NOVEMBER 10 SPECIAL MEETING UPDATE
At a special Board of Supervisors meeting held on November 10 county staff from the CEO’s fiscal team provided an overview of the development of the 2021/2022 Placer County Budget, and staff from the Facilities Management Division provided an overview of several large-scale facilities projects.
Budget Workshop
This was the first of several presentations that will be made before the Board of Supervisors as we work toward adoption of the Placer County 2021/2022 Final Budget in June. The workshop included a discussion of economic impacts on county operations as a result of COVID-19 as well as an overview of updates to county financial policies, retirement funding obligations, and a status report on several of the county’s major operating funds.
The county’s fiscal staff will return to the Board of Supervisors next month with proposed updates to several county financial policies, and in February will return to provide a mid-year budget update. It is anticipated that county departments will make their budget presentations to the Board of Supervisors in March. The final steps of the budget approval process will occur in June, first with a public hearing to consider the county budget and a subsequent public hearing to adopt the final budget.
If you are interested in learning more about the county’s budget process I encourage you to visit our County Budget web page for more information.
Capital Facility Planning Workshop
Facilities Management staff provided an overview of the current progress of the Five Year Facilities Capital Improvements Plan (Facilities CIP), including proposed modifications to the plan. The main focus of the workshop was a discussion regarding how to utilize building space that will become available with the construction of the Health and Human Services Center in Auburn and improvements to the Atherton Road facility in Rocklin. The completion of these projects will free up considerable space in both the Community Development Resources Center and the Finance Administration Building, where Health and Human Services and Elections Division staff are currently located, providing opportunities to move other county staff and functions into these updated workspaces. While these moves are likely several years out, it is important to begin these discussions now in order to ensure the most effective and beneficial location of staff and resources.
Staff also provided an update on the progress of priority projects throughout Placer County, including the Health and Human Services Center in Auburn, the Tahoe Justice Center, the Placer County Crime Lab, and the County Administration Center in Auburn. These projects are currently in different stages of the planning phase.
If you are interested in learning more about proposed plans for the county’s current and future facilities please visit the Facilities Management web page for more information.
COVID-19 Update – Moving Back to Red and Maybe Worse
Although we anticipated it, I am disappointed that our cases have increased enough to move us back into the more restrictive red tier (“Substantial” risk level) of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Because of the growing number of cases, the State has moved us back a tier. In the red tier, we will see additional restrictions on some of our businesses, such as reduced capacity in restaurants, theaters and gyms/fitness centers, and the closure of other businesses such as bars and breweries. Many of our local businesses are trying so hard to survive on this roller coaster of closures and reductions, and I urge us to be more vigilant and commit support for our neighbors and communities. Without action by our residents we could move back into the purple tier (“Widespread” risk level), which would require the closure of many of our businesses and activities.
By taking caution and following recommendations, we can get back to a place where we enjoy more freedoms while also staying safe and protecting each other. We each need to do our part to help stop the spread of this virus. Many of our employees, local businesses and families are depending on all of us coming together to do the right thing.
Wear a face covering! Stay healthy, stay safe, stay open!
I am continuing to ask all our residents to take the precautions recommended: wear a face covering, wash your hands frequently, and physically distance from those outside your household. There has been so much research that validates the claims that wearing a face covering helps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We are all responsible for our own actions, but please remember that your actions with regard to wearing a face covering affect the public health and economy of your entire community.
Thank you Purple Heart Veterans!
On November 3 the Board of Supervisors approved a Proclamation recognizing Placer County as a Purple Heart County. This proclamation recognizes Placer County’s support for Purple Heart Veterans, and honors the contributions and sacrifices of our Purple Heart recipients wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans.
Pictured from left to right: Philip Jordan, Adjutant American Legion Post 169, Roseville, Dennis Wright, Jr. Vice Commander, Order of the Purple Heart, Folsom, Ron Manjarrez, Finance Officer, Order of the Purple Heart, Folsom, Chris Archuleta, Commander, Order of the Purple Heart, Folsom
Placer County invests in community through Placer Shares Impact Grants
Placer County has designated an additional $5 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to aid small businesses and nonprofits in the county through a new, targeted grant program called Placer Shares Impact Grants. Funding will be prioritized for small businesses to focus on community business anchors and job preservation and for nonprofits to focus on rental assistance, food/housing insecurity and counseling/mental health needs. Learn more
Agricultural commissioner seeks feedback on bee ordinance update
The Placer County Agriculture Department is requesting public feedback on a proposal to revise the county’s beekeeping ordinance. The proposal, which would add specific new requirements to the county’s beekeeping rules, is intended to reduce the number of nuisance complaints and conflicts between beekeepers and their neighbors. Other goals of the new rules would be to ensure that Placer County continues to foster a healthy beekeeping industry, and to allow small, backyard beekeepers to keep up to four hives in their yards as longs as certain safety requirements are met. More details, including public comment opportunities, can be found at www.placer.ca.gov/beekeeping
County Public Health Office shares COVID-19 safety tips ahead of holidays
As the holiday season approaches, many are wondering how to safely celebrate in the time of COVID-19. Pending forthcoming additional state guidance, Placer County Public Health is sharing some tips to help community members start thinking about ways to connect during this meaningful time of year while giving the gift of health to our loved ones. Learn more
Contact information:
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA 95603
Supervisor Cindy Gustafson: cindygustafson@
District Director Lindsay Romack: lromack@placer.ca.gov
District Aide Kelly McCaughna: kmccaughna@placer.
Temporary Assistant District Aide Judy Friedman: jfriedman@placer.ca.
