Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Kings County Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of 10 individuals to 11 water boards in lieu of election to qualify, take office, and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
- Community member Claire Fitiausi asked that water board positions be elected rather than appointed. She stated that corporations, such as J.G. Boswell, should not be handed control over the water that needs to be serviced for Kings County citizens.
- The board approved the Mental Health Services Act Three-Year Integrated Program and Expenditure Plan 2023-2026, which aims to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with and at-risk of serious mental health issues and their families.
- The board awarded a $1 million construction contract to Kroeker Inc. for the Stratford Levee Construction project. The county has received funding from the state for the flood emergency.
Follow-up questions:
- How will the county resolve flooding?
- How will the water board appointments affect the county?
The Scene
According to its website, Kings County is a “general law” county, meaning the state constitution and general law determine the county’s governmental structure.
The Board of Supervisors is the governing body for Kings County and many county special districts. Each of the board’s five members is elected in a nonpartisan manner to a four-year term. The board sets policies and depends on the county administrator, county officials, and department heads to fulfill its wishes.
The Board of Supervisors has administrative, legislative and quasi-judicial duties and responsibilities prescribed by the state constitution and statutes.
The meeting was held at 9 a.m. in the board chambers at 1400 West Lacey Blvd. in Administration Building No. 1 in Hanford.
Kings County County Board of Supervisors members present:
- Joe Neves, District 1 (Lemoore and Stratford)
- Richard Valle, District 2 (Avenal, Corcoran, Home Garden and Kettleman City)
- Rusty Robinson, District 4 (Armona and Hanford)
- Richard Fagundes, District 5 (Hanford and Burris Park)
- Doug Verboon, District 3 (North Hanford, Island District and North Lemoore)
Others present:
Public discussions
- Claire Fitiausi
- Veterans Service Officer for Kings County Scott Holwell
- County Counsel Diane Freeman
- Deputy Director Christi Lupkes
- Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera
Claire Fitiausi requested the board not appoint 10 people to 27 water board positions, but instead asked that the positions be elected by voters. Dominic Sween, an engineer for Boswell, is scheduled to be appointed to nine water boards.
She mentioned that Mark Unruh, a Boswell Water Department manager who runs the Tulare Lake Canal Co., will be appointed to seven water boards. She added that the J. G. Boswell Co. is a family-owned company holding private property rights of 1% of all the water produced in California each year.
Fitiausi said that Boswell’s assets exceed $2 billion. She stated that corporations should not be handed control over the water needs of Kings County citizens. She urged that elections be held rather than appointments made for water board positions.
A resident asked whether there are more appointments than elections. She expressed support for Friday Night Live.
Veterans Service Officer for Kings County Scott Holwell announced a boxing event on Nov. 17 at Chukchansi Park, organized by Top Rank. Top Rank and organizers will provide vouchers for veterans and public safety employees, available in Holwell’s office.
Regarding the water board appointments, County Counsel Diane Freeman said that statutory provisions allow and mandate appointments when insufficient candidates file to run in elections.
She added that the deadline for the appointments is November 2023. The deadline for filing and declaration of candidacy has expired.
A. The board (5-0) approved the minutes from the meeting of Oct. 17.
In the consent calendar, the board (5-0) unanimously approved items as follows:
A. Behavioral Health Department:
1. The board approved the advanced step hire of Rosaura Heredia as a Recovery Support Coordinator II.
2. The board approved the agreement with California Mental Health Services Authority for Revenue Cycle Management and State Reporting Services effective upon execution through March 20, 2029.
According to the agenda packet report, under this agreement, CalMHSA will provide Monthly Revenue Cycle Management for Billing and Accounts Receivable (A/R) Cycle Support and all month-end processes for the completion of A/R and Billing Processes for Kings County Behavioral Health (KCBH).
Additionally, CalMHSA’s office will provide support and assist KCBH in meeting requirements set forth by DHCS. Revenue Cycle Management refers to the financial process within the health care industry that involves managing the entire patient care revenue cycle from the initial appointment or registration to the final payment.
The Revenue Cycle Management process encompasses all administrative and clinical functions that contribute to capturing, managing and collecting patient service revenue.
