THE SENIOR COLLABORATIVE met on June 18th at the Loyalton Senior Center. The group who meets quarterly focuses on mapping senior resources, identifying service gaps, and coordinating assistance to help older adults maintain their independence.
A tour of the Loyalton Senior Center’s garden and Sierra County’s Community Health Van started the meeting along with breakfast items provided by the Senior Center.
Monica Beachell, Auditor-Appraiser for the Sierra County Assessor’s Office gave a presentation on Sierra County’s Digital Literacy Program. During previous employment in the Planning and Building Department Beachell became aware of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) Grant in which $21,000 was awarded to participants that completed three virtual learning community meetings (three hours each) and checklist reports detailing the county’s digital initiatives. Beachell stated they used the funding to install and pay for:
Starlink internet access in Alleghany,
Internet at the Downieville Library,
Computers for each of the four libraries,
Digital literacy classes in Loyalton and Downieville offered free to the public.
Grant funding was used to pay the Sierra County School for Adults to offer the free digital literacy training. Two classes have been held in Loyalton and one in Downieville with more to be offered soon.
Lessons focused on using various devices (phones, tablets, and computers) to check email, surf the web, and how to spot scams.
All classes met for a total of 8 hours (generally over 4-6 weeks) and provided ample time for questions and practice.
One of the participants from the Downieville class, Karen Galan, reported the teacher was very knowledgeable with Apple, Android and PC devices. She said most people had some computer experience and felt it very valuable to have the one on one help and a great service for the community.
Beachell stated Sierra County was additionally awarded the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account Grant for $55,940 to provide additional digital literacy classes and to upgrade computers in the libraries.
The CASF Grant also allocates funding to provide a free tablet worth approximately $300, for each student that completes a digital literacy class.
During the roundtable discussion, Clayton Wyatt, Regional Services Specialist for Agency on Aging Area 4, hoped by next meeting to have approval from the state to open a pharmacy in Sierra County. He said they are looking at different types of models for the pilot project.
Chris Potter stated they have been giving away a lot of bike helmets and life jackets at High Sierras Family Resource Center.
Eric Toraason, Senior Center’s Transportation Director, reported the garden has new dirt from Folchi’s Rock Garden and hoped to do a greenhouse in the near future. He shared ideas of developing a community orchard with so many old apple trees in Loyalton that could be grafted. The Senior Center feeds 55 people a day and serve 65-70 at the Food Bank.
Magdalene DeBerg, Executive Director for the Senior Center stated the Center provides 30 deliveries for commodities each month. They received new chairs and a couple tables from funding from Area 4. Bingocize which incorporates bingo with exercise starts soon and free transportation to water aerobics in Portola is being offered on Tuesday nights. DeBerg stated the Senior Thrift Store has incredible volunteers but are looking for more as three of the key volunteers are going to be stepping back.
Sabrina Smith, owner of Sabrina’s At The Forks restaurant in Downieville, who also delivers close to 47 lunches to seniors stated they have a big attendance for Senior meals. She said they have senior exercise on Mondays and Wednesdays and movie days that are well attended.
Sharon Dryden, Sierra County Supervisor and board member of Agency on Aging Area 4 said in Sierra County 30% of the residents are over the age of 65, adding, “We have to start planning for the needs of the community.” She reported the two main needs identified are a pharmacy and Hospice.
SOLID WASTE FEES were discussed during a special Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, June 30th in Downieville. Sierra County Assessor and Solid Waste Fee Administrator Eric Jackson stated based on the operating budget for solid waste they determined there should be an increase of $2.04 per loose cubic yard for a total of $22.42 per loose cubic yard and a residential fee of $403.56 per year. Sierra County Public Works Director Josh Handel noted that changing the fee isn’t an action taken lightly, adding they are just trying to maintain existing services and complying with the state of California’s regulatory requirements. He explained that in 2016-2019 the solid waste fee was over $420 per dwelling unit when dealing with the landfill closure. In 2020 it was reduced to $330 explaining the lack of spending led to a peak of unspent funds. He stated they’ve had significant inflation since 2022. Due to staff needing to be present during the active phases of burning green waste they had to increase the budget from $37,000 to $60,000 for overtime. Other contributors to the solid waste increase are buildings and improvements using $119,000 to repair the retaining wall at Sattley Transfer Station and paving at the Loyalton Transfer Station. Handel stated $45,000 for a change to consultant management and water testing at Loyalton required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. $55,000 is being used for green waste hauling to clear the transfer stations of green waste once per year and will be identifying a specific volume for each transfer station as a cap as part of the corrective action plan from Sierra County Environmental Health as well as $36,000 for ash disposal.
