Sierra County officials say they were caught off guard after receiving a notice terminating the lease for the Sierra County Probation Department office at 105 Beckwith Street in Loyalton.
The Notice of Termination was received Monday, July 6, with an effective date of Oct. 31, 2026. The unexpected development prompted the Sierra County Board of Supervisors to add the issue as an urgency item during its Tuesday, July 7, meeting in Downieville.
Board Chair Paul Roen described the notice as a "shock," saying the County had not been informed that the City of Loyalton was considering ending the lease and believed negotiations were still underway.
Roen explained that the County's original five-year lease expired in 2022, after which the parties continued operating under a year-to-year agreement.
Chief Probation Officer Chuck Henson, the current tenant representative, said the County received a revised lease proposal from the City on March 26 that included significant changes.
According to Henson, the proposed agreement would have nearly doubled the County's rent while also shifting responsibility for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, installation of a fire suppression system, and exterior building maintenance to the County.
Henson said the changes "totally blindsided" County officials.
"We've been a valued tenant for nine years," Henson said. "It's understandable that prices go up, but shifting those liabilities to the County wasn't appropriate."
Roen said County Counsel contacted the City after reviewing the proposed lease. The County submitted a counteroffer, which was rejected, followed by a second proposal a couple weeks ago.
Despite those negotiations, the County instead received a termination letter signed by Loyalton Mayor Joy Markum, who is authorized under the lease agreement to execute the notice.
Roen encouraged the entire Loyalton City Council to discuss the decision publicly and said the County must now begin exploring other options.
Henson noted that when the County first leased the building in 2007, the monthly rent was $1,000, including a $100 credit toward utilities for the Social Hall.
Roen recalled that in 2021 the County attempted to purchase the building and had an inspection which identified numerous deficiencies. Although an offer was made, the City declined to sell.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden said the County had envisioned creating a government center at the location, adding the “City can't maintain that building adequately and doesn't have the funds to bring it up to code."
Henson emphasized the importance of the Beckwith Street location, noting its close proximity to Loyalton's three schools, the city park, and Little League fields.
He said Probation officers have repeatedly provided security in the area and are among the primary responders to incidents at local schools because they can reach campuses on foot.
"It would be an absolute tragedy" to relocate, Henson said, adding that without a suitable alternative the department could be forced to leave the Loyalton area altogether.
Supervisor Terry LeBlanc said the issue should be on a future Loyalton City Council agenda to allow for public comment.
Roen agreed, saying Loyalton residents should understand the range of services Sierra County provides within the city. He then asked Sheriff Mike Fisher to address the Board.
Fisher described the County as "a great partner" to Loyalton and noted that the City's law enforcement agreement with the County has not been renegotiated since 2009.
Under the current agreement, the City pays approximately 5% of its general fund revenue about $2,500 per month and gets $100,000 through a cops grant—for law enforcement services.
Providing a snapshot of activity between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, Fisher reported deputies responded to 632 calls for service within Loyalton city limits, including dispatching for the Loyalton Fire Department. Those calls included 114 medical and behavioral health incidents, 15 domestic violence calls, and 468 general law enforcement responses, along with numerous theft and vandalism investigations and seven custodial arrests.
Fisher said the County also absorbs the costs of housing inmates in Nevada County, with no reimbursement from the City, and noted that the cost of providing law enforcement services has increased substantially since the agreement was signed 17 years ago.
He compared the situation to Glenn County's agreement with the City of Willows, where the sheriff now only provides constitutionally required services.
"We've provided extreme grace" in maintaining a strong law enforcement presence in Loyalton, Fisher said, adding that he believes the City Council should have a full discussion about the future of its partnership with the County.
Roen echoed those comments, noting that the County also provides election services and numerous other governmental functions for the City.
Dryden argued that the County should not be expected to finance improvements to a building it does not own.
Supervisor Lee Adams agreed, stating, "No tenant in the world would do this."
Adams proposed bringing the matter back before the Board in two weeks during its meeting in Loyalton and suggested the ad hoc committee consisting of Roen and Dryden to identify potential alternative locations for the Probation Department.
This newspaper reached out to Loyalton Mayor Joy Markum for a statement, but she couldn’t give one stating, “It is in the hands of the attorney.”
