIMS AND BROUGHT IN ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITY WITH, YOU KNOW, GETTING SERVICES OR RESTITUTION TO VICTIMS. IN 2025, WE, MY ADVOCATES WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO 03,614 VICTIMS AND WE DID BRING IN OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO OUR COMMUNITY WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRINGING BACK.

RESTITUTION, PAYING SERVICE PROVIDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY

[03:15:01]

TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN 2024, IT WAS 162 POST-CONVICTION CASES.

IN 2025, THAT NUMBER IS AT 166.

NOW, POST-CONVICTION HAS BEEN A HUGE DRAIN ON THE OFFICE.

THIS IS THE CHANGES IN THE LAW THAT WE'VE HAD OVER THE LAST FIVE TO TEN YEARS THAT KIND OF COME INTO THAT UNFUNDED STATE MANDATE PURVIEW WHERE THEY CHANGE THE LAW, TELL US WE HAVE TO DO IT, WE HAVE TO DO IT.

AND THERE'S NO ONE TO PAY FOR IT, SO WE HAVE TO JUST KIND OF ABSORB THAT INTERNALLY IN THE OFFICE BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE OF US NOT DOING IT IS VERY SERIOUS OFFENDERS.

WE'RE TALKING OUR MURDERERS, OUR PEOPLE WHO WERE IN PRISON ON LIFE SENTENCES, CASES FROM 20, 30, 40 YEARS AGO THAT ARE COMING BACK INTO OUR OFFICE.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU GUYS AT LEAST TWO EXAMPLES.

ONE IS A DEFENDANT WITH THE LAST NAME OF VALDIVINO.

THAT PARTICULAR CASE WAS FROM ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RESPONDING TO A RACIAL JUSTICE ACT MOTION.

THAT WAS A CHANGE IN THE LAW, AND IT APPLIES TO CASES NOW, PLACES GOING BACK JUST TO THE BEGINNING OF TIME IN SHASTA COUNTY, WHERE AN OFFENDER WHO WANTS TO FILE A PETITION IS ALLEGING THAT THANK YOU.

EITHER THE OFFICERS, WHEN THEY WERE INVESTIGATING, OR THE PROSECUTORS, WHEN THEY WERE MAKING A CHARGING DECISION, OR WHEN WE DECIDED TO PLEA OR GO TO TRIAL, OR THE JURORS, OR THE JUDGE, JUST ANYBODY INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM, THEY DID SOMETHING BECAUSE OF RACE, AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THEM TO BE CONVICTED AND NOT THE MERITS OF THE CASE.

SO THAT, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF...

NOW THAT PARTICULAR CASE IS, WE'VE GOT A STACK OF ABOUT THREE FEET TALL OF DOCUMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN HAVING TO COLLECT.

WE'RE TALKING, WE'RE GOING BACK 15 YEARS AND THEY CAN ASK FOR A SPAN OF FIVE, TEN, WHATEVER YEARS IT MAY BE.

ALL THE POLICE REPORTS, THEY HAVE SIMILAR CRIMES OF THEIRS.

ALL THE CASES WE FILED THAT HAVE SIMILAR CRIME TYPES SO THAT THEY CAN GET ALL THAT DATA AND ANALYZE IT AND TRY TO MAKE THE CASE THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING RACIALLY WAS INVOLVED.

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

SO FAR, WE'VE SPENT $3,000 ON A DATA EXPERT JUST ON THAT ONE CASE, AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH THE CAO'S OFFICE BECAUSE THE NEXT DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND TO PROVE THAT AND BE ABLE TO KEEP THAT PERSON IN PRISON WHO COMMITTED VERY...

SERIOUS CRIMES, HE WAS CHARGED WITH WILLFUL, DELIBERATE, AND PREMEDITATED MURDER, KIDNAPPING, ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM, AND OTHER FIREARM ALLEGATIONS FOR WHICH HE'S IN PRISON FOR, IS GOING TO BE AROUND $10,000 TO $15,000 ADDITIONAL ON TOP OF THE $3,000 SO FAR, JUST TO FIGHT THAT ONE CASE, INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF HOURS THAT ARE BEING SPENT.

AND AT THIS POINT, IT'S BEING SPENT BY ONE OF MY CHIEF DEPUTIES.

BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE THE STAFFING AND EVEN THE EXPERIENCE LEVEL THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANYMORE TO HANDLE CASES LIKE THAT.

ANOTHER ONE WOULD BE BOTH OF YOU GUYS ARE I'M SURE ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE CO-DEFENDANTS ESTRADA AND CRUZ.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT, YOU KNOW, BRUTALLY MURDERED A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, SHERIFF KENNETH PERIGO IN 1991 WITH HIS OWN FIREARM.

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FIGHTING BOTH OF THOSE CASES.

THEY HAVE BOTH FILED THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL REASONS, ONE AS A HABEAS PETITION, AND THEN ANOTHER ONE WHO WAS A SHOOTER ON THE CHANGE IN THE LAW OF FELONY.

AND THAT CASE WAS OUT OF, THERE WAS A CHANGE OF VENUE DOWN IN SONOMA COUNTY, SO EVERYTHING IS STILL RUNNING OUT OF COURT IN SONOMA COUNTY.

IT'S PULLING A DEATH PENALTY, YOU KNOW, PULLING THIS CASE FROM 1991.

ALL THE RECORDS AND HAVING TO REVIEW IT FOR TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, NUMEROUS COURT APPEARANCES.

AGAIN, THAT'S HANDLED BY, I HAVE TWO CHIEF DEPUTIES.

MY OTHER CHIEF DEPUTY IS HANDLING THAT CASE.

AGAIN, BECAUSE WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE A POST-CONVICTION PROSECUTOR TO HANDLE THAT TYPE OF WORK.

SO CONTINUING IN, LAST YEAR WE TALKED ABOUT GETTING A STAT-DRIVEN DASHBOARD

[03:20:01]

READY FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S READY.

WE ARE WORKING WITH COUNTY IT TO GO LIVE ON OUR WEBSITE.

WE HAD WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET IT TO GO LIVE BEFORE, AT LEAST BEFORE THIS BUDGET PROCESS.

HOWEVER, IT GOT BACK-BURNERED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR JUST BECAUSE OUR PROSECUTOR WHO'S HANDLING THE ESTRADA CRUZ CASE IS THE ONE WHO'S...

WORKING ON THIS, SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HER TIME IS BETTER SERVED TRYING TO KEEP THOSE TWO OFFENDERS IN PRISON, BUT WE ALSO STILL WERE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS.

SCANNING PROJECT, THAT IS ABOUT TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, HOWEVER, IS FINALLY UNDER PROCESS.

IT'S GOT OUR ENTIRE BASEMENT THAT IS FULL OF OUR FILES GOING BACK FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE OFFICE ARE BEING SCANNED SO THAT WE CAN HAVE DIGITAL ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR FILES.

AS I TALKED ABOUT, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ENHANCED RESPONSE TEAM IS NEW THIS YEAR.

SOFT RIM, WE DID A MULTI-AGENCY PRESENTATION HERE WHERE WE BROUGHT UP THE PROSECUTOR AND ONE OF THE SURVIVING VICTIMS FROM THE GOLDEN STATE KILLER CASE WHO DID A HALF-A-DAY PRESENTATION NOT ONLY ON GENETIC GENEALOGY AND HOW THAT CAN BE USED IN OUR COUNTIES, BUT ALSO A PRESENTATION FROM A SURVIVING VICTIM TO KIND OF...

GO THROUGH THAT SIDE OF THAT CASE AS WELL.

THERE WAS A NON-PROFIT THAT ALSO WAS HERE WITH THEM WHO REDID OUR SOFT ROOM IN MY OFFICE.

A SOFT ROOM IS A ROOM WHERE WE WOULD BRING A CHILD, A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIM, A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM TO MEET WITH THEM WHERE IT'S NOT A STERILE OFFICE.

IT'S GOING TO HAVE COUCHES AND PICTURES ON THE WALL AND STUFF BECAUSE THE STUDIES REALLY SHOW IF YOU'RE IN AN INVITING AREA THAT'S NOT LIKE A COLD OFFICE.

PEOPLE CAN RELAX AND TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE LIKE THE MOST INTIMATE THINGS, THE MOST HORRIBLE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO THEM IN THEIR LIFE.

SO THANKS TO THEM, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE.

BUS ADS FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION FRAUD PREVENTION, THAT'S 100% GRANT FUNDED.

THOSE SHOULD GO UP ON OUR BUSES AROUND TOWN TO HELP PREVENT.

WORKERS COMPENSATION FRAUD AND LET PEOPLE KNOW HOW TO REPORT THAT BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A GRANT THAT COVERS THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF THOSE CASES WE HAVE A WE'RE ABLE TO CHANGE AND HAVE A FULL-TIME INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES ANALYST THIS YEAR THAT'S REALLY HELPED WITH IMPROVED EVIDENCE COLLECTION TRACKING DISPOSITION IT'S CREATED KIND OF A ADDITIONAL CAREER ADVANCEMENT LADDER THROUGHOUT THE OFFICE TO GIVE PEOPLE MORE OF A SIGHT ON WHERE HOW THEY CAN ADVANCE IN THE OFFICE.

IT'S BEEN A MONEY SAVER AS WELL AS WE HAVING THIS POSITION DOING A LOT OF FREE UP OUR INVESTIGATORS TO DO OTHER WORK A SWORN INVESTIGATOR DO.

THEY ALSO HELP WITH STRENGTHENING OUR CASES FOR USING THEIR DIFFERENT SOFTWARE SYSTEMS THAT THEY CAN GO THROUGH DATA.

JAIL CALLS AND ALL OF THE DIFFERENT AREAS.

SO IT'S BEEN A GREAT ADDITION AND A GOOD ACCOMPLISHMENT OVER THE LAST YEAR.

RESTRUCTURING AND REALLOCATING RESOURCES HAS BEEN A BIG THING THAT WE'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS YEAR WITH PROSECUTOR VACANCIES.

ONE OF THOSE THINGS HAS BEEN TO USE SOME OF THOSE VACANCIES TO UNDERFILL THEM.

SO WE'RE HIRING A DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION UNDER THAT POSITION TO HELP.

SURROUND OUR CURRENT PROSECUTORS WITH MORE ASSISTANCE, ADDITIONAL HELP, ADDITIONAL HELP DOING THEIR WORK SO THAT THEY AREN'T AS BUSY WITH TASKS THAT SOMEONE ELSE COULD BE HANDLING.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE UNDERFILLED WITH A PARALEGAL, A LEGAL SECRETARY, WITNESS COORDINATOR.

OUR LEGAL SECRETARY, WE WORK TO...

EXPAND THEIR DUTIES AS WELL THIS LAST YEAR TO HELP TAKE ADDITIONAL PRESSURE OFF OF THE ATTORNEYS.

THE ATTORNEYS GO TO COURT.

THEY'RE THERE ON HUNDREDS OF CASES.

WE'VE TAKEN OFF OF THEM, AND OUR SECRETARIES ARE WORKING ON ENTERING THAT DATA WHEN THEY COME BACK FROM COURT SO THE ATTORNEYS AREN'T STRAPPED WITH THAT WHEN THEY COME BACK.

THE SECRETARIES ARE ALSO REVIEWING OUR TRANSCRIPTS, REDACTING THEM, WORKING ON THAT.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY APPRECIATE THEM.

THEY'VE TAKEN ON THESE NEW TASKS AND VERY HAPPY TO DO THAT AND KNOW THAT THEY'RE PART OF THIS TEAM AND THEY'RE DOING A GREAT JOB.

PARALEGAL PROGRAM.

ONE OF OUR UNDERFILLS IS A PARALEGAL.

GO AHEAD AND ADD.

SO ONE OF THE UNDERFILLS IS A PARALEGAL, BUT WE ALSO HAVE NOW AN ACTUAL PARALEGAL PROGRAM.

WE'VE GOT THREE FULL-TIME

[03:25:02]

PARALEGALS AND ONE PART-TIME PARALEGAL, WHICH HAS SHOWN TO BE VERY POSITIVE.

THEY ATTEND COURT AND HELP WITH THE DATA ENTRIES, ESPECIALLY SPECIFICALLY ON MISDEMEANOR ATTORNEY CASELOADS, WHICH ARE HUNDREDS OF CASES THAT ARE ON EVERY MONDAY AND FRIDAY.

THEY WORK ON MOTION WORK, PREP, AND TRANSCRIPT REVIEW AS WELL.

AND ALSO OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE DID 85 COMMUNITY OUTREACH EVENTS AND ENGAGEMENTS.

A LOT OF THOSE WE DO, WE HAVE GRANTS THAT HAVE US GOING OUT AND DOING VERY SPECIFIC STUFF.

BUT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME FOR US TO PREVENT CRIME WHEREVER WE CAN.

AND A LOT OF TIMES, EDUCATION IS THE WAY TO PREVENT A VICTIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SPECIFICALLY, WE GO INTO A LOT OF SCHOOLS AND REALLY EDUCATE THEM ON THE...

NOWADAYS, IT'S THE DANGER OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW THAT CAN LEAD THEM DOWN A RABBIT.

WE JUST DON'T WANT TO GO.

WE DO A LOT OF OFFICE-WIDE STAFFING.

THE DA'S OFFICE HAS GONE UP SLIGHTLY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

HOWEVER, OUR OCCUPIED POSITIONS HAS ALWAYS RUN SIGNIFICANTLY LESS.

VICTIM-WITNESS, THEY HAVE GONE UP.

ONE POSITION IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

HOWEVER, VAST MAJORITY OF TIME THEY ARE FULL STAFFED.

STAFFING CHANGES, CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE, AS I SAID, THEY WERE STABLE AND CLOSE TO FULL STAFF ALL YEAR LONG.

OUR SUPPORT STAFF, AGAIN, STABLE, CLOSE TO FULL STAFF ALL YEAR.

I DO HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR APPROVING LAST YEAR THE ALTERNATIVE STAFFING WHEN IT CAME TO THE LEGAL SECRETARY POSITIONS.

WE CHANGED IT FROM JUST A LEGAL SECRETARY ONE TO A ONE-TWO AND THAT HAS BEEN A HUGE THING AND THAT'S HELPED US RETAIN PEOPLE AND IT'S ALSO HELPED US WITH OUR APPLICANTS THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING.

I THINK PEOPLE SEEING THAT THERE IS A CAREER LADDER FOR THE POSITIONS THEY'RE APPLYING FOR HAS REALLY HELPED AND JUST THE MORALE WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING INTERNAL GROWTH.

AND IMPROVING RENT RETENTION.

IT SHOWS THAT THAT IS A VERY GOOD THING TO DO IN AN OFFICE, SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT.

OUR BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, WE'VE GONE BETWEEN THREE TO FOUR VACANCIES ON AVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE DO CONSISTENTLY RECEIVE APPLICATIONS, SO IT'S NOT FOR WANT OF GETTING THEM.

HOWEVER, FINDING QUALIFIED APPLICANTS HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING FOR INVESTIGATOR LEVEL.

APPLICANTS WE NEED THEM TO HAVE USUALLY FIVE PLUS YEARS AT SOME TYPE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BEFORE WE'LL REALLY LOOK AT HIRING THEM BECAUSE THEY'RE COMING IN NOT AS A FIRST RESPONDER SO TO SPEAK THEY'RE NOT GOING OUT AND HITTING CALL BY CALL THEY YOU KNOW THEY'RE STILL OBVIOUSLY CLASSIFIED AS FIRST RESPONDERS BUT IN AN INVESTIGATIVE STATUS SO FINDING THE QUALIFIED APPLICANTS HOWEVER MY INVESTIGATORS ARE IN THE SAME UNIT AS...

UNION AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SO THEY DO HAVE THE SAME PAY IMPACT THOUGH I'M NOT 100% SURE THE IMPACT THAT HAS ON OUR APPLICATIONS BECAUSE WE DO GET APPLICATIONS FOR THESE POSITIONS.

PROSECUTORS THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE OUR CRITICAL STAFFING ISSUES.

NOW WHEN WE JUST TO BEGIN TALKING ABOUT THE STAFFING WHEN IT COMES TO PROSECUTORS, PROSECUTORS HAVE JUST LIKE THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS THERE YOU KNOW, THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE GONE TO SCHOOL USUALLY FOR A MINIMUM OF SEVEN YEARS POST HIGH SCHOOL.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM PAY FOR THAT WITH STUDENT LOANS.

WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO COME INTO OUR OFFICE WHO HAVE TWO, THREE, EVEN FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND IN STUDENT LOANS.

IT'S A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

SO WHEN THEY'RE COMING IN AND THEY ALREADY OWE A HOUSE PAYMENT, YEAH, THEY'RE COMING IN BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DO THE WORK, THEY LOVE THE WORK.

THAT'S WHY WE ALL CAME INTO THIS POSITION.

BUT WHEN THEY START PAYING THEIR STUDENT LOANS AND REALIZE THEY CAN'T ALSO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY WITH A HOUSE OR THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT NEED BECAUSE OF PAY, THAT BECOMES A REAL ISSUE.

SO IN OUR OFFICE, WE HAVE 28 POSITIONS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED.

AND IN THE BREAKDOWN FOR THOSE FULLY FUNDED 28 POSITIONS, IT'S THREE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS, SO THAT INCLUDES MYSELF, AND IT INCLUDES MY TWO CHIEF DEPUTIES.

SO WE'RE INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING IT TAKES TO RUN THE OFFICE, FROM PRA REQUESTS TO TRAINING TO STRATEGIC PLANNING.

YOU KNOW, AT ANY GIVEN TIME WITH EXTRA HELP AND EVERYTHING, MY OFFICE HAS ABOUT 100 EMPLOYEES FULL-TIME IN THE OFFICE WORKING.

[03:30:01]

WE ALSO, THAT INCLUDES EIGHT SENIOR DEPUTY DAS.

IN 17 DEPUTY 1, 2, AND 3 POSITIONS.

NOW, WHEN WE CAME INTO THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE WERE ALREADY DOWN RIGHT AT FIVE POSITIONS, WHICH I KNOW YOU'RE AWARE OF.

WE TALKED EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THAT LAST YEAR.

HOWEVER, THAT HAS GONE TO NINE VACANCIES.

THAT'S WITH SEVEN LEAVING IN THE LAST YEAR.

OUT OF THOSE SEVEN, WITH THOSE SEVEN, THAT IS 24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

AND WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT PROSECUTORS, YOU NEED TO HAVE, JUST LIKE...

MS. JONES BROUGHT UP, YOU NEED TO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, THE EXPERIENCE SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE RIGHT JUDGMENTS, THEY CAN MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FILING CASES, RESOLVING CASES, THEY HAVE THE TRIAL EXPERIENCE, SO THAT WE CAN BETTER REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY.

AND WHEN WE LOSE THAT MUCH, THOSE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON AN OFFICE.

AND REPLACEMENT USUALLY ISN'T A ONE-FOR-ONE BECAUSE WE DON'T GET LATERALS.

SO CURRENTLY WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE HAVE 19 PROSECUTORS REMAINING.

THAT INCLUDES MYSELF AND MY TWO CHIEF DEPUTIES.

GIVEN THE STAFFING LEVELS THAT WE ARE AT, YOU SAW THE 166 POST-CONVICTION CASES, THE CHIEF DEPUTIES ARE PRETTY MUCH DOING ALL OF THAT WORK ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT THEY'RE DOING.

MYSELF AND THE CHIEF DEPUTIES ARE DOING THE VAST MAJORITY OF REVIEW OF THOSE 11,000 CASES THAT COME IN.

THIS IS ALL TIME THAT DOES TAKE AWAY FROM THE CRITICAL TRAINING AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.

WE HAVE THE EIGHT SENIOR DEPUTY DAS, AND WE HAVE EIGHT DEPUTY 01, 2, 3 CLASSIFICATIONS FILLED.

OF NOTE, OUT OF THOSE EIGHT DEPUTIES, TWO OF THEM HAVE LESS THAN ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE, AND ONE HAS LESS THAN TWO YEARS EXPERIENCE.

SO WHEN YOU'RE TRADING 24 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE...

FOR SIGNIFICANTLY LESS, THAT'S A HUGE IMPACT.

AND I THINK THAT TRANSLATES TO ANY BUSINESS, ANY ONE OF YOU HAVE EVER EITHER RAN YOURSELF OR BEEN INVOLVED IN NEW EMPLOYEES, THERE'S A LOT OF TRAINING.

AND WHILE THEY DO AMAZING WORK AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB, YOU REALLY NEED THE EXPERIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING THAT IMPACT THE FREEDOM OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU NEED TO HAVE A FULL STAFF DA'S OFFICE WITH THE EXPERIENCE LEVELS REQUIRED.

I LOOKED AT SOME NUMBERS AND LAST YEAR, AS I TALKED TO YOU LAST YEAR ABOUT OUR VACANCIES WHEN WE WERE DOWN FIVE, THAT MEANT WE HAD THE 20 LINE DEPUTY DA'S, YOU KNOW, NOT INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE ATTORNEYS DOING THE WORK.

IF YOU LOOKED AT THE NUMBER OF CASES THAT JUST CAME INTO OUR OFFICE IN THAT ONE YEAR, WITH THOSE 20 ATTORNEYS, THAT'S ABOUT 418 CASES PER ATTORNEY THAT ARE JUST NEW IN THAT PARTICULAR YEAR, NOT INCLUDING CASES THAT COME IN FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.

IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, WITH NINE VACANCIES, WE HAVE 16 DEPUTY DAS.

THAT IS 733 CASES BASED ON THE AMOUNT WE RECEIVED THIS PAST YEAR PER ATTORNEY.

WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, INCLUDING ALL THEIR OPEN CASES THAT THEY ALREADY HAVE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THE YEAR PRIOR THAT JUST KEEP BUILDING UP.

AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE 16 ATTORNEYS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OF THE EIGHT SENIOR DEPUTY DAS, FOUR OF THOSE ARE SUPERVISORS WHO ALSO HANDLE FULL-TIME CASELOADS, OFTEN ARE MURDER CASES.

IN OUR OTHER SIGNIFICANT CASES, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFFING TO SPLIT THAT UP.

SO WE HAVE THEM SPLITTING THEIR TIME BETWEEN BEING ABLE TO APPROPRIATELY SUPERVISE, NOT HAVING THE TIME THEY NEED TO BE IN COURT AND WATCH YOUNGER ATTORNEYS AND HELP THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS BECAUSE THEY THEMSELVES ARE PREPPING FOR A MURDER TRIAL.

RIGHT NOW, ONE OF OUR SUPERVISORS FOR OUR FELONY TEAM IS PREPPING FOR A MURDER TRIAL.

IT IS GOING TO START PROBABLY IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO.

THAT'S TIME AWAY FROM THE TRAINING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SUPERVISORS DOING SO, PROSECUTOR STAFFING HAS BEEN OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE AND IT STARTED A YEAR AGO.

I ACTUALLY STARTED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, BUT A YEAR AGO I DID COME IN AND WE TALKED ON TWO DIFFERENT TIMES.

LAST YEAR I DID AN EXTENSIVE STUDY ACROSS THE STATE TO SEE WHERE WE ARE AS A COUNTY AT OUR 28 POSITIONS, IF THEY WERE FULL, AND FOUND

[03:35:01]

THAT COUNTIES HAVE THE SAME INPUT AS US.

THE SAME AMOUNT OF CASES FROM OUR LOCAL AGENCIES.

THEY HAD TWICE AS MANY PROSECUTORS.

THEY HAD TWICE AS MANY SUPPORT STAFF.

THEY HAD ROBUST PARALEGAL PROGRAMS. AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WE ARE COMPETING WITH WHEN SOMEONE SEES NOT ONLY THAT THEY CAN GET HIGHER PAY, BUT THEY CAN ALSO HAVE A LOWER CASE NUMBER.

ALSO LAST YEAR IN FEBRUARY I TALKED ABOUT WHAT WAS THE IMPACT RIGHT THEN.

SO A YEAR AGO ACTUALLY 16 MONTHS AGO OUR IMPACT THAT WAS OCCURRING IN THAT MOMENT WAS LONGER FILING TIMES.

TIMES YOU KNOW IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE COULD TOUCH EVERY SINGLE CASE THAT COMES INTO THE OFFICE WITHIN 48 HOURS OR A WEEK AT THE MOST.

THAT'S NOT HAPPENING IT WASN'T HAPPENING A YEAR AGO.

WE WERE OUT THREE, SIX, NINE MONTHS BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN LOOK AT A CASE.

LAST MINUTE TRIAL CONTINUANCES, YEARS TO GET CASES CONCLUDED, INCREASED IN PLEA BARGAINING AND DIVERSION USE, AND DELAYED VICTIM CONTACT.

HAVING THE ABILITY FOR ATTORNEYS TO WORK WITH VICTIM ADVOCATES TO GET THE INFORMATION AND THE CONTACT NEEDED.

AND THAT'S WHERE WE SAT A YEAR AGO WHEN WE WERE DOWN FIVE POSITIONS.

LOW IMPACT TODAY, I KIND OF REPEATED THE SAME SIX.

AND ONLY HIGHLIGHTED IN RED THAT WE ARE AT EVEN LONG.

THERE ARE CASES THAT ARE GOING RIGHT.

THEY'RE FILING CASES TWO DAYS BEFORE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.

STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS MEANS THE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU HAVE TO FILE A CASE.

AND IF YOU DON'T FILE IT WITHIN THAT TIME, YOU CAN NEVER FILE IT.

AND WE ARE TRYING TO TRIAGE AND GET TO THE MOST SERIOUS CASES, SOMETIMES WITHIN A COUPLE DAYS OF WHEN THAT CASE IS GOING TO TIME OUT, JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES.

BECAUSE INSTEAD OF 28 ATTORNEYS, WE NEED CLOSER TO 50 FOR THE INPUT THAT WE GET FROM OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT THERE DOING A GREAT JOB MAKING A LOT OF ARRESTS AND REALLY DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO PROACTIVELY TO GET THE CASES INTO MY OFFICE.

THE OTHER ONE IS UNFORTUNATELY NOW SOME VICTIMS WON'T GET JUSTICE.

THERE ARE CASES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE FILED.

THEY'RE AT THE MISDEMEANOR LEVEL AND THE FELONY LEVEL.

WE DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

WE'VE MET WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO LET THEM KNOW THAT.

CRITICAL THINGS THAT WE'RE HAVING TO DO, WHICH IS PRIORITIZING OUR SERIOUS AND VIOLENT FELONIES, OUR RAPES, OUR MURDERS, OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OUR CHILD PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES, MISDEMEANOR DUI.

THERE ARE CERTAINLY THINGS THAT ARE CRITICAL TO ACTUAL PHYSICAL PUBLIC SAFETY THAT WE ARE PUTTING ALL OF OUR RESOURCES INTO THAT.

AND THEN IF WE GET CHANCE, WE'RE MOVING INTO THE OTHER CASES, THE THEFTS AND THE DRUGS.

BUT THOSE ARE THE CASES WHERE VICTIMS ARE NOT GOING TO GET ANY JUSTICE.

THEY WILL TIME OUT, PASS THAT STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS, IF WE'RE UNABLE TO GET THE STAFFING THAT WE NEED.

I ADD THIS ADDITIONAL SIX.

I JUST SAID SOME FELONY CASES ARE JUST NOT GOING TO BE PROSECUTED.

SOME MISDEMEANOR CASES, A LOT OF MISDEMEANOR CASES, BECAUSE WE ARE PRIORITIZING THE MOST SERIOUS ONES.

SEX CRIMES.

CRIMES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DUI AT THE MISDEMEANOR LEVEL.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER MISDEMEANORS THAT ARE JUST NOT GOING TO BE PROSECUTED BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY SO MANY HOURS IN THE DAY AND IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO A MATH PROBLEM WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE YOU HAVE.

THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT EXTRA WORK BEING PUT ON OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

WE MET WITH ALL OF US.

WE HAD TO PUT IN CERTAIN FILING REQUIREMENTS.

THAT WE CAN'T EVEN LOOK AT A CASE UNLESS THEY'VE DONE THINGS THAT MAYBE THEY HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST, THINGS THAT WE MIGHT HAVE DONE INTERNALLY WITH OUR INVESTIGATORS OR OUR ATTORNEYS SO THAT WE COULD FILE A CASE SOONER.

WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO REALLY GO BACK AND FORTH WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS AS MUCH AS WE HAD BEFORE, SO WE HAVE TO TIGHTEN THAT AS WELL.

HUGE ETHICAL VIOLATION RISKS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A STAFFING AT THE ATTORNEY LEVEL THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE, SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE, DON'T HAVE SUPERVISORS WHO ARE ABLE TO SIT IN COURT WITH THEM ALL THE TIME AND OVERSEE EVERYTHING THEY'RE DOING, WHO DON'T HAVE CASE EXPERIENCE TO KNOW THE DECISIONS TO BE MADE AND NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO WORK ON THAT.

THERE'S ETHICAL VIOLATION RISKS WHICH CAN IMPACT PEOPLE'S LICENSE TO PRACTICE LAW AND CAN IMPACT THE COUNTY FINANCIALLY IN LAWSUITS.

AND THE FURTHER WE GO DOWN...

THE PATH OF NOT HAVING APPROPRIATE STAFFING, THOSE VIOLATIONS INCREASE, THE RISK OF THAT INCREASES.

JAIL CAPACITY, OFFENDERS ARE GOING TO SIT IN OUR JAIL EVEN LONGER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET TO THOSE CASES.

PROSECUTOR TURNOVER, THAT'S ALREADY WHAT WE'RE SEEING,

[03:40:01]

AND IT'S JUST CONTINUED TO GET WORSE, IS PROSECUTOR TURNOVER.

AND WE HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO KEEP ON GOING BECAUSE EVERY TIME YOU HAVE A PERSON LEAVE, THEIR CASES GET DISTRIBUTED TO EVERYBODY ELSE.

AND THE NEXT PERSON DISTRIBUTES AND IT JUST HAS A SNOWBALL EFFECT.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE PROSECUTORS WHO HAVE THAT HOME MORTGAGE COST JUST IN STUDENT LOANS AND THEY DON'T GET TO SEE THEIR FAMILIES BECAUSE THEY'RE WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, YOU LOSE PEOPLE NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY LIKE THE OFFICE OR HOW MUCH THEY LIKE THE JOB OR THE COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK WE'VE HEARD THAT.

WE'VE HAD VERY VOCAL PROSECUTORS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WHO HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THIS VERY ISSUE, TALKING TO BUSINESS OWNERS, TALKING TO EACH OF YOU, GOING TO CHAMBER MEETINGS, DOING SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS REGARDING THE SITUATION THAT THEY ARE IN AND THEIR DESIRE TO STAY, BUT THEIR INABILITY TO BECAUSE OF PAY AS ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES, ALONG WITH CASELOAD.

PROSECUTION IS CENTRAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS, I THINK, EVERYBODY'S CENTRAL CONCERN.

I WANT MY FAMILY TO BE A SAFE COMMUNITY.

I HAVE EVERY BELIEF THAT EACH OF YOU DO, AND EVERY AGENCY, AND I PRESENTED THIS IN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR AND THEN IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, JUST TO SHOW HOW WE ARE THE CENTER OF THE ENTIRE PUBLIC SAFETY.

WORLD.

IF LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD BE STAFFED AT A THOUSAND DEPUTIES OR A THOUSAND POLICE OFFICERS, WE COULD HAVE A JAIL THAT CAN HOUSE 20,000 INMATES.

IF WE ARE DOWN TO OUR STAFFING THAT WE'RE AT AND WE DON'T HAVE ROBUST STAFFING, THEY'RE RELEASED.

THEY ARE NOT KEPT IN CUSTODY.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THOSE AGENCIES FEEDS INTO OUR OFFICE AND THE ONLY WAY THOSE CASES GET PROSECUTED OR PEOPLE GET HELD IN PRISON IN JAIL IS IF THE DA'S OFFICE HAS THE RESOURCES.

SO WE END UP BEING THE BOTTLENECK.

I'M NOT GOING TO GO IN TOO MUCH DETAIL BECAUSE LAST YEAR I DID EXTENSIVELY GET INTO THE NATIONWIDE STUDY, BUT THE QR CODE DOES STILL WORK IF ANYONE WANTS TO SCAN IT.

THAT IS A NATIONWIDE STUDY THAT LOOKS AT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I KNOW IN STATEWIDE MEETINGS THAT I'VE HAD WITH OTHER ELECTED DA'S UP AND DOWN THE STATE, THIS HASN'T BEEN JUST A SHASTA COUNTY ISSUE.

THIS IS A, ALMOST EVERY COUNTY HAS BEEN PLAGUED WITH THIS ISSUE.

AND THEN WHEN THIS STUDY CAME OUT, IT WAS INTERESTING TO FIND OUT THAT IT'S NOT JUST A CALIFORNIA ISSUE, IT'S A NATIONWIDE ISSUE.

AND IT'S SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE ALREADY POINTED OUT.

VACANCIES, THIS FOUND, THIS STUDY FOUND THAT VACANCIES RESULT IN JUNIOR PROSECUTORS BEING PROMOTED TO SENIOR POSITIONS BEFORE THEY'RE READY.

OUT OF NECESSITY.

AND VACANCIES CAUSE BRADY VIOLATIONS.

AND BECAUSE BUSY OFFICES FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE TRAINING AND INDIVIDUAL PROSECUTORS LACK THE TIME TO REVIEW THEIR CASE FILES AND RECOGNIZE BRADY MATERIAL.

THAT'S BECAUSE YOU HAVE NEW PROSECUTORS WHO HAVE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF, THEIR CASELOAD IS HUGE.

THEY'RE SUPERVISORS IN THE MIDDLE OF A MURDER TRIAL FOR TWO MONTHS.

NEXT LEVEL OF MANAGEMENT IS DOING POST-CONVICTION CASES.

EVERYBODY'S BUSY AND WORKING THESE LONG HOURS.

LIKE I SAID, THAT'S A HUGE INCREASE TO THE COMMUNITY, AND IT'S A HUGE RISK TO PEOPLE'S PERSONAL FREEDOM WHEN THEY'RE IN CUSTODY TO NOT HAVE A DA'S OFFICE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUFFICIENTLY COMB THROUGH EVERY SINGLE CASE AND FIND WHAT THEY NEED TO EVALUATE THAT CASE AND DECIDE, HEY, SHOULD THIS BE A PLEA BARGAIN? SHOULD WE GO TO TRIAL? AND IF YOU'VE GOT...

YOU KNOW, 20 CASES ON CALENDAR AND YOU'VE GOT A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF HOURS TO READ THEM, YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT YOU CAN.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING NATIONWIDE.

THAT STUDY ALSO FOUND THAT SALARY INCREASES ARE THE KEY STARTING POINT.

WHILE THERE'S A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO PROSECUTOR VACANCY, LOW SALARIES ARE LIKELY THE BIGGEST FACTOR.

SO I WANT TO POINT OUT, WELL, ACTUALLY, BEFORE I GET TO THAT, LET ME TALK ABOUT ONE MORE THING.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I TALK ABOUT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS WHO DO A GREAT JOB.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT SOLVING THIS ISSUE, THERE'S REALLY ONLY THREE WAYS TO DO IT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT STOP ARRESTING AS MANY PEOPLE, STOP SUBMITTING CASES. NOBODY WANTS THAT. NOBODY WANTS THAT.

THERE IS A DETERRENT FACTOR.

THEY NEED TO BE OUT THERE DOING THEIR JOB, AND NO ONE WOULD ASK THEM TO DO THAT. THAT CERTAINLY WOULD SOLVE THIS ISSUE IF WE HAVE LESS CASES AND WE NEED LESS PROSECUTORS, OR THE

[03:45:01]

D.A.'S OFFICE STOPS FILING ALL MISDEMEANOR CASES AND LOW-LEVEL FELONIES. NOW, THAT'S THE POINT THAT WE'RE AT LAST YEAR UNLESS WE GET SOME ACTION, SOME DECISIONS TAKEN. SO THOSE I SEE AS THE THREE OPTIONS THAT WERE PRESENTED LAST YEAR. THE WAY TO DO IT, AS PRESENTED IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, INCREASE PROSECUTOR PAY. I PUT DDA, THAT'S DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PAY, AND RETENTION BONUSES.

BECAUSE, AS MS. JONES POINTED OUT, THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO DO IS STOP THE BLEEDING.

WE'VE GOT TO GET PEOPLE TO STOP LEAVING AND SEE THAT THERE'S HOPE. OKAY, WE'LL GIVE YOU A RETENTION BONUS. YOU AGREE TO STAY FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME.

AND DURING THAT TIME, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE OTHER ISSUES.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS PAY.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS OTHER ISSUES.

BUT AS OF FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR, INCREASING PAY AND RETENTION BONUSES, WE WERE ALREADY THERE.

TWO OTHER THINGS WAS APPROVING THE SECRETARY 1-2, WHICH YOU GUYS DID, WHICH HAS HAD AMAZING RESULTS.

AND WE DID GET ONE ADDITIONAL LEGAL SECRETARY, WHICH I THANK YOU FOR THAT AS WELL FROM LAST YEAR.

SO THE BUTTE COUNTY EXAMPLE, I PUT THIS UP HERE BECAUSE IT'S JUST A VERY CLOSE TO HOME EXAMPLE OF WHAT I'VE JUST BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

BUTTE COUNTY, NON-COMPETITIVE PAY FOR YEARS.

PROSECUTOR STAFFING DROPPED TO 17 LINE DEPUTIES OUT OF 28.

VERY, VERY SIMILAR TO OUR SITUATION.

THEY SLOWLY LOST AND LOST AND LOST AND COULDN'T HIRE, COULDN'T RETAIN.

DROPPED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 17.

THEY BEGAN CASE TRIAGING JUST LIKE US BECAUSE THEY GOT TO CRITICAL STAFFING ONCE THEY HIT THE 17.

WE REACHED OUT TO THEM TO GET TO WORK WITH THEM TO SAY HOW DID YOU DO IT, WHAT DID YOU DO.

THEY WORKED CLOSELY WITH US IN GIVING US GUIDANCE ON HOW WE SHOULD DO IT HERE IN SHASTA COUNTY AND BASICALLY THEY STOPPED FILING LOW-LEVEL FELONIES AND MISDEMEANOR CASES AS WELL THEY GOT BACKLOGGED KICK PEOPLE VICTIMS DIDN'T GET JUSTICE.

OFFENDERS WENT UNPROSECUTED.

SO THEY TRIED TO FIX IT.

FIRST THING THEY DID WAS THEY INCREASED THEIR SIGN-ON BONUS TO $30,000.

THAT DIDN'T WORK.

THEY DIDN'T GET ANYBODY COMING IN WITH THE SIGNING BONUSES GOING UP TO $30,000.

SO IT'S A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW JUST SIGNING BONUSES IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE'VE HAD...

$15,000 SIGNING BONUSES AND WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME AND GO EVEN WITH GETTING THAT $15,000 SIGNING BONUS.

SO IT'S NOT A WORK.

IT DIDN'T WORK IN BUTTE COUNTY AND IT HASN'T WORKED HERE.

WHAT DID WORK? THEY INCREASED THEIR SALARY TO BE COMPETITIVE.

WITHIN ONE YEAR, THEY WERE FULLY STAFFED.

THEY GOT ALL THEIR PROSECUTORS BACK AND THEY STOPPED TRIAGING CASES.

THEY ARE WORKING AT FULL CAPACITY AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO.

GIVE THE JUSTICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY THAT THEY NEEDED.

THIS IS SUCH A LOCAL CASE STUDY ON THE WAY THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED.

BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY ISN'T FLUSH WITH MONEY, BUT WHEN PUBLIC SAFETY IS EVERYBODY'S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AND WE SEE NOT ONLY A NATIONWIDE STUDY THAT HAS FULLY OUTLINED WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHAT THE SOLUTION SHOULD BE, AND WE HAVE A LOCAL COUNTY THAT DID FOLLOW THAT PLAYBOOK.

AND THEY SOLVED THE ISSUE.

WE KNOW HOW TO DO IT.

NOW, I WOULD NOTE THEM GETTING FULLY STAFFED INCLUDED STEALING THREE OF OUR PROSECUTORS, WHICH I CAN'T BLAME THEM.

THEY'RE GETTING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE PAY IN BUTTE COUNTY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT BUTTE COUNTY VERSUS US AND, YOU KNOW, AND THE WAY THAT THEY DID IT IS THEY GOT A PUBLIC SAFETY TAX.

THERE WAS A TAX THAT WAS PASSED.

JUST FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY DIDN'T GO AND DO, YOU KNOW, SIX OR SEVEN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

THEY HIT WHAT WAS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF ANY COMMUNITY IS TO KEEP THEIR COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAFE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY DID.

AND IN THE END, IF YOU LOOK AT A COMPARISON ACROSS EACH LEVEL OF OUR OFFICE AND THEIR OFFICE, EVEN AT THE CHIEF DEPUTY LEVEL, MY CHIEF DEPUTIES MAKE $50,000 LESS PER YEAR THAN THEIRS.

AND I'M HOPING THEY DON'T LEAVE, ONE OF THEM'S HERE.

ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE DDA1, SO OUR ENTRY LEVEL EXECUTORS.

THEY CAN GO TO BUTTE COUNTY AND MAKE $50,000 MORE THAN THEY DO HERE IN THE COUNTY.

PAYING A MORTGAGE, THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

AND ALSO BUILT INTO BUTTE

[03:50:01]

COUNTY IS FOR THE NEXT TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS, THEY'VE ALREADY GOT AN AUTOMATIC 5% INCREASE OF THAT PAY.

THIS KEEPS THEM COMPETITIVE WITH INFLATION ACROSS OTHER DA OFFICES AND COMPETITIVE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR BECAUSE WE DO LOSE PEOPLE TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR AS WELL.

AND AS MS. JONES POINTED OUT, IT'S NOT JUST BUTTE COUNTY.

WE AREN'T COMPETITIVE WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF COUNTIES THAT WE COMPETE WITH.

NOW, CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS OF A DISTRICT ATTORNEY. THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION PROVIDES FOR AN ELECTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND THE GOVERNMENT CODE PROVIDES THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR WHO SHALL ATTEND THE COURTS AND, WITHIN HIS OR HER DISCRETION, SHALL INITIATE AND CONDUCT ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE ALL PROSECUTIONS FOR PUBLIC OFFENSES. SO, MY MANDATE BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE STATUTORY IS TO DO ALL PUBLIC OFFENSES THAT HAPPENED IN SHASTA COUNTY. THAT IS MY MANDATE BY THE CONSTITUTION AND THE GOVERNMENT CODE.

PROSECUTING PUBLIC OFFENSES DIRECTLY IMPACTS PUBLIC SAFETY, AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. I KNOW WE'VE IDENTIFIED THAT AS A COMMUNITY, AS OUR COMMUNITY FIVE-YEAR GOALS, IS TO WORK ON PUBLIC SAFETY. BUT THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION HAS THAT. AND I QUOTE THE CONSTITUTION HERE THAT SAYS, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT. THAT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENT.

AND IT ALSO SAYS THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE AN OBLIGATION.

TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF ADEQUATE PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES.

SO AS YOU SIT HERE, BEING MINDFUL THAT THAT IS YOUR NUMBER OF PRIORITY IS IN THE CONSTITUTION.

THERE'S A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS HERE AND I KNOW A LOT OF NEEDS AND WANT TO FUND ALL OF THEM, BUT THE PEOPLE YOU HEARD FROM TODAY TO KEEP YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND KEEP THINGS RUNNING.

