LAKEPORT — Each member of the Lake County Board of Supervisors said Tuesday they would donate a $700 stipend allotted to them from health benefit savings to organizations in the county.
Board members voted 4-1 to advance the ordinance authorizing payment of the one-time stipend to themselves. Chairman Anthony Farrington voted against the ordinance.
Farrington said he felt uncomfortable authorizing the county to write out a check to him, so he voted no. He said he would donate half to Clear Lake High School Sober Grad Night and the other half to Hospice Services of Lake County.
Eligible county employees and department heads received the same stipend resulting from excess CalPERS premiums collected in November and December.
Supervisor Jeff Smith said he was originally against the ordinance but supported it because it would help community organizations that need funding.
“It”s a shame to those organizations if it doesn”t pass,” Smith said before the vote.
Supervisor Rob Brown said he would give the money to the Kelseyville High School wrestling team he coaches.
Supervisor Denise Rushing said she would split the stipend between the Lucerne Garden and Clark”s Island Sustainability Initiative.
Supervisor Jim Comstock said there are several organizations in South County that he would like to support.
The board addressed a number of other issues at the meeting in the County Courthouse in Lakeport.
Board members asked the human resources department and county staff to work together to rewrite county personnel rules on paid administrative leave to include a 45-day time limit for investigation. The board also discussed adding notification to the board and a requirement for employees to call in while on leave.
Sheriff Rod Mitchell said he has put 11 employees on paid administrative leave from January 2008 until this January. He said with work he thinks the 45-day limit is “doable.”
Board members brought up the issue of employees on paid administrative leave working another job, practically doubling their pay and benefits.
Human Resources director Kathy Ferguson said county policy already states employees have to get second jobs approved, so the county should know if someone is working somewhere else.
Ferguson said she could have a draft ready for the board and staff by Friday.
Smith said he would like to appoint an applicant to the Planning Commission before the Feb. 25 meeting and asked to have the appointment scheduled into the Tuesday meeting. The commissioner for Smith”s district stepped down because he moved a block out of the district.
County Public Health officer Dr. Karen Tait told the board through accurate diagnosis and communication between departments Vector Control identified a tick-borne illness in Lake County. Tait said the illness has likely been around for years and occurs in other counties. A research article on the subject was published in the February edition of the medical journal, Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Marc Shapiro of Clearlake recognized the pattern of illnesses but said it is not an emergency. He said people should avoid ticks and check for them after going outside as usual.
Farrington presented employee service awards of certificates and clocks to the following county workers: for 10 years of service, District Attorney Jon Hopkins and Denise Johnson of Animal Care and Control. For 15 years, Stephen Brooks of the Sheriff-Coroner”s Department, Pauline Buchanan of Social Services, William Chapin of Parks and Recreation, Kathy Kitchens of Sheriff Jail facilities, Janice Louie of the Sheriff-Coroner”s Department, Stephen Shryock of Juvenile Home, Cynthia Silva-Brackett of Health Services Administration, Lyle Thomas of the Sheriff-Coroner”s Department and Charles Villines of Public Works and Roads.
For 20 years of service the county honored: Robert Allen of Buildings and Grounds, Robert Brasier of Special Districts, Loretta Deter of Social Services, John Flynn of the District Attorney”s Office, Christopher Macedo of the Sheriff-Bailiff Department, John Moore of Social Services, Teresa Murray of Probation, Barbara Ringen of Treasurer and Tax Collector and Laura Solis of Alcohol and Other Drug Services.
For 25 years of service, Farrington thanked; Lawrence Henry of Public Works and Roads, Steve Linthicum of Special Districts, Don Prather of Public Works and Roads, Robert Saderlund of Special Districts and Skip Simkins of Public Works and Water Resources.
For 30 years with the county Michael Curran of the Sheriff-Coroner”s Department, Donna Gitchell of Mental Health and Kelly Cox of the Administrative Office received thanks.
Lary Dumont of Special Districts was honored for 35 years of service.
Rushing presented a proclamation to area engineers designating Tuesday to Monday as National Engineers” Week in Lake County.
The board moved forward with an ordinance to change library fines to 20 cents for late items.
Board members continued an item to award a bid to Holder Ford for $32,222.79 for a 4-wheel drive pickup for Public Services to see if they can get the truck without extras.
The board approved a request to allow for Mental Health staff to drive four Friday Night Live members to Eureka to attend youth leadership training.
Board members passed a resolution revising the Special Districts budget.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
