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Secure Rural Schools funding reauthorized for two years
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – This week Congress approved a two-year reauthorization of legislation that helps fund local schools and road projects.
The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 was included as a policy rider to H.R. 2, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, also known as the “Doc Fix.”
Congressman John Garamendi and Congressman Mike Thompson both voted for the bill, which President Barack Obama signed into law late Thursday.
The Secure Rural Schools Act was meant to address the impact on county governments that resulted from the reduction in timber harvesting on federal forest lands.
The act expired in September 2013, which resulted in a loss of funding in 2014 to support critical programs in local schools and forested counties across the United States, according to the Rural County Representatives of California, or RCRC.
H.R. 2 will provide California’s forested counties with more than $53 million in Secure Rural Schools funding for fiscal years 2014 and 2015, RCRC reported.
“Secure Rural Schools funding is critical to California’s rural counties, and we appreciate the reauthorization provided by Congress and the president,” said Lee Adams, RCRC Chair, and Sierra County supervisor. “It’s now time to identify a long-term, stable funding source for forested counties and local schools to maintain vital programs, and avoid interruptions in services and operations.”
In January, the Lake County Board of Supervisors joined 26 other RCRC member counties in adopting resolutions to urge Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools funding, as Lake County News has reported.
RCRC said its officers used those resolutions in federal lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. in February.
For his part, Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg told Lake County News that his lobbying consisted of contacting the offices of Garamendi and Thompson, “Both of whom have been very supportive of the Secure Rural Schools Act,” he said.
RCRC reported that Lake County received $441,066.56 in Secure Rural Schools funding in 2013.
With no 2014 reauthoriziation, in February the US Forest Service released payments based on a 1908 law requiring it to share with states 25 percent of gross receipts from timber sales, grazing, minerals, recreation, and other land use fees on national forests, with those funds to benefit public schools and public roads in the counties in which the forests are situated.
Those funding amounts were far reduced from what the Secure Rural Schools act offered; Lake County's payment from the US Forest Service totaled $13,653.32, compared to the estimated $419,013.23 it was to have received for 2014, according to RCRC.
Now, for 2015, RCRC's estimate is that Lake County should receive $398,062.57 in Secure Rural Schools funding.
RCRC said H.R. 2 also expedites the Secure Rural Schools payments to counties by requiring the federal government to make payments within 45 days of the bill’s enactment.
Falkenberg said when the federal government distributes the funds, half goes to the schools and half to the county government. County officials have said they use their portion of the funds for roads.
“Speaking of the half that comes to the schools, it is the County Board of Education's responsibility to determine how that is split out,” Falkenberg said.
He said the formula the County Board of Education uses was created more than 20 years ago.
The Lake County Office of Education defers distribution of the Secure Rural Schools funds by one year as part of that original formula. Falkenberg said a result of that has been that the schools have continued to receive funding even in the year when the reauthorization had languished.
Falkenberg said a portion goes to the community college districts along with all of the county's school districts, regardless of whether or not they have national forest lands in their districts.
The Lake County Office of Education gets a small portion of the money, too, said Falkenberg.
“We use it support the observatory,” he said, referring to the Taylor Observatory-Norton Planetarium in Kelseyville.
The Lake County Office of Education budgets $20,000 annually for the observatory, which covers a coordinator and stipends for docents who put on presentations, Falkenberg said. The observatory also receives funding support from the Friends of Taylor Observatory.
Falkenberg reported the Secure Rural Schools bill's passage to the Lake County Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday evening.
“We need to find a way to secure long-term funding for Secure Rural Schools, rather than every year having it attached to a different bill, being subject to the political whims of Congress,” Falkenberg told the board.
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Westamerica Bank's Upper Lake branch closure postponed
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – There's been a new development in the story of Upper Lake's efforts to keep a bank branch in downtown, with news that an intended closure is being put off for several months.
Late Tuesday, Lake County's representatives in the state Legislature, Sen. Mike McGuire and Assemblyman Bill Dodd, announced that Westamerica Bank's intended closure on April 24 has been postponed.
Dodd and McGuire said they've been working with Commissioner Jan Lynn Owen of the California Department of Business Oversight to find a solution, and that the bank branch at 9470 Main St. will continue to operate for an additional six months.
“This will allow the community, the Board of Supervisors and Lake County legislators to continue working on a long-term banking solution for the area,” the legislators said in a joint Tuesday evening statement.
In January, Westamerica Bank informed its customers that it intended to close the branch, as Lake County News has reported.
