Board authorizes vacancies to be filled, trucks to be purchased
By Debra Moore
Public comment is regularly used during the Plumas County Board of Supervisors meetings for employees to ask for pay increases. The meeting March 21 was no different — except the person who asked, did so in the most amicable way possible. An IHSS worker (In Home Health Services) told the board that she had been employed as such for about 12 years. “Although it’s a hard job, we try and help our clients stay at home as long as possible.” She said that she and her coworkers were “asking to be acknowledged” and “hopefully it will be in the county budget to give us a little bit more than minimum wage.” She asked for a 50 cent or 75 cent per hour pay increase above minimum wage. She concluded by saying, “Thank you for the good job that you do for our county.”
Also during public comment, Plumas County District Attorney David Hollister stood to offer his support for the Sheriff and his request for increased wages for sheriff’s office personnel as he faces critical staffing shortages. “We are starting to see some cracks in the armor,” Hollister said of the situation. He added that he knew the supervisors were working on the issue, and he asked that they make it a priority.
The supervisors approved a number of items under the consent agenda, which included:
- Allowing the Almanor Foundation to host a fly-in dinner dance at Rogers Field in Chester on Sept. 23.
- Waiving the courthouse fee for the Quincy High School prom on May 13.
- Approving a contract not to exceed $23,885 with Plumas County Glass to repair damage at the courthouse annex following a break-in over the Thanksgiving weekend last year. The vandal(s) broke two exterior windows, nine interior windows, and damaged several doors and their hardware. Most of the damage occurred in Behavioral Health on the first floor, but there was some minor damage to Public Health administration on the second floor. Insurance is covering the bulk of the costs.
- Authorizing the following positions to be filled: two extra-help positions in facilities services; one extra-help position at the Chester airport; and one extra-help library aide.
Public works trucks
Public Works Director John Mannle asked the board to approve the purchase of six snowplow/sander/dump trucks and one diesel mechanic’s service truck not to exceed $928,000. Mannle explained that in the past, the department would try to purchase two or three trucks at a time, but would receive no interest. So this time, they went for seven vehicles, and received a bid from Future Ford of Sacramento. “You approved the money in the past three budget plans,” Mannle said, and the funds have been aside for the purchase. The funding comes from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account.
Each of the six maintenance districts — Beckwourth, Chester, Graeagle, Greenville, La Porte and Quincy will receive a snowplow/sander/dump truck and the service truck will be stationed in Quincy. The board approved the request.
Appointments
Supervisor Tom McGowan was appointed to replace Supervisor Greg Hagwood as the 2023 delegate for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) and Michelle Blackford was appointed to a four-year term on the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Board representing the Quincy area.
Two individuals were also appointed to the Grizzly Lake Road Improvement District Board: Linda Van Dalen and Darla Thompson. The appointments leave the district with a quorum, with four out of five positions filled.
Other business
The board also discussed a presentation regarding the Lawry House in Quincy, a response letter to the state fire marshal regarding fire severity zones, a donation to the National Center for Public Lands Counties and a report from the planning department. Those items will be reported on separately.
