Shasta County Board of Supervisors Spar Over Administrative Costs Limits for NGOs - Meeting Recap – Monday, June 8, 2026
- Elisa Ballard
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
The Monday, June 8, 2026, regular meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held in the Shasta County Board Chambers at 1450 Court St., Redding, where lively discussions took place surrounding several topics. As usual, the meeting began with the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Austin Nelson, Deputy Sheriff, was named Employee of the Month for his outstanding professionalism and commitment to duty. Nelson, who joined the K-9 unit recently, had spent seven months at the Burney station and now serves in the south county area. Community members describe him as polite, respectful, communicative, and proactive. He previously served in the U.S. Air Force and in law enforcement in Las Vegas before joining the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office.
The Board proclaimed June 7–13 as Employee Appreciation Week and June 13 as Employee Appreciation Day in Shasta County. A special event is scheduled for employees on Saturday at Turtle Bay Arboretum.
CEO David Rickert warned that Senate Bill 1415, which would reduce property taxes for certain rental properties, could impact the county’s budget if passed. Rickert also updated the public on the Sheriff’s Boating Safety program, which resulted in citations for local boaters found in noncompliance.
Supervisor Matt Plummer brought forward a motion requesting that the Social Services Department make a presentation in July—after the state finalizes its budget (around June 15) on the impacts of HR 1 on the county’s budget. The motion initially failed but was revised to August and passed 3-2, with Supervisors Chris Kelstrom and Corkey Harmon voting no.
Supervisor Kevin Crye said he has had more conversations with Doug Bond of the Amity Foundation regarding public safety regarding the Alternative Custody Program. He also noted that, in his experience, access to healthcare in the county has recently worsened significantly.
Supervisor Corkey Harmon listed the events and meetings he attended over the past couple of weeks, including the NORTEC (Northern Rural Training and Employment Consortium) Board meeting.
Supervisor Allen Long attended the CSAC legislative conference in Sacramento. He spoke with Joe Tyler, director of Cal Fire, about the effects of the upcoming El Niño, and with Greg Williams, Executive Director of the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, a prominent nonprofit focused on trail building, maintenance, and sustainable recreation in Northern California's Sierra Nevada region. Williams told Long that grants to improve trails are also being used to create firebreaks.
Supervisor Chris Kelstrom, Board Chair, attended various events, including the Strawberry Festival and the Veterans Memorial Service at the Civic Auditorium Veterans Grove. He noted upcoming fireworks show on Friday, July 3, in Anderson and a parade on July 4. Kelstrom also toured the Redding Rancheria health facilities, describing them as expansive and impressive. He recently spoke to Meghan Hertle, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, advising her to remove bag limits on stripers (striped bass), which he said are eating salmon and reducing salmon populations more than any other factor. Kelstrom said that Hertle was unaware of this problem.
Public Comment
Public commenters raised several issues:
A representative from the Shasta County Chemical People, Inc., (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) requested a correction to the county’s staff report, noting the organization provides for the Friday Night Live program, which serves 250 youth (promoting healthy, substance-free lifestyles at local high schools). Shasta County has not supported the program with 5G funding.
Crye was criticized for taking a $5,900 campaign donation from the Redding Rancheria 10 months after voting to appeal the court decision involving the agreement with the County for Sheriff and Fire Department services related to the proposed new casino location. The speaker alleged a violation of the Levine Act under California Government Code §84308 "pay-to-play" campaign finance laws and suggested that Crye return the donation.
Multiple speakers asked Board Chair Chris Kelstrom to reinstate the three-minute public comment period (after recent limits to two minutes).
Gary Oxley and Wendy Gallant (husband and wife) and other speakers shared concerns about families torn apart by Child Protective Services due to false allegations. They reported 10 families losing parental rights, with claims that Social Services workers failed to follow guidelines, provide reunification services, or comply with judges’ orders. One suggestion was to appoint an auditor for CPS. Speakers linked potential long-term effects on children’s brain development and mental health to the county’s higher-than-average suicide rate.
In response, Supervisor Crye noted that early in his tenure, he attempted to assist a parent but was unable to access confidential files and lacked jurisdiction per County Counsel Joseph Larmour. Larmour advised that parents should follow the state’s review process if they believe procedures were not followed.