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
The Notice of Termination was received Monday, July 6, with an effective date of Oct. 31, 2026. The unexpected development prompted the Sierra County Board of Supervisors to add the issue as an urgency item during its Tuesday, July 7, meeting in Downieville.
Board Chair Paul Roen described the notice as a "shock," saying the County had not been informed that the City of Loyalton was considering ending the lease and believed negotiations were still underway.
Roen explained that the County's original five-year lease expired in 2022, after which the parties continued operating under a year-to-year agreement.
Chief Probation Officer Chuck Henson, the current tenant representative, said the County received a revised lease proposal from the City on March 26 that included significant changes.
According to Henson, the proposed agreement would have nearly doubled the County's rent while also shifting responsibility for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance, installation of a fire suppression system, and exterior building maintenance to the County.
Henson said the changes "totally blindsided" County officials.
"We've been a valued tenant for nine years," Henson said. "It's understandable that prices go up, but shifting those liabilities to the County wasn't appropriate."
Roen said County Counsel contacted the City after reviewing the proposed lease. The County submitted a counteroffer, which was rejected, followed by a second proposal a couple weeks ago.
Despite those negotiations, the County instead received a termination letter signed by Loyalton Mayor Joy Markum, who is authorized under the lease agreement to execute the notice.
Roen encouraged the entire Loyalton City Council to discuss the decision publicly and said the County must now begin exploring other options.
Henson noted that when the County first leased the building in 2007, the monthly rent was $1,000, including a $100 credit toward utilities for the Social Hall.
Roen recalled that in 2021 the County attempted to purchase the building and had an inspection which identified numerous deficiencies. Although an offer was made, the City declined to sell.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden said the County had envisioned creating a government center at the location, adding the “City can't maintain that building adequately and doesn't have the funds to bring it up to code."
Henson emphasized the importance of the Beckwith Street location, noting its close proximity to Loyalton's three schools, the city park, and Little League fields.
He said Probation officers have repeatedly provided security in the area and are among the primary responders to incidents at local schools because they can reach campuses on foot.
"It would be an absolute tragedy" to relocate, Henson said, adding that without a suitable alternative the department could be forced to leave the Loyalton area altogether.
Supervisor Terry LeBlanc said the issue should be on a future Loyalton City Council agenda to allow for public comment.
Roen agreed, saying Loyalton residents should understand the range of services Sierra County provides within the city. He then asked Sheriff Mike Fisher to address the Board.
Fisher described the County as "a great partner" to Loyalton and noted that the City's law enforcement agreement with the County has not been renegotiated since 2009.
Under the current agreement, the City pays approximately 5% of its general fund revenue about $2,500 per month and gets $100,000 through a cops grant—for law enforcement services.
Providing a snapshot of activity between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, Fisher reported deputies responded to 632 calls for service within Loyalton city limits, including dispatching for the Loyalton Fire Department. Those calls included 114 medical and behavioral health incidents, 15 domestic violence calls, and 468 general law enforcement responses, along with numerous theft and vandalism investigations and seven custodial arrests.
Fisher said the County also absorbs the costs of housing inmates in Nevada County, with no reimbursement from the City, and noted that the cost of providing law enforcement services has increased substantially since the agreement was signed 17 years ago.
He compared the situation to Glenn County's agreement with the City of Willows, where the sheriff now only provides constitutionally required services.
"We've provided extreme grace" in maintaining a strong law enforcement presence in Loyalton, Fisher said, adding that he believes the City Council should have a full discussion about the future of its partnership with the County.
Roen echoed those comments, noting that the County also provides election services and numerous other governmental functions for the City.
Dryden argued that the County should not be expected to finance improvements to a building it does not own.
Supervisor Lee Adams agreed, stating, "No tenant in the world would do this."
Adams proposed bringing the matter back before the Board in two weeks during its meeting in Loyalton and suggested the ad hoc committee consisting of Roen and Dryden to identify potential alternative locations for the Probation Department.
This newspaper reached out to Loyalton Mayor Joy Markum for a statement, but she couldn’t give one stating, “It is in the hands of the attorney.”
Nichole Johnson, Editor
Sierra Booster Newspaper
[email protected]
(530) 277-0891
