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LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport City Council on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to a contract for remodeling City Hall in an effort to make it more customer friendly.
City Manager Margaret Silveira reported that the project will include fixes to the front counter, and also will improve Americans with Disabilities Act access, remodel office space for the Planning Department and provide additional storage for the council chambers.
The city originally had budgeted $70,000 for the project, but the city's engineer put the cost at $183,434, Silveira said.
Bridges Construction of Lakeport was the sole bidder, at $235,610. Silveira said the company worked with the city engineer to bring down costs by $47,750. The total new bid cost is $187,860.
The cost drop revolved mostly around the change in plans to do the work during the day, rather than at night, as originally had been proposed to cause less disruption to the public and staff, Silveira explained.
Silveira said the contractor will build a temporary wall in front of the remodel area to drop the noise and shield the work from public view.
While the work is partially budgeted, Silveira said she and city Finance Director Nick Walker have discussed it, and they are sure that they will have savings in this year's budget that will more than cover the difference.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said consideration was given to the phasing of the construction in order to allow city operations to continue.
Councilman Kenny Parlet asked about a timeline. Silveira said the contractor is ready to go, with an estimate of about four weeks to complete the major aspects of the project.
Councilman George Spurr followed up by asking when the work would start. Silveira said it could be a few weeks before the work gets under way.
Lakeport resident Michael Froio, also a city planning commissioner, was the only person to speak during public comment.
He asked if there was only one bid, which Silveira confirmed.
Ingram explained that during the project walk-through, the city hosted seven contractors who looked at the job, so they were surprised to only get one bid.
Froio said that was hard to swallow, and went on to question why the city was moving forward with the City Hall renovation when a 6-foot cyclone fence remains in place around the damaged seawall across the street in Library Park.
That work on the seawall is going through a federal emergency funding project with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and as such has moved forward at a slower pace, as Lake County News has reported.
Silveira told Froio that it was an apples and oranges comparison between City Hall and the seawall.
Froio responded that it's about public perception, and whether City Hall can continue to function without the upgrades.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said it doesn't make sense to hold up all of the city's projects due to the pace of the federal project for the seawall.
Silveira said the city could use its own money to start repairing the seawall, but it wouldn't get reimbursed, which is why they are following the process with FEMA. She said the seawall project is now being finalized.
Froio said he understood about the different pots of money and not getting reimbursed, but added, “I feel like we're losing a lot of revenue here,” with residents, visitors and businesses not getting full use of Library Park. He suggested they needed signage in the park explaining the fence.
Mayor Tim Barnes asked Public Works Director Doug Grider for an update on the seawall, which Grider gave later during the council and staff communications portion of the meeting.
Grider, who along with his staff has been working with FEMA on the seawall replacement process, said the project is now under contract with an engineering firm.
He said this year's flood set the city back on the seawall project.
Within the next few weeks, Grider said boring will be taking along the seawall, and once that it done, they will look at removing the broken concrete and doing some kind of backfill, paid for by the city, to grant access.
However, if they conclude that the wall won't hold up due to outward pressure, the area will remain closed due to safety concerns, Grider said.
“It's moving along,” Grider said of the process.
As soon as the engineering plans are approved by FEMA, the project will be in construction phase, Grider said.
He said the project, which involves building a new sheet pile wall, is estimated to cost about $1.8 million.
Barnes asked about the project timeframe. Grider said the engineering should take two to three months, and they could begin the sheet piling this fall.
Froio asked if the city is sure that FEMA will pay for the project. Grider said they will. He also explained that the city will have a 6.5-percent project match that will be paid for by the city's insurance.
Grider said starting work before having FEMA's blessing on the project would mean the city would not be reimbursed.
Froio said he understood but said it looks bad for the city.
Grider said the one person who is likely the most unhappy about the situation is him.
During this year's flooding, Grider said Library Park's sidewalk received more substantial damage and was undermined even further. “That really hurt us,” he said.
Grider added, “We're moving forward as fast as we can.”
Also on Tuesday, the council presented a proclamation to Officer Casey Debolt for his efforts to stem drunk driving in the community. Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored Debolt on April 24 for his work, which included making nearly half of the more than 90 drunk driving arrests in the city in 2018.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said Debolt created public outreach materials, spoke on public radio and worked on DUI saturation patrols, all in an effort to keep the city safe. He said that the agency was confident that Debolt's work and that of the other officers has changed behavior, kept city streets safer and saved lives as well.
Barnes thanked Debolt for his work, presented a proclamation in his honor and shook Debolt's hand. He also received a standing ovation.
Barnes also presented proclamations designating May 12 to 18 as Police Week and May 18 to 24 as National Safe Boating Week.
In other action on Tuesday, the council received a report from Pacific Gas and Electric representative Herman Hernandez regarding the utility’s Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan, appointed Mattina to the Lake County Airport Land Use Commission Board of Directors, and Councilwoman Mireya Turner to the Clean Water Management Program Council, with Spurr as the alternate.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
City Manager Margaret Silveira reported that the project will include fixes to the front counter, and also will improve Americans with Disabilities Act access, remodel office space for the Planning Department and provide additional storage for the council chambers.
The city originally had budgeted $70,000 for the project, but the city's engineer put the cost at $183,434, Silveira said.
Bridges Construction of Lakeport was the sole bidder, at $235,610. Silveira said the company worked with the city engineer to bring down costs by $47,750. The total new bid cost is $187,860.
The cost drop revolved mostly around the change in plans to do the work during the day, rather than at night, as originally had been proposed to cause less disruption to the public and staff, Silveira explained.
Silveira said the contractor will build a temporary wall in front of the remodel area to drop the noise and shield the work from public view.
While the work is partially budgeted, Silveira said she and city Finance Director Nick Walker have discussed it, and they are sure that they will have savings in this year's budget that will more than cover the difference.
Community Development Director Kevin Ingram said consideration was given to the phasing of the construction in order to allow city operations to continue.
Councilman Kenny Parlet asked about a timeline. Silveira said the contractor is ready to go, with an estimate of about four weeks to complete the major aspects of the project.
Councilman George Spurr followed up by asking when the work would start. Silveira said it could be a few weeks before the work gets under way.
Lakeport resident Michael Froio, also a city planning commissioner, was the only person to speak during public comment.
He asked if there was only one bid, which Silveira confirmed.