3. The board approved the amendment to the agreement with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. for the Mental Health Mobile Crisis Planning Grant, effective upon execution through June 30, 2025.
According to agenda packet information, the amendment will adjust the original grant award from $186,338 to $131,511 for actual costs, extend the duration of the agreement and update the scope of work.
Expenses under this agreement and sufficient revenue for expenses were included in the department’s fiscal year 2023-2024 adopted budget.
KCBH was awarded a baseline allocation of $500,000 by the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to be split as needed between planning activities and infrastructure for mobile crisis services.
To begin the process, KCBH was awarded the planning grant to support the assessment and design of mobilized crisis services in Kings County. The agreement is a pass-through funding agreement from DHCS, which subcontracts with the Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. (AHP) to administer the grant.
The original agreement (22-173) was brought before the board on Oct. 4, 2022. However, the initial project schedule and amount of the base allocation that KCBH was awarded for the planning grant has been adjusted due to KCBH completing the planning process internally instead of outsourcing, and as such, the agreement requires a budget and scope of work modification
B. County Counsel
1. The board appointed Dominic Sween, Erik Hansen and Mark Unruh to four-year terms as trustees of Tulare Lake Reclamation District 749 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
2. The board appointed Dominic Sween and Gabe Cooper to four-year terms as trustees of South-Central Reclamation District 2125 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
3. The board appointed Beau Howard and Dominic Sween to four-year terms as trustees of the North Central Consolidated Reclamation District 2071 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
4. The board appointed Mark Unruh, Dominic Sween and Brian Bergman to four-year terms as directors of the Salyer Water District instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
5. The board appointed Mark Unruh, Dominic Sween and Justin Spellman to four-year terms as trustees of Homeland Reclamation District 780 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
6. The board appointed Mark Unruh, Dominic Sween and Justin Spellman to four-year terms as trustees of El Rico Reclamation District 1618 in place of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
7. The board appointed Mark Unruh and Dominic Sween to four-year terms as trustees of Delta Lands Reclamation District 770 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
8. The board appointed Dominic Sween, Erik Hansen and Mark Unruh to four-year terms as trustees of Lovelace Reclamation District 739 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
9. The board appointed Mark Unruh and Dominic Sween to four-year terms as directors of the Melga Water District instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
10. The board appointed Michael Nordstrom to a four-year term as trustee of Wilbur Reclamation District 825 instead of election to qualify, take office and serve exactly as if elected at a general district election.
C. Human Services Agency:
1. The board approved the agreement with Kings United Way to provide Medi-Cal Navigators and Medi-Cal Expansion outreach services to agricultural working families effective Oct. 24, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024.
According to agenda packet information, this agreement is funded with dedicated federal and state revenues of $374,541.
The HSA Medi-Cal Navigators and Medi-Cal Expansion work plan includes working with Kings United Way, a local nonprofit Community-Based Organization (CBO), to assist in outreach to the county’s agricultural working families, provide additional support and assistance to the underserved populations and facilitate access and maintenance of Medi-Cal benefits.
The relationship between the CBO and the community provides a personal service, tailored individual attention and the convenience of quick access to services.
Kings United Way will have bi-lingual staff available for Medi-Cal application, enrollment, and retention services who will provide services to the community members regardless of economic background or immigration status.
Collaborative efforts to promote Medi-Cal Expansion services education for community members through the proposed agreement with Kings United Way is key to assisting in continuing benefits.
This organization will provide services in Armona, Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, Home Garden, Kettleman City, Lemoore, and Stratford.
On August 16, 2023, the Kings County Purchasing Manager approved the sole source justification request for Kings United Way.
HSA seeks to partner with Kings United Way as the vendor is uniquely positioned to access agricultural working families through their rural community events.
HSA has struggled to connect with this hard-to-reach population in the past, and the partnership would open the door to providing this underserved population with healthcare services.
D. Public Health Department:
1. The board approved the agreement with Grand Canyon University to provide students practical experience in Public Health Nursing through field experience placements within the Department of Public Health, effective upon execution until terminated by either party.