THE ABILITY OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO CONDUCT PROSECUTIONS FOR PUBLIC OFFENSES IS INDEPENDENT, AND IT CANNOT BE MATERIALLY IMPACTED BY BUDGET DECISIONS.

THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE PROVIDES THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS INDEPENDENT AND CONSTITUTIONALLY STATUTORILY DESIGNED INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTORIAL FUNCTIONS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT SCOTT V.

COMMON COUNSEL, THAT WAS A CASE THAT WAS FILED UNDER THIS GOVERNMENT CODE, IT DISCUSSES THE CONSEQUENCES OF A DA'S OFFICE BEING MATERIALLY IMPACTED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS, WHERE BUDGET DECISIONS WERE REVERSED BY A LOCAL COURT BECAUSE THE DA'S OFFICE WAS MATERIALLY IMPACTED BY THOSE DECISIONS.

OUR ABILITY, THE DA'S OFFICE HERE IN SHASTA COUNTY, OUR ABILITY TO PERFORM OUR PUBLIC FUNCTIONS HAS NOW BEEN CRITICALLY AND MATERIALLY IMPACTED.

THE DIRECTION SET BY THIS BOARD HAS A MATERIAL IMPACT ON THE DA'S OFFICE'S ABILITY TO CARRY OUT ITS INDEPENDENT, CONSTITUTIONALLY AND STATUTORILY MANDATED INVESTIGATIVE AND PROSECUTORIAL FUNCTIONS.

THE IMPACT OF NON-COMPETITIVE PAY IS THAT MULTIPLE PROSECUTORS HAVE LEFT.

THE IMPACT OF NOT GIVING RETENTION BONUSES IS THAT MULTIPLE PROSECUTORS HAVE LEFT.

AND A DIRECT RESULT OF NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT PROSECUTORS IS OUR INABILITY TO MEET OUR CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ALL THE IMPACTS I PREVIOUSLY OUTLINED TO THE BOARD, AND MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, THAT CRIMES ARE GOING UNPROSECUTED, AND THERE ARE MORE CRIMINALS ON THE STREET BECAUSE OF IT.

NOW, A REPORT ON OUR GOAL FOR 25-26.

ONE OF THE GOALS WAS THAT I HAD OUTLINED WAS THE STAT DRIVEN DASHBOARD.

AS I SAID THAT WE HAVE GOT THAT READY, WE'RE WORKING FOR THAT TO GO LIVE.

A GOAL WAS IMPLEMENTING PROP 36 TREATMENT THAT IS OCCURRING, THOUGH WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH THE COURTS AND PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO FINALIZE THAT.

PURSUING JUSTICE, THAT IS ALWAYS ONE OF OUR GOALS THAT IS IMPACTED BY OUR STAFFING ONLY AS HAVING ENOUGH RESOURCES.

STAFFING WHICH HAS NOT BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

I PUT UP MY SLIDE FROM LAST YEAR JUST TO SHOW I WAS KIND OF REPORTING AS REQUESTED ON OUR GOALS FROM LAST YEAR.

NOW WHEN WE GO INTO OUR GOALS FOR THIS COMING YEAR, 26-27, I'D LIKE TO BE GIVING DIFFERENT GOALS, GOALS THAT ARE MORE CASE-RELATED.

HOWEVER, RIGHT NOW CAN ONLY BE

[03:55:03]

TO MEET OUR STATUTORY AND CONSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

BY STOPPING PROSECUTORS FROM LEAVING.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE OFFICE IS THAT MY NUMBER ONE GOAL AT THIS POINT IS TO STOP PEOPLE FROM LEAVING.

RETENTION BONUSES WOULD GO A LONG WAY.

WE NEED TO SECURE PEOPLE.

WE DON'T NEED MORE PEOPLE TO LEAVE.

HAVING FOUR PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEFT SINCE WE NEGOTIATED THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH THE COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY SIGNIFICANT, AND I THINK WE'VE ALL HEARD FROM ALL OF THEM WHY THEY LEFT.

THEY LIKE IT HERE, THEIR HOMES ARE HERE, THEIR FAMILY'S HERE, BUT THEY CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A HOUSE.

THEY ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK, AND THEY NEEDED TO GO BECAUSE THEIR EFFORTS OVER THE LAST YEAR PLUS TO TRY TO GET COMPETITIVE PAY AND DO WHAT THEY CAN TO BETTER THEIR SITUATION DID NOT OCCUR, AND THEY LEFT.

SO INCREASE, ANOTHER GOAL IS TO NOT ONLY GET RETENTION BONUSES, BUT TO INCREASE THE PAY SCALE.

AND THEN I JOIN WITH MS. JONES WHEN SHE TALKS ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVE STAFFING TO MAKE ALL OF THE PROSECUTORS IN MY OFFICE, ASIDE FROM US THREE IN ADMINISTRATION.

ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR CLASSIFICATION.

THAT IS MORE ENTICING AT THE APPLICANT LEVEL BECAUSE ATTORNEYS APPLYING CAN SAY, OH, I CAN APPLY FOR A JOB THAT HAS FOUR LEVELS AND CAN GO UP TO A HIGHER PAY THAN ONLY THREE LEVELS.

AND YOU MAY HAVE NOTED FROM THE SLIDES EARLIER, ALL OF THE SENIOR DEPUTY POSITIONS HAVE REMAINED COMPLETELY FULL.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT ALL THE OTHER PROSECUTORS KNOW THAT THEY CAN ONLY GO UP TO A DEPUTY DA 3 LEVEL WITH NO OTHER ABILITY TO GO UP UNLESS, FRANKLY, WHEN SOMEONE ACHIEVES THAT LEVEL, THEY'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME, AND THEY'RE USUALLY A CAREER.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE, YOU'RE IN THAT DEPUTY 3 POSITION UNTIL SOMEONE RETIRES.

SO THAT IS ANOTHER THING THAT WE NEED TO WORK FOR.

EXPANDING THE USE OF AI TECHNOLOGY.

ONE OF MY.

CHIEF DEPUTIES IS ACTUALLY AT A AI CONFERENCE FOR PROSECUTORS RIGHT NOW.

SHE KEEPS SENDING ME MESSAGES ON MORE AND MORE AI TECHNOLOGY FOR ME TO ASK YOU GUYS FOR.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THE MOST IMPRESSING NEED FOR THE OFFICE IS THE AXON AI EXTENSION FOR DIGITAL EVIDENCE.

AS I PRESENTED LAST YEAR, THE INCREASE OF EVERYBODY GOING TO BODY-WORN CAMERAS MEANS WE HAVE SO...

DIGITAL DATA IN OUR OFFICE AND WE'RE DOWN AS MANY STAFF AS WE HAVE AND THEY'VE GOT YOU KNOW A DUI ARREST OR SOME OTHER ARREST THAT MAY NOT BE THAT COMPLICATED WHEN YOU READ A POLICE REPORT ARE FOLLOWED UP WITH A THREE-HOUR VIDEO.

IT BECOMES VERY SIGNIFICANT.

WHAT THAT AI EXTENSION WILL DO IT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO RAPIDLY SEARCH THAT DATA.

WE COULD ENTER IN THEIR GUN AND IT'S GOING TO SEARCH THAT VIDEO.

AND JUMP RIGHT TO WHERE A GUN IS TALKED ABOUT, WHERE YOU CAN SEE A GUN IN THE VIDEO.

SO WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY KEY INTO THE KEY PARTS OF THAT DATA.

WE ALREADY HAVE AXON TO HOLD AND STORE OUR DIGITAL EVIDENCE.

SO THIS IS JUST AN AI EXTENSION THAT COSTS $35,000 PER YEAR FOR MY OFFICE.

AND MY FINAL GOAL IS I DID HAVE A FEW POSITIONS THAT WERE FROZEN, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT THOSE.

TO BE ELIMINATED, SO I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO, BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S HOW IT CAN WORK IN GOVERNMENT.

A POSITION GETS FROZEN, NEXT YEAR IT GETS ELIMINATED.

BUT WE CANNOT HAVE THAT HAPPEN, BECAUSE EVEN AT OUR 28 PROSECUTORS, WE'RE DOWN 50% OF WHAT WE NEED.

OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE GOING TO ALWAYS CONTINUE TO PURSUE JUSTICE.

EVERYONE IN MY OFFICE DOES AN AMAZING JOB.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THEM FOR THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO.

THEY'VE ALL BEEN VERY UNDERSTANDING AND FINDING CREATIVE WAYS TO RALLY TOGETHER AND NOBODY WANTS TO NOT FILE A CASE.

NOBODY WANTS TO HAVE A VICTIM NOT GET JUSTICE.

SO EVERYONE IS RUNNING TOGETHER AND IT'S A GREAT THING TO SEE.

SO I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY IN THE DA'S OFFICE FOR THE HARD HARD WORK THAT THEY DO EVERY DAY.

AGAIN THAT'S THE QR CODE FOR THE STUDY IF ANYONE WANTS THAT.

QR CODE IS IN THE PRESENTATION IN THE BACK IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT WITH YOU.

AND IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS, I AM AVAILABLE.

THANK YOU, DA, FOR THAT PRESENTATION.

THANK YOU, DA BRIDGET.

SUPERVISOR LONG.

THAT'S A LOT OF INFORMATION TO UNPACK.

THERE'S A LOT TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

[04:00:01]

SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WE'VE GOT A CRISIS.

WITH THE NUMBER OF PROSECUTORS AND BUTTE COUNTY HAS SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER.

THEY HAVE A SALES TAX TO FUND SOME OF THAT, SO IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US TO COMPETE DIRECTLY.

I'VE MET WITH YOU, AND I'VE MET WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND I'M GOING TO ASK YOU THE SAME QUESTION.

WHAT WOULD THE RETENTION, BECAUSE THERE'S TWO PIECES TO WHAT I KIND OF GATHER FROM IT.

ONE IS PAY, BEING THE PRIMARY BASED ON THE NATIONWIDE STUDIES.

AND THEN RETENTION BONUS TO KEEP THE SITUATION FROM GETTING WORSE AND I WON'T GET INTO PERSONNEL DETAILS, BUT I'VE HEARD THAT THERE THERE ARE AT LEAST ONE MORE THAT THAT IS CONSIDERING.

SO THIS COULD GET A LITTLE WORSE.

SO WHAT WOULD WHAT WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR A RETENTION AMOUNT AND OVER WHAT PERIOD OF TIME? OVER THREE YEARS.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THREE YEARS TO TRY TO STABILIZE AS WE, YOU KNOW, WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNTY ON THE ISSUES THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOT MORE TIME.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO INCREASE PAY IN A COUNTY WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF REVENUE COMING IN, WE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO ADDRESS THAT AND WORK TOGETHER AS A COUNTY.

SO I UNDERSTAND THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE WORKING WITH THE MOUS AND MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS.

SO RETENTION BONUSES, MY REQUEST IS OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

AND $10,000 EACH YEAR WITH THE COMMITMENT TO STAY DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

AND I THINK, AS YOU JUST SAID, YOU RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A LONGER DISCUSSION TO TRY TO STABILIZE, ESPECIALLY STARTING SALARIES FOR DEPUTY DAS BEING LIKE $87,000.

IT'S NOT DOABLE.

I SHOULD ALWAYS ASK A QUESTION WHERE I KNOW THE ANSWER, SO I'M GOING TO LEAP OUT IN THE DARK HERE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DON'T MEET A CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE TO PROSECUTE ALL PUBLIC OFFENSES? WELL, IN OUR CASE, THE CRIME GOES UNPUNISHED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE CONFLICT DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICES.

SO I KNOW, LIKE AS MS. JONES PRESENTED, WHEN THEY GET TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE AT THEIR CAPACITY, THEY CAN STOP ACCEPTING CASES.

MY OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT JUST KEEPS THEM COMING, AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO SAY, NO, WE'RE AT THIS AMOUNT, THE REST GOES TO X LAW FIRM THAT IS A CONFLICT DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

BECAUSE THIS IS A CONSTITUTIONAL ELECTED POSITION, WE ARE THE SOLE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF EVERY SINGLE CRIME.

SO THE RESULT IS CASES DO NOT GET PROSECUTED.

NOW, MY OFFICE IS OVERSEEN BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THEY HAVE THE ABILITY, AND IT COULD GET TO THE POINT WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE COULD COME IN AND TAKE OVER PROSECUTING CRIMES.

OKAY, THAT WAS THE QUESTION.

THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY ABILITY, THOUGH I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THEY WOULD DO THAT, BUT WE'LL SEE.

RIGHT, SO IT JUST WOULD BE WE DON'T RECEIVE JUSTICE.

ABSOLUTELY.

AND I AGREE WITH...

YOUR STATEMENT.

I APPRECIATE THAT ONE SLIDE WHERE YOU SAID THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ANY COMMUNITY IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDING PUBLIC SAFETY SO WE'RE ALL SAFE AND WE GET JUSTICE FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.

SO I THINK THAT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT CONCEPT, AND I HAPPEN TO ALIGN WITH THAT BASED ON MY BACKGROUND PROBABLY, BUT I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK ANOTHER DISCUSSION WOULD BE IF YOU STOP PROSECUTING.

SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE ACP CURRENTLY TO EXPAND THE ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY PROGRAM.

AND THOSE, I THINK, BASED ON ELIGIBILITY ARE A LOT OF QUALITY OF LIFE CRIMES THAT WE ALL AS A COMMUNITY REALLY WANT PROSECUTED.

AND IF YOU CAN NO LONGER PROSECUTE.

A MULTITUDE OF MISDEMEANOR CRIMES, AS YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU WOULD STILL PROSECUTE THE DUIS AND SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

BUT COULD THAT AFFECT ENTRY INTO AN ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN EXPANDED IF YOU'RE NO LONGER PROSECUTING A LOT OF MISDEMEANORS? CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT? SO IT'S MISDEMEANORS AND FELONIES.

AND LOW-LEVEL FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS WOULD BE CASES THAT WOULD BE REFERRED OUT THERE ALONG WITH...

CASES AND YOU KNOW WE STILL NEED TO WORK ON ALL IN DETAIL NUTS AND BOLTS ABOUT THAT BUT YES, IF WE ARE NOT PROSECUTING OR HANDLING THOSE CASES THERE THOSE REFERRALS WOULD NOT BE MADE

[04:05:03]

OKAY, SO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO THEN IS INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

AND LIKE YOU SAID, LOW-LEVEL FELONIES AND A LOT OF MISDEMEANORS, IF YOU CANNOT GET TO THOSE, THEN WE MAY NOT HAVE BUSINESS FOR OUR ALTERNATIVE CUSTODY.

AND WHAT I'M ENVISIONING IS A LOT OF LOW-GRADE CRIMES THAT YOU WON'T GET TO ANYMORE.

THE ASSAULTS YOU OR SOME OF THOSE THINGS WHERE IT DOESN'T RISE TO THE LEVEL OF ASSAULT, BUT IT'S STILL A QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUE OR THEFTS.

I THINK THEFTS AND DRUGS ARE PROBABLY SOME OF THE BEST EXAMPLES.

THEFTS.

AND SO WITH THEFTS, WOULD THAT INCLUDE LIKE MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS? WOULD IT INCLUDE PETTY THEFTS? ALL THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

SO MY PREFERENCE IS TO NOT START.

YEAH, YEAH.

GOOD CALL.

THIS IS RECORDED, AND IF CRIMINALS ARE WATCHING...

I RETRACT THAT QUESTION BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT A RESPONSIBLE QUESTION.

SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I GOT WAY AHEAD OF MYSELF.

BUT, YES, PLEASE DO NOT COMMENT ON WHAT CRIMES ARE NO LONGER.

AND, OKAY, ENOUGH SAID ABOUT THAT TOPIC. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT. WE WERE TALKING EARLIER TO TRACY NEAL ABOUT CCP AND FUNDING AND SOME OF THE HIRING BONUSES THAT WERE FUNDED THROUGH CCP, AND SHE SAID A COMMENT WHICH I'M NOT SURE, MAYBE YOU CAN CLARIFY A LITTLE BIT, ABOUT YOU GET YOUR OWN CCP FUNDING DIRECTLY. AND THEN YOUR—SO DOES THAT, THOSE HIRING BONUSES, IS THAT THROUGH DIRECTORS, THAT THROUGH AWARD BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AT CCP? THAT'S THE DIRECT, AND WE HAD ABOUT—IT DIFFERS EACH YEAR, BUT ON AVERAGE WE GET ABOUT THREE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR IN OUR DIRECT FUNDING.

YOU CAN'T BE UP—I'VE SEEN IT UP AS FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DEPENDENT ON HOW MUCH IS BROUGHT IN BY THE STATE ANY GIVEN YEAR.

BUT YES, THAT WOULD BE OUR DIRECT ALLOCATION. OKAY. I THINK THAT'S— AND YOU HAD MENTIONED, LAST THING HERE, YOU HAD MENTIONED $1.8 MILLION WAS RETURNED DUE TO UNFILLED POSITIONS, RIGHT? RETURNED BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND, AND THAT WAS, IT SOUNDED LIKE YOUR RECOMMENDATION THAT SOME OF THOSE UNFILLED SAVINGS COULD BE USED TO FUND SOME OF THE RETENTION BONUSES.

CERTAINLY.

COUNTY BUDGET EXPERT BUT FROM MY LOOKING AT IT WE THAT'S HOW MUCH WE DIDN'T SPEND THIS LAST YEAR IT WOULD MORE THAN COVER RETENTION BONUSES AS WELL AS ALTERNATIVE STAFFING WE'VE KIND OF LOOKED AT ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS BUT YES IT WILL THAT THAT I FEEL WOULD COULD BE A SOURCE THAT COULD BE PULLED FROM OKAY AND AARON TODAY YEAH NO NO YEAH I APPRECIATE THAT AND THIS IS THE ACTUAL FINANCIAL EXPERT SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT? FUNDING AND I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT LATER.

I'M AMBER TAIN, DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

SO THE THING IS THE SAVINGS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR HAS ALREADY BEEN PROJECTED IN THE BUDGET.

IT'S NOT ACTUALLY RETURNED TO THE GENERAL FUND.

IT'S JUST NOT SPENT.

AND SO THAT $1.7 MILLION NUMBER THAT I TALK ABOUT THAT WE WOULD HAVE LEFT IF WE SPENT ALL OF THE PROJECTIONS AND ALL OF THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR, THAT DOESN'T CHANGE.

BECAUSE THE DA HAS ALREADY PROJECTED THAT AMOUNT TO.

NOT BE SPENT THIS YEAR.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE TO BE SPENT ON SOMETHING ELSE.

SO THAT WOULD NOT BE A FUNDING SOURCE? NO.

AND THANK YOU, DA, FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE INFORMATION.

SURE.

SUPERVISOR HARMON.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I'M GOING TO ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS THAT ARE, I KNOW IT'S LIKE COMMON SENSE IN OTHER WORLDS, BUT MAYBE NOT.

SOME OF THIS IS NEW FOR ME, BUT IT FEELS LIKE, DO I, IF I GOT A LIMITED AMOUNT, START OVER HERE WITH THE SHERIFF BECAUSE I CAN START SAVING MONEY, OR DO I, OR IS THAT GOING TO CAUSE A PROBLEM BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO CATCH MORE CRIMINALS AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE YOUR JOB MORE BURDENSOME? AND IF YOU DO A BETTER JOB, THEN IT'S GOING TO BACKFLOW DOWN TO...

TO MRS. JONES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, IS THERE ANY INFORMATION? AND I KNOW THIS IS

[04:10:01]

LIKE TALKING TO YOUR COMPETITION, BUT FROM BUTTE COUNTY, THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A YEAR NOW, HAVE, YOU KNOW, GOT STAFFED, RIGHT? AND WHAT'S IT DOING TO THEIR ECONOMY DOWN THERE? WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE? AND I'M ONLY SAYING IT LIKE THIS BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE, WE HAVE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WE JUST, WE'D LOVE, WE'D LOVE TO JUST SAY, HEY.

HERE WE'RE GOING TO FUND THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO FUND THAT AND WE'RE GOING TO FUND THAT AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE EVERYTHING AROUND HERE JUST ROSY AND SAFE.

BUT IT'S ABOUT MONEY AND NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONIES TO GO AROUND.

BUT MAYBE IF WE HAD ENOUGH FEEDBACK FROM SOMEBODY LIKE BUTTE COUNTY WHERE THEY SAID, OH MY GOSH, IT STARTED LOWERING THE CASELOAD DOWN, WHICH TOOK PRESSURE OFF OF YOU.

TOOK PRESSURE OFF OF THE DA'S OFFICE AND THAT TOOK PRESSURE OFF OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN SHERIFF JOHNSON WORKLOAD GOT EASIER BECAUSE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY GOT SAFER.

I DON'T KNOW, BUT WE NEED A LITTLE BIT OF SOME DIRECTION TO GO BECAUSE WE JUST CAN'T AFFORD, WE CAN'T AFFORD EVERYTHING THAT WE GOT IN OUR FACE HERE.

SORRY TO TALK WITH TOO MUCH COMMON SENSE WHEN I'M TALKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT, BUT OKAY, THERE YOU GO.

I THINK YOU POINT OUT A GOOD POINT, THAT IT'S A SYSTEM.

SO EVERYTHING EACH OF US DO IMPACTS EACH OTHER.

IT'S A SYSTEM.

SO A LOT OF TIMES A SYSTEM HAS TO RISE AND FALL TOGETHER.

UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT NOW IN THE AREA OF ATTORNEYS, IT'S LOWER THAN MEETING THE NEED OF EVEN WHAT WE ARE WITH OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS.

SO THAT'S WHERE IT PUTS ME NOT ONLY AS AN ADVOCATE FOR MY OFFICE BUT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AT A CRITICAL NEED BECAUSE EVEN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN MY OFFICE IS IMPACTING OUR JUSTICE PARTNERS.

