Shasta Supervisors Deadlock on County Counsel Contract, Oppose State Pension Expansion Amid Heated Public Hearing
A failed contract extension for County Counsel, formal 3–2 opposition to AB 1383, and emotional appeals from mobile home park residents highlight a tense Tuesday Board of Supervisors meeting.
REDDING, California — In a meeting marked by intense public scrutiny and sharp debates over county finances, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, navigating a packed agenda that included a failed contract extension for County Counsel, formal opposition to a state public employee retirement measure, and passionate appeals from local mobile home residents facing steep rent hikes.
County Counsel Contract Extension Fails Following 2-2 Tie
The most contentious item of the day centered on a proposed one-year contract extension for Shasta County Counsel Joseph Larmour. The proposal, pulled from the consent calendar by Supervisors Allen Long and Matt Plummer, drew significant pushback from both the public and members of the dais.
During public comment, more than a dozen speakers addressed the board, voicing sharp criticism of Larmour’s tenure, citing handling of election matters, legal costs, and disputes with former county staff. Commenters also targeted the contract’s 18-month severance package provision, calling it excessive.
Supervisor Long objected to the contract extension on procedural grounds, citing California Government Code Section 27641. Long argued that county counsel appointments are designed as four-year terms that should run their course rather than being rolling extensions, especially with newly elected supervisors scheduled to take office in January. Long also questioned the appropriateness of an 18-month severance provision when state code specifies removal for cause. Larmour clarified that the severance clause served as a pre-negotiated payout only applicable in the event of a mutual, voluntary separation between the board and counsel.
Supervisor Plummer echoed concerns regarding the length of the severance package and stated that contract renewals should be evaluated closer to the end of a term rather than midway through. Conversely, Supervisor Kevin Crye vigorously defended Larmour, crediting him with reducing county litigation costs and effectively navigating contentious legal mandates. Crye and Kelstrom noted that the board had previously rated Larmour as "exceeding expectations" during an evaluation, with Kelstrom adding that Larmour had not requested the extension himself.
The board voted unanimously to waive closed-session confidentiality to openly discuss the matter. However, when Chair Chris Kelstrom moved to approve the one-year extension, seconded by Supervisor Corkey Harmon, Crye announced his recusal, citing his upcoming departure from the board. With Crye abstaining, the motion failed in a 2–2 tie, with Kelstrom and Harmon voting in favor and Plummer and Long voting against.
Board Votes 3-2 to Oppose Pension Reform Bill AB 1383
The board also split on whether to send an official letter of opposition to Assembly Bill 1383, a measure addressing retirement benefits under CalPERS for public safety workers such as law enforcement officers and firefighters. While Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the legislation on September 20, 2026, the board weighed in due to the possibility of a two-thirds legislative override.
Supervisor Plummer, who introduced the opposition letter, argued that AB 1383 would significantly exacerbate Shasta County's unfunded pension liabilities. Plummer noted that the county is currently funded at roughly 70% of its liabilities—leaving approximately $300 million unfunded—and cited statewide impact estimates ranging from $8 billion to $14 billion. County Executive Officer (CEO) Dave Rickert confirmed that the bill would carry substantial costs that the county could ill afford.
Supervisors Long and Kelstrom advocated delaying a decision for one month to allow county law enforcement, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association (DSA), and fire labor groups to present data on how current retirement age requirements (age 57 under PEPRA) impact career longevity and disability retirements.
Plummer introduced a substitute motion to authorize sending the opposition letter immediately, seconded by Crye. The substitute motion passed 3–2, with Plummer, Crye, and Harmon voting in support, and Kelstrom and Long dissenting.
Mobile Home Park Residents Plead for County Rent Freeze
During an extended public comment session, several residents from Riverland Mobile Home Park and neighboring parks delivered emotional testimony detailing sharp lot rent increases enacted by corporate park owners.
Residents reported rent increases exceeding 70% over recent months—rising from roughly $575 to nearly $1,000 per month—alongside steeper utility charges. Multiple speakers, many of whom are seniors, disabled individuals, or living on fixed Social Security incomes, warned that the compounding rent hikes would trigger imminent evictions and homelessness by winter. They urged the board to enact an emergency 180-day rent freeze or adopt a mobile home rent stabilization ordinance, pointing to similar policies enacted in Sonoma and Humboldt counties.
Chair Kelstrom and board members offered to meet with park resident representatives outside the meeting to review legal options and explore whether the county has jurisdiction to address mobile home park rent caps or protections.
Economic Development, Opioid Funds, and Infrastructure
The supervisors addressed several other significant policy and financial proposals throughout the morning:
Opportunity Zone 2.0: The board voted 5–0 to retroactively approve the county's recommendation form for the federal Opportunity Zone 2.0 program, following a presentation by Shasta County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) President Rebecca Bearer. The county's submission targets two priority census tracts: the rural community of Burney to foster small business revitalization and timber economy investments, and a South County corridor along Interstate 5, where the EDC has identified over $700 million in prospective industrial development and brownfield redevelopment opportunities.
Opioid Settlement RFP Postponed: Supervisor Plummer moved to delay issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds until the first meeting in November. Plummer and Deputy CEO Amber Bertain explained that fiscal year-end financial figures are currently being closed out, and waiting will help determine how much funding can be distributed to community grants versus internal behavioral health services. Crye opposed the delay, advocating for immediate distribution toward youth addiction prevention programs. The postponement passed 4–1, with Crye voting no.
Public Works and Resource Management Merger: Interim Public Works Director John Heath and Resource Management Director Sean Ewing presented a joint feasibility study on combining their two departments. Heath reported that aside from land development review, the two departments share few connected operations and face regulatory conflicts in air quality and environmental health oversight. Heath concluded that a merger would likely produce operational disruptions without meaningful efficiency gains or cost reductions. No board action was taken on the presentation.
Care Horizons Agreement: Under pulled consent items, the board voted 5–0 to approve an amended contract totaling up to $800,000 for adult residential care facility services with Care Horizons 2, funded via the Behavioral Health Services Act to cover higher-tier care for elderly county mental health clients.
Administrative Reports and Proclamations
Earlier in the session, the board unanimously adopted a proclamation designating October 7, 2026, as Global War on Terrorism and Desert Storm Veterans Appreciation Day, presented to County Veterans Service Officer Troy Payne. Kelstrom also secured unanimous board support to direct staff to prepare a Breast Cancer Awareness Month proclamation for October and develop a proposal to establish free preliminary business and restaurant inspections in coordination with the City of Redding.
In administrative reports, CEO Rickert announced that Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2640 on September 18, authored by Assembly Member Heather Hadwick. The law permits counties to offset state controller audit adjustments against unpaid state mandate debts, protecting county cash flows. Rickert also confirmed that an inspection of the Shasta County Jail conducted on September 4 by the Board of State and Community Corrections found full compliance with state Title 15 and Title 24 standards.
Following an executive closed session covering existing litigation and property negotiations, the board reconvened with no reportable actions and adjourned.