According to the agenda packet, the agreement between the Kings County Department of Public Health (KCDPH) and Grand Canyon University (GCU) will help students enrolled in the College of Nursing and Health Care Programs fulfill their degree’s required field experience hours.
All aspects of GCU’s program are completed online except for the field experience. Students will assist KCDPH staff in a full range of public health nursing activities and receive educational experiences to help them meet their degree’s learning objectives.
E. Sheriff’s Office:
1. The board retroactively approved the agreement with Stacie Myers-Dowd for aircraft hangar space at the Hanford Municipal Airport, effective Oct. 7, 2023, for a 10-year term.
According to the agenda packet report, the 10-year lease is $945 monthly, with a 5% annual increase each year, and will be paid out of the Sheriff’s Operations budget.
In 2014, the Kings County Sheriff’s Office began its Air Support Unit. On Oct. 6, 2020, the board approved a three-year lease agreement with Stacie Myers for aircraft hangar space at the Hanford Municipal Airport.
Myers currently owns a large aircraft hangar at the Hanford Municipal Airport. Myers’ hangar has enough room to store both department aircraft indoors and has a small office and a restroom. She has agreed to renew the lease of her hangar to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office for a 10 years, with a monthly lease cost of $945 per month, with a 5% annual increase each year.
This is an average hangar lease cost with dimensions similar to Myers’ hangar. The agreement is retroactive due to not being complete before the current agreement ends.
2. a. The board authorized the purchase of the Bosch Video Management Software for the Kings County Jail. According to agenda packet materials, the cost will not exceed $135,000 from the Jail Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) equipment fund.
Bosch Video Management Software (BVMS) is the system that manages all of the cameras throughout the jail. Recordings and live streams to each camera are accessed through this system.
The current version of BVMS needs to be updated and upgraded. A new server and workstations are required to upgrade BVMS to a new version.
Accurate Controls Inc. will provide and install the project’s necessary hardware and software. The Kings County Sheriff’s Office already has a support and maintenance agreement with Accurate Controls Inc. covering the Bosch licensing.
F. Administration:
1. The board approved the fourth amendment to the agreement with California Forensic Medical Group Inc, to provide medical, behavioral health and dental care services for individuals detained in the Kings County Jail and the Kings County juvenile center.
According to the agenda packet, to compensate CFMG for hiring the discharge planner, the amount of $142,041 is at this moment added to the total amount of compensation for Year Four of Agreement 20-033, as outlined in the 3rd Amendment for a total amount of $5.8 million. The monthly payable for Year Four shall thus be increased to $485,032, effective on the Effective Date of this 4th Amendment.
The contract is paid for by four departments: the Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Behavioral Health Department and Public Health Department.
In June 2022, the Sheriff’s Office applied for the 2022 Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) fiscal year 2022 Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant and Substance Abuse Site-based Program (COSSAP).
In October 2022, the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) notified the Sheriff’s Office that the submitted application had been approved for funding for nearly $1.3 million
The approval of the grant was presented and accepted on July 11, at a board meeting. The COSSAP grant program supports states, local government units and tribal governments to plan, develop and implement comprehensive efforts to identify, respond to, treat and support those impacted by illicit substance use and misuse.
The funds would be used to support King County Jail inmates with substance use disorder as they transition from jail to the community.
The project aims to build strong coordination between in-custody and community-based treatment through a discharge planner, establish a job-training program for individuals reentering the community from the jail, and establish virtual peer recovery support services for individuals leaving the jail.
The discharge planner position is proposed to be added to the County’s current contract with Wellpath, which ultimately triggers another amendment.
The COSSAP grant will fund the position for $439,787 through September 2025.
The discharge planner will work with the probation and behavioral health departments to set up appointments and ensure there is transportation when an individual is released from custody. It is estimated that 150 inmates per year will receive reentry case planning.
2. The board rescinded the declaration of a local health emergency due to nonrenewal by the Kings County Public Health Officer. According to the agenda packet report, on March 10, the County of Kings’ Emergency Services director proclaimed a local emergency due to flooding in the county, which the board ratified on March 14, and continues in full force and effect.