NOW, I DO TALK WITH MANY OF THE ELECTED DAS UP AND DOWN THE STATE.

I'M VERY CLOSE WITH DA RAMSEY FROM BUTTE COUNTY.

THEY ARE VERY NEW INTO THIS PROCESS, SO I HAVEN'T ASKED HIM, BUT I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THEY HAVE ANY DATA THAT IS SHOWING COMMUNITY IMPACT.

I'M CERTAIN THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY, WHICH HE HAS.

FULL STAFFING, MEANING THEY AREN'T TRIAGING CASES.

SO THE CASES, THE SEVERAL HUNDRED CASES, IF NOT THOUSANDS, THAT WERE JUST GOING UNPROSECUTED ARE NOW BEING PROSECUTED.

SO ON THAT LEVEL, WE DO HAVE SOME INITIAL DATA FROM THEM, BUT LONG-TERM, WE SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THAT AT THIS POINT.

AND MAYBE IF WE GET ENOUGH INFORMATION, WE'LL REALIZE AND COME BACK TO THE FACT THAT WE STILL LIVE IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY'RE NOT GIVING YOU A CALIFORNIA HAS DONE A NUMBER.

YEAH, CALIFORNIA HAS DONE A NUMBER ON PUBLIC SAFETY OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS.

STEPHANIE FOR THE PRESENTATION.

ONE SPECIFIC QUESTION IN THE VICTIMS WITNESS ASSISTANCE IN THE BUDGET NARRATIVE.

IT SAYS THAT YOU'RE CONTRACTUALLY OBLIGATED TO COMPLETE WORK FOR AND IT LISTS PROBABLY ABOUT SEVEN OTHER COUNTIES.

YEP.

DO WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION FROM THOSE COUNTIES FOR THAT WORK? WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION FROM THE STATE.

AND THAT ACCOUNTS FOR BASICALLY? AND I SAY WE RECEIVE COMPENSATION FROM THERE VERY LOOSELY BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY BAD AT PAYING THEIR BILL, AND IT CAN FREQUENTLY TAKE SIX, NINE MONTHS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY PAY US.

SO WE DO RUN ARREARS ON THAT FREQUENTLY.

BUT YES, WE COVER A VAST MAJORITY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHEN IT COMES TO...

PROCESSING THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR RESTITUTION.

SO BECAUSE THAT CAN BE DONE ELECTRONICALLY, WE GET THE CRIME REPORTS AND EVERYTHING FROM THE OTHER COUNTIES.

THE PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE IN THE CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT, THEY WILL PROCESS THOSE THROUGH THE STATE SO THAT THE STATE VICTIM COMPENSATION BOARD THAT HAS FUNDING CAN PAY VICTIMS IN OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL BECAUSE WE'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A DA'S OFFICE THAT HAS A CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE UNIT IN IT WHERE A VAST MAJORITY OF THE SMALLER COUNTIES SIMPLY DON'T.

SO THE STATE PAYS US TO HAVE ENOUGH STAFFING TO DO THAT WORK IN THAT UNIT FOR THESE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES.

AND IS THAT ON LIKE A FEE-FOR-SERVICE REIMBURSEMENT OF LIKE WE DID THIS WORK, THEN WE BILL THE STATE AND THEY PAY US BACK? BECAUSE, I MEAN, MY UNDERSTANDING IS IN THAT DEPARTMENT OVERALL, IT'S NOT LIKE THE STATE'S COVERING ALL THAT WE'RE HAVING TO SUBSIDIZE IT OUT OF OUR GENERAL FUND.

SO FOR THAT, THEY PAY, YOU KNOW, ASIDE FROM SOME OF THE OVERHEAD, A LOT OF THAT DOES FALL ONTO THE COUNTY BECAUSE GRANTS AND STATE FUNDING DOESN'T ALWAYS COVER LIKE A COMPUTER COST OR OUR IT COSTS.

[04:15:01]

THROUGH OUR IT DEPARTMENT.

SO THERE ARE COUNTY CHARGES.

BUT YES, WE DO THE WORK.

THEY PAY US, BUT IT'S NOT LIKE WE DID 10 CASES, SO THEY PAY FOR 10 CASES.

IT'S THE AMOUNT WE GET, THE SET AMOUNT THAT WE GET THE AWARD FOR EACH YEAR.

AND THEN THAT COVERS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POSITIONS THAT WE HIRE FOR.

AND THAT'S ALL BUILT INTO THE BUDGET EACH YEAR WHEN WE'RE APPLYING FOR THAT.

SO I WAS WONDERING IF WE ARE SUBSIDIZING THAT USING COUNTY FUNDS.

OVERALL, WHICH SOUNDS LIKE IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TRUE IN THAT SENSE OF PAYING FOR OVERHEAD, THAT IF THERE'S A WAY TO TRY TO RECOVER SOME OF THOSE COSTS THAT ESSENTIALLY OUR COUNTY IS PAYING TO DO DELIVER SERVICES FOR THESE OTHER COUNTIES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE WHERE A BIGGER COUNTY IS SUPPORTING OTHER SMALLER COUNTIES.

AND THIS ISN'T ON ADVOCATE'S SIDE.

THIS IS JUST ON CLAIM'S SIDE.

SO IT'S JUST THE PROCESSING FOR THE STATE TO GET THEIR VICTIM COMPENSATION TO THEM.

SO IT IS VAST MAJORITY OF THAT IS COVERED BY THE STATE.

THEN THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO GET A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON IS THE, SO YOU MENTIONED YOU HAD THE SLIDE WITH THE NINE VACANCIES, AND I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT UNDERFILLING SOME OF THEM.

COULD YOU GIVE US SO YOU HAVE NINE DEPUTY DA VACANCIES.

HOW MANY ARE UNDERFILLED VERSUS COMPLETELY UNFILLED RIGHT NOW? I BELIEVE WE HAVE THREE UNDERFILLS RIGHT NOW.

IT COULD BE FOUR.

WE DO HAVE TWO PROSECUTORS IN BACKGROUND, BRAND NEW ATTORNEYS, THOUGH, WITHOUT EXPERIENCE.

WHEN I SAY IN BACKGROUND, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FINISH THROUGH THE BACKGROUND FREQUENTLY, WE HAVE PEOPLE IN BACKGROUND WHO GET.

POSITIONED SOMEWHERE ELSE, SO THAT'S THE FOUR PLUS THE TWO, THE FOUR THAT'S UNDERFILLED PLUS THE TWO.

AND THEN AS PART OF THIS BUDGET, ONE POSITION IS BEING FROZEN.

SO THAT'S ABOUT SEVEN, IT LOOKS LIKE.

OKAY, SO THIS IS COUNTED FOUR IN ONE OF THOSE THREE DIFFERENT WAYS.

AND YOU MENTIONED SEVEN LEFT THIS FISCAL YEAR THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO END.

HOW MANY, DO YOU HAVE ANY JOIN THIS YEAR? WE ONBOARDED TWO, THE TWO THAT HAVE LESS THAN A YEAR EXPERIENCE EACH.

THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR PLUMMER.

SO BEFORE I GET TO YOU, SUPERVISOR CRY, BEFORE YOU PREPARED THIS BUDGET, AND IN PREPARING THE BUDGET, YOU HAD A LITTLE HICCUP AND YOU MADE AN APPEAL.

SO, YOU KNOW, I'M.

AFTER YOUR BUDGET WAS SO CHANGE THE BUDGET IF WE WERE TO CHANGE ANYTHING IN YOUR BUT TAKE A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE THAT CORRECT AARON NO, IT'S JUST WHAT ONCE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS OPEN.

SHE'S DO TODAY.

YEAH, SO ALTHOUGH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DIDN'T APPEAL, SAME WITH ANY OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THE BOARD CAN MAKE CHANGES TO THEIR BUDGETS, YOU KNOW, TO THEIR FAVOR OR NOT TO THEIR FAVOR, EITHER WAY.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS WE'LL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

THE PUBLIC WILL COMMENT.

EACH SUPERVISOR WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADD ITEMS ONTO THE LIST THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AND MAKE MOTIONS ON.

I WILL KEEP THAT LIST.

I WILL READ IT BACK TO THE BOARD MEMBERS, MAKE SURE WE HAVE EVERYBODY'S ITEMS ON IT.

I WILL SEND IT TO THE CLERK OF THE BOARD WHO WILL CONFIRM THAT SHE HAS RECEIVED IT.

AND THEN WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THAT LIST WILL BE SUBJECT TO A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE.

SO REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE'S APPEAL FILED OR NOT.

AND THEN SHOULD A SUPERVISOR, AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE CLOSED, WE'VE DONE THE LIST THING, IF THEY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION THAT'S NOT ON THE LIST, IT WOULD BE A FORFEITED.

ONCE THE HEARING'S CLOSED, IT'S FORFEITED VOTE.

ONCE THE HEARING IS OPEN, IT'S A FORFEITS VOTE UNLESS IT'S SUBMITTED TO THE CLERK OF THE BOARD IN WRITING, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE KEEPING THAT LIST, AND I WILL SEND IT TO THE CLERK OF THE BOARD.

SO THAT WAY IT'S SUBJECT TO A SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE, BUT THE PUBLIC COMMENT HAPPENS BEFORE WE DO THAT.

OKAY, AND AGAIN, AFTER WE GET DONE HERE, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK, PROBABLY A 30-MINUTE BREAK.

SO, SUPERVISOR CRAIG.

YES, THANK YOU, CHAIR.

I JUST HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.

D.A.

BRIDGET.

IS YOUR REFERENCE TO SCOTT VERSUS COMMON COUNCIL OF SAN BERNARDINO AN INTENT TO THREATEN LITIGATION? NO, IT'S AN INTENT TO EDUCATE THE BOARD AND THE COMMUNITY THAT WE ARE AT THAT POINT, BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S THE BOARD OR THE COMMUNITY THAT EVEN REALIZES THAT THAT LAW IS OUT THERE.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF DA OFFICES UP AND DOWN THE COUNTY ARE HAVING TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON STUFF THEY NEVER HAD TO BEFORE.

IF THEY GET TO A POINT WHERE WE KNOW YOU GUYS ARE MAKING VERY

[04:20:01]

TOUGH DECISIONS ABOUT THE WAY THE COUNTY MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT, BUT WE'RE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ADVOCATES FOR OUR DEPARTMENTS AND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND IF WE HAVE TO TAKE LEGAL MEASURES, WE WILL.

IT'S CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING I WOULD WANT TO DO.

SO AT THIS POINT, I'M TRYING TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY AND THE BOARD ON WHAT THE STATE OF THE LAW IS WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND FUNDING OF DA OFFICES.

YOU DID GOOD TO SURPRISE THE CROWD.

WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A RECESS UNTIL 1.50.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL RECONVENE, AND I WILL TURN THINGS OVER TO MS. BERTAIN.

I'M BERTAIN, DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

SO WE'RE TO THE POINT IN THE PROGRAM WHERE WE OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

SO FROM HERE, WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT.

AND THEN FOLLOWING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE NILDA SHORT IS GOING TO MAKE A SHORT STATEMENT WITH SOME INFORMATION SHE WANTS THE BOARD TO KNOW.

WE'LL HAVE SOME BOARD DISCUSSION.

AT THAT POINT, THE BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE ABLE TO ASK DEPARTMENT HEADS QUESTIONS TO KIND OF HELP THEM FORMULATE THEIR LIST.

ONCE THAT'S DONE, WE WILL TAKE FROM EACH INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISOR THE LIST OF ITEMS, IF ANY, THAT THEY WANT TO PUT ON THE LIST OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO THE BUDGET.

I WILL REVIEW THAT LIST, READ THROUGH ALL OF IT, GET CONFIRMATION FROM ALL BOARD MEMBERS.

THAT THEIR ITEMS ARE ON THERE.

I WILL EMAIL THEM TO THE CLERK OF THE BOARD WHO SHE HAS RECEIVED THOSE.

WE WILL THEN CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

AND THEN AT THAT POINT, WE'LL START TAKING MOTIONS FROM EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL SUPERVISORS.

AND SO AT THAT POINT, THERE WILL BE A MOTION.

AND IF THERE'S A SECOND RECEIVED, WE'LL THEN TAKE A VOTE ON THAT.

OUR PREFERENCE IS TO WORK THROUGH LIKE ONE MOTION AT A TIME SO WE DON'T END UP WITH MULTIPLE MOTIONS ABOUT MULTIPLE ITEMS, BE ABLE TO SORT OF TRACK THE CASE.

AND IS NOLDA HERE? I'M NOT SEEING.

OH, THERE SHE IS.

DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK BEFORE I BEFORE PUBLIC COMMENT? OKAY, SO I WILL THE PUBLIC HEARING.

MISS BLANKENSHIP, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? YES, CHAIR.

WE HAVE EIGHT SPEAKERS.

SO IT'LL BE THREE MINUTES EACH.

FIRST UP, SHASTA COUNTY WATCHDOG, FOLLOWED BY ECHO BONGARD, DON DUCKETT, THEN DAVID HALLIGAN.

IF I CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE GET IN QUEUE.

I'D LIKE TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE UPDATE ON WHY I'M OPPOSING FOR MS. BRIDGET'S STAFF OR OFFICE TO RECEIVE ANY MONEY.

AND I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF OF IT.

SHE ACTUALLY MENTIONED THE CONSTITUTION A LOT.

WELL, YOU KNOW, THE CONSTITUTION ALSO APPLIES TO THE CITIZENS AND TO THOSE WHO ACTUALLY ARE TRYING TO FIND JUSTICE.

I KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROSTITUTION VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

STEPHANIE BRIDGES' OFFICE HAS BEEN DOING THAT FOR A WHILE, AND SHE MENTIONED THAT SHE HAS 19 POST CONVICTIONS IN HER OFFICE, AND 19 IS ONE OF MY APPLICATIONS.

SHE DIDN'T EXPLAIN TO YOU THAT THE 19 POST CONVICTIONS, THE POST CONVICTION MEANS THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE PERSON, THE VICTIM WHO ACTUALLY APPLIED, MEANING THAT THEY ACTUALLY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO TELL THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WHY THEY'RE INNOCENT AND WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT EVIDENCE THEY HAVE AND WHAT THE DA ACTUALLY DID OR CONVICTED THEM AND IT WAS WRONGLY CONVICTION.

SO THAT'S WHY SHE HAS 19.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IS AFTER THE DA, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, LET'S SAY THEY DO FIND THAT IT WAS WRONGLY CONVICTION.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT THOSE VICTIMS, 19, WILL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU WHAT THE DA DIDN'T DO AND WHAT SHE DID DO TO THOSE VICTIMS, BECAUSE THEY ARE VICTIMS WHEN THEY ARE PROSECUTED AND WRONGLY CONVICTED.

SO, LIKE I SAID, I'M ONE OF THEM, AND I CAN TELL YOU A LOT, AND I HAVE MULTIPLE BINDERS OF VIOLATIONS, A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, AND ALSO...

YOU KNOW, WHAT SHE'S DONE TO CITIZENS IN VIOLATION OF THEIR CONSTITUTION.

I'M TOTALLY AGAINST THAT BECAUSE, LIKE I SAID, I ACTUALLY RECEIVED A POST-CONVICTION LETTER FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

AND IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DECIDES TO TAKE OVER, I'D RATHER SEE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TAKE OVER.

BECAUSE WE CAN'T KEEP ON GIVING MONEY TO SOMEONE WHO KEEPS ON VIOLATING OTHER CITIZENS' CONSTITUTION RIGHTS.

BECAUSE THE DA IS SUPPOSED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S EQUAL PROTECTION FOR BOTH, INCLUDING HER OFFICE WHO'S PROSECUTING THOSE, BUT ALSO THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN WRONGLY CONVICTED.

[04:25:01]

AND I KNOW SHE ACTUALLY HAS THE THING FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A CASE PENDING, LIKE I SAID, AND IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE EVEN THOUGH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS MY CASE.

I WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO FINALLY WHAT I NEED TO FILE BECAUSE I'M GOING TO CONTINUE SHOWING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO.

HERE'S THE THING.

IF SHE FIGHTS...

THOSE 19 POST CONVICTIONS, WHO'S GOING TO FILE THOSE CASES AND REBUTTAL? THAT MEANS HER STAFF.

THAT MEANS MONEY IS GOING TO BE WASTED ON THOSE 19 CONVICTIONS.

NEXT UP, ECHO BONGARDS, FOLLOWED BY DON DUCKETT, DAVID HALLIGAN, THEN STEVE KAHN.

NOT SEEING ECHO, DON, COME ON UP.

GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD.

SO YOU'VE GOT SOME BIG DECISIONS TO MAKE TODAY AND SOME VERY DIFFICULT ONES IN FRONT OF YOU.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME RUMBLINGS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE MAY BE AT LEAST ONE ASK FOR FUNDING ON THE MEDICAL SCHOOL PROJECT AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S TRUE OR NOT BUT I THOUGHT I'D JUST GIVE YOU A QUICK ANALOGY IF YOU WERE THE PARENTS OF A CHILD AND YOU WERE PAYING FOR COLLEGE AND THEY WERE GETTING C'S OR D'S ARE FLUNKING SOME OF THEIR COURSES AND THEN WERE TO TAKE ON SOME EXTRACURRICULARS, YOU'D BE A LITTLE OUTRAGED AT THAT WHEN THEY WEREN'T, YOU KNOW, MEETING THEIR BASIC ASSIGNMENTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN MOST OF OUR MINDS, THIS BOARD IS ESSENTIALLY GETTING A D MINUS IN PUBLIC SAFETY.

WE WANT THAT TO BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY.

FUND YOUR DA'S OFFICE.

LOOK AT THE AB 109 DECREASING FUND BALANCES AND SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN TO NOT CUT PROGRAMS AND TO FUND THOSE.

I'M ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE FIRE CHIEF SAID AND WHAT CHIEF NEAL SAID ABOUT THE DECREASING FUND BALANCES, IN THAT YOU'VE GOT SOME PRETTY BIG PROBLEMS COMING UP IN THE NEXT FIVE OR SO YEARS.

SO IF ANYTHING, IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FUND ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY.

BUT AT THE VERY LEAST, I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FUNDED FOR RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.

THAT'S IN MY MIND, THAT'S A LOT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OR HEALTH AND SAFETY, SO TO SPEAK.

WE HAVE A LOT OF NUISANCE ABATEMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THIS COUNTY, AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

SO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE THREE MINUTES.

I'M NOT GOING TO USE IT ALL.

I ONLY PLANNED ON HAVING TWO MINUTES TODAY.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

NEXT UP, DAVID HALLIGAN, FOLLOWED BY STEVE KAHN, ROBERT, THEN JENNY.

IF I CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE GET IN QUEUE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU, KEVIN CRY, FOR BRINGING THESE BUDGET HEARINGS TO US OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.

IT'S BEEN VERY INFORMATIVE.

I WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND LEADERS THAT HAVE PRESENTED.

YOU ALL DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

THE STATE OF THE COUNTY, I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.

I KIND OF PARALLEL THINGS TO, AND I'VE SPOKE ON IT BEFORE, HEARTS AND LUNGS.

WHICH ONES DO YOU WANT WORKING, HEARTS OR LUNGS? WE NEED THEM BOTH, RIGHT? WE NEED THEM BOTH.

I LOOK AT THE HEART AS THE REVENUE, AND I LOOK AT THE LUNGS AS EXPENSE CONTROL.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THEM WORKING, YOU'RE TOAST.

YOU REALLY ARE.

WHY ARE WE SEEM TO BE HEADING TOWARDS A CLIFF NEXT YEAR, THE YEAR AFTER? REVENUES ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH EXPENSES.

PEOPLE LIKE A RAISE.

PEOPLE LIKE SOME INSURANCE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE BENEFITS CUT.

WE'VE HAD THE SAME TAX BASE SINCE 2017.

HAVE YOU ALL GOTTEN RAISES OUT THERE SINCE 2017? EXPENSES ARE GOING UP.

INFLATION'S GOING UP.

IT'S AN ISSUE.

IT'S AN ISSUE AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT.

OVERTIME.

MR. LONG, YOU SPOKE ON IT, WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE.

WE HAVE SO MANY POSITIONS IN OUR COUNTY THAT DO GET OVERTIME.

SOME PEOPLE LIKE OVERTIME, SOME PEOPLE DON'T.

BUT I ALWAYS LOOKED AT IT AS A BUSINESSMAN, 20-25% OVERTIME, THAT'S ABOUT THE SWEET SPOT IN THAT YOU'RE NOT HAVING TO PAY THE BENEFITS FOR THAT ADDITIONAL PERSON.

SO OVERTIME CERTAINLY SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.

I REALLY ENJOYED, I DIDN'T REALLY ENJOY IT, D.A.

BRIDGET'S PRESENTATION.

I FELT LIKE, MAN, SHE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE SAME PRESENTATION FOR THREE YEARS AND WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY HEADWAY WITH THAT.

I PULLED UP THIS MORNING THE JOB POSITION OPENINGS IN SHASTA COUNTY AND BUTTE COUNTY.

AND FOR THE DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR OUR COUNTY, THE SALARY STARTS AT $90,000 TO $152,000.

FOR BUTTE COUNTY, IT STARTS AT $135,000.

TO $192,000, WHICH IS LIKE A 48% DIFFERENCE.

[04:30:02]

$50,000, SHE SPOKE ON IT.

MR. CRI, IT'S NOT A CULTURE THING.

IT'S NOT A CULTURE.

WE'RE NOT PAYING.

WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO COME INTO THIS COUNTY, THE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO STAY IN THIS COUNTY AND KEEP THEM IN THIS COUNTY.

CORKY, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, WELL, WHAT'S BUTTE DOING? YOU KNOW WHAT BUTTE'S DOING? THEY GOT A TAX INCREASE OF 1.

825, OR EXCUSE ME, 1%.

THEY'RE AT 825.

THE CITY OF CHICO AND OROVILLE ARE AT 925.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THINGS.

AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANY MORE ABOUT A MEDICAL SCHOOL UNTIL WE TAKE CARE OF THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ALL OF YOU UP HERE, WHICH IS PUBLIC SAFETY.

TAKE CARE OF IT, PLEASE.

NEXT UP, STEVE KAHN, FOLLOWED BY ROBERT, JENNY, THEN JEFF CORDER.

I AGREE.

I'VE GOT AN EXTRA 30 SECONDS, OR WHATEVER, TWO SECONDS.

ANYWAY, YEAH, NO, I AGREE WITH DAVE THAT WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE SPENDING $10 MILLION ON A MEDICAL SCHOOL AND LEAVING THE DA HIGH AND DRY AND OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER.

I THINK ONE THING THAT WASN'T CONSIDERED IN THAT DISCUSSION WAS REPEAT OFFENDERS.

THERE'S ABOUT 200 REPEAT OFFENDERS THAT ARE COMMITTING ALL THE CRIMES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND AS YOU UNDER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHICH KEVIN CRY HAS BEEN CLEAR IN DOING INTENTIONALLY, ALONG WITH THE TWO SUPPORTERS HE'S GOT THERE AND CHRIS KELLSTROM AND HARMON, YOU END UP NOT PROSECUTING THESE PEOPLE AND THEN RE-ARRESTING THEM.

INVESTIGATING THEM, JAILING THEM, AND RUNNING THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM UNTIL YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO LET THEM GO BECAUSE WE CAN'T PROSECUTE THEM.

THIS IS A BURDEN FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, RPD, WHICH YOU MAY NOT CARE ABOUT, BUT IT'S BEEN A SIGNIFICANT BURDEN ON THEM BECAUSE IF YOU CAN PROSECUTE THEM, YOU CAN PREVENT THEM FROM DOING THE CRIMES BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO GO AWAY.

NOW YOU'RE TELLING THEM, GO AHEAD, DO THE CRIME.

CRIME IS A MAJOR CONCERN HERE IN SHASTA COUNTY, AND YOU GUYS ARE UNDERMINING IT.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE DA AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO PUT THESE GUYS AWAY.

THEN THEY'RE DONE.

AND SOME OF THEM WE CAN GET RID OF TO THE STATE IF WE CAN RUN THEM THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT PROSECUTORS.

YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

NOW, CRI IS GOING TO TRY TO BLAME THE TURNOVER AT THE DA'S OFFICE ON STEPHANIE BRIDGET, I'M SURE, BECAUSE HE HAS DONE IT BEFORE.

HOWEVER, I MEAN, JUST LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

A DDA1 IN BUTTE COUNTY MAKES 57% MORE MONEY GOING TO BUTTE.

NOW, YOU CAN LOVE THIS COUNTY A LOT, BUT, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT YOU'VE GOT TO SAY, I'VE GOT TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY.

AND, YOU KNOW, A DDA2, 46%.

ALL OF THEM ARE MAKING A HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.

YOU CANNOT IGNORE THAT.

THAT IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY PAYS ATTENTION TO.

SO SUPPORT OUR DA, SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND I TOTALLY AM FOR SUPPORTING OUR SHERIFF AND ALL THAT.

BUT DO NOT THROW TIPS ON A MEDICAL SCHOOL WHEN WE CAN'T EVEN TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN PEOPLE, WHEN WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENFORCING THE LAW AND JUST LETTING THEM RUN AMOK.

ROBERT, FOLLOWED BY JENNY, THEN JEFF GORDER.

IF I CALLED YOUR NAME, PLEASE GET IN QUEUE.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 13, SECTION 35 PROVIDES THAT PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PUBLIC SAFETY...

DEPARTMENT HEADS, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OF SHASTA.

UNFORTUNATELY, UNDER THIS BOARD AND THE LAST ONE, THEY'VE PLACED PUBLIC SAFETY LAST BEHIND ELECTION CONSPIRACIES, PIPE DREAM MEDICAL SCHOOLS, AND DOZENS OF LAWSUITS.

HERE'S THE GOOD NEWS.

WE WILL HAVE A NEW BOARD MAJORITY COME THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

MATT AND ALAN, REMEMBER WE HAVE HEMORRHAGED PROSECUTORS BECAUSE OF THE NEGLECT BY THE 3-2 HUMAN IMPEDIMENT.

MATT, YOU'LL LIKELY BE CHAIRMAN OR ALAN.

WE WILL NEED AN APOLOGY SIGN-BACK BONUSES.

FOR THE GREAT PROSECUTORS WHO HAVE LEFT FOR COMPETITIVE WAGES FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

MATT, ERIN, ALAN, AND GOD WILLING, MIKE, HEAR THE PLEAS OF OUR CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, STEPHANIE BRIDGET, AND BE MINDFUL THAT PER THE CONSTITUTIONAL MANDATE, PUBLIC SAFETY IS THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MEET YOUR MANDATE, OR I'LL WORK JUST AS HARD TO VOTE YOU OUT OF OFFICE.

JENNY, COME ON UP, FOLLOWED BY JEFF GORDER.

[04:35:03]

STILL WRITING IT.

I'M SORRY FOR THE VERY DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE TODAY.

I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE SOME REALLY TOUGH THINGS AHEAD OF YOU.

FOR ONE, THE BUDGET ISN'T AS BLACK AND WHITE AS PEOPLE IN HERE WOULD LIKE YOU TO THINK THAT IT IS.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT I HAVE SOME FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT INCLUDES.

DO WE SEE ONLY THE CRIMINAL WHEN WE THINK OF PUBLIC SAFETY? BECAUSE CRIME COMES FROM SOMEWHERE.

MENTAL ILLNESS, LACK, FRUSTRATION.

IT STARTS AT THE LACK OF HHSA.

IT STARTS WHEN PEOPLE AREN'T BEING TREATED FOR MENTAL ILLNESS AT MENTAL HEALTH.

IT STARTS WHEN THERE'S NO DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAMS OR DRUG RECOVERY PROGRAMS. IT STARTS WHEN FOOD STAMPS DON'T PAY ENOUGH FOR FOOD ON THE TABLE AND PEOPLE RESORT TO CRIME.

IT STARTS WHEN FIRST FIVE ISN'T PROVIDING FOR TODDLERS AND BABIES AND YOUNG MOTHERS.

THE PROBLEM IS BIGGER THAN THE SIMPLICITY THAT WE'VE BEEN OFFERED IN THIS ROOM TODAY.

IT INCLUDES THE AFFORDABILITY FOR EVERYONE IN THE COUNTY.

I'M AFRAID THAT OUR PERSONAL PROJECTS MUST BE PUT ASIDE, AS MUCH AS I WOULD LOVE A MEDICAL SCHOOL AND ALL THAT THAT OFFERS.

WE CAN'T AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND AS MR. CRY HAS STATED BEFORE, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET CREATIVE.

HOW MANY NONPROFITS ARE OUT THERE THAT CAN SHOULDER SOME OF THE BURDENS THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD RIGHT NOW? IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA TO BE WORKING WITH THEM INSTEAD OF, I DON'T KNOW, TRYING TO MINIMIZE HOW MUCH THEY CAN DO.

SO I'M AFRAID THAT'S AS FAR AS I GOT ON MY WRITING, SO THANK YOU.

JEFF, COME ON UP.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

FIRST OF ALL, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR THOSE OUTSTANDING PRESENTATIONS.

IT'S APPARENT HOW DIRE THE SITUATION IS IN MANY DEPARTMENTS, AND IT REMINDS ME OF SOME HAVE SAID, AS WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR, THE SAME KIND OF PLEAS AND REQUESTS BEING MADE TO THE BOARD WITHOUT MUCH OF ANYTHING BEING DONE.

AND I THINK BACK ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO WHEN OUR SUPERVISOR, KEVIN CRY, WAS PROPOSING $10 MILLION FOR A MEDICAL SCHOOL, DEMANDING THAT WE PUT $10 MILLION INTO A MEDICAL SCHOOL.

SCHOOL, TELLING US HOW WONDERFUL HE WAS THAT HE GAVE US SOME ADVANCE NOTICE, THAT HE JUST DIDN'T SPRING IT ON US AT THE BUDGET HEARING, SO YOU'D ALL HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT.

NOW, GIVE SOME THOUGHT TO THAT, HOW OUT OF TOUCH MR. CRY IS, WHEN WE'VE HEARD ALL THE DEPARTMENT HEADS EXPLAIN WHAT THEIR BUDGETARY SITUATIONS ARE, AND HE'S DECIDED THAT HE WANTS TO THROW $10 MILLION OUT TO A MEDICAL SCHOOL.

AND CORKY, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE ON BOARD WITH THAT.

YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE THE NEXT SILICON VALLEY.

YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE A DECISION, CORKY, AS TO WHO YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW.

IT'S OBVIOUS THAT CRY IS OUT OF TOUCH, HAS NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COUNTY, AND THAT'S WHY HE JUST GOT CRUSHED.

YOU KNOW THAT? AND YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING HIM LIKE PUTTING YOUR FINGER UP IN THE WIND.

I KNOW YOU SAY YOU HAVEN'T, BUT YOU WERE TALKING.

DON'T INTERRUPT ME.

YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE WERE GOING TO BE A SILICON VALLEY.

IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO START LISTENING TO MATT AND ALAN TO MAKE SOME REASONABLE DECISIONS.

THESE RETENTION BONUSES NEED TO BE GIVEN.

I MEAN, THE DA'S OFFICE, AS DAVE SAID, IT'S NOT A MATTER OF CULTURE.

CRY'S HAD IT OUT FOR MS. BRIDGET FROM ZOGFIRE SETTLEMENT, AND HE'S GOING TO FIND A WAY TO TRY AND HURT HER IN SOME WAY AND TALK ABOUT HOW IT'S A CULTURE PROBLEM.

AND OH, CRY, HE'S GOT THE GREATEST BUSINESS AND THE GREATEST CULTURE.

AND PEOPLE WILL WORK FOR FIVE BUCKS AN HOUR FOR CRY.

AND WHY WON'T THEY DO IT FOR MS. BRIDGET? IT'S ALL A SCAM.

IT'S ALL A CON, FOLKS.

IT'S NOT A CULTURE PROBLEM.

IT'S A MONEY PROBLEM.

WE NEED THESE RETENTION BONUSES.

IT'S TIME TO START ACTING AND SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS AND STOP CHASING THESE FANCY CRY PROJECTS.

THESE PET PEEVES THAT HE THINKS, OH, IT'S GOING TO MAKE HIM LOOK GREAT.

HE'S TOAST.

HE'S IRRELEVANT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

CORKY, START MAKING YOUR OWN MIND UP.

SURE, THAT WAS OUR LAST SPEAKER.

ALL RIGHT, WE'RE BACK FOR BOARD DISCUSSION.

I KNOW I SEE YOU GUYS IN QUEUE, BUT I'M GOING TO JUMP AHEAD OF YOU REAL QUICK.

RESOURCE MANAGER SEAN EWING, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE, I CAN ASK YOU A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

[04:40:05]

I MAY HAVE ONE FOR YOU TOO, AARON, WHILE YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

SO WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY THE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, AND LAST YEAR YOU HAD THREE AND A MANAGER FUNDED, CORRECT? YES, CHAIR.

AND CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE ONE AND A MANAGER POSSIBLY, OR ONE ACTING AS A CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FROM THE BUILDING SIDE.

THAT'S CORRECT.

I CURRENTLY HAVE TWO POSITIONS.

AND THEY FROZE YOUR THIRD POSITION? YOU ASKED FOR A FOURTH POSITION PLUS THE MANAGER, AND THEY DENIED YOU THAT, BUT THEN THEY FROZE THE THIRD POSITION.

IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT.

OKAY, SO I WANT TO UNFREEZE THAT POSITION FOR SURE.

I WANT TO GET YOU TO WHERE YOU HAVE A MANAGER AND THREE CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

SO I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO UNFREEZE THAT POSITION, LET YOU FILL THAT POSITION.

UH-OH, HERE COMES THE BOSS.

CHAIR KALLSTROM, COULD YOU FINISH YOUR MOTION? WELL, SO WE'RE ACTUALLY NOT GOING TO TAKE MOTIONS UNTIL AFTER THE PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.

SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, AND BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, IF YOU WERE TO MAKE THAT MOTION RIGHT NOW, IT WOULD BE A FORFEITS VOTE.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DISCUSSION BY THE BOARD MEMBERS, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A LIST OF ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE, LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE TO PUT OUT THERE.

GOTCHA.

AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT.

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MINUTE, LET NOLTE COME UP AND SAY WHAT SHE'S GOT TO SAY.

THE BOARD CAN ASK.

DEPARTMENT HEADS, ANY SORT OF QUESTIONS, AND THEN AFTER ALL OF THAT, I'LL GO THROUGH EACH SUPERVISOR, AND YOU CAN SAY, I WANT TO PUT FUNDING FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION ON THERE.

I WANT TO PUT FUNDING.

I WANT TO TAKE FUNDING FROM THIS PLACE.

LIKE, WHATEVER THOSE THINGS ARE, AND WE'LL KEEP A LIST.

I'LL SEND THAT TO STEPHANIE, AND THEN AFTER WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, WE'LL TAKE ACTUAL MOTIONS.

GOOD AFTERNOON.

CHAIR KALLSTROM, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, NOEL DESHORE, AUDITOR, CONTROLLER.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

I THINK THE INFORMATION I HAVE WILL HELP YOU GUYS AS YOU DELIBERATE.

I'M GOING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON, AND I WANT TO START BY SAYING THAT I AM, YOU KNOW, THANKFUL THAT YOU GUYS ARE SITTING UP THERE, AND IT'S NOT ME HAVING TO MAKE ALL THESE DECISIONS, BECAUSE I ALWAYS TELL, LIKE, ALL OF OUR STAFF, IN A PERFECT WORLD, WE WOULD DO ALL OF IT.

THEY'RE ALL GREAT IDEAS.

BUT WHAT I DO WANT TO, LIKE, MAKE SURE THAT THE BOARD IS AWARE OF IS THAT UNDER THE COUNTY BUDGET ACT, COUNTIES MUST ADOPT A BALANCED BUDGET WHERE APPROPRIATIONS ARE SUPPORTED BY AVAILABLE FINANCING SOURCES.

AND SO, WE KNOW WE'VE COVERED THAT UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME. THAT CALCULATION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE BUDGET THAT'S RECOMMENDED AND SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND AARON HAS LET YOU KNOW THAT, AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THERE'S ONE POINT SEVEN MILLION IN AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE IN THE GENERAL FUND. AND SO, IF THE BOARD APPROVES ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS, IT SHOULD ALSO IDENTIFY WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM. SO POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES COULD INCLUDE, YOU COULD RECOGNIZE ADDITIONAL REVENUES IF WE WILL BE GETTING ADDITIONAL REVENUES DURING THE YEAR. YOU CAN USE THE AVAILABLE FUND BALANCE THAT AARON TALKED ABOUT, WHICH IS THE $1.7 MILLION.

THERE COULD BE RESTRICTED OR COMMITTED FUNDS THAT ARE LEGALLY AVAILABLE THAT COULD BE USED TO FUND THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU'LL BE MAKING, OR THERE COULD BE OTHER FINANCING SOURCES. AGAIN, ONCE FUND BALANCE HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO ONE PURPOSE IN THE BUDGET, IT CANNOT ALSO BE ACCOUNTED, AGAIN, TO SUPPORT ANOTHER APPROPRIATION.

SO I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT WE'RE AT A POINT AS A COUNTY THAT WE HAVE TO DO THAT.

SO ANYTHING THAT YOU DO PUT ON THE TABLE IT WILL HOPEFULLY BE FOR ITSELF FOR THE FINES AND LIENS AND FORFEITURES BUT WE HAVE BEEN TAKING A LOT MORE TO ABATEMENT AND A LOT MORE HEARINGS.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF DOWN THE ROAD.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I DO WANT TO UNFREEZE THAT OTHER POSITION.

CHAIR, COULD I ADD ONE THING TO THAT? BECAUSE I'M OF THE EXACT OPINION YOU ARE ABOUT THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION AND ITS MAINTAINING STATUS QUO.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY WOULD BE TO ADD IN THAT SOFTWARE FOR THE TOT, WHICH WAS $15,000.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW.

WE'RE NOT MAKING MOTIONS YET, BUT... THAT'S THE ONLY THING I WAS GOING TO ADD TO THAT, WHICH WAS THAT I'LL LET YOU HAVE THAT WHEN I GET HERE. GOT IT. AND THEN THE OTHER THING I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS, IN THE PLANNING APART, WE TALKED ABOUT THAT UNCLAIMED FOR THE UNUSUAL WAS A FINE FOR, UH... BECAUSE I'VE ALREADY GOT WHAT IT WAS, THE U AT THE FUND OUT THERE WITH FOUR HUNDRED TEN MILLION.

YET GENERAL FUNDING, AGAIN, IMPORTANCE OF IMPORTANT THING WE DO.

WE'VE BEEN KICKING CAN DOWN THE ROAD. GET IT? I JUST, BUDGETARY TIMES, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE'RE CUTTING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND DA'S LOSING,

[04:45:01]

I CAN'T. YOU'LL GET YOUR TURN.

YOU KNOW, I JUST CAN'T, I CAN'T ALLOCATE THAT MILLION, BUT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO POSSIBLY, AND I DON'T KNOW, AARON, THIS MIGHT BE, I'M NOT SURE HOW I WOULD FUND THAT, BUT THAT UNCLAIMED $410,000 FEES THAT YOU HAVE OUT THERE, I MEAN, I WOULD.

I WOULD SAY UP TO A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS OF THAT TO GO AHEAD AND START ON THAT PLANNING TO GET A CONSULTANT.

MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO JUST HOLD OFF BECAUSE $250,000 WON'T ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.

IT WOULDN'T GET YOU STARTED? IT WOULDN'T GET YOU A CONSULTANT? I MEAN, IF WE STARTED MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONSULTANT, WE WOULD BE TALKING LIKE A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT.

AT A MINIMUM, PROBABLY A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY $5 MILLION OVER THAT PERIOD.

SO WE WANT TO.

AND ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITHOUT A FUNDING.

SO CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO IT AND POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, GO THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS.

I GUESS I WOULD SAY IF THE, IF THE BOARD'S DIRECTION IS TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE GENERAL PLAN UPDATE AT THIS TIME, WE CAN CONTINUE TO LOOK IN TO SEE HOW TO FUND IT, WHAT IT MIGHT TAKE.

WE COULD POTENTIALLY DO AN RFP.

AND THEN IF, IF, IF THE BOARD DECIDES TO MOVE FORWARD, WE COULD COME BACK WITH A, A BUDGET AMENDMENT.

I DON'T FEEL THAT WE CAN AFFORD THE MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR, AND I SOMEHOW DOUBT IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO COME WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS IN THOSE FOUR YEARS.

SO I THOUGHT THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU A START, THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU SOMEWHERE TO START, THAT MIGHT GIVE YOU A CONSULTANT TO AT LEAST SEE THE DIFFICULT LIFT THAT IT'S GOING TO BE.

BUT IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO WORK, THEN THAT'S FINE.

I'LL RETRACT THAT PORTION OF IT.

I APPRECIATE IT.

AND ALL I WANT TO DO IS UNFREEZE THAT CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER'S POSITION.

ALL RIGHT, SUPERVISOR CRYE.

ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, CHAIR.

YES, AND I HAD ON MY THING HERE, THE CODE ENFORCEMENT, JUST SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS, THAT WAS, COUNCIL LOMMER, THAT'S LIKE A FIVE-YEAR PLAN, RIGHT, THAT WE PUT THAT ON, FIVE-YEAR PAYBACK, ROUGHLY? AND I'M WITH SUPERVISOR LONG, TALKING ABOUT, I MEAN, WITH THE ABATEMENT, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 2, SUPER IMPORTANT FROM QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY VALUES, AND THEN ALL THE TIME THAT SHERIFF OFFICERS HAVE TO SPEND ON THAT AS WELL.

SO, WAS IT A FIVE-YEAR PAYBACK, ROUGHLY? SO I WOULD SAY A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THE FINES AND FEES ARE PAID FROM LIENS AT TAX SALES AND THAT CAN TAKE UP TO FIVE YEARS.

SO I THOUGHT, YEAH, SO I MEAN, IT'S LIKE THE LIKE THE OLD COURTHOUSE.

IT'S TWO HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR JUST TO KEEP IT THERE.

SO ALLOCATING MONEY TO TEAR IT DOWN, IT SOUNDS TOUGH, BUT IN THE LONG RUN, THAT'S THE BEST MOVE.

SO I'M GOING TO START REALLY QUICK WITH THE MEDICAL SCHOOL THING AND JUST KIND OF HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND.

WHERE THIS IS, I THINK, ONE OF THE GREATEST NEEDS WE HAVE.

AND IT'S NOT JUST TODAY.

IT'S BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST 10 OR 20 YEARS ABOUT THAT.

BUT I'M NOT FOR ANY KIND OF BUDGET ALLOTMENT WITH THAT.

BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS, AND THIS IS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE JUST RELEASED A MASSIVE REPORT YESTERDAY, AND IT FOUND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA MEDICAL SCHOOL DISCRIMINATES BASED ON RACE AND ADMISSIONS.

I WOULD TELL YOU TO GO LOOK AT THAT.

SO AS WE TALK ABOUT BUDGET AND WHAT WE'RE DOING, JUST LIKE THIS FIRE SITUATION I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT HERE IN A SECOND AS WELL, YOU KNOW, WHAT HAPPENS IN GOVERNMENT IS MANY TIMES THEY SAY, HERE'S THE PROBLEM NOW.

BUT INSTEAD OF SAYING IT'S COMING IN 20 YEARS, BECAUSE THIS FIRE THING WITH CHIEF O'HARE THAT HE'S UNPACKED ISN'T NEW.

