El Dorado County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in El Dorado County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Recorder-Clerk fee increases
Recording fees are going up January 1, 2027, including a flat $7 charge for document copies. The office is self-funded and says efficiencies let it lower its per-document rate since 2019.
County Labor Negotiations with Employee Organizations
The county is bargaining with eight employee groups covering nearly all county workers, from sheriff's deputies to general staff. What gets negotiated now affects pay, benefits, and county staffing costs down the road.
2028-2029 Community Needs Assessment
A 239-response survey from the Kids Expo identified youth programs (35%), housing and homelessness (14%), and child care (8%) as top community needs. A new ad hoc committee will turn those findings into a CSBG discretionary funding work plan if money becomes available.
2026 CAC Goals
The Committee reviewed and discussed its own goals and objectives for 2026, setting priorities for its advisory work on solid waste policy. No formal action was taken.
TBID Civitas contract progress
The Commission got a first look at a plan to create a Tourism Business Improvement District, which could let tourism businesses pool funding for marketing and destination improvements. It was received and filed with no action taken.
Older adult services funding and proposed budget cuts
HHSA applied for a veteran-focused Transient Occupancy Tax grant to help pay for meals delivered to homebound veterans 60 and older, and new Medi-Cal claiming units were approved to bring in additional funds.
CSBG advisory role and funding oversight
Federal Community Services Block Grant money flows through the county, and this council advises the Board of Supervisors on how it's used. Discretionary CSBG funding just arrived, supporting local anti-poverty programs.
2025 Behavioral Health Commission Annual Report to Board of Supervisors
The committee discussed when and how to report its work to the Board of Supervisors, with September suggested. What gets included — like vacation home rental data — shapes how the Board sees economic development priorities.
Public Comment Procedure and Teleconference Policy
After six months under revised public comment rules, the board decided to keep them and check again in early 2027. It also adopted a new policy for handling Zoom/remote-access disruptions required by state law.
FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget and HR 1 funding shortfalls
The commission got an early look at next year's funding requests before the July formal decision. This determines what wildlife and fishing programs the county can support.
Voting System Contract Extension
The county extended its voting system agreement with Liberty Vote USA five years, adding $600,000 for a new $1.8 million total.
County Workforce Vacancies and Recruitment
The board held its state-required hearing on how many county jobs sit vacant and how recruitment and retention went in 2025.
Potential outsourcing of senior legal services and senior day care
A Board of Supervisors item directs staff to explore outsourcing the senior legal services program and finding other providers for senior day care to save general fund dollars, driven by cost pressures from federal legislation (HR 1). Senior legal services is budgeted at $800,000 — ten times the required match — and the county is the only area agency on aging in California offering in-house attorneys and a senior day care program.
Distribution of TOT fund balance to veteran organizations
The county's transient occupancy tax fund for veterans had built up a big balance, and the Board of Supervisors made clear it wants that balance reduced. The commission gave out $237,800 in one-time and mini-grant funding, but commissioners warned this level of money probably won't be available again.
Agenda process and Brown Act compliance
The commission reviewed how members can get items on the agenda and what the Brown Act requires when describing agenda items — the transparency rules that keep public meetings open.
One-time emergency veterans assistance funding
Leftover hotel-tax (TOT) money sitting with the El Dorado Community Foundation can now flow to organizations helping local veterans and their families with urgent or emergency needs. The commission approved the application process to make that happen.
$15.5 million Ammons lawsuit settlement
The county is paying $15.5 million to settle the Ammons v. County of El Dorado lawsuit, drawn from its General Liability Fund. It signals the cost of litigation risk facing the county.
Supervisor salary increase
Supervisors finalized a 7% raise for Board members through Ordinance 5254, with Supervisor Veerkamp the lone dissenting vote.
TOT urgent fund and mini-grants for veteran organizations
Over $100,000 of the county's $175,000 veteran-funding allocation is still sitting unspent, and the committee worries it could be clawed back. An 'urgent fund' for one-time emergency grants is in the works, plus mini-grants accepting applications March 30 through April 23.
Permanent CAO appointment
Sue Phillips, who had been serving as interim CAO, was unanimously named the county's permanent Chief Administrative Officer effective March 21.
CSBG funding for Kids Expo materials
The Outreach Committee wants a table at the Kids Expo and asked whether Community Services Block Grant funds could pay for printed materials. Staff will check if funds are available.
Operating Engineers Local No. 3 labor agreement
The Board approved the negotiated contract with the union representing county trades and crafts workers.
Bond BHCIP staffing
The county added a temporary analyst position to keep the state-funded behavioral health infrastructure grant program on track.
Veterans property tax exemption legislation (SCA 4/SB 623)
A proposed state constitutional amendment and bill would let homeowners who qualify for the veterans' or disabled veterans' exemption also claim the homeowners' exemption. The commission discussed sending a support letter but took no action, so no letter goes to the Legislature for now.
Managers' Association Grievance with Litigation Exposure
The county faced a grievance from its Managers' Association that lawyers warned could lead to a lawsuit. The Board discussed it behind closed doors and announced no action.