The Kings County Public Health Officer proclaimed and declared a local health emergency on May 31, due to the presence of and threat posed by floodwater and the potential for increased vector-borne illnesses.
The board ratified the Public Health Officer’s proclamation on June 6, and renewed the proclamation on Aug. 1.
On Aug. 29, the board found that conditions of a local emergency continued to exist and that the declaration of a local health emergency remained in effect. Traditionally, the West Nile Virus season diminishes toward the end of October, and the Mosquito Abatement District will be laying off most seasonal workers.
Tulare Lake water testing and clean-up efforts will be ongoing for some time, but the health risks associated with the situation have stabilized.
3. The board adopted a resolution approving the financing and issuance of up to $30 million in exempt facility bonds for a qualified residential rental project by the California Public Finance Authority for Ascent Affordable, Limited Partnership.
According to the agenda packet, the California Public Finance Authority (“CalPFA”) is a political subdivision of the state established under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act to issue tax-exempt conduit bonds for public and private entities throughout California.
Kings County and the Housing Authority of Kings County created CalPFA.
CalPFA is empowered to promote economic, cultural and community development opportunities that create temporary and permanent jobs, affordable housing and community infrastructure and improve local communities’ overall quality of life.
Ascent Affordable, Limited Partnership (LP), has requested that CalPFA issue exempt facility bonds for a qualified residential rental project in an amount not to exceed $30 million to finance or refinance the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of a multifamily rental housing project known as St. Anton Ascent to be located at 3561 Del Paso Road in Sacramento (the “project”).
A public hearing was held for this project on Tuesday. The board was asked to approve issuing the bonds as the host governmental unit. The obligations would be repaid solely from amounts received under the terms and provisions of the financing agreements to be executed by the borrower.
All legal documents will contain clear disclaimers that the obligations are not obligations of the County or the CalPFA but are paid only from funds provided by the borrower.
As announced in the published notice, the hearing was an opportunity for all those interested to speak or to submit written comments concerning the proposal to issue the obligations and the nature of the facilities to be financed.
Once the county holds the required public hearing and adopts the required resolution following the public hearing, no other participation of the county in the actions of the CalPFA or the financing will be required.
4. The board adopted a resolution approving the financing and issuance of up to $150 million in exempt facility bonds for a qualified solid waste disposal facility project by the California Public Finance Authority for the-Holloway Metals Recovery, Limited Liability Co..
According to the agenda packet, the California Public Finance Authority (“CalPFA”) is a political subdivision of California established under the Joint Exercise of Powers Act to issue tax-exempt conduit bonds for public and private entities throughout California.
TPI-Holloway Metals Recovery, Limited Liability Company (LLC), has requested that CalPFA issue exempt facility bonds for a qualified solid waste disposal facility project in an amount not to exceed $150 million to finance or reimburse the acquisition, construction improvement, equipping, and certain related costs of a solid waste recycling facility to be located at 14045 Holloway Road in an unincorporated area near Lost Hills. A public hearing was held for this project on Tuesday.
The board was asked to approve issuing the bonds as the host governmental unit. The obligations would be repaid solely from amounts received under the terms and provisions of the financing agreements to be executed by the borrower.
As announced in the published notice, the hearing was an opportunity for all those interested to speak or to submit written comments concerning the proposal to issue the obligations and the nature of the facilities to be financed.
Regular agenda items were as follows:
A. Behavioral Health Department
1. a. The board (5-0) approved an agreement with the Department of Health Care Services for Substance Use Disorder Services retroactively effective July 1-June 30, 2027.
b. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution authorizing the chair to sign the agreement with the Department of Health Care Services for Substance Use Disorder Services retroactively, effective July 1, 2023-June 30, 2027.
According to the agenda packet, the objective of this agreement is to make substance use disorder treatment services available to Medi-Cal beneficiaries through the use of federal and state funds available under Title XIX and Title XXI of the Social Security Act for reimbursable covered services rendered by certified DMC providers.