IT'S BEEN COMING.

AND YOU'VE EVEN HEARD SUPERVISORS HERE TALK ABOUT WE HAVE MORE TIME NOW BECAUSE IT WAS 2030, 2031.

THIS NEEDS TO BE PLANNED FOR 10 YEARS AGO.

SO WHATEVER PEOPLE DECIDE TO DO, THAT'S UP TO THEM.

BUT I WILL NOT BE ASKING FOR ANY MONEY OR ANY ALLOTMENT TOWARDS THAT.

I DID HAVE A QUESTION IF MR. O'HARA COULD COME UP OR CHIEF O'HARA COULD COME UP.

I'M NOT SURE IF THE SHERIFF WANTS TO ACCOMPANY HIM BECAUSE THEY SEEM TO BE TWINS.

SEE THAT? LIKE, SHERIFF DIDN'T EVEN COME UP.

LIKE, YOU CAME UP TO SUPPORT HIM.

BIG OLD GRIN BACK.

CHIEF, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT WITH THE CONVERSATION WITH CITY OF REDDING OR OUTSIDE FIRE CHIEFS.

WHAT I'M CONSIDERING IS THIS WHOLE MEDICAL SCHOOL THING WAS REALLY LAUNCHED OFF OF A $40,000 CONTRACT THAT HAS BROUGHT SUBSTANTIAL RESULTS.

MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, WHAT DO YOU THINK? A TIME ALLOCATION WOULD BE TO EXPEDITE THIS SO IT'S NOT BACK HERE NEXT BUDGET YEAR MEETING SAYING, WELL, WE'VE GOT THREE MORE YEARS TO FIGURE IT OUT.

BECAUSE I THINK THIS HAS TO BE FIGURED OUT NOW BECAUSE OUTSIDE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUTSIDE OF FIRE, I MEAN, THOSE ARE TWO CRITICAL ELEMENTS.

SO JUST TO CLARIFY, YOU'RE ASKING WHAT I THINK WILL SOLIDIFY THE CLIFF THAT WE HAVE IN 2930? JUST TO...

I MEAN, I KNOW FOR YOU,

[04:50:01]

YOUR JOB AND YOUR REQUIREMENT WITH CAL FIRE IS NOT TO GO OUT.

AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM MY RESEARCH, THE CITY OF READING WOULD HAVE TO PUT AN RFP OUT THAT YOU'D HAVE TO RESPOND TO.

IS MY RESEARCH CORRECT ON THAT? YEAH, YOU ARE 100% CORRECT.

100% CORRECT.

SO MY QUESTION TO CEO RICKERT IS WHERE COULD WE PUT IN THE BUDGET? TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COUNTY IS FACILITATING WHATEVER THE CITY OF READING MAY NEED, BECAUSE IT'S THE CITY OF READING THAT WOULD HAVE TO ASK FOR THE HELP.

BUT IT'S REALLY NOT THEIR CONCERN FOR THE HELP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT'S THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE THE FIRE IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

SO JUST TO CLARIFY, IT IS THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS, RIGHT? AND THAT BUDGET RIGHT NOW WITHOUT THE CONTRACT IS ABOUT $4 MILLION.

SO OUT OF THAT $4 MILLION, IF...

THE DEPARTMENT OR THE COUNTY DID NOT FIGURE OUT A DISPATCH.

ONE MILLION DOLLARS OFF OF THAT FOUR MILLION WOULD HAVE TO BE CONTRACTED TO CAL FIRE.

AFTER THAT, IT TAKES ROUGHLY ABOUT THREE MILLION DOLLARS TO RUN THE VOLUNTEER SIDE OF THE DEPARTMENT.

EVERYTHING ELSE IS BASICALLY YOU ARE GETTING BASED OFF OF THE CONTRACT THAT YOU HAVE WITH US FOR 11.3.

OUT OF THAT 11.3 MILLION DOLLARS, THERE ALWAYS IS TRACK SAVINGS.

IF THE CITY OF READING CAME TO CAL FIRE AND SAID, HEY, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR YOU TO RUN OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, THERE'S TWO OPTIONS.

THEY CAN DIRECTLY CONTRACT WITH CAL FIRE, OR THEY CAN GO UNDERNEATH THE COUNTY, AND THEN WE WOULD MAKE A MUCH LARGER CONTRACT.

DEPENDING ON HOW THE COUNTY AND THE CITY WANT TO DO THAT, THERE'S OPTIONS.

THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE BASICALLY HAS LIKE 13 OR 14 CITIES THAT ARE UNDERNEATH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE CONTRACT.

WHICH IS ADMINISTERED BY CAL FIRE.

DID THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? YEAH, YEAH.

IT ANSWERS MY QUESTION, BUT IT ACTUALLY WOUND UP GIVING ME LIKE SIX OTHER ONES.

SO, CEO RICKER.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN KRAY AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

IF THE BOARD DIRECTS ME, I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH MY COUNTERPART AT THE CITY OF READING ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SAVINGS.

I'VE ALREADY HAD INITIAL PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS, BUT IF THAT'S A FORMAL REQUEST TO THE BOARD, I CAN DO THAT.

NOT ONLY ON FIRE, BUT THROUGH LOOKING AT OTHER AREAS WHERE WE CAN WORK IN A MORE COOPERATIVE MANNER TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AND SAVE OUR TAXPAYERS MONEY. I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A SWATH OF DEPARTMENTS THAT COULD DO THAT, BUT I DON'T WANT IT TO BE A JACK OF ALL AND A KING OF NONE. SO MY QUESTION: DO YOU THINK, MUCH LIKE THE MEDICAL SCHOOL ONE, DO YOU THINK THAT THE—WOULD YOU WANT TO PUT AN RFP OUT FOR A PERSON TO FOCUS SOLELY ON THIS WITH CAL FIRE, YOURSELF, AND I'M THINKING, LIKE, I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY IN MIND PER SE, BUT LIKE A RETIRED FIRE CHIEF OR SOMEBODY THAT COULD HELP NAVIGATE THIS SO THIS BECOMES A HIGH PRIORITY? THANK YOU. THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, I CAN DIRECTLY ANSWER THAT RFP. SO, THE WAY THAT THAT WORKS FOR CAL FIRE IS THAT THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO INITIATE THROUGH A BOARD RESOLUTION OVER THERE TO SAY, "I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRACT WITH CAL FIRE OR SHASTA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT TO RUN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT." THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN DIRECT THE CITY TO ASK US WOULD BE THEIR CHAIRS AND COUNCIL. CITY COUNCIL TO GO DIRECTLY TO ME. I AM THE PERSON THAT IS ULTIMATELY IN CHARGE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. IT TAKES ROUGHLY ABOUT 16 TO 18 MONTHS TO GO THROUGH EVERY LINE ITEM OF WHAT THEY'RE TRAINED ON, WHAT THE EQUIPMENT COSTS, WHAT THE PERSONNEL COSTS, WHAT THEIR LEVEL OF SERVICE IS. IT'S THE SAME EXACT CONTRACT AS WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE IN SHASTA COUNTY, BUT THE CITY OF REDDING WOULD HAVE TO REACH OUT TO ME IF THEY WANTED TO DIRECTLY GO THROUGH CAL FIRE, OR THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO TO MR. RICKERT. IF THEY WANTED TO GO THROUGH THE COUNTY, THEN THE COUNTY AND I WOULD HAVE TO SIT DOWN AND SAY, "HEY, WE WOULD LIKE TO COVER EIGHT ADDITIONAL MORE STATIONS OR SEVEN ADDITIONAL MORE STATIONS." AND THEN THAT BUDGET WOULD THEN BE NEGOTIATED BASED OFF OF WHAT IS NEEDED, WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T HAVE.

AND THEN IT'S A WHOLE NEGOTIATION PIECE BETWEEN THAT. NOW, IF THE CITY OF REDDING CAME STRAIGHT TO ME, THEY WOULD TAKE EVERYBODY OUT OF THIS PLAY, AND THEN WE WOULD COORDINATE BETWEEN THE CITY OF REDDING AND CAL FIRE AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. NOW, IN CONJUNCTION, WE COULD ALSO SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT WHAT BEST COVERS THE POPULATION PORTION OF IT, OF THE CITY OF REDDING AND THE COUNTY, AND THEN STILL RELY ON OUR PAID CALL FIREFIGHTERS THAT SHOW UP ROUGHLY ABOUT 42% OF THE TIME. THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTION, I THINK,

[04:55:02]

PRETTY WELL. SO, I DON'T THINK THE MONEY IS AN ISSUE THEN.

SO, I WOULD JUST SAY, SEE A RECORD, TAKE THAT, AND I GUESS RUN WITH IT FROM THAT SPOT. YEAH, AND THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CRAY.

AND IT IS SOMETHING I DO PLAN TO HAVE AND CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH MY COUNTERPART AT THE CITY OF READING TO TALK ABOUT WAYS WE CAN SAVE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

OBVIOUSLY, THE HUGE PRIORITY HERE IS FIRE BECAUSE THAT'S A VERY PRESSING NEED, AND THE DOLLARS COULD BE FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT.

AND I THINK OTHER THAN JUST THE HOST OF PRAS THAT COME IN AND ALL THE, YOU KNOW, FAILED LAWSUITS THAT ARE STILL COMING, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

I'LL SAVE MY QUESTIONS LATER.

SUPERVISOR LONG.

IF WE'RE ADDING TO OUR WISH LIST.

I WILL PUT THE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION AND I WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T MAKE IT TOO COMPLICATED WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS THAT WE CAN'T GET A STRAIGHT VOTE.

BUT MY WISH LIST ITEM WOULD BE IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT IS TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO WHICH IS AT FOUR OFFICERS INCLUDING A MANAGER POSITION JOHNNY.

SO THAT WOULD BE THAT AND THEN ALSO TO ADD IN THE SOFTWARE PROGRAM AT FIFTEEN THOUSAND ISH TO ADDRESS THE TOT AND SEE IF WE CAN CREATE MORE REVENUE FROM THAT.

SO THAT IS ONE OF MY REQUESTS IN THIS WHOLE BUDGET PROCESS.

AND THE FUNDING SOURCE FOR THAT SOFTWARE? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE HOPING THE TOT WILL PAY FOR ITSELF, BUT, I MEAN, NOLDA NEEDS A FUNDING SOURCE.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT? YEAH, THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE A HIT ON THE 1.7.

I'VE IDENTIFIED FOR THE NEXT REQUEST I HAVE, I'VE IDENTIFIED A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THAT. YES, THAT WOULD BE OUT OF THE ONE POINT SEVEN. NEXT REQUEST THAT I HAVE FOR THE LIST THAT I WOULD HOPE THE BOARD WOULD TAKE CONSIDERATION OF, WE'VE GOT A REAL IMMEDIATE CRISIS IN OUR PROSECUTORS, AND THAT IS AFFECTING PUBLIC SAFETY IN A DRAMATIC FASHION. I WANT TO, AS HAS BEEN STATED BY BOTH OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND I HAVEN'T CONSULTED WITH COUNSEL FOR HIS ATTORNEYS, I AM GONNA PROPOSE THAT WE—AND THIS IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE COMPLICATED, I'M GONNA HAVE TO BRING AARON UP BECAUSE THERE'S SOME QUESTIONS TO THIS—BUT WHAT I WOULD SAY WOULD BE PROVIDING RETENTION BONUSES. AND THIS—LET ME CLARIFY WITH YOU FIRST, BECAUSE I WANT THE $30,000 IN RETENTION BONUSES, BUT YOU AND I HAVE HAD CONSIDERABLE DISCUSSION NOW, AND THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE DURING A BUDGET HEARING BECAUSE IT WOULD BE FOR, IF I WANTED IT TO BE OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD, BECAUSE WE'RE DOING A BUDGET HEARING AND NOT REGULAR APPROPRIATIONS AT A LATER TIME. THIS BUDGET HEARING WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE NEXT 12 MONTHS OF BONUS.

SO, I CAN'T GET TO THE 30 BECAUSE THE BUDGET HEARING PROCESS DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO GET TO THE 30 FOR RETENTION BONUSES, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S MY ULTIMATE GOAL.

SO WOULD YOU TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION AS TO WHERE THAT IS? AND THEN I'LL TALK ABOUT THE NEXT PART OF MY PROPOSAL.

WHAT WE'RE ADDRESSING HERE IS THE FISCAL YEAR 26-27 BUDGET, AND SO WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT, WE CAN'T OBLIGATE FUNDS IN THE 27-28 AND 28-29 BUDGET.

SO.

SO YOUR SUGGESTION SHOULD BE TO THIS BUDGET, YOU CAN MENTION HAVING AN INTENT OF BRINGING BACK SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE YEARS, BUT IT WOULDN'T BE PART OF THE ACTION OF THIS BUDGET.

AND MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT EMPTY PROMISES OF POLITICIANS, TO BE HONEST.

YEAH, AND YOU CAN CERTAINLY MAKE THAT MOTION.

I WOULD SUGGEST MAKING THE MOTION FOR THE FUTURE ONES AT A MEETING THAT'S NOT THE BUDGET HEARINGS.

SO YOU COULD DO IT IN SOME OF THE SUBSEQUENT MEETINGS.

YOU COULD DO IT IN A JULY MEETING.

BUT WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS TODAY IS FISCAL YEAR 26-27, AND WE CANNOT OBLIGATE FUTURE BUDGETS TODAY.

I TOTALLY APPRECIATE THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

AND I KNOW THAT...

PERSONNEL RULES COVER COUNTY COUNCIL AND MOUS COVER EVERYBODY ELSE, RIGHT? SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION AND I WILL ABSOLUTELY INTEND TO DO THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO CREATE.

AND FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE WHATEVER DECISION THE BOARD MAKES

[05:00:01]

AT A FUTURE TIME IN THE NEXT, WHENEVER IT IS IN THE NEXT PERIOD.

THAT IT WOULD STILL BE A THREE-FIFTHS VOTE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE INCORPORATED THE BOARD DECISION WOULD BE INCORPORATED INTO THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS TO CREATE FUNDING FOR THE ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS OF THE RETENTION BONUSES THAT I WANT.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? OKAY.

SO HERE I'M GOING TO READ THIS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I CANNOT GET THE $30,000 CURRENTLY, WHICH I WOULD LOVE TO, AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEND THE MESSAGE TO ALL OF OUR PROSECUTORS AND ALL OF OUR ATTORNEY STAFF.

WE RECOGNIZE WHAT'S GOING ON HERE, AND YOU'VE BEEN TELLING US FOR YEARS.

QUITE SOME TIME AND AND WE WERE AT THE CRISIS MODE RIGHT NOW AND WHEN WHEN PROSECUTION FALLS APART ALL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PAUL FALLS APART BECAUSE YOU ARE CRITICAL PLAYER IN THIS FIELD CELL KNOW THAT I WILL BE COMING BACK WHEN I WHEN I CAN TO SEEK OUT THE REMAINING TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLAR IN RETENTION BONUSES OVER THREE-YEAR PERIOD BUT I CAN'T DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

I'VE GOT THE LIMITATIONS THAT AARON JUST EXPLAINED BECAUSE OF THIS IS THE BUDGET HEARING AND WE'RE ONLY TALKING ABOUT THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT I WILL COME FOR.

AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD IS PROVIDING A RETENTION BONUS OF $10,000 TO ALL ATTORNEYS EXCEPT DEPARTMENT HEAD WHO HAVE NOT ALREADY RECEIVED RECRUITMENT BONUSES IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PUBLIC DEFENDER, COUNTY COUNCIL'S OFFICE.

SO IF IF YOU WERE A BRAND NEW HIRE AND YOU JUST GOT A HIRING BONUS YOU WOULD NOT BE INCLUDED AND IT WOULD NO LONG IT WOULD NOT INCLUDE DEPARTMENT HEADS SUCH AS ASHLEY AND UH...

STEPHANIE BRIDGET UH...

BUT EVERYBODY ELSE IN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD WOULD GET THESE BONUSES AND UH...

SO THAT IS THAT'S GOING TO BE MY THOUGHTS ON THAT AND FUNDING SOURCE WELL I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING SOURCE AT THE POINT WHERE I MAKE EMOTION BUT I'VE BASICALLY, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT, WELL, I'M GOING TO MAKE MY MOTION LATER.

YEAH, I MEAN, YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT YOU CAN SPECIFY THE FUNDING SOURCE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

YES, AND SO THE FUNDING SOURCE I'M LOOKING AT, AND THIS WOULD NOT BE A HIT AGAINST THE 1.7 THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT, BECAUSE I'M IDENTIFYING A FUNDING SOURCE, AND THIS WILL BE THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES AND THE INTEREST.

THAT IS EARNED OFF THE GENERAL FUND RESERVES.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE MY FUNDING SOURCE FOR THIS ITEM.

OKAY, A FEW THINGS THAT I AM GOING TO ADD TO THE LIST.

THE FIRST IS, AS WE'RE LOOKING...

I KNOW WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A FEW THINGS WE WANT TO ADD.

I'VE BEEN TRYING TO SEE WHERE COULD WE POSSIBLY CUT SOMETHING.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL OF YOU HAVE LOOKED AND SPENT A LOT OF TIME DOING THAT WORK, THAT HARD WORK OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT I WANTED TO RECOMMEND.

SO ONE IS THERE'S $40,000 FOR A COUNTY ADMIN ROOM, BUILDING ROOM 311, WHICH I SPEND.

SOME TIME IN, REMODEL FOR 40,000.

AND I THINK GIVEN OTHER PRIORITIES, IT'S NOT MUCH, BUT LET'S REMOVE THAT FOR NOW.

I HAD BRIEFLY DISCUSSED THAT WITH AARON.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT'S A CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEED.

SO TAKING THAT OFF THE TABLE WILL SAVE US A LITTLE BIT.

AND THEN, AARON, WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO, OR I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A PUBLIC WORKS CONVERSATION, BUT.

SUPERVISOR CRYE WAS WONDERING KIND OF WHAT PROMPTED THE LISTING THAT AS A PROJECT ON THERE.

JUST A WORD TO BRYCE RITCHIE.

GOOD MORNING, CHAIR KALLSTROM, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, BRYCE RITCHIE, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST FOR THE COUNTY OF SHASTA.

I HANDLE A LOT OF THE PROJECTS FOR OUR OFFICE AND I WORK WITH PUBLIC WORKS.

THERE'S JUST ONE AREA IDENTIFIED, NEED A NEW CARPET IN BOTH CONFERENCE ROOM 310 AND 311 THAT HAVE FREQUENT USE.

ALSO, COUNTYWIDE THOSE ROOMS GET USED, SO WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADES TO CONFERENCE ROOM 311 TO MAKE IT A BIT MORE USER-FRIENDLY.

BUT IT'S NOT A CRITICAL NEED, SO IF WE WANTED TO DELAY IT, WE CERTAINLY CAN.

AT SOME POINT, THE CARPET WILL NEED

[05:05:05]

TO GET REPLACED.

THE OTHER TOPIC, AND THIS CAME UP, I BELIEVE, YESTERDAY, THOUGH THE DAYS HAVE KIND OF BLURRED TOGETHER, AROUND RISK MANAGEMENT, HAVING A NEGATIVE FUND BALANCE.

AND THERE, I KNOW AARON TALKED WITH MONICA, AND THEY'VE COME UP WITH A SOLUTION SO THAT THERE'S NOT A NEGATIVE FUND BALANCE.

SO I THINK WE CAN'T HAVE THAT GOING INTO THE BUDGET.

SO THAT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT I'LL MAKE A MORE SPECIFIC MOTION ON WHEN WE GET TO THAT POINT.

THERE'S SOME CHANGES THERE TO AVOID GOING INTO A NEGATIVE FUND BALANCE ON THE RISK MANAGEMENT BUDGET.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE DA AND PUBLIC DEFENDER HAVE MENTIONED THIS AI ADD-ON, AND SO THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I WANT TO ADD TO THE LIST.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY BRIDGET MENTIONED $35,000.

IT LOOKS LIKE, ASHLEY AND I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH, BUT IT'S ABOUT $11,600 FOR THE FIRST YEAR FOR THAT, AND WOULD USE THE STATHAM ROBINS.

RESTRICTED FUND FOR THAT WHICH HAS I BELIEVE 159,000 OR SO IN IT AND SO THAT CAN BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION AND TECHNOLOGY IT SO THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING I WANT TO ADD TO THE LIST AND THEN I'D LIKE TO CALL UP MR. HEATH FOR SOME PUBLIC BEFORE YOU GET TOO FAR THE SO THE COST FOR THE AI IS THAT 35,000 FOR THE DA AND 11.6 FOR THE PD YES.

I'M MAYOR KALLSTROM, SUPERVISOR PLUMMER.

THANKS, JEN.

JOHN HEATH, INTERIM PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.

I KNOW WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH WITH THE TWO THINGS.

WELL, WE'VE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH ON ONE THING, WHICH IS AROUND THE FALL RIVER MILLS AIRPORT.

AND THIS YEAR IN THE BUDGET, THERE'S A DRAW OF $65,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

THAT'S WHAT'S PROPOSED.

I WAS SEEING IF THERE'S A WAY TO NOT HAVE THAT DRAW FROM THE GENERAL FUND.

COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT IS AND SOME OF OUR CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IS NECESSARY VERSUS WHAT MIGHT NOT BE NECESSARY? SURE.

SO INITIALLY, YOU IDENTIFIED THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LINE AS A POTENTIAL LINE WHERE WE COULD SAVE MONEY.

AND I'M SORRY, I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME.

THE ONE THING THAT FLOWS THROUGH THAT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LINE WOULD BE AN UPCOMING PROJECT.

WHICH I MENTIONED DURING MY PRESENTATION, TO DO THE PAVEMENT ASSESSMENT.

THAT'S A $115,000 PROJECT.

SO I THINK YOU HAD PROPOSED ELIMINATING THE $65,000 GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION BY SAVINGS IN THAT LINE.

