Table Discussion of Statewide Special Election and County Elections Budget

CALIRED NEWS–The Shasta County Board of Supervisors approved a letter of opposition (Agenda C3) to State gerrymandering of districts–which impacts local Congressional District 1 represented by Congressman Doug LaMalfa at its Aug. 26th board meeting and again tabled any discussion (Agenda R6 and R7) of the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election as well as how much money is being spent on Shasta County elections from the agenda. 

The letter makes reference to redistricting California congressional districts pushed forward through three recent measures that changes California’s redistricting process and places new maps before voters this November in a Special General Election called by Gov. Gavin Newsom:

• AB 604 authored by California Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, D-4 first elected in 2016 which includes southwestern Sacramento Valley and Assembly Speaker) and by California Senator Lena Gonzalez, D-33, first elected in 2019 which includes Southeast Los Angeles, including Lakewood and Long Beach and is Senate Speaker).
• SB 280 authored by California State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, D-31, from northwest Riverside and San Bernardino County serving since 2024 but from 2016-2024 representing California Assembly District 58 and Assemblywoman Gail Pellerin, D-28 since 2022 in Santa Cruz and Santa Clara County, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Elections.
• California Assembly Constitutional Amendment 8 authored by California State Senator Mike McGuire, D-2 first elected in 2014 representing Marin to Del Norte County and now Pro-Temp after serving as Majority Senate Leader and California State Assemblyman Robert Rivas, D-29 representing the Central Coast and first elected in 2018 and now California Speaker of the Assembly.

The letter signed by the Shasta County Board of Supervisors and dated Aug. 26 states: “Independent redistricting was enacted to restore election legitimacy. Undermining it now risks eroding that trust.”

The Supervisors also approved a new fire ordinance (Agenda R2) for parcels 10 acres or less in unincorporated areas of Shasta County that now includes infraction violations for first offense ($100), second offense ($200) violation, and ($500) for each additional violation.  The proposed ordinance is not subject to and exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The fire abatement measures were presented by Fire Chief and Warden Sean O’Hara of the Shasta-Trinity Unit and by Shasta County Cal Fire Battalion Chief Matt Alexander.

Fire crews have recently purchased a masticator and have grant funded inspectors and citizens with complaints, fire concerns or wishing to volunteer can call: (530) 225-2418. Constituents can also request a Defensible Space Inspector (DSI) at that number to inspect their property.

Board Comments on Fire Abatement:

• District 3 (Corky Harmon): “This is not government overreach. I have been having a problem the last six months and I got my insurance cancelled. We need to encourage insurance companies and let them know we are following abatement type programs. We are following the rules and we will not let (fire) catastrophes happen.”
• District 2 (Allen Long): “We are not prohibiting privacy (landscaping) around your property. Our site inspectors can help you understand what you can and cannot do. We are looking at implementation of this before next summer–not this fire season.”

Public Comments:

More than 26 public comments were made at the beginning of the Board of Supervisors meeting which included:

• 12 comments on upcoming elections.
• 6 comments for giving a county contract (payraise) for health workers.

Shasta County Consent Calendar:

A motion to adopt the consent calendar was made by Supervisor Matt Plummer (District 4) with a second from Supervisor Allen Long (District 2). Items approved included:

