CHANGES TO THE 2023/2024 FINAL BUDGET to expend Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency (LATCF) funds by the end of the 2023/2024 Fiscal Year was discussed during the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on May 7th. Public Works Director Bryan Davey stated this was stemming from a request by Auditor Van Maddox that LATCF funds need to be expended no later than June 30, 2024 and can be used as general fund revenues for any county purpose except Lobbying activities. He said $250,000 of the LATCF funds have been allocated to the Smithneck Road Fund and $165,000 have been allocated to the Mountain House Forestry project. Davey explained the Smithneck Road Funds will not be expended until 2026, so the Department of Transportation is requesting to transfer the LATCF funds to the Road Fund to contribute to the payoff of the CAT Finanical Loan for the new grader accruing $120 of interest per day. The Road Fund will transfer $74,670 back to the LATCF Fund for the next three years to replenish the Smithneck Road Fund. The Mountain House Forestry project was able to utilize the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Grant funding as a match so the $165,000 would go toward the CAT loan as well which will save a lot of interest.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden was uncomfortable with pulling money out of the Smithneck Road Project and worried the money will be spent, adding that money had been set aside for a long time. Davey stated they were going to make the payments to pay back the full amount before the project starts in 2026. He added they had to spend the funds this year. Davey told how It benefits the county to loan themselves the money and gives a “good path forward”. Maddox stated money would disappear if they didn’t spend it. Dryden was fine with it as long as there was assurance the money would still be there. Davey stated they already committed to these payments. Road fund funding is very secure and he didn’t see any risk, adding it saves interest and saves potential fight to get the money. Resolution was approved unanimously.
AN INCREASE TO SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023/2024 budget from $35,000 to $40,000 was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday in Downieville. Chamber Vice President Cindy Haubl was present via teleconferencing stating they are asking to increase the budget by $5,000 this year and submitted a request for $45,000 next year due to increased costs for printing the Visitor’s Guide, social media increases and salaries for the two visitor’s centers. Adams acknowledged that $5,000 isn’t the end of the world, but questioned if the Visitor Guide still makes sense in the digital age and haven’t had a State Fair exhibit in a few years where the Guides were given out. His biggest concern was doing this in the “10th month of a budget year”. Dryden echoed Adams’ comments and felt the Visitor’s Guide was not the best use of funds and couldn’t justify the expense. Dryden recognized that the Guide is printed on behalf of the entire county, but had concerns about the extra $5,000 and wasn’t in favor of it. It was asked if the Chamber shared the distribution with the east side of the county. Haubl said yes they burden the cost and share the distribution with Sierra Valley Chamber. She stated they have cut down to print only 7,500 copies but costs went up. She said people are still taking the Guide and love it. Supervisor Lila Heuer stated as a former innkeeper she wanted the board to approve the money as they transition over to digital and added a lot of areas in Sierra County don’t have cell service and can’t do digital on trails and maps that the Guide provides. Heuer stated residents also use it as a phone book. It was stated the Sierra Valley Chamber only gets $10,000 and Heuer stated the difference is Sierra County’s Chamber represents everyone in the county where the “other chamber decided to have more focus on their side”. Haubl stated they are going to propose they share the cost with Sierra Valley Chamber next year. She hadn’t approached them yet, but that is their plan. Supervisor Terry LeBlanc stated the Sierra Valley Chamber gets $10,000 and haven’t had a raise on that in four years. Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) money was discussed and $436,000 in TOT came to the county in 2022-23. It was asked if that amount came primarily from the westside. Adams stated it is countywide but a majority is from the westside. Dryden thought Sierra Hot Springs was the biggest TOT contributor in Sierra County. Auditor/Tax Collector Van Maddox stated it was, but he hadn’t looked at it in a while. Glen Haubl stated as a business owner who contributes to the TOT he supported the extra $5,000. Dryden didn’t want it to be construed as east vs. west. She had personally distributed the Guides and felt there was a lot of value in them adding reducing printing costs would be critical. She was reluctant to approve the increase and felt $35,000 was a “considerable budget”. She would like to see more cooperation between the two chambers in the future to benefit the county as a whole. Heuer made a motion to approve $5,000. Adams made the 2nd for discussion. Dryden stated there was definitely a benefit of the Guide to the east side, but the offset was Sierra County Chamber received additional funds for printing and felt most of the advertising in the guide was west side businesses.
The increase would need to be taken out of contingencies, so a 4/5 vote was needed. The motion failed with Dryden and LeBlanc voting no. Chair Paul Roen was absent the entire meeting.
