A PRESENTATION regarding Sierra County’s Community Health Assessment (CHA) was given by interim Public Health Director Rhonda Grandi during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held October 17th in Loyalton. Grandi reported the CHA began last fall and data was compiled and analyzed, with the conclusion of the paper done in August. This is a requirement for the future of Public Health funding. Key findings are where Sierra County Public Health will strive to improve. Grandi thanked all who participated, adding a lot of hours went into the process. She highlighted key findings. Sierra County has a significantly higher population of people over the age 50, 27.3% of the population. Sierra County has a significantly higher percentage of the veteran population over its total population in comparison to both the state and national percentage of the veteran population over their respective total population. Grandi stated this was a surprising finding. Median household income has been increasing for both California and Sierra County over the years from 2014-2021; however, Sierra County’s median household income has always been lower than the California median household income every year. The difference between the state’s median household income and the county’s median household income has widened with each passing year. In 2022, 67% of 11th graders reported feeling chronically sad or hopeless. This is up from 54% in 2017. The top three causes of death in Sierra County are circulatory, neoplasms (cancer) and respiratory diseases. Death rate is lower than California and the nation. There is a slight increase in the number of births per year in Sierra County, which could highlight the need for more prenatal and infant education.
In Key Informant Interviews, recreational activities was the number one theme mentioned and participants suggested bringing back the wilderness challenge for school age children. The second major theme was a lack of services, and the third major theme was community environment and culture.
Townhall meetings summary showed the number one theme talked about was lack of services in Sierra County, including dental, maternal and child health services, services that checked on and cared for senior citizens, hospice services, health care and mental health services. The 2nd most frequently mentioned theme was communication in the county. Positive comments were given for good communication during COVID 19, but participants worried that power outages and phone lines going down would cause residents to not have access to the fire department or emergency services. Outdoor recreation was the third theme discussed.
Grandi spoke on next steps, stating some steps had already been identified which include, senior outreach nursing program, implementing home-based parenting programs, veterans affairs position, dental van to assist and working on some alternatives, implementing Cal Fresh health living program, and increase partnering with Behavioral Health. The County will be developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to improve community health. Supervisor Lee Adams stated all the demographic data was fascinating. He was sorry to see cigarette use is up with adolescents. The full document can be seen in its entirety on the Public Health website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS were given during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held October 17th in Loyalton. Supervisor Lee Adams gave a report on Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and its fire insurance committee met recently with the state insurance commissioner. He said there’s a push to try and depopulate the Fair Plan. Adams asked if rate payers would see a decrease in rates due to low fire activity and was told inflation took place of that.
Supervisor Paul Roen reported the Ground Water Management District met and are assessing putting a monitoring well on property off Smithneck Road.
Supervisor Lila Heuer told of a recent Area 4 Agency on Aging meeting and planned to meet with Board Chair Sharon Dryden to talk about programs to implement for Sierra County. Dryden stated they will also be working on a needs assessment for the senior population and bring a presentation at a future date.
PRESCRIBED BURNING was reported on during the Forest Service Report at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on October 17th. Sierraville District Ranger Rachel Hutchinson stated the Truckee Ranger District burned 800 acres around Sage Hen Summit. She was happy with the progress and stated they got a lot done. The next under burn is planned along Highway 89.
Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe reported they accomplished 700 acres of prescribed burning with light to moderate smoke impacts on Highway 70. Rahe stated they also burned five acres of piles around Elwell Lodge off Gold Lake Highway.
Yuba District Ranger Tom Parrack stated they initiated some burning off the 09 Road and accomplished 80 acres. They intended to go back that week to burn another 220 acres weather permitting. Supervisor Paul Roen stated he spoke with Rodd Rummel of Sierra County Fire Safe who will be used to get the word out to Fire Wise communities when prescribed burning will be occurring so the public is more aware.
All three ranger districts have closed campgrounds and will have all closed by the end of the month.
Rahe also reported Frenchman Lake road construction is 95% done and 24 miles of fence work has been completed on the Dixie Fire rebuild.