AND WHAT I POINTED OUT IS THAT BECAUSE THAT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT, WE COULD NOT CUT THAT PROJECT WITH THAT LINE WITHOUT CUTTING THAT PROJECT.

THE OTHER ITEMS THAT FLOW THROUGH THAT LINE ARE DIRECT OPERATIONS COSTS FOR THE AIRPORT, WHICH IF FURTHER CUT IN THAT LINE WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT OPERATIONS.

SO THERE WERE A COUPLE OF OTHER THINGS THAT CAME UP.

SO WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT PROJECT, I'LL MENTION THAT WE DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO GO FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT.

OKAY, THAT'S A $115,000 PROJECT.

IT IS 90% FUNDED BY THE FAA, BUT IT DOES INCUR, THAT DOES MEAN THAT THERE'S AN $11,500 LOCAL MATCH THAT'S REQUIRED THERE.

SO THAT IS, THAT $11,500 WOULD DIRECTLY IMPACT THE FALMER MILLS AIRPORT BUDGET.

NOW, AREN'T THOSE INSPECTIONS REQUIRED BY THE FAA, THE PAVEMENT INSPECTIONS? THEY ARE, THEY ARE.

AND SO.

YOU KNOW, I'LL NEED A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO FLESH SOME OF THIS OUT, BUT THIS IS A, I'M GOING TO KIND OF GO OVER A GENERAL PLAN THAT I'VE COME UP WITH, AND WE CERTAINLY COULD DEVIATE FROM THE PLAN GOING FORWARD IF WE DECIDE TO CHANGE THE BUDGET RIGHT NOW.

SO IF WE DEFER THAT PROJECT, IF WE DECIDE TO NOT GO FORWARD WITH THAT PROJECT AT THE CURRENT MOMENT, WE COULD TRIM THAT FROM THE BUDGET, AND THAT WOULD ALLOW...

TO TALK WITH THE FAA AND TO TALK WITH OUR AIRPORT CONSULTANT ABOUT THE NEED OF THAT PROJECT.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN DEFER IT.

NOW, IF WE DEFER THAT PROJECT, THERE ARE SOME POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY.

NUMBER ONE, WHAT OUR CONSULTANT HAS TOLD ME IS THAT WE MIGHT GET A BLACK MARK FROM THE FAA.

THE MONEY IS OBLIGATED.

IT'S BEEN ON OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, SO IT WAS SCHEDULED.

AND IT'S ALREADY OBLIGATED.

IF WE WERE TO BACK OUT OF IT NOW, WE COULD GET A BLACK MARK FROM THEM.

FAA GRANTS ARE EXTREMELY HARD TO GET, EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

WELL, WHAT I WILL SAY IS THAT THIS MONEY IS AN ENTITLEMENT, AND I APOLOGIZE BECAUSE I HAVE MENTIONED GRANT.

AND LET'S SEE,

[05:10:04]

LET ME BACK AWAY FROM EVEN THAT COMMENT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WAS WE GET TWO FAA SOURCES OF FUNDING THERE.

WE HAVE AN AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT GRANT, WHICH YOU ARE CORRECT.

THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE AIG, AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT GRANT.

THIS MONEY ALSO, THAT PROGRAM IS GOING AWAY.

THAT MONEY WILL EXPIRE IN 26.

SO IF WE DECIDE TO DELAY, THAT MONEY WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO US THROUGH PAST 26.

ALTERNATIVE TO THAT...

IS THE ENTITLEMENT WE GET, WHICH IS THE AIP, AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM.

NOW, THAT IS AN ENTITLEMENT THAT WE GET.

THERE'S LITERALLY $150,000 THAT COME FROM THE FAA EVERY YEAR TO THE AIRPORT.

THIS IS THE MONEY THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT WHERE THEY CONTROL HOW AND WHEN WE CAN SPEND IT.

SO YOU CAN'T BE REDUNDANT WITH YOUR EFFORTS.

YOU CAN'T REDO YOUR LANDING STRIP EVERY TWO YEARS IF THEY DON'T NEED IT.

SO.

THEY DICTATE SOME OF THAT.

SO IF WE DIDN'T GO FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT, THERE'S CERTAINLY THE CONCEPT THAT WE WOULD POTENTIALLY GET A BLACK MARK FROM THEM.

THERE COULD BE SOME COSTS.

WELL, THERE WOULD ACTUALLY BE SOME COSTS INCURRED, SO WE WOULDN'T NECESSARILY SEE JUST THE $11,500 COST SAVINGS.

BECAUSE IF WE DECLINE THE PROJECT, WE LIKELY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME STEPS WITH THE FAA TO ENABLE THEM TO RE-OBLIGATE THE MONEY.

IF WE TURN IT AWAY, THEY'RE LIKELY GOING TO WANT TO RE-OBLIGATE IT TO THE REGION, LIKELY WOULD GO TO CITY OF READING.

SO THERE WOULD BE SOME COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH US DOING THAT.

AND JUST TO CLARIFY ON THAT, SO OF THE $65,000 THAT'S COMING FROM THE GENERAL FUND, ARE YOU SAYING THAT BECAUSE I GOT A LITTLE CONFUSED WITH THE AIP SITUATION THERE, BUT THE $11.5 MILLION? 11.5 OF THE 65 IS GOING TO BE THE MATCH FOR THAT PROJECT.

THAT IS CORRECT.

AND THEN THAT OTHER 54-ISH, IS THAT BEING USED PURELY FOR THE OPERATIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN BASIC OPERATIONS THERE? THAT IS CORRECT.

THE ONE THING THAT WHEN I RESHARPENED MY PENCIL ON THIS AFTER WE TALKED ABOUT.

SO AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, 25-26, THE AIRPORT IS GOING TO BE IN A NEGATIVE POSITION.

SO WE ALREADY HAVE A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO THE CAO'S OFFICE TO REQUEST A $28,000 GENERAL FUND INFLUX FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

THE ALTERNATIVE TO THAT WOULD BE A GENERAL FUND LOAN, WHICH, AS I'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED, WE DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO PAY BACK.

SO, AS OPPOSED TO A LOAN, WE ARE ASKING FOR A $28,000 INFLUX FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR.

NOW, THAT WAS NOT ACCOUNTED FOR WHEN WE PUT THE $65,000 IN THE BUDGET, THE NEXT YEAR'S $65,000 GENERAL FUND INFLUX.

SO WE COULD POTENTIALLY TAKE THE $28,000 OUT OF THE $65,000 GOING INTO THIS YEAR, SINCE THAT WILL BE BROUGHT BEFORE US.

TO GET OUT OF A NEGATIVE POSITION IN THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

YES, YEAH, THE CAO'S OFFICE WILL BRING THAT.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHEN THAT WILL COME, BUT TUESDAY.

SET A VOICE FROM OVER MY SHOULDER.

SO, YEAH, AND I KNOW IT'S GETTING A BIT CONVOLUTED.

WE'RE ASKING FOR 65.

WHAT I'VE IDENTIFIED IS THAT WE COULD REDUCE THAT AUTOMATICALLY BY 28 BECAUSE WE'RE ASSUMING WE GET THIS YEAR'S INFLUX OF $28,000.

SO 65 MINUS 28, WE'RE NOW AT $37,000.

IF WE DECIDED WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO THE FAA OR IF WE WANTED TO POSTPONE FOR NOW THE FAA.

PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROJECT, WE COULD POTENTIALLY TRIM THAT BY THE LOCAL MATCH, WHICH WOULD BE 11.5.

SO 38, MAKING ROUND NUMBERS, LET'S JUST SAY WE WIND UP AT 26,000.

THAT 26,000 IS NEEDED.

IT WOULD BE THE BARE MINIMUM ASK FOR THE AIRPORT TO RETAIN CURRENT OPERATIONS.

OKAY, THAT'S HELPFUL.

I MEAN, MY POSITION, AND I'M SURE SUPERVISOR HARMON WILL HAVE THOUGHTS ON THIS, BUT LET'S KEEP THE...

11 AND A HALF IN THERE.

YOU'VE DONE A BUNCH OF WORK TO GET IT THIS FAR, SO LET'S NOT PULL OUT AT THE FINISH LINE HERE.

BUT I DO THINK REMOVING THAT $28,000, GOING TO THIS, I MEAN, THEY CAN'T BE IN A NEGATIVE FUND BALANCE, I ASSUME, SO WE, IN A SENSE, ARE OBLIGATED

[05:15:01]

TO APPROVE THAT OR A LOAN IN THE COMING WEEKS.

SO I WOULD ADD THAT TO THE LIST TO REMOVE THE $28,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION FROM THE...

FALL RIVER MILLS.

AND THEN MY SECOND QUESTION, I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THIS BOARD HAS TALKED ABOUT A LOT, AND I'VE BEEN TORN ON IT THE WHOLE TIME, WHICH IS AROUND THE COURTHOUSE DEMO.

AND WHEN I LOOK AT IT, AS I'M TRYING TO PIECE IT TOGETHER, SO I SEE $1.65 MILLION FOR THE PARKING LOT IN THE LAND, BUILDINGS, AND IMPROVEMENT.

THE OLD COURTHOUSE DEMO, ABOUT $6 MILLION.

AND THEN THE DATA RELOCATION PIECE, I THINK THAT'S A TOTAL OF LIKE 700 AND SOMETHING AND CHANGE.

BUT THIS YEAR IT'S ABOUT 250.

SO MY QUESTION IS, OBVIOUSLY WE TALKED ABOUT THAT.

I THINK FIRST LAST MARCH, MARCH 2025, WE'VE DONE SOME THINGS ON IT.

WHERE EXACTLY ARE WE IN THE PROCESS OF THAT PROJECT? OF THAT PROJECT.

IN TERMS OF WHAT HAVE WE ALREADY COMPLETED? SO WE HAVE DONE WE'VE DONE THE CEQA PROCESS.

I MEAN I THINK WE'RE COMING HERE IN THE NEXT MEETING OR TWO TO COMPLETE THE CEQA PROCESS AND WE SPENT I'M NOT SURE THE CONTRACT VALUE BUT WE HAD TO HIRE A CONSULTANT FOR THAT.

WE DID YOU KNOW ALL THE REQUIRED ASSESSMENTS ON THE FACILITY, THE HISTORICAL ANALYSIS, ALL THE THINGS THAT GO INTO CEQA.

WE'VE ALSO DONE A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ASSESSMENT OF THE BUILDING.

AND WE'VE HIRED OUR DESIGN CONSULTANT.

DEMOLITION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE HANDLE IN-HOUSE, SO WE'VE HIRED A CONSULTANT TO HELP US DRAFT THAT PROJECT AND TO DO THE SUBSEQUENT PARKING LOT PROJECT.

SO THE EXPENDITURES TO THIS POINT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CEQA.

THE CEQA PORTION, THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ASSESSMENT, AND THEN WHATEVER PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING THAT WE'VE DONE IN-HOUSE.

SO IN TERMS OF, I MEAN, THERE'S A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT WAYS HOW YOU CAN LOOK AT WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THIS PROJECT.

ONCE WE COME BACK, THE BOARD HAS ALREADY AWARDED THE DESIGN CONTRACT.

THAT WAS TO GHD.

WE DID THAT EARLIER THIS MONTH OR LATE LAST MONTH.

SO ONCE WE COME BACK AND THE CEQA DETERMINATION IS MADE, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE WORK WITH OUR DESIGN CONSULTANT.

NOW, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TIME TO START DEMOLITION ON THE COURTHOUSE THIS SUMMER.

WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO SOME INTERIOR WORK TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, BUT I WOULD SEE WHOLESALE DEMOLITION AND PARKING LOT CONSTRUCTION COMING NEXT SUMMER, A PORTION OF WHICH WOULD OCCUR IN FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? YES, THAT'S HELPFUL.

YEAH, WELL, I WOULD LOVE TO GET THAT MONEY BACK AND THINK THAT THE COST THAT WE'RE PAYING ON THE MAINTENANCE IS, YOU KNOW, PRETTY SMALL RELATIVE.

I MEAN, TO WHAT I THINK WILL END UP BEING $9 TO $10 MILLION TOTAL COST OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK GIVEN WHERE WE ARE, WE JUST GO AHEAD AND COMPLETE IT.

BUT YOU'VE KIND OF BLINDSIDED ME ON SOME OF THIS STUFF, AND I DON'T APPRECIATE IT.

WHOA, SUPERVISOR HURL.

YEAH, THANK YOU.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

SO, I LOVE YOU, MATT.

APPRECIATE YOU.

THE AIRPORT, I KNOW YOU DON'T LIVE UP THERE IN THE INTERMOUNTAIN, SO IT DOESN'T AFFECT YOU, BUT IT DOES AFFECT THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE UP THERE.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE UP THERE.

AND IT'S ALSO A COUNTY ASSET.

IT BELONGS TO THE COUNTY.

AND FOR US TO TAKE A POSITION OF NOT UPKEEPING IT AND TAKING CARE OF IT, AND I ACTUALLY WANT TO DO THE, I CAN NEVER REMEMBER WHAT THE.

THE AIRPORT GIS REALLY IS WHAT WE'LL CALL FOR INSTRUMENT LANDING AT THE AIR FACILITY.

AND SUPERVISOR HARMON, IF YOU DON'T MIND, CAN I INTERRUPT YOU? I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY BECAUSE MY EXPLANATION MAY HAVE BEEN A BIT CONVOLUTED.

SO WITH SUPERVISOR HARMON'S PROPOSAL, I'M SORRY, WITH SUPERVISOR PLUMMER'S PROPOSAL, THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE RIGHT NOW.

HE'S SAYING WE GO FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

IT'S SIMPLY...

WE MADE KIND OF AN ACCOUNTING ERROR WITH OUR $65,000 ASK BECAUSE WE ALSO HAVE A $28,000 ASK THIS YEAR.

SO JUST DOING THE SIMPLE MATH, WE'RE GOING TO REDUCE OUR NEXT YEAR'S ASK TO $37,000.

SO IN THEORY, THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY IS GOING TO THE AIRPORT.

[05:20:03]

AND MY EXPLANATION KIND OF DANCED AROUND THAT.

I APOLOGIZE.

AND SO THE PEOPLE KNOW, WHEN I WAS PROPOSING THE AND I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR A YEAR, PROPOSING THE GIS.

THERE'S A GRANT.

WE'D HAVE TO FRONT THE MONEY, BUT THERE'S A FEDERAL GRANT, AVIATION GRANT, THAT IS AVAILABLE OUT THERE.

SO I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT SPENDING A BUNCH OF MONEY IN THERE.

I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD IT WAS ABOUT A $100,000 PROJECT.

WE WOULD HAVE TO COME UP WITH THE WHOLE $100,000, BUT WE'D GET REIMBURSED.

95% OF IT.

YOU KNOW, IN A WAY, I'M GLAD THAT THE AIRPORT HAS COME UP BECAUSE I THINK IT'S A BIGGER ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THIS FORUM THAT WE'RE HERE FOR RIGHT NOW.

AND SO BECAUSE ALL OF THE ONE THING I'LL LET EVERYBODY KNOW, EVERY TIME WE ACCEPT MONEY FROM THE FAA.

IT INCURS AN OBLIGATION FOR US AND INCURS AN OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE AIRPORT.

AND SO THAT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT MY DEPARTMENT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB DAYLIGHTING THAT INFORMATION, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DAYLIGHTED.

AND AS REVENUES HAVE DECLINED, OR MAYBE EVEN BETTER TO SAY AS EXPENSES HAVE INCREASED, THAT'S MORE AND MORE OF A COMMITMENT IS NEEDED BY THE COUNTY.

AND SO WHEN WE ACCEPT THESE GRANTS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TYING OUR HANDS A LITTLE BIT.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FULLY DAYLIGHT THAT PROCESS AND UNDERSTAND WHERE WE'RE GOING.

SO I'M GETTING OFF TRACK HERE A BIT.

ABSOLUTELY.

BUT LIKE I SAID INITIALLY, THAT'S OUR AIRPORT.

THAT'S THE COUNTY, THE PEOPLE'S AIRPORT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO THOSE PEOPLE UP THERE.

IF THERE'S EMERGENCIES, WHETHER IT'S FIRE.

GIS IS BECAUSE THEN YOU CAN DO NIGHT, FOG, RAIN, TAKE OFF.

MAYOR'S HOSPITAL NEEDS TO GET SOMEBODY IN THERE OR OUT OF THERE.

AND IT HASN'T BEEN.

WE DID JUST ADD THE FUEL SYSTEM, FUELING SYSTEM, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL, WHICH I THINK WAS SLOWING A LOT OF PROGRESS DOWN THERE BECAUSE PEOPLE COULDN'T GET FUELED THERE.

AND NOW THAT'S TAKEN CARE OF.

THERE'S ANOTHER THING COMING UP TOO AND YOU STARTED TALKING ABOUT THE FARM ADVISORY.

YOU WANT TO ELIMINATE THAT, MATT? SUPERVISOR HARMON, I JUST WANT, SO WE'RE MAKING RECOMMENDED CHANGES THAT AARON IS GOING TO RECORD.

YOUR DEBATE IS GOING TO COME AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE HEARING AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

AND THEN YOU WANTED TO ADD THE TAKE OUT OF THE BUDGET, CHANGE THE BUDGET.

NO.

OKAY, WELL THE AIRPORT YEAH THE GIS WELL THAT'S ALREADY IN THE BUDGET, BUT THAT'S ALREADY COMING RIGHT CURRENTLY IN OUR AIRPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, BUT IT IS PROGRAMMED OUT TO LIKE 2035.

AND WHAT COMES, AND THAT IS BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THAT ENTITLEMENT FUNDING THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

AND RIGHT NOW, WHAT OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN HAS IDENTIFIED IS THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THAT AIRPORT GIS SYSTEM IS POTENTIAL RUNWAY IMPROVEMENTS, WITH A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT PRICE TAG ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

PRECEDENT TO THOSE RUNWAY IMPROVEMENTS IS THE PAVEMENT ASSESSMENT THAT WE'RE GOING FORWARD WITH NOW FOR THIS, FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR 26-27.

RIGHT NOW, THAT AIRPORT GIS IS IN THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. IT'S PROGRAMMED OUT A LITTLE BIT. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO—WE DO THE PAVEMENT ASSESSMENT, WE'LL KNOW WHETHER WE HAVE TO DO THE RUNWAY REHABS OR NOT.

IF WE DON'T HAVE TO DO THE RUNWAY REHABS, WE CAN GO TO FAA AND WE CAN ASK THEM TO REPRIORITIZE OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND MOVE THAT AIRPORT GIS SYSTEM UP TO A SOONER DATE.

BUT A LOT DEPENDS ON THE CONDITION OF THE RUNWAYS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE, SIR? SUPERVISOR LONG.

SUPERVISOR PLUMMER, I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE COURTHOUSE DISCUSSION IS OVER.

I THINK YOU SAID THAT.

I JUST MIGHT HAVE MISSED A LITTLE BIT OF IT.

I MEAN, I WOULD LOVE TO NOT DO THAT AND HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL $9 MILLION.

BUT I THINK GIVEN WHERE WE ARE AT THIS POINT, WE CONTINUE

[05:25:01]

SUPERVISOR PLUMMER, IF I MAY ASK A QUESTION.

SO YOU'RE TAKING OFF THE ROOM 310, 311.

YOU'RE TRYING TO GET THESE AIRPORT FUNDS.

WAS THERE A REASON FOR THIS? OR, I MEAN, WERE YOU TRYING TO PAY FOR THE RETENTION BONUSES? BECAUSE I DIDN'T SEE YOU ADD ANYTHING TO THE ASK LIST ON THE BUDGET.

YOU JUST WANT TO TAKE THOSE OUT? WELL, I THINK GIVEN, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT WE'RE CHOOSING NOT TO FUND.

AND AS WE ARE ADDING THINGS TO THE LIST TO FUND, THE ONE ITEM THAT I ADDED IS A RESTRICTED FUNDING SOURCE FOR, I THINK WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE THE HARD DECISIONS TO CUT FUNDING WHERE THINGS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL AND MAKE THOSE HARD TRADE-OFFS.

AND WE HAVE OUR CORE PRIORITIES, THAT ONE WE DECIDED THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND ALSO THAT WE'RE CONSTITUTIONALLY OBLIGATED TO.

AND SO I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT ARE LOWER PRIORITY OR THAT DON'T MAKE SUSTAINABLE SENSE IN THE LONG RUN AND LOOK FOR WAYS TO TRIM THOSE COSTS.

I THINK WITH THIS BOARD DISCUSSION OR DEBATE, THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT THING.

SUPERVISOR CRAIG.

DO YOU WANT TO READ BACK WHAT WE'VE ADDED SO FAR, ERIN? IS THAT A POSSIBILITY? SO THE ITEMS I HAVE IS THAT SUPERVISOR KALLSTROM WANTS TO UNFREE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION IN THE BUILDING BUDGET.

SUPERVISOR LONG WANTS TO UNFREE THE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION IN THE BUILDING BUDGET.

TO INCLUDE $15,000 FOR THE SOFTWARE IN THE BUILDING BUDGET AND INCLUDE 10,000 BONUSES FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND COUNTY COUNCIL, OR JUST THOSE TWO, AND COUNTY COUNCIL FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR FOR ALL ATTORNEYS WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECRUITMENT BONUSES.

SUPERVISOR PLUMMER WANTS TO REMOVE THE $40,000 IN THE 102 BUDGET FOR THE ADMIN REMODEL.

HE WANTS TO CORRECT THE RISK MANAGEMENT BUDGET TO ENSURE THERE'S NOT A NEGATIVE FUND BALANCE.

HE WANTS TO ADD ON MONEY FOR AI IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S BUDGET FOR $35,000 OFFSET WITH STATHAM ROBBINS MONEY.

RESTRICTED FUNDS, PUBLIC DEFENDER IN $11,600 OFFSET BY RESTRICTED STATHAM ROBBINS FUNDS.