• Received the Fiscal Year 2024-25 annual report of shortages relieved by the Auditor-Controller (Agenda C-1).
• Adopted a resolution which approves the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Countywide Tax Rate, Unitary Debt Service Rate and the tax rates for bond sinking funds, voter-approved debt, and tax overrides (Agenda C-2).
• Reappointed John Wildey to the Assessment Appeals Board as a member to serve a three-year term to Sept. 4, 2028 (Agenda C-4).
• Approved the minutes of meetings held in July (Agenda C5).
• Adopted a resolution which consolidates the Nov. 4, 2025 Statewide Special Election and allows the County to charge the incorporated cities and districts for actual costs on a pro-rata basis (Agenda C6).
• Approved a retroactive agreement with Greines, Martin, Stein, and Richland, LLP, for legal services (Agenda C7).
• Reappointed Christy Coleman to the Partnership HealthPlan of California Commission to serve a four-year term to Aug. 31, 2029 (Agenda C8).
• Approved a proactive renewal agreement with North Valley Behavioral Health, LLC, for psychiatric inpatient services (Agenda C9).
• Approved a retroactive renewal agreement with Wayfinder Family services for helping to locate and engage relatives, and assist with establishing or maintaining family connections for youth in foster care (Agenda C10).
• Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with Training, Education, and Community Help, Inc. to submit a joint application for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 6 (HHAP-6) grant funds and designate authority to the Health and Human Services AGency Director, or their designee, to sign the HHAP-6 agreement,and any documents specific to HHAP-6, including retroactive (Agenda C11).
• Approved agreements with Journal Technologies Inc. for development and implementation of case management software (Agenda C12).
• Approved budget amendment which increases appropriations and revenue by $75,000 in the Land Buildings and Improvement Budget (Agenda C13).
• Approved a retroactive renewal revenue agreement with the State of California Department of State Hospitals for Jail-Based Competency Treatment in the Shasta County Jail (Agenda C14).
• Adopt a Salary Resolution which makes changes in personnel and positions in the Sheriff Civil Unit Budget  (Agenda C15).
• Adopt a resolution which designates authority to the County Executive Officer to execute a renewal agreement with Calaveras County for jail beds (Agenda C16).
• Approve agreements with Carahsoft Technology Corp. and with Marshfield Consulting, LCC (Agenda C17).
• Approve an agreement with First Corporate Solutions, Inc. for personal services (Agenda C18).

Other Shasta Board Actions:

• Approved a lease agreement for properties (Agenda R3). Passes: 5-0.
• Approved participation in a coalition of counties to submit “Oppose Unless Amended” position letter to Assembly Bill 470 which deals with telecommunications (Agenda R4). Passes: 5-0.
• Received a presentation from the Health and Human Service Agency regarding the Commission on Aging (Agenda R5). Passes: 5-0.

Shasta County Board of Supervisors Comments:

• District 1 (Kevin W. Crye): “I met with Assemblywoman Heather Hadwick (R-01 representing Shasta County and the North State) about redistricting and what a complete shame it is. To have a legislator be a representative from Modoc to Marin County makes no sense at all…We have had an assault on the nuclear family for years. Bills 495 and 84 (dealing with children) are being pushed down our throats. This is an overreach of the state.”
• District 2 (Allen Long): “I want to alleviate the fear that volunteers are being worked out. (If this was done) it would cost $1.7 million per station. Volunteers serve an important role.” 
• District 3 (Corky Harmon): “I went to a fundraiser raffle for a classic car that was raising money for kids scholarships. There were at least 500 tickets and the winning ticket was picked by the little boy of a sweet mother.”
• District 4 (Matt Plummer): “We are working on a community strategic planning process that  you will have more of an update in early fall with a presentation in November…We are in a new season of collaboration in Shasta County.”
• District 5 (Chris Kelstrom): “The Anderson Police Department is getting body cams for their officers…I also wish to thank the staff for all the work that goes into doing these property reports.”

Shasta County Staff:

• County Executive Officer: David J. Rickert
• Shasta County Counsel: Joseph Larmour
• Shasta County Chief Deputy Clerk of the Board: Stefany Blakenship
• Shasta County Clerk of the Board: (530) 225-5550

Aug. 26 Board Agenda (9 pages): Link

Watch Aug. 26 Board Meeting: Adjourn 11:58 a.m. (Closed Session: 43 min.)

Link to Shasta County Board Agenda Page

Shasta County Board of Supervisors September Meetings: Sept. 9, 23, and 30. Meetings are held at the Shasta County Administration Center, 1450 Center Street, Room 263, Redding, CA 96001 and begin at 9 a.m.

(Editor’s Note: Go to CaliRed News Aug 22 article here to read about Newsom Special Nov. 4 Election to eliminate GOP CA Congressional seats will cost $200 million while facing legal challenges.)

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CaliRed News is a column posted on Making California Red by the 2026 elections through reaching Gen Z (ages 13-28), Hispanics, and Christians with biblical traditional values and their pastors. CaiRed News reports on political, business, community, nonprofit, and church news.

Mike Hernandez is co-founder of the Citizens Journal–Ventura County’s online news service and writes for Citizens Journal and Mountain Top Media. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor, writer of “CaliRed News” and “Prayer Over News Daily” and edits the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes” and other columns. Mr. Hernandez mentors citizen journalists/podcasters and can be contacted here.

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