LOYALTON LANDFILL was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held October 17th. Public Works Director Bryan Davey had a recent Public Works Solid Waste Committee meeting and stated the biggest item was the final closure of the landfill. He reported they hadn’t finished the final permit to close it, and once done, they can start the post closure maintenance program. Davey felt they made great progress with the State Water Board who recently signed off on the issue that was delaying them due to methane. He stated the other issue is an agreement for transferring solid waste through the Plumas County system and a long-term hauling contract. Right now, they are on a 6-month rolling contract.
A ORDINANCE to increase the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ salaries by $150 per month was approved during the October 17th meeting. This is the same amount the Board authorized for employees due to the large increase in health insurance.
In Key Informant Interviews, recreational activities was the number one theme mentioned and participants suggested bringing back the wilderness challenge for school age children. The second major theme was a lack of services, and the third major theme was community environment and culture.
Townhall meetings summary showed the number one theme talked about was lack of services in Sierra County, including dental, maternal and child health services, services that checked on and cared for senior citizens, hospice services, health care and mental health services. The 2nd most frequently mentioned theme was communication in the county. Positive comments were given for good communication during COVID 19, but participants worried that power outages and phone lines going down would cause residents to not have access to the fire department or emergency services. Outdoor recreation was the third theme discussed.
Grandi spoke on next steps, stating some steps had already been identified which include, senior outreach nursing program, implementing home-based parenting programs, veterans affairs position, dental van to assist and working on some alternatives, implementing Cal Fresh health living program, and increase partnering with Behavioral Health. The County will be developing a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) to improve community health. Supervisor Lee Adams stated all the demographic data was fascinating. He was sorry to see cigarette use is up with adolescents. The full document can be seen in its entirety on the Public Health website.
COMMITTEE REPORTS were given during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held October 17th in Loyalton. Supervisor Lee Adams gave a report on Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) and its fire insurance committee met recently with the state insurance commissioner. He said there’s a push to try and depopulate the Fair Plan. Adams asked if rate payers would see a decrease in rates due to low fire activity and was told inflation took place of that.
Supervisor Paul Roen reported the Ground Water Management District met and are assessing putting a monitoring well on property off Smithneck Road.
Supervisor Lila Heuer told of a recent Area 4 Agency on Aging meeting and planned to meet with Board Chair Sharon Dryden to talk about programs to implement for Sierra County. Dryden stated they will also be working on a needs assessment for the senior population and bring a presentation at a future date.
PRESCRIBED BURNING was reported on during the Forest Service Report at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting in Loyalton on October 17th. Sierraville District Ranger Rachel Hutchinson stated the Truckee Ranger District burned 800 acres around Sage Hen Summit. She was happy with the progress and stated they got a lot done. The next under burn is planned along Highway 89.
Beckwourth District Ranger Mike Rahe reported they accomplished 700 acres of prescribed burning with light to moderate smoke impacts on Highway 70. Rahe stated they also burned five acres of piles around Elwell Lodge off Gold Lake Highway.
Yuba District Ranger Tom Parrack stated they initiated some burning off the 09 Road and accomplished 80 acres. They intended to go back that week to burn another 220 acres weather permitting. Supervisor Paul Roen stated he spoke with Rodd Rummel of Sierra County Fire Safe who will be used to get the word out to Fire Wise communities when prescribed burning will be occurring so the public is more aware.
All three ranger districts have closed campgrounds and will have all closed by the end of the month.
Rahe also reported Frenchman Lake road construction is 95% done and 24 miles of fence work has been completed on the Dixie Fire rebuild.
LOYALTON LANDFILL was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held October 17th. Public Works Director Bryan Davey had a recent Public Works Solid Waste Committee meeting and stated the biggest item was the final closure of the landfill. He reported they hadn’t finished the final permit to close it, and once done, they can start the post closure maintenance program. Davey felt they made great progress with the State Water Board who recently signed off on the issue that was delaying them due to methane. He stated the other issue is an agreement for transferring solid waste through the Plumas County system and a long-term hauling contract. Right now, they are on a 6-month rolling contract.
A ORDINANCE to increase the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ salaries by $150 per month was approved during the October 17th meeting. This is the same amount the Board authorized for employees due to the large increase in health insurance.