LAKEPORT— The Board of Supervisors held their last meeting of 2022 closing up a number of matters before the new year including interviewing two candidates for interim sheriff as Brian Martin’s retirement approaches. They also discussed the renewal of the agreement for medical services in Lake County’s detention facility, revisited the approval of round four of the Homeless Housing and Prevention Act and also made a decision regarding an amendment to the ordinance governing the Supervisors’ salaries.
There was a discussion with Health Services Director Johnathan Portney regarding the agreement for medical services in Lake County’s detention facility with California Forensic Medical Group in the amount of $3,947,351 for the term of Jan. 1, 2023 through Jan. 1, 2024, with an option to continue through Jan. 1, 2028.
Portney explained that the new contract reflects the needs of the community as well as inflation. District 2 Supervisor Bruno Sabatier said, “This is huge, it’s important, obviously we have a responsibility to the inmates that are in the jail facility, it’s important we provide the care we should be providing, but this is quite the increase from $1.5 million.” Sheriff Brian Martin expressed how a 3-year contract would most benefit his department as staffing issues have affected many departments. Voting unanimously the board passed a motion to include an annual report, extend the contract for three years with the possibility of further extension to 2028.
Two candidates for Lake County Sheriff were interviewed, Rob Howe and Lieutenant Lucas Bingham. Howe is from Lake County and has a diverse background, most recently in the probation department. Bingham is also from Lake County and was hired by the Sheriff’s department after leaving the Air Force. Currently Bingham is the team commander and runs the crisis response unit. The board thanked both applicants as they dually have spent many years in the service of the county, continuing to appoint Howe as interim sheriff from Jan. 2 2023 to Jan. 2 2025 in a 4-1 vote with District One Supervisor Moke Simon dissenting.
Revisiting items from previous meetings, the board continued their negotiation of the terms for round four of the application for HHAP grant funds with Behavioral Health Services Director Todd Metcalf and MHSA Program Manager Scott Abbott. The board voted to approve the application with the following amendments: First in changing some of the language of the contract and second by increasing some minimum requirements presented in the original application.
Also revisiting an ordinance amending Section 2-3A.1 of Article I, Chapter 2 of the Lake County Code, Compensation of the Board of Supervisors. This amendment increases the salary amounts each supervisor receives. District 4 Supervisor Michael Green said, “The whole thing about class and comp. is we do need to recognize the classification, the scope of work that people do and we need to compensate them according to that.” County Counsel Anita Grant clarified that the increase would not be effective until 60 days after resolution and would be made in two motions. Both motions passed and the ordinance will take effec Jan. 10 2023.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors will not meet again until Jan. 10 2023. Minutes, agendas and video is available on the county website lakecountyca.gov as well as their Facebook page.
