Of Eagles and Tehama Budget Squabbles

Supervisor Bob Williams

AB443 gives rural law enforcement a half million dollars each yearly because they (we) were shorted funds in the 2001 California Realignment. This money is earmarked for law enforcement.

Newbie District 1 Supe Bill Moule seconded Williams’ motion, and Chairwoman Candy Carlson opened the floor to Public Comment. The Public responded loudly.

First up at the plate was Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston, who hit it out of the park with a bat of truthiness. He shared a laundry list of steps the sheriff’s office has taken to be self-sufficient, noting that for years former CAO Goodwin had turned down every request from Sheriff Hencratt, saying “There is no money. Figure it out.”

Assistant Sheriff Phil Johnston – photo by Melissa Joseph – Red Bluff Daily News

And figure it out he did. TCSO has used over $5 million from AB443 on expenditures that should have come from the General Fund. His department has come in at or below budget every year.

The Sheriff’s Department gives money back to the General Fund yearly, but they don’t make a big deal out of it. How do they get extra dough? As TCSO accountant Danielle explained, they have to budget for all positions in the department, whether those positions are filled or vacant. Right now, TCSO is short 30 employees throughout the department. That has resulted in over $9 million being returned to the General Fund by the Sheriff between 2013 and 2021.

Now the county wants to grab that AB443 money from the sheriff’s department. Well, not the county, exactly. Just Bob Williams and Dennis Garton, both of whom are up for re-election this June. They want the funds to pay for all the overtime TCSO employees are racking up, but the General Fund is ultimately responsible for that. Of course, if the Sheriff’s Department was adequately funded, there wouldn’t be so much overtime because we wouldn’t have 30 vacancies in that department. Duh.

Moule asked a lot of questions. It is his greatest strength as a board member. Plus, he used the word “vituperative” twice in the same meeting. Gotta love that. I bet he does the NY Times crossword in ink.

Johnston was ready with all the answers. He brought Captain Dave Kain to the mic, who explained the breakdown of TCSO’s AB443 spending. Danielle, TCSO’s accountant, shed more light on things. Moule wondered about the fund balance in the department being $1.2 million and couldn’t they spare a dime for the county, whose budget is in such dire straits? Even though it’s their own damn fault? Danielle explained that they plan purchases and have to save up for them. The department plans to purchase 5 vehicles with the fund balance, which should actually be General Fund expenditures. So, no.

Let’s not forget that the $3 million budget deficit last year was saved by CARES Act funding when CAO Goodwin learned all public safety salaries were eligible for reimbursement back into the General Fund as discretionary funds. Since the sheriff’s department salaries were already budgeted for in the General Fund, they were able to use that money to balance their own disastrous budget. Cha-ching! Thank you, Covid! Best thing that ever happened to Tehama County’s finances.

A parade of citizens spoke on the item, and it was clear that Williams and Garton were the targets. At one point Garton blurted out that he wanted his workers’ compensation claim made public because citizen and fellow “supie” Louise Wilkinson mentioned it during her comments. Garton said he was sick of Kathy Nelson and Louise bringing it up and he made such a stink about it that now I’m curious, too. More to come on that.

Dennis Garton (l) and Bob Williams (r) – photo by Julie R. Johnson – Corning Observer

I’m over-simplifying this entire discussion, of course, because it’s a shell game with lots of moving parts. It boils down to two supes and the former CAO wanting to see Sheriff Hencratt fail because of lingering butt hurtedness over the 2010 election.

In 2016, Ballot Measure M – to increase supervisor wages – failed 81% – 19%. Bob Williams told the Redding Record Searchlight at the time, “I just anticipate a day when no one will run for supervisor except folks with a special interest or an ax to grind.” Phil Johnston reminded us of that quote Tuesday, and it describes Garton and Williams perfectly. Please sign the initiative petition that would create term limits and give the board a modest living wage. We need to get special interests and ax grinders out of office.

But back to Item 30. Eventually Moule rescinded his second on Williams’ motion after listening to the public – imagine that – and it died for lack of another second. The report was approved unanimously.

Chairwoman Carlson made yet another plea to get spending under control, which she does every single time the budget is discussed. She and Moule make up the new Budget Ad Hoc, so we can expect positive changes. Even more if Carlson is elected Auditor. As a former supe, she will have been on both sides of the abacus and won’t be afraid to tell the board what they need to hear, not what they want to hear.

Important dates coming up – the Groundwater Commission is meeting Wednesday, March 30, at 8:30am in the supes’ chambers. All you water-challenged folks would be smart to attend, either in person or by phone. These people hold your future in their hands and are making decisions that may not be in your best interests.

Downtown Cottonwood is having a street fair Saturday, the 26th. Fun, food, and shopping from 9-5. I will be the gal showing everyone pics of baby eagles.