Ingram explained that during the project walk-through, the city hosted seven contractors who looked at the job, so they were surprised to only get one bid.
Froio said that was hard to swallow, and went on to question why the city was moving forward with the City Hall renovation when a 6-foot cyclone fence remains in place around the damaged seawall across the street in Library Park.
That work on the seawall is going through a federal emergency funding project with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and as such has moved forward at a slower pace, as Lake County News has reported.
Silveira told Froio that it was an apples and oranges comparison between City Hall and the seawall.
Froio responded that it's about public perception, and whether City Hall can continue to function without the upgrades.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina said it doesn't make sense to hold up all of the city's projects due to the pace of the federal project for the seawall.
Silveira said the city could use its own money to start repairing the seawall, but it wouldn't get reimbursed, which is why they are following the process with FEMA. She said the seawall project is now being finalized.
Froio said he understood about the different pots of money and not getting reimbursed, but added, “I feel like we're losing a lot of revenue here,” with residents, visitors and businesses not getting full use of Library Park. He suggested they needed signage in the park explaining the fence.
Mayor Tim Barnes asked Public Works Director Doug Grider for an update on the seawall, which Grider gave later during the council and staff communications portion of the meeting.
Grider, who along with his staff has been working with FEMA on the seawall replacement process, said the project is now under contract with an engineering firm.
He said this year's flood set the city back on the seawall project.
Within the next few weeks, Grider said boring will be taking along the seawall, and once that it done, they will look at removing the broken concrete and doing some kind of backfill, paid for by the city, to grant access.
However, if they conclude that the wall won't hold up due to outward pressure, the area will remain closed due to safety concerns, Grider said.
“It's moving along,” Grider said of the process.
As soon as the engineering plans are approved by FEMA, the project will be in construction phase, Grider said.
He said the project, which involves building a new sheet pile wall, is estimated to cost about $1.8 million.
Barnes asked about the project timeframe. Grider said the engineering should take two to three months, and they could begin the sheet piling this fall.
Froio asked if the city is sure that FEMA will pay for the project. Grider said they will. He also explained that the city will have a 6.5-percent project match that will be paid for by the city's insurance.
Grider said starting work before having FEMA's blessing on the project would mean the city would not be reimbursed.
Froio said he understood but said it looks bad for the city.
Grider said the one person who is likely the most unhappy about the situation is him.
During this year's flooding, Grider said Library Park's sidewalk received more substantial damage and was undermined even further. “That really hurt us,” he said.
Grider added, “We're moving forward as fast as we can.”
Also on Tuesday, the council presented a proclamation to Officer Casey Debolt for his efforts to stem drunk driving in the community. Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored Debolt on April 24 for his work, which included making nearly half of the more than 90 drunk driving arrests in the city in 2018.
Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said Debolt created public outreach materials, spoke on public radio and worked on DUI saturation patrols, all in an effort to keep the city safe. He said that the agency was confident that Debolt's work and that of the other officers has changed behavior, kept city streets safer and saved lives as well.
Barnes thanked Debolt for his work, presented a proclamation in his honor and shook Debolt's hand. He also received a standing ovation.
Barnes also presented proclamations designating May 12 to 18 as Police Week and May 18 to 24 as National Safe Boating Week.
In other action on Tuesday, the council received a report from Pacific Gas and Electric representative Herman Hernandez regarding the utility’s Wildland Fire Mitigation Plan, appointed Mattina to the Lake County Airport Land Use Commission Board of Directors, and Councilwoman Mireya Turner to the Clean Water Management Program Council, with Spurr as the alternate.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Friday, May 17, Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College will hold commencement ceremonies on the campus lawn located at 15880 Dam Road Extension in Clearlake.
Students who have earned certificates of achievement will be recognized for their accomplishments at the 1 p.m. certificate ceremony.
The student speaker will be Tarryn Krause of Hidden Valley.
Students will receive certificates in the following areas:
Business
Accounting Certificate of Achievement: Michael Blackburn, Krystal Boatright, Steve Presley, and Araceli Zurita of Clearlake; and Cynthia Bunce of Hidden Valley Lake.
Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement: Tracy Marroquin of Clearlake.
Clerical Assistant Certificate of Training: Tracy Marroquin, Deniqua McDaniels and Malinda Mitchell of Clearlake.
Culinary Arts
Baking Certificate of Achievement: Heather Kawamura of Clearlake; Janelle Heal of Clearlake Oaks; and Jamisynn “Rose” O’Bryan of Lower Lake.
Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement: Joseph Franz, Diana Partida Padilla, Crystal Kraft, and Michaela Pearson of Clearlake; Janelle Heal of Clearlake Oaks; Edward Backus and Juan Borrayo-Cruz of Hidden Valley Lake; Julianna Peters of Lakeport; and Yadira Mora and Mayra Nava of Lower Lake.
Early Childhood Education
Child Development Teacher Certificate of Achievement: Lydia Amos, Marylou Heptinstall, Francien Martinez, Greissy Perez, Zeltzin Jimenez, Teresa Lopez, and Nayely Sanchez of Clearlake; Christina Stricklin of Clearlake Oaks; Tarryn Krause, Donna Mahony, Natasha McKenney and Ashley Rylance of Hidden Valley Lake; and Paula Craffey and Mira Porsley of Nice.
Environmental Technology
Drinking Water and Waste Water Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Antonio Hines, Cal Kranzler, Jonathan Silsby, Hector Hernandez, and Dean Wills of Clearlake; Gilbert Lopez and Cherylyn Nutting of Clearlake Oaks; Eric Gassner-Wollwage and Dominic Turner of Hidden Valley Lake; Anthony Cassanova and Gabriel Quinonez of Nice.
Welding
Welding Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Jason Sutherland of Clearlake.
Advanced Welding Certificate of Achievement: Kyle Kopp of Kelseyville.
Human Services
Human Services Chemical Dependency Awareness Certificate of Achievement: Theresa Betancourt of Clearlake.
Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate of Achievement: Theresa Betancourt and Lori McAllen of Clearlake; and Holly Austinson of Clearlake Park.
At 6 p.m., students who have earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree will be recognized for their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony, hosted by Executive Dean Steve Wylie.
Yuba Community College District Trustee Richard “Doc” Savarese will confer the degrees. The student speaker will be Laura-Jean Bevan of Lucerne.