Deputy Director Christi Lupkes said that Kings County’s allocation through this agreement is $5.9 million for the fiscal years 2023 to 2027, with $1.5 million yearly. Revenues and expenses were included in the department’s fiscal year 2023-2024 adopted budget.
2. a. The board (5-0) approved the second amendment with the Tulare County superintendent of schools to accept increased funding for implementing Friday Night Live prevention programs retroactively, effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2024.
According to the agenda packet report, This agreement allows KCBH to receive funding from the Tulare County superintendent of schools for at most $38,000 retroactive from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
Tulare County Superintendent of Schools is the statewide administrator of the Friday Night Live (FNL) program.
Deputy Director Christi Lupkes said that this agreement will allow Kings County to continue to contract with Tulare County superintendent of schools to receive FNL funding and to satisfy the substance use disorder (SUD) part of the Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Block Grant (SABG).
These funds are used to start clubs and coalitions in schools within Kings County to bring awareness and focus to drug and alcohol use disorders by promoting healthy lifestyles and healthy communities through opportunities for leadership, advocacy and engagement.
This funding is a pass-through and used to fund the FNL program, which is operated and implemented by the California Health Collaborative, which facilitates these activities and focuses on drug and alcohol awareness for fourth grade to high school youth in Kings County.
3. a. The board (5-0) approved the Mental Health Services Act for fiscal year 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026 Three-Year Integrated Program and Expenditure Plan for submission to the Department of Health Care Services and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
According to the agenda packet, the MHSA Plan for 2023-2026 outlines the continued use of programs, activities and collaborations that support and promote the ability of KCBH to expand and transform California’s behavioral health system to better serve individuals with and at risk of, serious mental health issues, and their families.
Deputy Director Christi Lupkes said that these services include but are not limited to as follows:
- 263 older adults and caregivers receiving mental health supportive services through the Senior Access for Engagement (SAFE) program; local schools receiving mental illness prevention resources and training
- 1,656 children participating in school-based mental illness prevention activities
- 851 residents receiving telephonic support from a 24/7 Warmline call operator during difficult or lonely times
- 309 children and adults in need of higher care support than traditional mental health treatment being able to receive that intensive mental health treatment and whole-person care support through the Full Service Partnership (FSP) and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams
- 106 individuals and families who are domestic violence survivors receiving supportive services in a safe and confidential residential environment
- KCBH participates in over 60 outreach events throughout the county to promote services and reduce the stigma around mental illness and the treatment for mental illness
- Local community colleges and vocational programs receiving suicide prevention materials and resources through the Depression Reduction Achieving Wellness (DRAW) program, with 131 transitional-age youth students participating in short-term counseling services
- KCBH’s connection and assistance via the Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors (LOSS) program to eight families who experienced suicide loss
- 156 residents received telephone support from the Central Valley Suicide Prevention Hotline
B. Public Health Department
1. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution proclaiming October 2023 Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Kings County.
C. Public Works Department
1. The board (5-0) awarded the construction contract to Kroeker Inc.for the Stratford Levee Construction project.
According to agenda packet information, the county has received funding from the state for the flood emergency. The cost of the project is approximately $1 million.Between Dec. 31, 2022, and March 25, 2023, California experienced heavy rainfall from several atmospheric river events.
On Jan. 4, 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency with President Joe Biden shortly after on Jan. 9, 2023, declaring a state of emergency for 17 counties in California.
Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera added that the county intends to increase the elevation at the existing Stratford Levee as a preventative protective measure. The project was advertised on July 11, with the bid due date as Aug. 8. The lowest responsive, responsible bidder was determined to be Kroeker Inc/. with a bid of $1 million.
Close session includes:
Conference with Labor Negotiator/Meet and Confer
Negotiators: Kyria Martinez, Carolyn Leist, Che Johnson of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
- General Unit – CLOCEA
- Supervisor’s Unit – CLOCEA
- Blue Collar – SEIU
- Detention Deputy’s Association
- Firefighter’s Association
- Deputy Sheriff’s Association
- Probation Officer’s Association
- Prosecutor’s Association
- Unrepresented Management
The next board meeting will be on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at fresnodocs@fresnoland.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
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