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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Board of Supervisors this week will hear a presentation on the significant local impact of federal legislation H.R. 1 – which officials say will affect the county’s social and health programs and damage the local economy – and consider approving the consolidation of the Public Works and Public Services departments.
The board will meet beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 10, in the board chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
The meeting can be watched live on Channel 8, online and on the county’s Facebook page. Accompanying board documents, the agenda and archived board meeting videos also are available at that link.
To participate in real-time, join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
The meeting ID is 865 3354 4962, pass code 726865. The meeting also can be accessed via one tap mobile at +16694449171,,86533544962#,,,,*726865#. The meeting can also be accessed via phone at 669 900 6833.
At 1:15 p.m., the board will consider a presentation on the “damaging” local impact of H.R. 1 in Lake County, jointly brought up by the county’s departments of Social Services, Public Health and Behavioral Health.
Since 2025, a series of federal events including funding freezes, government shutdowns, rapid policy changes and ongoing litigation have caused “significant instability” in social programs, according to the staff memo.
H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4 – half a year into his second term – includes “significant changes” to social programs and funding, the staff memo noted.
Programs impacted include:
• Medi-Cal Partnership health plan, federally known as Medicaid.
• CalFresh EBT food, federally known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
• Covered California health plan marketplace subsidies and advanced premium tax credits, federally known as the Affordable Care Act and often referred to as "Obamacare."
In the meantime, the staff report noted, the governor’s proposed 2026-27 budget, released Jan. 9, “does not adequately address the burden of federal changes, proposing to pass unsustainable costs directly to counties.”
“As it stands, Lake County Social Services will not be able to maintain our current level of services,” the staff memo said. “Vital safety net programs for the most vulnerable in our community, the elderly, disabled, veterans, and children, are threatened.”
“Our local economy will be damaged,” it continued. “Access to healthcare for all Lake County residents will be reduced.”
The meeting schedule designated 15 minutes to this item.
At 1:30 p.m., the board will consider approving the consolidation of the Public Services Department and Public Works Department.
This item follows the board’s Jan. 13 conceptual approval to merge the two departments.
The consolidated department will have 110 total allocated positions.
The staff memo said the consolidation is anticipated to result in “annual, ongoing salary and benefits cost savings of $253,000.” The amount reflects about $104,000 in increased salary costs due to position reclassification, offset by approximately $357,000 in savings from the elimination of two vacant positions.
Next steps include development of “a permanent job classification and compensation package” for the consolidated department director, Lars Ewing, who is the current director of Public Services and interim director of Public Works.
At 10:30 a.m., the board will hear a presentation by Rural County Representatives of California regarding the organization's ongoing advocacy and support for California's rural counties.
It will cover the organization’s affiliated entities in providing services, a summary of its policy priority in Sacramento and Washington D.C., “focusing on issues impacting rural governance, infrastructure, and resource management,” according to the staff memo.
It will also touch on its long-term plan to enhance the representation and fiscal health of its member counties.
In the untimed items, the board will consider a presentation by the Administrative Office about “an overview on significant ongoing and upcoming priorities.”
Topics will include human resources, housing, economic development, climate resiliency, communications, and community and tribal relations.
The full agenda follows.
CONSENT AGENDA
5.1, Approve continuation of emergency proclamation declaring a shelter crisis in Lake County.
5.2, Approve continuation of proclamation of local emergency due to pervasive tree mortality.
5.3, Approve continuation of proclamation declaring a Clear Lake Hitch emergency.
5.4, Approve continuation of local health emergency for the Clearlake sewage spill.
5.5, Approve continuation of local emergency due to the 2026 Robin Lane sewer spill (City of Clearlake).
5.6, Adopt proclamation designating March 2026 as American Red Cross Month in Lake County.
5.7, Adopt proclamation commending Operation Tango Mike for 23 years supporting deployed military personnel.
5.8, Approve side letter to Lake County Safety Employee Association July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029 MOU.
5.9, Approve amendment two to agreement for creation and installation of the Lake Pomo Family sculpture at the Historic Courthouse Museum.
5.10, (As Lake County Watershed Protection District Board) Award “Improving Restoration Efforts at Clear Lake with In-Lake Management of Phosphorus” project to EutroPHIX in the amount of $3,361,116.38 and authorize contract execution.
TIMED ITEMS
6.1, 9:02 a.m.: Public input.
6.2, 9:03 a.m.: Pet of the week.
6.3, 9:04 a.m.: New and noteworthy at the library.
6.4, 9:06 a.m.: Presentation of proclamation designating March 2026 as American Red Cross Month.
6.5, 9:10 a.m.: Presentation commending Operation Tango Mike for 23 years of service.
6.6, 9:15 a.m.: Consideration of letter of support for the Lake County Land Trust conservation, restoration and stewardship capacity-building project.
6.7, 9:30 a.m.: Public hearing—Cannabis cultivation tax bill appeal (UP 20-13), 3360 Merritt Road, Kelseyville.
6.8, 9:45 a.m.: Public hearing—Cannabis cultivation tax bill appeal (UP 19-48), 1756 Ogulin Canyon Road, Clearlake.
6.9, 10 a.m.: Consideration of joint letter advocating for Opportunity Zones selection.
6.10, 10:30 a.m.: Presentation by Rural County Representatives of California on the 2026 strategic plan and legislative platform.
6.11, 11 a.m.: Public hearing—Consideration of ordinance amending Chapter 21, Article 27 of the Lake County Code regarding commercial cannabis regulations.
6.12, 1 p.m.: (As Lake County Air Quality Management District Board) Consideration of authorization to assume GAMP contract manager duties and establish a private purpose trust fund.
6.13, 1:15 p.m.: Presentation on H.R. 1.
6.14, 1:30 p.m.: Consideration of consolidation of the Public Services Department and the Public Works Department.
6.15, 1:45 p.m.: Consideration of amendment No. 1 to memorandum of understanding between Lake County Community Foundation and Lake County Continuum of Care.
6.16, 2 p.m.: Addendum—Consideration of letter of support for South Lake County Fire Protection District community project funding request.
NON-TIMED ITEMS
7.1, Supervisors’ weekly calendar, travel and reports.
7.2, Consideration of Administrative Office overview presentation.
CLOSED SESSION
8.1, Public employee evaluation: Registrar of Voters.
8.2, Public employee evaluation: Child Support Services Director.
8.3, Public employee evaluation: Health Services Director.
8.4, Conference with labor negotiator: Deputy County Counsel Association.
8.5, Conference with legal counsel—Significant exposure to litigation, three potential cases.
Lingzi Chen is a staff reporter at Lake County News and a 2024-2026 California Local News Fellow. Email her at lchen@lakeconews.com.