The students graduating with associate degrees are as follows.
Clearlake
Samantha Ambrecht - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Jonathon Benavidez - Associate in Arts for Transfer, Economics
Krystal Boatright - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Marla Boelter - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Christopher Colen - Associate in Science, Administration of Justice—Law Enforcement
Elizabeth Correa - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Amber Crenshaw - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education; Associate in Arts, Psychology
Estela Delgadillo - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Robert Ehrhardt - Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications; Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Tia Ellis - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Holly Garcia - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Janet Hernandez - Associate in Science, Administrative Assistant
Miranda Hernandez - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Zeltzin Jimenez - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Brett Leishman - Associate in Arts, General Education: Arts & Humanities
Jordan Lennon - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Beverly Lino - Associate in Science, Human Services and Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Brieanna Marroquin - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Jorge Marcial Martinez - Associate in Science, General Business Management
April Morgan - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Jesus Ochoa - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Cynthia Griego Perez - Associate in Science for Transfer, Early Childhood Education
Diana Perez - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Tamara Pinkney - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Amanda Plumeau - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Steve Presley - Associate in Science, Accounting
Katie Rick - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Amanda Samson - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Stanley Silsby - Associate in Science, Personnel Management
Alice Streckfuss - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Donnalee Villasenor - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Clearlake Oaks
Estelle Austin - Associate of Arts for Transfer, Anthropology and Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Destiny Darbazanjian - Associate in Science, Human Services
Kayla Lampela - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Kylie Lampela - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Cherylyn Nutting - Associate of Science, Business Administration
Richard Nutting - Associate in Science, Accounting and Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
Clearlake Park
Holly Austinson - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Cobb
Holly Cassidy - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Kimberly Young - Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Hidden Valley Lake
Tonya Albright - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Cynthia Brunce - Associate in Science, Accounting
Natasha McKenney - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Anthony Neves - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Deborah Rosi - Associate in Science, General Business Management
Kelseyville
Danna Shaat - Associate in Science, Administration of Justice Corrections
Scott Sullivan - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Lower Lake
Brandy Henderson - Associate in Science, Accounting and Associate in Science Business Computer Applications
Mira Porsley - Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Lucerne
Laura-Jean Bevan - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Iris Morse - Associate in Science, Business Administration; Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration; Associate in Science, Medical Office Skills
James Rayburn - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
Potter Valley
Kyrstyn Thompson - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
The public is welcome to join the administration, faculty, and staff to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.
For more information, contact the campus at 707-995-7900 or visit http://LCC.yccd.edu .
Students who have earned certificates of achievement will be recognized for their accomplishments at the 1 p.m. certificate ceremony.
The student speaker will be Tarryn Krause of Hidden Valley.
Students will receive certificates in the following areas:
Business
Accounting Certificate of Achievement: Michael Blackburn, Krystal Boatright, Steve Presley, and Araceli Zurita of Clearlake; and Cynthia Bunce of Hidden Valley Lake.
Administrative Assistant Certificate of Achievement: Tracy Marroquin of Clearlake.
Clerical Assistant Certificate of Training: Tracy Marroquin, Deniqua McDaniels and Malinda Mitchell of Clearlake.
Culinary Arts
Baking Certificate of Achievement: Heather Kawamura of Clearlake; Janelle Heal of Clearlake Oaks; and Jamisynn “Rose” O’Bryan of Lower Lake.
Culinary Arts Certificate of Achievement: Joseph Franz, Diana Partida Padilla, Crystal Kraft, and Michaela Pearson of Clearlake; Janelle Heal of Clearlake Oaks; Edward Backus and Juan Borrayo-Cruz of Hidden Valley Lake; Julianna Peters of Lakeport; and Yadira Mora and Mayra Nava of Lower Lake.
Early Childhood Education
Child Development Teacher Certificate of Achievement: Lydia Amos, Marylou Heptinstall, Francien Martinez, Greissy Perez, Zeltzin Jimenez, Teresa Lopez, and Nayely Sanchez of Clearlake; Christina Stricklin of Clearlake Oaks; Tarryn Krause, Donna Mahony, Natasha McKenney and Ashley Rylance of Hidden Valley Lake; and Paula Craffey and Mira Porsley of Nice.
Environmental Technology
Drinking Water and Waste Water Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Antonio Hines, Cal Kranzler, Jonathan Silsby, Hector Hernandez, and Dean Wills of Clearlake; Gilbert Lopez and Cherylyn Nutting of Clearlake Oaks; Eric Gassner-Wollwage and Dominic Turner of Hidden Valley Lake; Anthony Cassanova and Gabriel Quinonez of Nice.
Welding
Welding Technologies Certificate of Achievement: Jason Sutherland of Clearlake.
Advanced Welding Certificate of Achievement: Kyle Kopp of Kelseyville.
Human Services
Human Services Chemical Dependency Awareness Certificate of Achievement: Theresa Betancourt of Clearlake.
Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling Certificate of Achievement: Theresa Betancourt and Lori McAllen of Clearlake; and Holly Austinson of Clearlake Park.
At 6 p.m., students who have earned an associate in arts or associate in science degree will be recognized for their accomplishments at the graduation ceremony, hosted by Executive Dean Steve Wylie.
Yuba Community College District Trustee Richard “Doc” Savarese will confer the degrees. The student speaker will be Laura-Jean Bevan of Lucerne.
The students graduating with associate degrees are as follows.