Handel stated they are working to keep costs down for the rate payer and over the next 12 months they will explore other options.
In conclusion, Handel stated expenses have exceeded revenue year over year. He felt this was the smallest increase feasible to maintain existing services, adding the 10% increase still comes in significantly lower than most counties in California.
Supervisor Lee Adams felt the increase was the responsible thing to do, noting a county of 3,000 people operates five sites. He said the rate payers can protest it, but this is “our best estimate to keep the services we have.” Board Chair Paul Roen clarified that the “Solid Waste Fee is for garbage. Green waste is for the benefit of the communities from the generosity of the county.” He said Sierra County is also making more garbage and felt this was a fair compromise.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden commented that $403.56 is still less than what was charged in 2019. She stressed that transfer sites need to check that people bringing in green waste live in Sierra County as Plumas County charges for its green waste.
Resolutions pertaining to the Solid Waste Fee increase and proposed Solid Waste Enterprise Budget were unanimously approved. A public hearing on the proposed rate increase will be held Sept. 1st at 10 a.m. in Downieville with teleconference available.
DOI Announces $733 Million in 2026 PILT Funding
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on June 23rd that more than 1,900 state and local governments will receive a combined $733 million through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for 2026.
The Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program provides vital funding for rural counties in California and throughout the county. These annual payments are provided to jurisdictions containing tax-exempt federal land to offset the loss of property tax revenue those lands would otherwise generate. Payments cover lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, among others. Amounts are calculated based on the acreage of federal land within each jurisdiction and its population; local governments may use the funds for services such as fire protection, law enforcement, education, and road construction.
California’s rural counties, which contain extensive federal land holdings, are set to receive nearly $56 million of the nearly $80 million dollars being distributed in California. Among the California counties receiving funding, Sierra County will receive $635,051 on 437,021 acres. Plumas County will receive $2,308,259 on 1,179,417 acres and Nevada County will receive $746,381on 225,514 acres.
RESOLUTIONS for Sierra County’s County Service Area Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and the County and Special Revenue Funds Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 were approved unanimously during the special Board of Supervisors’ meeting June 30th. Auditor Tony Miller stated both represent a conservative first attempt, explaining the 2024-25 financial audit is still pending so beginning fund balances are preliminary. He said going forward, the whole budget process will be reworked so its cleaner and easier.
A tour of the Loyalton Senior Center’s garden and Sierra County’s Community Health Van started the meeting along with breakfast items provided by the Senior Center.
Monica Beachell, Auditor-Appraiser for the Sierra County Assessor’s Office gave a presentation on Sierra County’s Digital Literacy Program. During previous employment in the Planning and Building Department Beachell became aware of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF) Grant in which $21,000 was awarded to participants that completed three virtual learning community meetings (three hours each) and checklist reports detailing the county’s digital initiatives. Beachell stated they used the funding to install and pay for:
Starlink internet access in Alleghany,
Internet at the Downieville Library,
Computers for each of the four libraries,
Digital literacy classes in Loyalton and Downieville offered free to the public.
Grant funding was used to pay the Sierra County School for Adults to offer the free digital literacy training. Two classes have been held in Loyalton and one in Downieville with more to be offered soon.
Lessons focused on using various devices (phones, tablets, and computers) to check email, surf the web, and how to spot scams.
All classes met for a total of 8 hours (generally over 4-6 weeks) and provided ample time for questions and practice.
One of the participants from the Downieville class, Karen Galan, reported the teacher was very knowledgeable with Apple, Android and PC devices. She said most people had some computer experience and felt it very valuable to have the one on one help and a great service for the community.
Beachell stated Sierra County was additionally awarded the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account Grant for $55,940 to provide additional digital literacy classes and to upgrade computers in the libraries.
The CASF Grant also allocates funding to provide a free tablet worth approximately $300, for each student that completes a digital literacy class.
During the roundtable discussion, Clayton Wyatt, Regional Services Specialist for Agency on Aging Area 4, hoped by next meeting to have approval from the state to open a pharmacy in Sierra County. He said they are looking at different types of models for the pilot project.
Chris Potter stated they have been giving away a lot of bike helmets and life jackets at High Sierras Family Resource Center.
Eric Toraason, Senior Center’s Transportation Director, reported the garden has new dirt from Folchi’s Rock Garden and hoped to do a greenhouse in the near future. He shared ideas of developing a community orchard with so many old apple trees in Loyalton that could be grafted. The Senior Center feeds 55 people a day and serve 65-70 at the Food Bank.