For the town, where there has been a bank on Main Street since 1921, the news didn't sit well, and led to a petition drive and the efforts of the Upper Lake Community Council, county leaders and officials at state level to find a solution.
Initially, Owen did not object to the closure, which Westamerica – as a state-chartered bank – had to report to the Department of Business Oversight.
However, as it became clearer to state officials that the closure would impact a far larger group of county residents than just those in Upper Lake.
There are 15,000 people along the Highway 20 corridor in Lake County alone who stand to be affected, and no other bank branch on the 85-mile stretch of the highway from Ukiah to Williams.
Tom Dresslar, a special assistant to Owen, was on hand at a March 4 town hall to hear firsthand about community members' concerns.
In a letter dated March 6, Owen told the bank that her office was reopening its review of the closure and sought a 30-day extension – which the bank granted – to finalize a decision.
Dodd and McGuire wrote Owen letters after that point, asking her to take into account the entire Northshore region – not just Upper Lake – when making a decision and to consider the serious implications that the closure could have on the community.
They also worked to find an agreement that would ensure the community continued to have banking services.
“We are both thankful to Commissioner Owen for helping the Upper Lake community and grateful to Westamerica Bank for listening to the residents’ needs,” McGuire and Dodd said said in their Tuesday announcement. “We will continue working together with the community and with other banks and credit unions to secure a long-term solution.”
Said McGuire, “Upper Lake continues to grow and recover from the recession, and a community bank is vital to the long term success of the local economy. It’s critical that the needs of Lake County are met and we’ll continue to work hard to see this through.”
“Upper Lake has had a bank on the town’s Main Street for many years and ensuring continuity of banking services is very important to the success of local businesses and residents alike,” Dodd said. “I am pleased by the additional effort of Commissioner Owen and her staff and glad that Lake County will benefit from this collaboration.”
Dodd and McGuire said they are planning a community meeting this summer to hear directly from residents and businesses on the issue of the branch closure.
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City of Lakeport pursues next steps in solar energy project
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport is moving forward on plans for a solar energy project.
The project is proposed to be built at the city's sewage treatment facility on the outskirts of the city off Highway 175.
At its meeting Oct. 7, the Lakeport City Council – sitting jointly as the City of Lakeport Municipal Sewer District Board – received a presentation from Mike Adams, Mendocino College's retired director of facilities planning, on planning for the new solar array.
The council at that time unanimously voted to amend the sewer operations budget in the amount of $45,657 to allow the solar planning phase to move forward.
At the Lakeport City Council's April 7 meeting Adams gave an update on the phases and planning, and potential sites.
He said the project is about two things – energy conservation and cost savings for the city. Adams said he thinks it's the right thing to do if the city can afford it, and he hoped to be able to answer that question for the council.
As proposed, the project would cost an estimated $2.6 million. It would be covered by a prepaid power purchase agreement. As such, it would be installed and, initially, owned by an investor, Adams explained.
After five years the city would purchase the system at 83 percent of the estimated total $2,663,381 cost, – or just over $2.2 million – plus a buyout cost of $53,268. The total approximate cost of the project to the city is estimated to be $2,263,874, according to Adams.
The city would use the power generated by the system and pay the debt services. In the first year, it's estimated that the city's net savings would be approximately $49,664. Adams said that's the difference between the annual energy savings of $311,981 and the annual debt service of $262,317.
The monthly payment would be $21,859.77, and debt service would be paid off in 10 years, he said.
The 1.075-megawatt installation would be composed of four systems, including a 700-kilowatt system on Highway 175 and three 375-kilowatt systems on Linda Lane.
Work completed in the first and second planning phases so far includes reviewing projected utility loads, developing site selection criteria, identifying funding options, developing the planning schedule and budget, investigating potential sites, reviewing site topography and soils, identifying Pacific Gas and Electric solar program options, adopting a planning budget, conducting the phase one soils investigation, contracting a solar electrical engineer for system design recommendations, developing a system cost and benefit analysis and a final project budget based on system design recommendations.
He said topography studies still need to be completed on two of the smaller sites.
Besides sun exposure, a key consideration in site selection was proximity to existing infrastructure. Adams said there are other possible sites in addition to those identified on Highway 175 and Linda Lane, but they lack infrastructure.
Regarding the projected schedule going forward, Adams said they can begin developing specifications, and looking at the questions they still have regarding the legal and funding elements. The city can then put out a request for proposals package in May with proposals to come in during June and the contract award to be made in July, with the goal of finishing the project by year's end.