Clearlake
Samantha Ambrecht - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Jonathon Benavidez - Associate in Arts for Transfer, Economics
Krystal Boatright - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Marla Boelter - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Christopher Colen - Associate in Science, Administration of Justice—Law Enforcement
Elizabeth Correa - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Amber Crenshaw - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education; Associate in Arts, Psychology
Estela Delgadillo - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Robert Ehrhardt - Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications; Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Tia Ellis - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Holly Garcia - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Janet Hernandez - Associate in Science, Administrative Assistant
Miranda Hernandez - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Zeltzin Jimenez - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Brett Leishman - Associate in Arts, General Education: Arts & Humanities
Jordan Lennon - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Beverly Lino - Associate in Science, Human Services and Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Brieanna Marroquin - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Jorge Marcial Martinez - Associate in Science, General Business Management
April Morgan - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Jesus Ochoa - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Cynthia Griego Perez - Associate in Science for Transfer, Early Childhood Education
Diana Perez - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Tamara Pinkney - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Amanda Plumeau - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Steve Presley - Associate in Science, Accounting
Katie Rick - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Amanda Samson - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Stanley Silsby - Associate in Science, Personnel Management
Alice Streckfuss - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Donnalee Villasenor - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Clearlake Oaks
Estelle Austin - Associate of Arts for Transfer, Anthropology and Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Destiny Darbazanjian - Associate in Science, Human Services
Kayla Lampela - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Kylie Lampela - Associate in Science, General Education: Natural Science & Math
Cherylyn Nutting - Associate of Science, Business Administration
Richard Nutting - Associate in Science, Accounting and Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
Clearlake Park
Holly Austinson - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Cobb
Holly Cassidy - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Kimberly Young - Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Hidden Valley Lake
Tonya Albright - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Cynthia Brunce - Associate in Science, Accounting
Natasha McKenney - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
Anthony Neves - Associate in Arts, Culinary Arts
Deborah Rosi - Associate in Science, General Business Management
Kelseyville
Danna Shaat - Associate in Science, Administration of Justice Corrections
Scott Sullivan - Associate in Science, Human Services Chemical Dependency Counseling
Lower Lake
Brandy Henderson - Associate in Science, Accounting and Associate in Science Business Computer Applications
Mira Porsley - Associate in Arts, General Education: Social and Behavioral Science
Lucerne
Laura-Jean Bevan - Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration
Iris Morse - Associate in Science, Business Administration; Associate in Science for Transfer, Business Administration; Associate in Science, Medical Office Skills
James Rayburn - Associate in Science, Accounting; Associate in Science, Business Computer Applications
Potter Valley
Kyrstyn Thompson - Associate in Science, Early Childhood Education
The public is welcome to join the administration, faculty, and staff to celebrate the students’ accomplishments.
For more information, contact the campus at 707-995-7900 or visit http://LCC.yccd.edu .
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday released a revised state budget proposal that prioritizes saving for a rainy day – putting a record amount into the state’s reserves and making billions in fiscal pay downs of pension debt.
The revised budget also prioritizes one-time investments aimed at tackling the main issues driving California’s affordability crisis.
“The California Dream must be built on a strong fiscal foundation,” said Gov. Newsom. “This budget fortifies California’s fiscal position while making long-sighted investments to increase affordability for California families. The affordability crisis families face in this state is very real, and that’s why this budget tackles those challenges head-on by focusing on housing, health care, early childhood and higher education.”
State Sen. Mike McGuire, who represents the North Coast including Lake County, lauded the budget.
“Gov. Newsom’s forward-looking budget revisions reflect the need to build up our rainy day fund and pay down billions in debt in good financial times while investing in programs that will help the Golden State continue to grow. An additional $1.2 billion will be invested in our rainy day fund, bringing us to a record $16.5 billion. We’ll need every penny when the economy slows,” he said.
“We’re looking at a record level of spending in K-12 public schools with $5,000 more per student compared to eight years ago, driving down the cost of college by making the first two years of community college free for full time students and investing billions in affordable housing, homeless services and fixing our roads and highways,” McGuire said.
“I look forward to working over the next month to pass a balanced budget that works for the people of California and tackles some of our toughest challenges,” said McGuire, a member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.
“The California Business Roundtable strongly supports the focus on one-time strategic investments in Governor Newsom’s budget, which will help continue to build a foundation of long-term fiscal stability. This budget sends a clear signal that the governor understands what is needed to grow investment in jobs and our economy,” said California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley.
Significant details of the revised budget include the following.
Building resiliency and preparing for the next downturn
The nation’s economic recovery is approaching its 10th year – almost the longest on record – and short-term revenues are increasing. However, California faces continued uncertainty from Washington and around the world.
Accordingly, Gov. Newsom’s revised budget allocates $15 billion to build budgetary resiliency and pay down the state's unfunded liabilities, $1.4 billion higher than proposed in January.
This includes $4.5 billion to eliminate budgetary debts and reverse deferrals, $5.7 billion to build reserves, and $4.8 billion to pay down unfunded retirement liabilities.
Specifically, the state will continue to build reserves. The revised budget includes an additional $1.2 billion deposit into the Rainy Day Fund, bringing the reserve to $16.5 billion in 2019-20.
The Rainy Day Fund is now expected to reach its constitutional cap of 10 percent of General Fund Revenues in 2020-21, two years earlier than predicted in January.
The May Revision also seeks to eliminate state budgetary debts and reverse funding deferrals. This marks the first time in over a decade that all budgetary debts are completely paid off.
Confronting the cost crisis
While fortifying the state’s fiscal foundations, the revised budget also sets forth a series of proposals that help families confront the cost crisis.
The revised budget released today builds on the foundation set in January to fund a comprehensive early childhood plan, more affordable paths for higher education, and an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.
It also brings the state closer toward health care for all and takes meaningful steps to addressing the housing crisis.
Significant investments to confront the cost crisis are included in the revised budget, which:
– Moves the state closer towards health care for all and single payer: The budget proposal maintains a number of the governor’s budget priorities from January and moves the state toward health care for all while the state gears up for single payer. The governor proposes making California the first state to expand Medi-Cal coverage eligibility to young adults ages 19 through 25 regardless of immigration status. The budget also proposes first-in-the-nation subsidies for middle-income earners to be able to purchase health care on the Covered California exchanges.
– Takes on California’s housing affordability crisis: The governor believes California’s housing crisis is the fundamental economic challenge facing families in this state. The governor’s January budget included $1.75 billion General Fund to increase housing production. The May Revision maintains this commitment to spur housing production, but refocuses $500 million to remove barriers to building mixed-income housing.
– Extends Paid Family Leave: The budget extends California's Paid Family Leave program so newborns can be cared for by a parent or caretaker. The May Revision expands paid family leave for each parent to eight weeks, allowing parents to take up to four months of leave after the birth or adoption of their child.
– Proposes two years free community college tuition: Recognizing that California’s public higher education institutions remain the engines of economic mobility, the May Revision maintains funding for two free years of community college tuition for first-time full-time students as well as significant increases in funding for the California State University and University of California to prevent tuition increases in the budget year.