SPJUSD (Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District) held its annual LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) presentation for the families and communities of Sierra County April 24th and May 1st. This presentation was led by Sean Snider, District Superintendent. The LCAP is a three-year planning document that is meant to be used by the local educational agencies to set goals, make action plans, and leverage resources to improve student outcomes, with a built-in period for revision yearly as needed. California’s Department of Education gives extra monies to school districts based on the number of students that are socioeconomically disadvantaged, foster youth, and/or English learners. The actions and services in the LCAP have to primarily benefit those student groups but not at the exclusion of the other student’s benefit. For example, an Instructional Aid is in the classroom to support one particular student but can be used by the class as a whole to enhance learning. SPJUSD receives roughly $345,000 in supplemental funding from the state to implement the 10 State Priorities required in the plan. The 10 State Priorities are broken down into three categories that address Conditions for Learning, Pupil Outcomes, and Engagement. In these categories, the 10 State Priorities are then subdivided to address various things like: the number of credentialed teachers, textbook and curriculum offered, test scores from a state level, graduation rate, English learner progress, school attendance, drop-out rate, student’s feelings of well-being, the perception of feeling safe at school, just to name a few. All 58 counties in the State of California are required to use the LCAP in order to get their district’s budget approved. However, because Sierra County is small and rural it is 1 of 7 counties in the state that is considered a Single District County and is further required to get their LCAP plan approved directly by the California Department of Education. Once approval is given the District and SCOE (Sierra County Office of Education) budget can move forward and be approved. During the presentation, Sean shared data gathered from state testing and surveys taken by elementary and high school students. Overall SPJUSD is meeting or exceeding most standards set by the State of California in testing. The survey taken revealed that a majority of our student body feels connected at school, motivated academically, surrounded by caring adults, and feels safe at school. As with anything there is always room for improvement and that is the goal of the LCAP community presentation. Conversation with brainstorming ideas were discussed by parents and educators. The net was cast for further input via the weekly all-call, text message, and email for community members and students to participate in a 19-question survey for ideas, suggestions, and feedback for this year’s LCAP. - Story by Hayley Price
JOYCE WHITE was presented a Resolution of Appreciation for 39 years of continuing service to the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held May 7th in Downieville. The Resolution was read to Joyce and audience by Supervisor and Vice Chair Lee Adams.
Joyce has been a member of the Downieville Fire Protection District since 1985.
Over her 39 years of service, Joyce has served the agency as an Emergency Medical Technician, District Commissioner, Fire and Medical Dispatcher, and Fire and Medical Dispatch Supervisor, all in volunteer service to this agency and community.
Her nearly four decades of service spanned the terms of Fire Chiefs Don Lawrence, Lyman Breed, Ken Beaver, Lee Brown, Mike Lozano, Marty Creel, and Robert Hall.
Joyce announced her intention to step down as District Dispatch Supervisor as of April 30, 2024, but will continue to serve the district and her community as a Fire and Medical Dispatcher.
Joyce has inspired the confidence of this Board of Supervisors, by demonstrating personal commitment and sacrifice in serving the public in her community, her county, and her state, while doing so with the best interests of the people of Sierra County in mind.
Nichole Johnson
[email protected]
Supervisor Sharon Dryden was uncomfortable with pulling money out of the Smithneck Road Project and worried the money will be spent, adding that money had been set aside for a long time. Davey stated they were going to make the payments to pay back the full amount before the project starts in 2026. He added they had to spend the funds this year. Davey told how It benefits the county to loan themselves the money and gives a “good path forward”. Maddox stated money would disappear if they didn’t spend it. Dryden was fine with it as long as there was assurance the money would still be there. Davey stated they already committed to these payments. Road fund funding is very secure and he didn’t see any risk, adding it saves interest and saves potential fight to get the money. Resolution was approved unanimously.
AN INCREASE TO SIERRA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023/2024 budget from $35,000 to $40,000 was discussed during the Board of Supervisors’ meeting held Tuesday in Downieville. Chamber Vice President Cindy Haubl was present via teleconferencing stating they are asking to increase the budget by $5,000 this year and submitted a request for $45,000 next year due to increased costs for printing the Visitor’s Guide, social media increases and salaries for the two visitor’s centers. Adams acknowledged that $5,000 isn’t the end of the world, but questioned if the Visitor Guide still makes sense in the digital age and haven’t had a State Fair exhibit in a few years where the Guides were given out. His biggest concern was doing this in the “10th month of a budget year”. Dryden echoed Adams’ comments and felt the Visitor’s Guide was not the best use of funds and couldn’t justify the expense. Dryden recognized that the Guide is printed on behalf of the entire county, but had concerns about the extra $5,000 and wasn’t in favor of it. It was asked if the Chamber shared the distribution with the east side of the county. Haubl said yes they burden the cost and share the distribution with Sierra Valley Chamber. She stated they have cut down to print only 7,500 copies but costs went up. She said people are still taking the Guide and love it. Supervisor Lila Heuer stated as a former innkeeper she wanted the board to approve the money as they transition over to digital and added a lot of areas in Sierra County don’t have cell service and can’t do digital on trails and maps that the Guide provides. Heuer stated residents also use it as a phone book. It was stated the Sierra Valley Chamber only gets $10,000 and Heuer stated the difference is Sierra County’s Chamber represents everyone in the county where the “other chamber decided to have more focus on their side”. Haubl stated they are going to propose they share the cost with Sierra Valley Chamber next year. She hadn’t approached them yet, but that is their plan. Supervisor Terry LeBlanc stated the Sierra Valley Chamber gets $10,000 and haven’t had a raise on that in four years. Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT) money was discussed and $436,000 in TOT came to the county in 2022-23. It was asked if that amount came primarily from the westside. Adams stated it is countywide but a majority is from the westside. Dryden thought Sierra Hot Springs was the biggest TOT contributor in Sierra County. Auditor/Tax Collector Van Maddox stated it was, but he hadn’t looked at it in a while. Glen Haubl stated as a business owner who contributes to the TOT he supported the extra $5,000. Dryden didn’t want it to be construed as east vs. west. She had personally distributed the Guides and felt there was a lot of value in them adding reducing printing costs would be critical. She was reluctant to approve the increase and felt $35,000 was a “considerable budget”. She would like to see more cooperation between the two chambers in the future to benefit the county as a whole. Heuer made a motion to approve $5,000. Adams made the 2nd for discussion. Dryden stated there was definitely a benefit of the Guide to the east side, but the offset was Sierra County Chamber received additional funds for printing and felt most of the advertising in the guide was west side businesses.