Magdalene DeBerg, Executive Director for the Senior Center stated the Center provides 30 deliveries for commodities each month. They received new chairs and a couple tables from funding from Area 4. Bingocize which incorporates bingo with exercise starts soon and free transportation to water aerobics in Portola is being offered on Tuesday nights. DeBerg stated the Senior Thrift Store has incredible volunteers but are looking for more as three of the key volunteers are going to be stepping back.
Sabrina Smith, owner of Sabrina’s At The Forks restaurant in Downieville, who also delivers close to 47 lunches to seniors stated they have a big attendance for Senior meals. She said they have senior exercise on Mondays and Wednesdays and movie days that are well attended.
Sharon Dryden, Sierra County Supervisor and board member of Agency on Aging Area 4 said in Sierra County 30% of the residents are over the age of 65, adding, “We have to start planning for the needs of the community.” She reported the two main needs identified are a pharmacy and Hospice.
SOLID WASTE FEES were discussed during a special Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, June 30th in Downieville. Sierra County Assessor and Solid Waste Fee Administrator Eric Jackson stated based on the operating budget for solid waste they determined there should be an increase of $2.04 per loose cubic yard for a total of $22.42 per loose cubic yard and a residential fee of $403.56 per year. Sierra County Public Works Director Josh Handel noted that changing the fee isn’t an action taken lightly, adding they are just trying to maintain existing services and complying with the state of California’s regulatory requirements. He explained that in 2016-2019 the solid waste fee was over $420 per dwelling unit when dealing with the landfill closure. In 2020 it was reduced to $330 explaining the lack of spending led to a peak of unspent funds. He stated they’ve had significant inflation since 2022. Due to staff needing to be present during the active phases of burning green waste they had to increase the budget from $37,000 to $60,000 for overtime. Other contributors to the solid waste increase are buildings and improvements using $119,000 to repair the retaining wall at Sattley Transfer Station and paving at the Loyalton Transfer Station. Handel stated $45,000 for a change to consultant management and water testing at Loyalton required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. $55,000 is being used for green waste hauling to clear the transfer stations of green waste once per year and will be identifying a specific volume for each transfer station as a cap as part of the corrective action plan from Sierra County Environmental Health as well as $36,000 for ash disposal.
Handel stated they are working to keep costs down for the rate payer and over the next 12 months they will explore other options.
In conclusion, Handel stated expenses have exceeded revenue year over year. He felt this was the smallest increase feasible to maintain existing services, adding the 10% increase still comes in significantly lower than most counties in California.
Supervisor Lee Adams felt the increase was the responsible thing to do, noting a county of 3,000 people operates five sites. He said the rate payers can protest it, but this is “our best estimate to keep the services we have.” Board Chair Paul Roen clarified that the “Solid Waste Fee is for garbage. Green waste is for the benefit of the communities from the generosity of the county.” He said Sierra County is also making more garbage and felt this was a fair compromise.
Supervisor Sharon Dryden commented that $403.56 is still less than what was charged in 2019. She stressed that transfer sites need to check that people bringing in green waste live in Sierra County as Plumas County charges for its green waste.
Resolutions pertaining to the Solid Waste Fee increase and proposed Solid Waste Enterprise Budget were unanimously approved. A public hearing on the proposed rate increase will be held Sept. 1st at 10 a.m. in Downieville with teleconference available.
DOI Announces $733 Million in 2026 PILT Funding
The U.S. Department of the Interior announced on June 23rd that more than 1,900 state and local governments will receive a combined $733 million through the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program for 2026.
The Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program provides vital funding for rural counties in California and throughout the county. These annual payments are provided to jurisdictions containing tax-exempt federal land to offset the loss of property tax revenue those lands would otherwise generate. Payments cover lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, among others. Amounts are calculated based on the acreage of federal land within each jurisdiction and its population; local governments may use the funds for services such as fire protection, law enforcement, education, and road construction.
California’s rural counties, which contain extensive federal land holdings, are set to receive nearly $56 million of the nearly $80 million dollars being distributed in California. Among the California counties receiving funding, Sierra County will receive $635,051 on 437,021 acres. Plumas County will receive $2,308,259 on 1,179,417 acres and Nevada County will receive $746,381on 225,514 acres.
RESOLUTIONS for Sierra County’s County Service Area Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 and the County and Special Revenue Funds Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27 were approved unanimously during the special Board of Supervisors’ meeting June 30th. Auditor Tony Miller stated both represent a conservative first attempt, explaining the 2024-25 financial audit is still pending so beginning fund balances are preliminary. He said going forward, the whole budget process will be reworked so its cleaner and easier.
