Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Meeting – October 30, 2025

Note: The raw transcript of the meeting indicates the date as Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The meeting summary below follows the provided instruction to use the date October 30, 2025. This discrepancy is noted per the accuracy rules.

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors met to consider consent calendar items, public hearings, a water meter relocation appeal, updates on homelessness programs, and other business. Supervisor Desmond was absent. The meeting was live-streamed and recorded.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3-55 approved unanimously with Supervisor Cerna abstaining on item 19 (not specified). The consent calendar included numerous routine approvals, ordinance amendments, and personnel actions.
• Item 9 – Approved agreements with 13 firms for outside investigative services (November 1, 2025, to October 31, 2028; not to exceed $300,000 per agreement). Public comment raised concerns about transparency and timeliness of investigations.
• Item 11 – Approved an appropriation adjustment of $10,843,148 for the November 4, 2025 statewide special election. Public comment criticized ballot envelope holes that could reveal votes and urged a no vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Off-agenda comment: Nathaniel Damien, a county employee, criticized the controlled leave policy as overly punitive and stated he handles 40–90 calls per day (2–3 times his co‑workers’ volume). He asked for more flexibility in using vacation time.
• Item 9: Deanna Rakowski questioned the county’s procedures for handling citizen complaints against employees, including lack of transparency, lengthy timelines (four months without contacting the employee), and funding for outside investigations. She urged policy reviews.
• Item 11: Mike Morando expressed concern about ballot envelope hole placement, stating votes can be seen through the holes. David Brady also noted his “no” vote was visible and asked for an investigation into how the issue occurred. Supervisor Cerna acknowledged the problem and committed to preventing recurrence.

Discussion Items

• Item 56 – Excelsior Oaks Benefit Category Change: A public hearing on increasing annual service charges from $2.56 to $787.44 for a 12‑lot subdivision. One protest ballot was received (100% in favor of the change). The board adopted the resolution confirming the levy (unanimous).
• Item 57 – Johnson Cosumnes Williamson Act Amendment: Staff presented a proposal to partially rescind a Williamson Act contract (73-8P-030) and enter an open space easement agreement for a 214‑acre floodplain riparian mitigation bank. The Agricultural Advisory Committee recommended approval with agricultural mitigation. After discussion on contract terms and perpetual easements, the board approved unanimously.
• Item 2 – Retirement Resolution for Barry Chamberlain: Presentation and remarks honoring Chief of Code Enforcement Barry Chamberlain for his 20 years of service. Supervisors praised his leadership, community engagement, and dedication. Chamberlain thanked the board and his team.
• Item 58 – TOT Grant Program Policy Revisions: Chief Fiscal Officer Amanda Thomas recommended three changes: (1) reduce maximum funding per application from $50,000 to $35,000, (2) allow advances up to $10,000 with justification, and (3) allocate all $1 million based on district direction (eliminating expert panel review). The board approved unanimously.
• Item 59 – Water Franchise Ordinances (California American Water and Golden State Water): Public hearing to introduce ordinances granting 50‑year franchises for water facilities in unincorporated areas. The ordinances were continued to November 4, 2025 for adoption (unanimous).
• Item 60 – Water Meter Installation Appeal (3713 Laguna Way): Appellant Jennifer Hagman appealed the water agency’s relocation of the water main, arguing it would require costly construction across her property (estimated $37,000–$94,000) and damage trees, structures, and a family burial site. County counsel stated the agency had offered to install the service line at no cost, as done for 2,500+ other customers, and that the appellant had revoked permission. Staff presented alternative routes, but Hagman cited missing features on maps (e.g., a mini barn, trees). The board denied the appeal (unanimous) and urged Hagman to accept the county’s offer before the November 3 deadline, or face paying for a private connection.
• Item 61 – 2026 One-Year Action Plan (CDBG, HOME, ESG): Stephanie Green (SHRA) presented the plan, including $12.3 million in HUD formula grants. The board also approved amendments to the SHRA home repair program guidelines (increasing max grant to $10,000, expanding accessibility improvements, year‑round applications). Unanimous approval.
• Item 62 – Homeless Outcomes Workshop: Emily Halkin (Director, Homeless Services) and Tim Lutz (Behavioral Health) reported on outreach: 771 unique individuals enrolled in the first six months of 2025, with 31,000+ services provided and 203 people moved out of unsheltered homelessness. Behavioral Health reported 2,913 Full Service Partnership spots (95% capacity) and 172 clients served in bridge housing (22% discharged to housing). The county budgeted $277.5 million for homeless programs in FY 2024-25, with $39 million in one-time capital. Discussion covered cost per person, point‑in‑count limitations, and the upcoming joint city-county meeting on October 28. No action taken.
• Item 64 – County Executive Comments: David Villanueva recognized the Public Information Office (under Kim Nava) for winning five PRSA Influence Awards for annual report, “5 Over 50” video, life jacket campaign, SB 802 campaign, and mental health videos.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (Supervisor Cerna abstained on item 19).
• Item 56 – Resolution adopted to levy increased service charges for Excelsior Oaks (unanimous).
• Item 57 – Williamson Act amendment approved (unanimous).
• Item 58 – TOT grant policy revisions approved (unanimous).
• Item 59 – Ordinance introduction continued to November 4, 2025 (unanimous).
• Item 60 – Appeal denied (unanimous). Board directed staff to work with appellant to complete connection before November 3, 2025.
• Item 61 – 2026 action plan and home repair guidelines approved (unanimous).
• Item 63 – Multiple board/commission appointments continued to future meetings.
• Next steps: Joint meeting with city and suburban mayors on homelessness set for October 28, 2025. Special election (Prop 50) on November 4, 2025.

The meeting adjourned into closed session.