– Expands the Earned Income Tax Credit: The Earned Income Tax Credit is widely credited as one of the most effective anti-poverty measures in our nation’s history. Gov. Newsom’s budget proposes big expansions to the Cal-EITC: A Cost-of-Living Refund, which helps economically distressed families with the costs of food, rent and child care. The May Revision proposes increasing the additional credit for families with young kids proposed in January, from $500 to $1,000.
– Largest-ever investment in K-12 schools: The budget invests in K-12 schools by providing approximately $5,000 more per pupil than 8 years ago, including additional investments to assist students with the greatest needs. It also increases the ongoing funding for Special Education by almost $200 million compared to the January budget proposal. The May Revision also makes significant investments in the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers by revamping teacher training and providing targeted service scholarships.
$1 billion to fight homelessness
California is facing a homelessness epidemic across the state. This crisis is exacerbated by a health care system that does not adequately serve individuals with mental illness.
The budget includes:
– $650 million to local governments for homelessness emergency aid.
– $120 million for expanded Whole Person Care services.
– $150 million for strategies to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the public mental health system.
– $25 million for Supplemental Security Income advocacy.
– $40 million for student rapid rehousing and basic needs initiatives for students in the University of California and California State University systems.
– $20 million in legal assistance for eviction prevention.
– More than $400 million to increase grants to families in the CalWORKs program.
Preparing for emergencies
Since his first full day in office Gov. Newsom has prioritized emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The governor’s January budget proposed $769 million in additional funding to support the state’s wildfire prevention, response and recovery – investing in technology and resources to accelerate fuel reduction projects and launching the California For All Emergency Preparedness Campaign.
The revised budget maintains these investments and adds an additional $39.9 million to enhance the state’s capacity to tackle more frequent and complex natural disasters.
Additional investments in the revised budget include:
– $5.9 million in ongoing funds to increase staffing and response capacity at the Office of Emergency Services.
– $2 million to create a permanent disaster response and recovery unit to tackle local housing issues through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
– $2.8 million to enhance the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery’s ability to facilitate safe and timely debris removal.
– $1 million to the State Water Resources Control Board to increase response capabilities and address engineering and operations issues facing drinking water systems and wastewater utilities.
– $711,000 to initiate development of a statewide Disaster Reserve Corps.
Additional details on the governor’s revised budget can be found at www.ebudget.ca.gov .
The revised budget also prioritizes one-time investments aimed at tackling the main issues driving California’s affordability crisis.
“The California Dream must be built on a strong fiscal foundation,” said Gov. Newsom. “This budget fortifies California’s fiscal position while making long-sighted investments to increase affordability for California families. The affordability crisis families face in this state is very real, and that’s why this budget tackles those challenges head-on by focusing on housing, health care, early childhood and higher education.”
State Sen. Mike McGuire, who represents the North Coast including Lake County, lauded the budget.
“Gov. Newsom’s forward-looking budget revisions reflect the need to build up our rainy day fund and pay down billions in debt in good financial times while investing in programs that will help the Golden State continue to grow. An additional $1.2 billion will be invested in our rainy day fund, bringing us to a record $16.5 billion. We’ll need every penny when the economy slows,” he said.
“We’re looking at a record level of spending in K-12 public schools with $5,000 more per student compared to eight years ago, driving down the cost of college by making the first two years of community college free for full time students and investing billions in affordable housing, homeless services and fixing our roads and highways,” McGuire said.
“I look forward to working over the next month to pass a balanced budget that works for the people of California and tackles some of our toughest challenges,” said McGuire, a member of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee.
“The California Business Roundtable strongly supports the focus on one-time strategic investments in Governor Newsom’s budget, which will help continue to build a foundation of long-term fiscal stability. This budget sends a clear signal that the governor understands what is needed to grow investment in jobs and our economy,” said California Business Roundtable President Rob Lapsley.
Significant details of the revised budget include the following.
Building resiliency and preparing for the next downturn
The nation’s economic recovery is approaching its 10th year – almost the longest on record – and short-term revenues are increasing. However, California faces continued uncertainty from Washington and around the world.
Accordingly, Gov. Newsom’s revised budget allocates $15 billion to build budgetary resiliency and pay down the state's unfunded liabilities, $1.4 billion higher than proposed in January.
This includes $4.5 billion to eliminate budgetary debts and reverse deferrals, $5.7 billion to build reserves, and $4.8 billion to pay down unfunded retirement liabilities.
Specifically, the state will continue to build reserves. The revised budget includes an additional $1.2 billion deposit into the Rainy Day Fund, bringing the reserve to $16.5 billion in 2019-20.
The Rainy Day Fund is now expected to reach its constitutional cap of 10 percent of General Fund Revenues in 2020-21, two years earlier than predicted in January.
The May Revision also seeks to eliminate state budgetary debts and reverse funding deferrals. This marks the first time in over a decade that all budgetary debts are completely paid off.
Confronting the cost crisis
While fortifying the state’s fiscal foundations, the revised budget also sets forth a series of proposals that help families confront the cost crisis.
The revised budget released today builds on the foundation set in January to fund a comprehensive early childhood plan, more affordable paths for higher education, and an expanded Earned Income Tax Credit.
It also brings the state closer toward health care for all and takes meaningful steps to addressing the housing crisis.
Significant investments to confront the cost crisis are included in the revised budget, which:
– Moves the state closer towards health care for all and single payer: The budget proposal maintains a number of the governor’s budget priorities from January and moves the state toward health care for all while the state gears up for single payer. The governor proposes making California the first state to expand Medi-Cal coverage eligibility to young adults ages 19 through 25 regardless of immigration status. The budget also proposes first-in-the-nation subsidies for middle-income earners to be able to purchase health care on the Covered California exchanges.
– Takes on California’s housing affordability crisis: The governor believes California’s housing crisis is the fundamental economic challenge facing families in this state. The governor’s January budget included $1.75 billion General Fund to increase housing production. The May Revision maintains this commitment to spur housing production, but refocuses $500 million to remove barriers to building mixed-income housing.
– Extends Paid Family Leave: The budget extends California's Paid Family Leave program so newborns can be cared for by a parent or caretaker. The May Revision expands paid family leave for each parent to eight weeks, allowing parents to take up to four months of leave after the birth or adoption of their child.