The increase would need to be taken out of contingencies, so a 4/5 vote was needed. The motion failed with Dryden and LeBlanc voting no. Chair Paul Roen was absent the entire meeting.
SPJUSD (Sierra Plumas Joint Unified School District) held its annual LCAP (Local Control Accountability Plan) presentation for the families and communities of Sierra County April 24th and May 1st. This presentation was led by Sean Snider, District Superintendent. The LCAP is a three-year planning document that is meant to be used by the local educational agencies to set goals, make action plans, and leverage resources to improve student outcomes, with a built-in period for revision yearly as needed. California’s Department of Education gives extra monies to school districts based on the number of students that are socioeconomically disadvantaged, foster youth, and/or English learners. The actions and services in the LCAP have to primarily benefit those student groups but not at the exclusion of the other student’s benefit. For example, an Instructional Aid is in the classroom to support one particular student but can be used by the class as a whole to enhance learning. SPJUSD receives roughly $345,000 in supplemental funding from the state to implement the 10 State Priorities required in the plan. The 10 State Priorities are broken down into three categories that address Conditions for Learning, Pupil Outcomes, and Engagement. In these categories, the 10 State Priorities are then subdivided to address various things like: the number of credentialed teachers, textbook and curriculum offered, test scores from a state level, graduation rate, English learner progress, school attendance, drop-out rate, student’s feelings of well-being, the perception of feeling safe at school, just to name a few. All 58 counties in the State of California are required to use the LCAP in order to get their district’s budget approved. However, because Sierra County is small and rural it is 1 of 7 counties in the state that is considered a Single District County and is further required to get their LCAP plan approved directly by the California Department of Education. Once approval is given the District and SCOE (Sierra County Office of Education) budget can move forward and be approved. During the presentation, Sean shared data gathered from state testing and surveys taken by elementary and high school students. Overall SPJUSD is meeting or exceeding most standards set by the State of California in testing. The survey taken revealed that a majority of our student body feels connected at school, motivated academically, surrounded by caring adults, and feels safe at school. As with anything there is always room for improvement and that is the goal of the LCAP community presentation. Conversation with brainstorming ideas were discussed by parents and educators. The net was cast for further input via the weekly all-call, text message, and email for community members and students to participate in a 19-question survey for ideas, suggestions, and feedback for this year’s LCAP. - Story by Hayley Price
JOYCE WHITE was presented a Resolution of Appreciation for 39 years of continuing service to the Downieville Volunteer Fire Department at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting held May 7th in Downieville. The Resolution was read to Joyce and audience by Supervisor and Vice Chair Lee Adams.
Joyce has been a member of the Downieville Fire Protection District since 1985.
Over her 39 years of service, Joyce has served the agency as an Emergency Medical Technician, District Commissioner, Fire and Medical Dispatcher, and Fire and Medical Dispatch Supervisor, all in volunteer service to this agency and community.
Her nearly four decades of service spanned the terms of Fire Chiefs Don Lawrence, Lyman Breed, Ken Beaver, Lee Brown, Mike Lozano, Marty Creel, and Robert Hall.
Joyce announced her intention to step down as District Dispatch Supervisor as of April 30, 2024, but will continue to serve the district and her community as a Fire and Medical Dispatcher.
Joyce has inspired the confidence of this Board of Supervisors, by demonstrating personal commitment and sacrifice in serving the public in her community, her county, and her state, while doing so with the best interests of the people of Sierra County in mind.
Nichole Johnson
[email protected]