Councilman Marc Spillman asked about the life of the system and how long it could be expected to last.
Adams said there will degradations of panels and new technological developments, but the infrastructure itself will be solid.
In 2009, when Adams led the solar installation project at Mendocino College, he said the cost was $7 per watt, for an overall cost of $7 million for a one megawatt system. Now, it's $2.48 per watt.
He said that because the proposal is for a fixed system – one that doesn't move to follow the sun during the day – there will not be a lot of maintenance.
Councilwoman Stacey Mattina asked about potential maintenance costs, which Adams explained the city isn't responsible for while the system is investor-owned.
Eventually, once the city owns the system, Adams suggested a service contract would be a good idea, adding that such contracts usually cost about $5,000 a year.
City Finance Director Dan Buffalo said the city is still exploring how the mechanism works for the construction and installation of the array. A potential vendor gave the city a sample agreement for that mechanism, but it hasn't been shared with the city attorney and due diligence hasn't been completed.
However, “On the face of it, it pencils out,” and looks positive, Buffalo said.
Mayor Martin Scheel asked if the city could access credits for the project. Adams said the incentives available in 2009 for public agencies were pretty big – Mendocino College received $2.8 million – but have since gone away.
Councilman Kenny Parlet, referring to Adams' statement about the drop in cost since the college project in 2009, pointed out that the same solar system originally would have cost $5 million more.
“The cost of this stuff is going down because they're building more of it,” said Adams. “It's just an economy of scale.”
City Manager Margaret Silveira told Lake County News this week that the city is now preparing to do a request for proposals for a project consultant.
She said Adams will put that together and bring it back to the council.
“We are hoping to have this project in as soon as possible,” Silveira said.
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Political action committee forms to challenge State of Jefferson movement
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – As the effort to create a 51st state continues to push forward across several Northern California counties, a new political action committee has formed to fight the State of Jefferson movement.
The Keep It California PAC's formation was announced on Monday – the 272nd birthday of President Thomas Jefferson, who has become the new state's namesake.
In its announcement, the group quoted Jefferson in illustrating its opposition to the new state: “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
A group of concerned citizens from around rural California met in Redding on April 7, where they voted to form the new multi-county, nonpartisan political action committee.
At the meeting, the PAC's principal officers were elected: campaign Chair Cindy Ellsmore, Sierra County; spokesman and Vice Chair Kevin Hendrick, Del Norte County; campaign headquarters Vice Chair Rob Rowen, Shasta County; Secretary Dolly Verrue, Siskiyou County; Treasurer John Mertes, Del Norte County; and Assistant Treasurer Larry Marks, Siskiyou County.
Mark Baird, a leader and spokesman for the State of Jefferson effort, greeted the news by saying the opposing group had a First Amendment right to take the action.
Baird said of his movement, “It is raising awareness in the capital that at least eight counties are upset with their lack of representation at the state level,” and added, “How can that be bad for anybody, no matter what it is you want your county to do?”
Ellsmore said the Keep It California PAC was formed to represent the interest of all Republican, Democrat and Independent voters who oppose separation from California. “Our mission is to advocate for better representation of rural California and to oppose breaking away to form a new state.”
In March, the Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to put an advisory measure before voters in November 2016 regarding whether the board should adopt a declaration of support for the county's separation from California.
Later in the month, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors took similar action, voting to place an advisory measure on the June 2016 ballot.
Last year, Del Norte County voters defeated a similar advisory measure, Shasta and Plumas counties last year declined to take part, and Butte County put off its consideration.
Glenn, Modoc, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties have taken formal actions to join the State of Jefferson.
Ellsmore said most rural counties get back more money than local taxpayers pay to the state of California.
“If we separate from California, our communities will lose millions of dollars in funding for roads, education, and social services for youth, families and seniors. Jobs funded by the state through our schools, counties, parks, prisons, police and nonprofit community provide living wage employment which helps support our local economy,” she said.
Hendrick was the director of the Keep It California campaign in Del Norte County, which defeated the proposed State of Jefferson advisory measure with a 58-percent no vote in June.
He said the organization is forming local coordinating committees in every county where State of Jefferson proponents are active.
Hendrick said they have volunteers in 20 counties building these committees to monitor and respond to any incursions by Jefferson proponents.
“Wherever they show up we want to have people there asking questions or pointing out facts,” he said.