– Proposes two years free community college tuition: Recognizing that California’s public higher education institutions remain the engines of economic mobility, the May Revision maintains funding for two free years of community college tuition for first-time full-time students as well as significant increases in funding for the California State University and University of California to prevent tuition increases in the budget year.
– Expands the Earned Income Tax Credit: The Earned Income Tax Credit is widely credited as one of the most effective anti-poverty measures in our nation’s history. Gov. Newsom’s budget proposes big expansions to the Cal-EITC: A Cost-of-Living Refund, which helps economically distressed families with the costs of food, rent and child care. The May Revision proposes increasing the additional credit for families with young kids proposed in January, from $500 to $1,000.
– Largest-ever investment in K-12 schools: The budget invests in K-12 schools by providing approximately $5,000 more per pupil than 8 years ago, including additional investments to assist students with the greatest needs. It also increases the ongoing funding for Special Education by almost $200 million compared to the January budget proposal. The May Revision also makes significant investments in the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers by revamping teacher training and providing targeted service scholarships.
$1 billion to fight homelessness
California is facing a homelessness epidemic across the state. This crisis is exacerbated by a health care system that does not adequately serve individuals with mental illness.
The budget includes:
– $650 million to local governments for homelessness emergency aid.
– $120 million for expanded Whole Person Care services.
– $150 million for strategies to address the shortage of mental health professionals in the public mental health system.
– $25 million for Supplemental Security Income advocacy.
– $40 million for student rapid rehousing and basic needs initiatives for students in the University of California and California State University systems.
– $20 million in legal assistance for eviction prevention.
– More than $400 million to increase grants to families in the CalWORKs program.
Preparing for emergencies
Since his first full day in office Gov. Newsom has prioritized emergency preparedness, response and recovery.
The governor’s January budget proposed $769 million in additional funding to support the state’s wildfire prevention, response and recovery – investing in technology and resources to accelerate fuel reduction projects and launching the California For All Emergency Preparedness Campaign.
The revised budget maintains these investments and adds an additional $39.9 million to enhance the state’s capacity to tackle more frequent and complex natural disasters.
Additional investments in the revised budget include:
– $5.9 million in ongoing funds to increase staffing and response capacity at the Office of Emergency Services.
– $2 million to create a permanent disaster response and recovery unit to tackle local housing issues through the Department of Housing and Community Development.
– $2.8 million to enhance the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery’s ability to facilitate safe and timely debris removal.
– $1 million to the State Water Resources Control Board to increase response capabilities and address engineering and operations issues facing drinking water systems and wastewater utilities.
– $711,000 to initiate development of a statewide Disaster Reserve Corps.
Additional details on the governor’s revised budget can be found at www.ebudget.ca.gov .
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lakeport Unified School Board on Wednesday finalized its hire of the district’s new superintendent.
The board’s choice is Jill Falconer, Clear Lake High School’s principal and a veteran administrator who has spent 25 years in the district.
Following a closed session that lasted just short of a half hour, the Lakeport Unified School Board emerged to announce that it had voted unanimously to approve a three-year contract with Falconer.
Board members and an audience made up of fellow administrators, teachers, staff and parents then rose to give Falconer a standing ovation.
“I think we're all very excited,” said Board President Dan Buffalo, noting that the recruitment and hiring of the superintendent has been “an awesome experience” with outstanding candidates.
The contract the board approved on Wednesday runs from July 1 through June 30, 2022. It gives Falconer an annual salary with a beginning step of $158,475. She will advance one step per year contingent on satisfactory annual job evaluations.
She also will receive a $100,000 term life insurance policy and the district will make on her behalf the maximum amount of employer-side contributions allowable under the California State Teachers Retirement Plan.
Interim Superintendent Patrick Iaccino told Lake County News that a total of nine candidates were interviewed for the job. Eight were from California, one from Montana.
The hiring process included a committee of parents, teachers, classified staff and student board members who conducted the first round of interviews and recommended three finalists to be interviewed by the board in April.
“It was a very difficult decision,” Buffalo said, noting that all of the three finalists would make great superintendents.
Buffalo said Falconer will lead the district forward and bring it together, and that he looked forward to their working relationship.
He also thanked Iaccino for leading the recruitment effort – noting that it was both smooth and quick – and said his leadership is paying dividends for the schools and the community.
Falconer said she has been with Lakeport Unified for 25 years, beginning as a teacher at Lakeport Elementary and also working as a reading specialist before going on to serve as Terrace Middle School’s principal for 15 years.
She was the district’s director of curriculum and instruction before she was hired two years ago as Clear Lake High School’s principal.
Falconer holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from California State University, Chico, and a master’s degree in reading education from the University of California, Berkeley. Her husband, Todd, is a Lake County native.
She told Lake County News that she decided early on to apply for the job.
“I’d like to bring back a positive culture both for students and the staff,” as well as for families, she said.
She said she’s committed to learning the role of superintendent, and she wants to see the district thrive and succeed.
“This is my district. I love it,” she said.
Falconer’s hiring comes just four months after the board’s dismissal of Superintendent April Leiferman.
In January, just a month after Buffalo, Carly Alvord and Jennifer Hansen took their seats on the board, they joined Board member Phil Kirby in voting to terminate Leiferman’s contract without cause, as Lake County News has reported.
A week later, Iaccino – the retired superintendent of Upper Lake Unified – was hired as Lakeport Unified’s interim superintendent.
Since then, he’s finished negotiations with employees groups, hired new Chief Business Officer Jacque Eischens and led the superintendent hiring process, basing it on the method used to choose his successor in Upper Lake, Dr. Giovanni Annous.
Iaccino will stay on with the district through June 30, with Falconer taking over on July 1.
He told Lake County News that he will work with the new superintendent on some leadership and personnel decisions, including the reassignment of Rachel Paarsch, the former Terrace Middle School principal who was removed from her job in the fall.
The district and Paarsch settled a lawsuit filed over her removal. Iaccino said the settlement calls for Paarsch to remain on administrative leave until the end of the year, and then she will be placed in a new administrative job at the discretion of the new superintendent.
In her new job, Falconer also will decide on reassigning Aaron Carter, the Lakeport Elementary principal. Iaccino said Carter received a notice that he was to be assigned to a different administrative position at the principal’s level.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a short-term memorandum of understanding with the Lake County Deputy Sheriff’s Association that union leadership said will help with recruitment and retention thanks to a major fix to health benefits.