Nick Gardner, host of the “Poke the Hornet’s Nest” podcast on Mountain Top Media, (Mountaintopmedia.com) addressed the Board with a fly swatter and bug spray, humorously referencing “Kevin Crye Derangement Bugs” in response to critics of Supervisor Crye. Gardner also highlighted the lawsuit filed by former Shasta County Public Defender Jeff Gorder against the county over the $40,000 contract with consultant Chriss Street for a medical services review. Gardner stated that, ironically, Gorder's lawsuit has cost the county approximately $250,000 in legal fees, and that it appears Gorder is dropping the case to avoid paying the county’s costs should the case be decided in the county's favor.
Christopher Enriquez, a resident of the River Ranch neighborhood (near the proposed Alternative Custody Campus, men’s re-entry program, and 1,200-bed jail site), urged the Board to consider using county-owned land on Clear Creek Road for the campus, which would not be near residential neighborhoods. He also mentioned the vacant former Susanville State Prison as a potential multi-county cooperative option.
Leslie Sawyer suggested the Sheriff and County Counsel collaborate on better enforcement under SB 707 (Brown Act updates allowing online public comments) to address meeting disruptions. She encouraged the media to cover more substantive stories beyond disruptions.
Key Agenda Discussions and Actions
StepUp Program (Shasta College): Supervisor Plummer sought amendments for additional data/metrics. Dawn Duckett spoke during public comment about the program’s positive impact on her son and noted that the additional requirements to present metrics proposed by Plummer should not be necessary when the award of funds is so small ($300,000). The Board approved the contract 4-1 without Plummer’s amendment (Plummer dissenting).
Road Maintenance: John Heath, interim Public Works Director, presented on the $8.6 million budgeted for FY 2026-27 road improvements (from SB 1 and gas tax revenues). Priorities include paving rehabilitation on high-traffic roads, such as Churn Creek Road. Heath stated that the county maintains approximately 1,100 miles of paved roads, and the budget is inadequate to do so. The board approved the item with a 5-0 vote.
AI Use Resolution: Supervisor Plummer introduced the item, but the Board deferred further discussion until CTO Tom Schreiber could participate.
Administrative Cost Limits on Nonprofits: A robust discussion took place about capping administrative/indirect costs for nonprofits receiving county funds. Supervisor Crye initially supported a 10% cap and later proposed 18% as a compromise. The Board ultimately voted 3-2 (Plummer and Long dissenting) to bring back an item on the agenda for a new Administrative Policy 6-101 that would prohibit contracts with nonprofits exceeding an 18% administrative rate.
During public comment on the R9 Closed Session, court case Yuzon v. County, Echo Bongaarts suggested allocating more assistance to CPS-impacted families, but her time was cut short for allegedly not sticking to the agenda item. She was ordered by Chair Kelstrom to leave the meeting after she continued speaking after her microphone was cut off. She was escorted out by a Sheriff’s deputy. Earlier in the meeting, she had passionately commented during open public comment about having lost valuable time with her daughter due to the County's social worker allegedly handling the case negligently and fraudulently.
Closed Session:
R9: Jennifer Yuzon v. County of Shasta, Superior Court Case #20778 – No reportable action.
R10: Potential litigation – The Board authorized initiating a suit for an injunction against an event entitled Redding Rock Circus of the Wicked planned at 21091 Hawes Rd. (organized by the Hell's Angels).
R6 – Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Lio Salazar, Assistant Director of Resource Management, presented amendments to align the county ordinance with new state ADU laws. A particularly lengthy (and some would say unnecessarily lengthy) discussion between Chair Kelstrom, Salazar, and Sean Ewing, Director of Resource Management/ Building, took place as Kelstrom was advocating for the removal of the county’s additional restriction that has been limiting ADU size to half the primary residence, while Salazar and Ewing kept pushing back on the suggestion, citing the county's overall zoning plan. Kelstrom stated that he had wanted the restriction removed three years ago when a constituent had brought it to his attention. Ultimately, the Board voted 5-0 to approve removing the restriction and making the changes, allowing the state size limit of 1,200 sq. ft. for a two-bedroom unit. The item will proceed to the Planning Commission.
Support Services Presentation: Monica Fugitt presented the annual workforce report pursuant to Government Code § 3502.3. The county has 2,072 full-time equivalent positions, with 1,754 filled (15.3% vacancy rate, trending downward). HHSA maintains a hiring freeze with a 19% vacancy rate in its general unit. Recruitment efforts include NEOGOV Attract software and outreach. Sign-on bonuses for certain positions (DDA/DPD, clinical psychologists, sheriff’s deputies) continue. Separation rates have decreased amid a tighter job market.
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