New Revelations at Shasta County Board Meeting Call into Question Board Decisions
- Elisa Ballard
- 38 minutes ago
- 3 min read
July 28, 2026, Meeting Recap
REDDING, Calif. — Public comments at the July 28 Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting raised pointed questions about two high-profile issues: the planned demolition of the old Shasta County Courthouse and the basis for any potential censure of Registrar of Voters and County Clerk Clint Curtis.
Structural engineer John Dunlap cautioned the board against rapid landfill expansion tied to a $5,155,981.45 contract with Eddie Axner Construction, Inc., that appeared on the consent calendar. Dunlap, who identified himself as the structural engineer on the 1992/93 courthouse remodel, questioned the economics of demolishing the old courthouse. He noted that asbestos had been removed from the second and third floors during that earlier project. His remarks linked the courthouse demolition decision to increased pressure for landfill expansion, casting doubt on whether the board’s path forward fully accounts for prior remediation and long-term costs.
Separately, resident Nick Gardner addressed the board regarding a potential future agenda item to censure Registrar of Voters, Clint Curtis. Gardner requested that any such discussion include a presentation by Director of Support Services Monica Fugitt incorporating all evidence from newly hired Elections Office employees that refuted the underlying claims. He asserted that Fugitt and the Oppenheimer Group appeared to have disregarded testimony from those employees during their investigations of the allegations against Curtis, describing the process as one-sided.
The meeting opened with a moment of silence called by Chair Chris Kelstrom for Redding City Manager William Tarbox, who died unexpectedly on July 19.
County Executive Officer Dave Rickert reported a water main break at the Breslauer mental health building on July 28, with repairs planned by the City of Redding for July 29; mental health services were temporarily closed while economic mobility services remained open. Rickert also highlighted the inaugural Ironman competition set for August 16, expected to draw more than 7,000 visitors and 1,600 athletes with a projected $12 million local economic impact. He noted sharply rising costs for goat herding teams used in fire prevention due to a regulatory loophole, with annual expenses potentially exceeding $250,000 per herder. He said the county is seeking a state-level remedy.
Supervisors advanced several items with unanimous 5-0 votes. Supervisor Matt Plummer’s proposal for a contract with California Consulting for grant writing will return for discussion on August 11. The board also agreed to bring back a “Recovery First” policy prioritizing remission and recovery in substance use treatment, directed staff to join the Diablo Canyon Twenty Forty-Five coalition supporting continued operation of the nuclear facility until 2045, and added a Burney Opportunity Zone 2.0 item to the August agenda. Supervisors further voted 5-0 to support the Save America Act (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) and to double fines for illegal dumping from $500 to $1,000.
Presentations on the Step-Up Program and Addiction Studies from Shasta-Trinity Joint Community College District detailed strong student outcomes, including higher unit completion rates, significant practicum hours, and employment offers for nearly half of interns.
Sponsored by Supervisor Crye, HHSA’s Cindy Lane outlined adoption fee structures, noting 344 adoptions over five years and nominal costs that are often reimbursable, while board members expressed interest in reducing barriers for relative caregivers.
Other public comments addressed opposition to a proposed felon rehabilitation facility near the River Ranch neighborhood, healthcare concerns at Shasta Community Health Center, child welfare policy reforms, homelessness data-collection challenges, criticism of the eminent domain charter amendment, and the foster care system’s needs.
The board approved Permanent Road Division and County Service Area parcel charges with no assessment increases this year and adopted the full consent agenda 5-0.
The engineer’s remarks on the courthouse and landfill, together with concerns about the completeness of the Curtis investigation and continued opposition to the proposed inmate rehabilitation facility, left several board decisions under renewed public scrutiny as the county continues to navigate major facility, elections, and infrastructure questions.