In addition, Hendrick said Keep It California will provide material and financial assistance to these local efforts, inform voters and elected officials about what it called the “disastrous consequences” of separating from California, and will encourage local agencies to evaluate the financial risks and uncertainties about joining the movement.
He said a number of people from Lake County already have indicated an interest in organizing – whether they form their own committee or work under Keep It California's umbrella.
At the time the Board of Supervisors took its actions, a local Facebook group formed titled “State of Jefferson Resistance.”
The Fair Political Practices Commission number for the PAC is still pending.
The State of Jefferson has have had a small PAC for some time, according to Baird.
Baird, who doesn't sit on the State of Jefferson's board of directors, said he didn't have a lot of information about the PAC, but said it was used to pay for advertising on radio shows and similar outreach.
Searches of the Web sites for the California Secretary of State and the Fair Political Practices Commission didn't turn up any information on such a committee, although if the Jefferson PAC raised less than $1,000 in a calendar year it may not have been required to file, based on a reading of state guidelines.
Two sides argue perspectives
The two sides are aggressive in putting out their viewpoints and in pointing out what they consider are each others' shortcomings.
Baird, a police officer and retired airline captain who wrote the first Jefferson declaration, said he wants liberty and a better life for his son and other young people.
“We want the people of Northern California to take responsibility for their own lives and say how they would like their government to serve them,” he said.
Responded Hendrick, “The general consensus on our side is, it's just wasting everyone's time.”
However, he added, “This has to be more than pushing back on the State of Jefferson. There are real issues in rural counties.”
Hendrick said rural counties need to help government representatives understand their unique issues. “If we can get our rural representatives to caucus, it gives us a bigger voice.”
Baird said of the opposition, “It's really hard to defend against the emotional argument,” claiming those opposed to Jefferson say there will be no police or hospitals if it becomes a reality. “I wonder how the 49 states that aren't named California make it.”
Jefferson's opponents, however, similarly fault it for appeals to emotion with not enough analysis to back up its claims.
For their part, State of Jefferson representatives locally and in the larger statewide movement say they're pressing ahead.
“We've been working with Mendocino County and Colusa County this past month with their town halls and their meetings,” said Truman Bernal of Kelseyville, who had taken the Jefferson matter to the Board of Supervisors.
Baird said so far there has been one town hall in Mendocino County, and more will be needed to educate the county's large population.
Baird will be in Trinity County on Tuesday to speak to a county supervisor there.
Also on Tuesday, Steve Baird – not a relation but a friend of Mark Baird's – will make a presentation to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors on how he believes that county could benefit.
Hendrick said Ellsmore and other Keep It California members will be there in Plumas County to present their side of the issue.
A presentation also is set to take place before the Nevada County Board of Supervisors on May 12, Mark Baird said.
“We're not telling people how to live,” Baird said. “We're asking them, is California a good business partner for you?”
He said he's surprised there has been any pushback at all in small counties like Lake, explaining that Jefferson is offering the chance for each county to have its own senator and Assembly member.
He said the Jefferson movement is entirely grassroots, with no corporate or business sponsorship. All of the people who travel around to meetings do so at their own expense.
The State of Jefferson doesn't have a party affiliation, said Baird.
“We're not members of the Tea Party, either,” he said in response to suggestions that the State of Jefferson is an outgrowth of the Tea Party movement. He said he also has no personal party affiliation.
In return, he alleged that unions have used scare tactics and pumped large amounts of money into the coffers of the opposition, thus the defeat of Del Norte County's advisory measure.
Assemblyman Bill Dodd, who took office representing the the Fourth Assembly District – including Lake County – in December, told community members at a Friday meeting that while he understands the frustration behind the State of Jefferson movement, he predicted it ultimately won't succeed.
“It's never going to pass muster,” he said, but added that rural counties do need more attention.
If the State of Jefferson movement doesn't succeed in getting support for legislation to split off from California, Baird said supporters plan to move forward with a lawsuit challenging Reynolds v. Sims, the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court case that required that legislative districts in states have equal population numbers.
To fund that suit, Baird said they plan to pursue $100 donations each from 10,000 people. If that fails, they could try to trigger a convention of states.
Keep It California can be reached via email at
The State of Jefferson can be reached via its contact page at http://www.soj51.net/home.html , and visited online at https://www.facebook.com/pages/State-of-Jefferson/507464432650933?fref=ts or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-for-State-of-Jefferson/153506214844491?fref=ts .
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