El Dorado County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in El Dorado County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.