For years, deputies and other county employees have had to pay large amounts of money out of pocket for the county-sponsored medical, dental, vision and life group insurance plan.
During a board meeting last year, association Deputy Sheriff’s Association President John Drewrey proposed having the county pick up 80 percent of the health care costs for deputies while the deputies picked up 20 percent. He said the additional cost to the county would in fact be modest.
That proposal turned out to be a key benefit worked into the new MOU, which runs from May 7 to Dec. 31.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson told the board on Tuesday that most of the county’s labor groups have agreed to tentative new agreements through the end of the calendar year, with the Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s MOU the first of those agreements to go before the board.
Key provisions of the new agreement include a vacation cash out, which allows a one-time payment of 40 hours’ worth of vacation pay for those deputies with more than 200 hours of vacation time. Huchingson said the deputies had agreed to a 30-hour cash out, but the board wanted to raise it to 40 hours.
That’s particularly important, she said, because deputies have been challenged in taking vacation time due to staff shortages.
The county also has offered two personal leave days when cost of living increases haven’t been given. In the new MOU, Huchingson said that has been replaced with a five-day winter holiday around Christmas.
The most significant change is that the county agreed to pay 80 percent of the health care contribution for deputies, with the deputies to bear the remaining 20 percent.
“The cost involved with this switch is not enormous,” said Huchingson, noting it will make a tremendous difference for employees in the bargaining unit and will make the cost quite a bit more reasonable.
In a separate interview, Drewrey told Lake County News that he estimates the cost to the county will be about $1,000 a month, a “drop in the bucket.”
He said that for an employee plus two or more family members, the cost will go from $1,217 a month to $443 a month. Those who are signed up as singles on the health insurance – which Drewrey said totals about three quarters of the membership – who now are paying nothing will pay $165 a month.
Huchingson said the union and the county also agreed that the classification and compensation study now under way for the county will prioritize studying benefits and pay for the deputies’ union members first.
She thanked Auditor-Controller/County Clerk Cathy Saderlund, who has stepped up the internal processes to respond to the changes in order to make them effective for the first pay day in June. Saderlund also will work with employees to pay the cash out benefit as expeditiously as she can, no later than 90 days from approval
“We’re excited about this,” said Huchingson, noting the county and the deputies’ union will get back to the bargaining table this summer.
“There’s been a lot of hard work that’s been put into this, a lot of tough decisions that are being made on your part,” Drewrey told the board, noting that there is a “huge promise” in the short-term MOU.
Drewrey said that he feels like they are moving in the right direction. “This is monumental. This is something that we’ve never thought that we would see in our times here.”
He said union members supported it strongly, as it will benefit both the union and the county in the long term.
Board Chair Tina Scott told Drewrey that he came to them with a problem he wanted them to solve, and at the same time brought the solution in the form of the 80/20 proposal. “It was very exciting to see that, and I’m glad we were able to implement that.”
Scott added, “I think it’s going to make a big difference.”
Drewrey said they have lost many employees due to the health insurance issue, and the new agreement has helped stop one employee who was planning to leave.
Sheriff Brian Martin said his agency is in the business of providing services, which it can’t do without people. He said the recruitment and retention issue is a tremendous one that is hitting critical levels and impacting constituents.
“This 80/20 split on the health insurance is huge,” he said, explaining that Lake County has a lot to offer. “This is a great place to raise your family.”
In addition to keeping people who might leave, the new benefit can attract those who previously wouldn’t even have applied, Martin said. “This is going to go a long way to rectify that.”
Supervisor Moke Simon said law enforcement is a priority, and he gets calls every day about it. He said they understand what the community is looking for and are working on the classification and compensation study.
“We are going to make this a better county,” he said, adding, “You were heard when you came before us that we need to make a change.”
He thanked Drewrey for bringing forward a solution. “It’s a good day today.”
Supervisor EJ Crandell also thanked Drewrey for the solution and he moved to approve the MOU, which was approved in a 3-0 vote. Supervisors Rob Brown and Bruno Sabatier were absent for the meeting.
“I have to clap because this is big,” Huchingson said after the vote.
Hope for negotiations ahead
Drewrey told Lake County News that the MOU is only seven months long because the county didn’t want to agree to anything with a long term fiscal impact while they’re waiting for the classification and compensation study.
He said the union will be heading back to the table to seek solutions in the long term. “It’s going to take time for the county to recover.”
There is a sunset clause in the MOU that, if the parties can’t agree on an update, the contribution would revert to more than $1,200. Drewrey said there’s great hope that won’t happen if a new deal is in place prior to the expiration of the newly approved MOU.
He said at the union ratification meeting, several deputies who have worked for the county for more than 25 years said they never thought such a benefit would ever happen. “It gave them hope for the county.”
Drewrey maintains that if people don’t feel safe in a community, they won’t live, work or vacation there, and that before attracting business and jobs, the public safety issue needs to be addressed.
He said normal staffing is six deputies and a sergeant per shift, but now it’s two deputies and a sergeant. The hope is that the benefit upgrade will help change that.
“I’m optimistic that we’ll see some changes,” Drewrey said.
The board also approved a side letter with the Lake County Sheriff Management Association regarding its calendar year 2019 memorandum of understanding. The action offers changes including updated salary on promotion language, and the same vacation cash out and winter holiday benefits as offered to the deputies.
Also on Tuesday, the board approved changes to the resolutions for management employees and for Confidential A and B employees, offering new salary on promotion language, a 30-hour vacation cash out benefit for those with more than 200 accrued vacation hours and the winter holiday.
The changes also included an allowance for the incumbents in the elected offices of assessor-recorder, auditor-controller/county clerk, district attorney, sheriff-coroner and treasurer-tax collector to request and receive one-time compensation equal to 1.45 percent of their base pay, an amount which Huchingson said is essentially equal to the one-time vacation cash out allowable for appointed employees.
Email Elizabeth Larson atThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
For years, deputies and other county employees have had to pay large amounts of money out of pocket for the county-sponsored medical, dental, vision and life group insurance plan.
During a board meeting last year, association Deputy Sheriff’s Association President John Drewrey proposed having the county pick up 80 percent of the health care costs for deputies while the deputies picked up 20 percent. He said the additional cost to the county would in fact be modest.