AND HE WANTS TO REDUCE THE GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTION IN THE FALL OF RAMIREZ MILLS.

AIRPORT BUDGET BY $28,000.

OKAY, CAN I KNOW THE SHORT, WOULD YOU MIND? ERIN, COULD I ADD, I WANTED IT TO BE FOR EVERY ATTORNEY IN ALL THREE ENTITIES EXCEPT FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

I DIDN'T HEAR THAT.

FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, YES.

SO, AND I'M NOT AGAINST THE RETENTION BONUSES BY ANY MEANS, BUT I AM, HAVE A HARD TIME TOUCHING THOSE RESERVES.

IT SEEMS TO MY, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, WHEN SUPERVISOR CRY AND I FIRST CAME HERE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, THOSE RESERVES WERE LOWER THAN THEY ARE NOW.

HEALTHY RESERVES THERE.

YEAH, SO WHAT THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN IS TO NOT ACTUALLY TOUCH THE RESERVES.

SUCH INTEREST EARNINGS ON THE RESERVES FOR THIS YEAR OR POTENTIALLY FOR NEXT YEAR SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OVER THREE YEARS.

THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT IN THE CURRENT POLICY.

I READ IT, AND SO THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT SAYS THAT THE INTEREST HAS TO GO BACK INTO THE FUND.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF WE'RE NOT INVESTING IN THAT RESERVE FUND EVERY YEAR, THE PERCENTAGE IS THE 17 TO 25 PERCENT OF GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES.

THAT IS OUR GOAL.

OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES ARE GOING UP EVERY YEAR.

SO THAT INTEREST IS KIND OF KEEPING US LEVEL, WE'RE AT ABOUT 14%.

SO WE'RE STILL A LITTLE BIT LOW.

WE HAVE ABOUT $32 MILLION.

IT DOESN'T, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S SHORT-TERM, IT'S NOT GIVING ME A TON OF HEARTBURN, BUT WE DO STILL NEED TO MAKE HEADWAY AT THAT GENERAL RESERVE GOING FORWARD.

SO THE ROUGHLY $400,000 IN INTEREST PLUS THE...

IT'S ABOUT $800,000.

$800,000 IN INTEREST.

AND I THINK THIS YEAR IT WILL BE A MILLION.

BECAUSE ERIN AND I HAD DISCUSSED THIS EARLIER WITH THE PREVIOUS DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S PROBLEM WITH THE BUDGET WHEN SHE WAS SHORT THERE AND WE DISCUSSED THAT AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I HAD SUGGESTED THEN TO MAKE HER WHOLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE SHE'S HERE NOW, BUT I MEAN SHE'D CUT AS FAR AS SHE POSSIBLY COULD.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ONE OF MY SUGGESTIONS WAS USE THAT INTEREST.

I DIDN'T WANT TO TOUCH THE RESERVES, BUT I THOUGHT WE COULD USE THE INTEREST.

BUT THEN THEY SOLVED THAT PROBLEM.

THAT GOT FIXED BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, ALL YOU.

GREAT PEOPLE.

BUT THEN WE HAD THE BUTTE COUNTY ISSUE WITH THE DA.

SO THAT'S THE ONE WE'RE TRYING TO FIX NOW.

WOULD THAT $800,000 IN INTEREST PLUS THE SAVINGS THAT MATT PLUMMER HAS SUGGESTED WITH THE ROOM 310, 311, AND THE $28,000 FROM THE AIRPORT FUND, WOULD THAT COVER THE COST OF THESE ATTORNEY RETENTION

[05:30:01]

BONUSES? IT WOULD.

IT WOULD.

AND FOR THE GENERAL RESERVE, IF WE'RE GOING TO USE INTEREST, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE ONLY TAKE OUT THE AMOUNT THAT WE NEED AND LEAVE THE REST OF IT IN THERE ACCUMULATING INTEREST BECAUSE IT'S STILL GROWING.

I AGREE.

ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? CHRIS, YEAH, I'VE GOT IT ALL CALCULATED OUT.

I WAS GOING TO READ MY MOTION AT SOME POINT.

SO $195,000 FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

IT'D BE $113,000 FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND $41,000 FOR COUNTY COUNCIL.

SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT $213,000, $315,000, $370,000.

AND WOULD YOU BE ALL RIGHT USING THE SAVINGS FOR ROOM 310, 311, AND THE $28,000 THAT WAS OVERPAID? AIRPORT FUND TO USE THOSE THOSE MONIES FIRST BEFORE WE TOUCH THE INTEREST ON THE RESERVES? DEFINITELY DEFINITELY ROOM 311.

I'M NOT SURE I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THE AIRPORT AND I'D HAVE TO ASK A COUPLE MORE QUESTIONS ON THAT.

YEAH I MEAN AND THEY'RE NOT WE CANNOT CUTTING ANYTHING OFF THE AIRPORT IT WAS JUST RIGHT IT SOUNDED LIKE IT'S IT'S KIND OF A WASH AND IT WAS GOING TO REDUCE THE 65 DOWN TO 30 SOMETHING, 37.

I THINK I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

I'D WANT TO JUST ASK JOHN TO COME UP ONE MORE TIME, AND THEN I WILL.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND ALL THAT, ERIN? SO I DO.

I THINK, THOUGH, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GET INTO IS SOME VERY COMPLICATED MOTIONS THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON OTHER MOTIONS.

MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO KEEP EACH ONE SEPARATE.

I WILL SAY WITH THE CALCULATIONS THAT SUPERVISOR LONG HAS, THE COST WOULD BE JUST OVER $350,000, AND I HAVE BUDGETED.

IN THE RESERVES, $400,000 IN INTEREST IN 26-27.

SO IT WOULD BE ABLE TO BE COVERED WITH THAT.

YEAH, I THOUGHT THAT WAS A AMOUNT.

YEAH, AND SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BUDGETED IN 26-27 FOR THE RESERVES.

AND SO WE WOULD JUST DEFER THAT.

SO RATHER THAN MAKING IT SUPER COMPLICATED.

WELL, ANOTHER WAY TO DO KALLSTROM WOULD BE TO, RATHER THAN RETURNING, I TALKED ABOUT, IN BOTH SITUATIONS, WE COULD ACTUALLY, I THINK, ALLOCATE THOSE TO THE GENERAL RESERVES INSTEAD OF THE JOB. CAN I? I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD. I MEAN, YOU GUYS COULD DEFINITELY DO THAT, AND WE CAN ACTUALLY DO THAT AT A LATER DATE, TOO, BEFORE FITS. AND I DON'T KNOW.

QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU. SO THESE ARE THE NUMBERS YOU GAVE ME. ARE YOU PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THE 195 D.A., 113 PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND 41 ARE ALL COMPLETELY ACCURATE AS FAR AS THE COST FOR THESE ATTORNEY BONUSES, EVERYONE EXCEPT DEPARTMENT HEADS? OKAY. AND THE PEOPLE WHO'VE RECEIVED RECRUITMENT BONUS.

AND THE RECRUITMENT BONUS, YOU TOOK THAT OUT.

OKAY, GOT IT.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO MAKE ANY OTHER ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? WELL, I JUST WANTED TO QUESTION JOHN REAL QUICKLY.

DON'T CLOSE IT BEFORE I SEND IT TO STEPHANIE.

YEAH, SO IT NEEDS TO GO TO THE CLERK, AND SHE NEEDS TO CONFIRM RECEIPT PRIOR TO THE CLOSURE OF THE HEARING.

SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU UNDERSTOOD MY QUESTION, BUT I KNOW IT WAS 65, TALKING 37, 28.

IT'S KIND OF A WASH.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT ANYTHING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE PAVEMENT CERTIFICATIONS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO FAA THE DIFFERENT GRANTS.

THERE'S NO EFFECT TO THIS.

CORRECT, 100%.

THAT'S GOOD.

THIS WAS COMING TO US NEXT WEEK ANYWAYS, RIGHT? DIDN'T I HEAR YOU SAY IT WAS GOING TO COME TO US NEXT WEEK, THE 28,000? WELL, YEAH, YEAH, I BELIEVE THAT IS WHEN THE CAO'S OFFICE IS BRINGING THAT BUDGET.

OKAY, CHAIR, I AM OKAY WITH THAT MOTION.

ALL RIGHT, SORRY, MS. SHORT.

SUPERVISOR CRAY.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO JUST GET CLARIFICATION, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M REALLY, REALLY CLEAR, BECAUSE I AM.

TOTALLY TRACK WITH WHAT SUPERVISOR LONG HAS PROPOSED.

THAT MONEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PULLING IT FROM, IT'S NOT GOING TO TOUCH RESERVES.

AND THEN THE INTEREST COMPONENT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HAD DIFFERENT DISCUSSIONS OVER THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS HOW TO GROW THAT.

AND WE'VE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO PUT OURSELVES IN THE SITUATION WE'RE IN THAT MANY OF THE LOCAL COUNTIES ARE NOT IN.

OUR LOCAL CITY JURISDICTIONS ARE NOT IN.

WE'RE IN A GOOD SPOT.

SO WHAT WOULD BE YOUR...

OPINION ON WITH THOSE RESERVES.

I KNOW WE'RE THE DECISION MAKERS AND I KNOW THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND.

AS THOSE GROW, WOULD YOU SEE THOSE BEING ALLOCATED FOR TOUGH TIMES? AND NOT THAT IT'S NOT TOUGH TIMES WITH PUBLIC SAFETY.

I GET THAT.

[05:35:01]

THE GENERAL RESERVE IS...

AN INTEREST.

WELL, THE GENERAL RESERVE AT YEAR END WILL ROLL TO THE INTEREST THAT'S EARNED WILL ROLL TO THE GENERAL RESERVE AT YEAR END.

AND INTEREST.

SO OUR GENERAL RESERVE IS GROWING BY THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST EVERY YEAR IF WE'RE NOT PUTTING ADDITIONAL MONIES IN, WHICH WE'RE NOT RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S GROWING TO THE TUNE OF $800,000 TO $1 MILLION A YEAR, BUT OUR GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES ARE KIND OF OUTPACING THAT A LITTLE BIT.

SO IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

THE WAY THAT THE POLICY READS THAT THAT MONEY IS THERE, I MEAN, IT'S THERE FOR TWO REASONS.

IT'S ONE, THEY'RE FOR CASH FLOW.

WE'RE KIND OF PLUSH WITH CASH A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE HAVE OPIOID MONEY AND WE'VE HAD THE ZOG FIRE MONEY AND WE'VE HAD OTHER SETTLEMENT MONEY, ARPA MONEY.

AND SO OUR CASH BALANCE HAS BEEN HIGH BECAUSE OF THOSE RESERVES THAT WE HAVE.

AND SO I'M NOT SPENT ALL THOSE MONIES AND OUR CASH FLOW KIND OF NORMALIZES.

WE COULD BE MORE DEPENDENT ON MAYBE SITTING THERE.

THE WAY THE POLICY READS IS THAT IT CAN BE USED FOR A BUDGET YEAR WHEN WE HAVE DEFICITS.

AND THEN IT ALSO SAYS THAT WE HAVE TO REPAY IT BACK OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD.

SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT REALLY SHOULD BE USED TO FUND OPERATIONS ON AND ON BECAUSE THEN IT'S GOING TO BE GONE.

REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE A GENERAL RESERVE AND FISCAL MANAGEMENT TO HAVE A GENERAL RESERVE.

YOU KNOW, IF WE'RE GOING TO TAKE $400,000 IN INTEREST THIS YEAR, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S WHAT IT IS, IS ABOUT 350,000 A YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, I'M NOT GOING TO DIE ON THAT.

IT WILL NOT DEPLETE OUR GENERAL RESERVE, WHICH IS WHAT I'M— IF WE WERE GOING TO DIP INTO THAT, I WOULD SHARE, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT OUR POLICY DESERVES. AGAIN, LOOKING AT COUNTY COUNCIL, PUBLIC DEFENDER, DA, SURE, AND STYLE ABOUT, OKAY. YEAH, LIKELY I THINK THE BIGGEST IMPACT IS WHEN WE REPORT OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NEXT YEAR. WE MIGHT BE AT 13% INSTEAD OF 14%.

STILL, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT FROM THE 17 TO 25 THAT WE'LL STILL NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

AND I'LL LEAVE THE REST OF THAT DECISION TO YOU GUYS.

I MEAN, I KNOW WE'LL DEBATE THIS, AND I'M OKAY WITH THE RESERVE PART, BUT TOO OFTEN, I MEAN, I HAVE KIDS GOING THROUGH THIS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY SAVE MONEY AND THEY WANT SOMETHING.

IT SETS THEM BACK FOUR YEARS WITH THE COMPOUNDING OF THE INTEREST.

CLERK OF THE BOARD, STEPHANIE BLANKENSHIP, HAVE WE RECEIVED THE CHANGES IN WRITING? NOT JUST YET, BUT WHAT I CAN CONFIRM WHILE ERIN IS SENDING THAT TO ME IS ANY CORRESPONDENCE RELATED TO THIS MATTER.

IS ON FILE WITH THE CLERK OF THE BOARD.

IT'S AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST.

THAT WAS MY NEXT QUESTION.

COULD YOU PLAY JEOPARDY MUSIC MAYBE, STEPHANIE? JEN.

CHAIR, CAN WE, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS I'LL JUST SAY AS WE'RE WAITING FOR THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO THIS, BUT WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE AD HOC COMMITTEE SPEND A YEAR AND A HALF WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN.

AND I DO STRATEGIC PLANS EVERY YEAR WITH MY COMPANIES.

I'M SURE HARMON DOES AS WELL.

AND YOU LOOK AT OUR PILLARS OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO PRIORITIZE, PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH CARE, WILDFIRE PREVENTION, BUILDING AND PLANNING DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

SO.

I MEAN, I WOULD JUST SAY AS WE GET READY TO REFLECT, THINK ABOUT WHAT WE JUST SPENT A YEAR AND A HALF ON AND HOW INADEQUATE THIS ALL FEELS WHEN WE SAY THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE IF EVERYTHING'S URGENT, NOTHING'S URGENT.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO CONFIRM THAT THE CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE IN WRITING, RECEIVED IN WRITING.

I'M RESENDING IT.

NOT YET.

COULD HAVE JUST WRITTEN IT DOWN THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY AND HANDED IT OVER.

YES, CHAIR, I'VE RECEIVED THE EMAIL.

ALL RIGHT, SO I CAN CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING THEN? ALL RIGHT, LET'S CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE'LL CALL FOR MOTIONS TO ACCEPT THE BUDGET WITH THIS CHANGES.

[05:40:02]

I'LL START. I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE AN INCREASE TO APPROPRIATIONS IN THE APPROPRIATE SALARY AND BENEFITS ACCOUNT IN THE AMOUNT OF $195,947 IN THE 227 DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET, $113,443 IN THE 2007 PUBLIC DEFENDER BUDGET, AND $41,252 IN THE 120 COUNTY COUNCIL BUDGET TO PAY FOR RETENTION BONUSES FOR ALL ATTORNEYS WHO ARE EMPLOYED WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PUBLIC DEFENDER, OR COUNTY COUNCIL OFFICES IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,000 PER EMPLOYEE, EXCLUDING DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ANY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE RECEIVED SIGNING BONUSES AND HAVE NOT COMPLETED THEIR TIME COMMITMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR SIGN-ON BONUS.

DIRECT STAFF TO MEET AND CONFER WITH ASSOCIATED BARGAINING UNITS AND BRING BACK AT A LATER DATE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOUS AND/OR PERSONNEL RULE OPTING THE PROPOSED RETENTION BONUSES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 AND 2027. THE RETENTION BONUSES WOULD BE PAID IN JANUARY OF 2027 FOLLOWING THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED MOUS AND PERSONNEL RULES. GIVE BOARD CONSENT TO DIVERT INTEREST FROM THE GENERAL RESERVE TO THE GENERAL FUND IN FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 TO PAY FOR THE RETENTION BONUSES AND INCREASED INTEREST REVENUE IN THE BUDGET FOR THE GENERAL REVENUE AND TRANSFERS BUDGET, BU 100, AND DECREASED INTEREST REVENUE IN THE GENERAL RESERVES BUDGET, BU 160, BY FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT IS ALSO MY INTENT TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DURING SUBSEQUENT BUDGET PROCESSES AS FUNDING AND STAFFING CONDITIONS WARRANT FURTHER CONSIDERATION. RIGHT.

WHEN YOU BRING, LIKE, THE SECOND MAYBE LONGEST MOTION EVER MADE. NOW SECOND. ALL RIGHT. FIRST AND A SECOND.

FIRST PLACE IN THE LONG, SECOND PLACE IN THE PLUMBER.

WE NEED A ROLL CALL VOTE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0. ALL RIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO UNFREEZE THAT ONE CODE ENFORCEMENT POSITION IN THE BUILDING INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT. OKAY, SUPERVISOR KILSTROM, FOR THAT, CAN I GET YOU TO SPECIFY THAT WE WOULD BE INCREASING THEIR BUDGET FOR SALARY AND BENEFITS IN THE AMOUNT OF $146,866? YES, I SPECIFY THAT.

146,000, WHAT WAS IT? 866.

THAT'S MY MOTION.

I WANT TO REFUND OR UNFREEZE THAT CODE INSPECTOR.

CHRIS, DID THAT INCLUDE THE $15,000 SOFTWARE OR IS THAT SEPARATE? THAT'LL BE SEPARATE.

GOT IT.

I GOT IT FIRST BY MYSELF, SECOND BY SUPERVISOR CRY.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0.

ALAN, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THE SOFTWARE ONE? I WILL.

I HAVE NOT WRITTEN THIS ONE OUT, SO BEAR WITH ME AND MAYBE.

GOODNESS.

OKAY, THIS WILL BE TO AMEND THE BUDGET TO INCLUDE $15,000 APPROXIMATELY FOR THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE A SPECIFIC AMOUNT, SO YOU SAY $15,000 FOR THE GRANT-A-KIT SOFTWARE.

DO WE KNOW IF IT'S EXACTLY THAT AMOUNT? WELL, THAT'LL BE THE AMOUNT OF THE BUDGET, AND THEN THEY'LL HAVE TO SPEND IT ON IT.

OKAY, SO I WOULD MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE GRANICUS SOFTWARE IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,000 TO AID WITH THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX NEEDS.

CAN I GET YOU TO AMEND THAT TO INCLUDE IN THE BUILDING BUDGET? IN THE BUILDING BUDGET, THAT WOULD BE MY AMENDMENT.

MOTION MADE BY SUPERVISOR LONG, SECONDED BY MYSELF.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0.

WHAT ELSE WE GOT? ARE YOU DONE, SUPERVISOR LONG? YES, I AM.

OKAY, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO REMOVE $40,000 FROM THE LAND BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENT

[05:45:01]

BUDGET AND RETURN IT.

SUPERVISOR PLUMMER, IT'S ACTUALLY IN THE 102 BUDGET.

OKAY, THE 102.

AND FOR THE COUNTY ADMIN BILL AND...

GENERAL FUND DO WE HAVE A SECOND? MADE BY SUPERVISOR PLUMBER SECOND BY SUPERVISOR LONG YES, GOOD SURPRISE CRY THANK YOU CHAIR YOU KNOW I DIDN'T EVEN ASK CEO RICKER I KNOW I THINK AARON OR SON OR BRYCE HAD MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES TO WHATEVER I FORGOT TO ASK THAT I WAS SUPPORTING HIS AI THING AND I FORGOT TO ASK ABOUT THAT 311 IF IT'S JUST CARPETS AND DRAPES THEN FORGET IT BUT IT'S IS THERE A IS THERE A BACK-END PAYOFF OF THIS THANK YOU SUPERVISOR CRY WOULD HAVE BRYCE RITCHIE COME UP AND EXPLAIN THE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS I'M ASSUMING THAT'S ALL NOT CARPET AT LEAST I HOPE NOT IT'S NOT ALL CARPET BUT NO THIS WOULD JUST IT WOULD I MEAN PAY OFF FOR OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES GET US MORE USE OUT THE ROOM BUT LIKE I SAID, THEY'RE NOT CRITICAL AT THIS TIME.

THE CARPET WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT, BUT THE CARPET PORTION WAS FAR LESS THAN THE GRANT TOTAL.

THEN I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO REMOVE $28,000 FROM THE FALL RIVER MILLS AIRPORT ADMIN BUDGET. I GUESS THAT'S IN SERVICES AND SUPPLIES. AND RETURN THAT TO THE GENERAL FUND. I WILL SECOND THAT.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? PASSES 5-0.

SORRY, THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE—YOU WOULD NEED TO DO A MOTION TO REDUCE THE TRANSFER IN FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN THE AIRPORT BUDGET AND REDUCE THE TRANSFER OUT TO THE AIRPORT IN THE BUDGET. YOU WANT TO HAVE UNIT 100, GENERAL REVENUE AND TRANSFERS. I'LL DO THAT. REDUCE THE TRANSFER OUT FROM THE GENERAL FUND AND REDUCE THE TRANSFER INTO THE AIRPORT BUDGET. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO COME TO US NEXT WEEK ANYWAYS, AND THIS IS ANOTHER SUPERVISOR'S DISTRICT, SO I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS. BUT WHAT'S COMING NEXT WEEK IS ONLY THE BUDGET AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE $28,000 SPEND.

IT WON'T IMPACT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE REFERRING HERE. OKAY.

I'M STILL NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT, BUT SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY SUPERVISOR PLUMMER, SECONDED BY SUPERVISOR LONG.

LET'S HAVE A ROLL CALL VOTE STARTING WITH SUPERVISOR PLUMMER.

SUPERVISOR PLUMMER? YES.

SUPERVISOR CRY? NO.

SUPERVISOR KELLSTROM? NO.

AND SUPERVISOR HARMON? NO.

AND SUPERVISOR LONG? AND SUPERVISOR LONG, SORRY.