That proposal turned out to be a key benefit worked into the new MOU, which runs from May 7 to Dec. 31.
County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson told the board on Tuesday that most of the county’s labor groups have agreed to tentative new agreements through the end of the calendar year, with the Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s MOU the first of those agreements to go before the board.
Key provisions of the new agreement include a vacation cash out, which allows a one-time payment of 40 hours’ worth of vacation pay for those deputies with more than 200 hours of vacation time. Huchingson said the deputies had agreed to a 30-hour cash out, but the board wanted to raise it to 40 hours.
That’s particularly important, she said, because deputies have been challenged in taking vacation time due to staff shortages.
The county also has offered two personal leave days when cost of living increases haven’t been given. In the new MOU, Huchingson said that has been replaced with a five-day winter holiday around Christmas.
The most significant change is that the county agreed to pay 80 percent of the health care contribution for deputies, with the deputies to bear the remaining 20 percent.
“The cost involved with this switch is not enormous,” said Huchingson, noting it will make a tremendous difference for employees in the bargaining unit and will make the cost quite a bit more reasonable.
In a separate interview, Drewrey told Lake County News that he estimates the cost to the county will be about $1,000 a month, a “drop in the bucket.”
He said that for an employee plus two or more family members, the cost will go from $1,217 a month to $443 a month. Those who are signed up as singles on the health insurance – which Drewrey said totals about three quarters of the membership – who now are paying nothing will pay $165 a month.
Huchingson said the union and the county also agreed that the classification and compensation study now under way for the county will prioritize studying benefits and pay for the deputies’ union members first.
She thanked Auditor-Controller/County Clerk Cathy Saderlund, who has stepped up the internal processes to respond to the changes in order to make them effective for the first pay day in June. Saderlund also will work with employees to pay the cash out benefit as expeditiously as she can, no later than 90 days from approval
“We’re excited about this,” said Huchingson, noting the county and the deputies’ union will get back to the bargaining table this summer.
“There’s been a lot of hard work that’s been put into this, a lot of tough decisions that are being made on your part,” Drewrey told the board, noting that there is a “huge promise” in the short-term MOU.
Drewrey said that he feels like they are moving in the right direction. “This is monumental. This is something that we’ve never thought that we would see in our times here.”
He said union members supported it strongly, as it will benefit both the union and the county in the long term.
Board Chair Tina Scott told Drewrey that he came to them with a problem he wanted them to solve, and at the same time brought the solution in the form of the 80/20 proposal. “It was very exciting to see that, and I’m glad we were able to implement that.”
Scott added, “I think it’s going to make a big difference.”
Drewrey said they have lost many employees due to the health insurance issue, and the new agreement has helped stop one employee who was planning to leave.
Sheriff Brian Martin said his agency is in the business of providing services, which it can’t do without people. He said the recruitment and retention issue is a tremendous one that is hitting critical levels and impacting constituents.
“This 80/20 split on the health insurance is huge,” he said, explaining that Lake County has a lot to offer. “This is a great place to raise your family.”
In addition to keeping people who might leave, the new benefit can attract those who previously wouldn’t even have applied, Martin said. “This is going to go a long way to rectify that.”
Supervisor Moke Simon said law enforcement is a priority, and he gets calls every day about it. He said they understand what the community is looking for and are working on the classification and compensation study.
“We are going to make this a better county,” he said, adding, “You were heard when you came before us that we need to make a change.”
He thanked Drewrey for bringing forward a solution. “It’s a good day today.”
Supervisor EJ Crandell also thanked Drewrey for the solution and he moved to approve the MOU, which was approved in a 3-0 vote. Supervisors Rob Brown and Bruno Sabatier were absent for the meeting.
“I have to clap because this is big,” Huchingson said after the vote.
Hope for negotiations ahead
Drewrey told Lake County News that the MOU is only seven months long because the county didn’t want to agree to anything with a long term fiscal impact while they’re waiting for the classification and compensation study.
He said the union will be heading back to the table to seek solutions in the long term. “It’s going to take time for the county to recover.”
There is a sunset clause in the MOU that, if the parties can’t agree on an update, the contribution would revert to more than $1,200. Drewrey said there’s great hope that won’t happen if a new deal is in place prior to the expiration of the newly approved MOU.
He said at the union ratification meeting, several deputies who have worked for the county for more than 25 years said they never thought such a benefit would ever happen. “It gave them hope for the county.”
Drewrey maintains that if people don’t feel safe in a community, they won’t live, work or vacation there, and that before attracting business and jobs, the public safety issue needs to be addressed.
He said normal staffing is six deputies and a sergeant per shift, but now it’s two deputies and a sergeant. The hope is that the benefit upgrade will help change that.
“I’m optimistic that we’ll see some changes,” Drewrey said.
The board also approved a side letter with the Lake County Sheriff Management Association regarding its calendar year 2019 memorandum of understanding. The action offers changes including updated salary on promotion language, and the same vacation cash out and winter holiday benefits as offered to the deputies.
Also on Tuesday, the board approved changes to the resolutions for management employees and for Confidential A and B employees, offering new salary on promotion language, a 30-hour vacation cash out benefit for those with more than 200 accrued vacation hours and the winter holiday.
The changes also included an allowance for the incumbents in the elected offices of assessor-recorder, auditor-controller/county clerk, district attorney, sheriff-coroner and treasurer-tax collector to request and receive one-time compensation equal to 1.45 percent of their base pay, an amount which Huchingson said is essentially equal to the one-time vacation cash out allowable for appointed employees.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Sheriff’s Chaplains will be hosting the Lake County Annual Safety Memorial Ceremony this Friday, May 10.
The ceremony will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at the Lake County Museum Park, located at 255 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
During the ceremony, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Henry Snowbelt will be memorialized.
Deputy Snowbelt was killed in the line of duty in Lower Lake on Oct. 2, 1937, and until now has not been honored for his sacrifice.
The public is invited to attend.
The ceremony will take place beginning at 6 p.m. at the Lake County Museum Park, located at 255 N. Main St. in Lakeport.
During the ceremony, Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Henry Snowbelt will be memorialized.
Deputy Snowbelt was killed in the line of duty in Lower Lake on Oct. 2, 1937, and until now has not been honored for his sacrifice.
The public is invited to attend.