Documented by Josef Sibala
Here’s what you need to know:
- The Kings County Board of Supervisors approved the Public Safety Realignment and Post Release Community Supervision 2023 Plan with an emphasis on enhancing and providing evidence-based programs for community supervision offenders needing these services in order to reduce recidivism rates.
- The board approved the tenth amendment to the tolling and waiver agreement with the California Department of Water Resources, extending the statute of limitation on certain claims through June 30, 2026.
- Supervisors also Ok’d the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care Plan and Budget, retroactively effective from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, which funds services for 350 foster children in Kings County.
Follow-up questions:
- Will the county receive the Senate Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant?
- How will the board decide on Public Facilities Impact Fees?
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 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 Works Director Dominic Tyburski
- Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera
- Road Superintendent Duane Cooper
- Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez
- Administrative Analyst Matthew Boyett
- Administrative Officer Domingo Cruz
- Administrative Officer Megan Vega
- Human Services Director Carolyn Leist
- Sheriff David Robinson
- Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn
- Public Health Assistant Director Heather Silva
- Public Health Assistant Director Everardo Legaspi
Discussions/actions
The board (5-0) approved the minutes from the regular meeting of Dec. 5.
The board (5-0) approved the consent agenda:
A. County Counsel:
1. The board renewed the declaration of a local emergency due to flood conditions in Kings County.
B. District Attorney’s Office:
1. The board suspended Personnel Rule 13051 for the District Attorney’s Office and authorized the district attorney to hire qualified prospective attorneys, including the newly created senior deputy district attorney and supervising deputy district attorney positions up to step 5 without requiring County Administrative Officer or board approval through June 1, 2024.
According to agenda packet information, under the current personnel rules, the district attorney can only offer a prospective candidate a position at step 2 for the Senior deputy district attorney and supervising deputy district attorney positions, which would be at a lower pay rate than a deputy district attorney IV at step 5.
To avoid salary compaction for the newly created DDA positions, the district attorney asked the board to suspend Personnel Rule 13051 to include all attorney positions and to authorize her to hire any attorney position up to step 5 without County Administrative Officer or board approval through June 1, 2024.
C. Human Resources Department:
1. a. The board approved appointments to the county members, employee members and alternates to the Personnel Appeals Board for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025.
B. The board approved appointments to the consensus membership for a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2025.
According to the agenda packet report, the Board of Supervisors approved the appointment of Personnel Appeals Board members, which expired on Nov. 20.
Contingent upon the approval of the county and employee members by the board, each bargaining unit supported the nomination of Shari Henderson as the primary consensus member and Kevin McAlister as the alternate consensus member.
Based on the responses, the following appointments are recommended:
County member:
Primary: Rebecca Valenzuela (new nomination)
Alternate: Dobie “Mark” Dawson (renominated)
Employee member:
Blue Collar
Primary: Ruth Belmonte (renominated)
Alternate: N/A
Deputy Sheriffs Association
Primary: Kristopher Zuniga (renominated) (current Alternate Member)
Alternate: N/A
Detention Deputy Association
Primary: Robert Whitford (renominated)
Alternate: N/A
Firefighters Association:
Primary: Mike Rodarmel (renominated)
Jason Mustain (new nomination)
General Unit:
Primary: Lee Johnson (renominated)
Alternate: N/A
Prosecutors Unit
Primary: James Binion (new nomination)
Alternate: N/A
Probation Officers Association
Primary: Jose Blanco (renominated) (current Alternate Member)
Alternate: Natalie Gonzalez (new nomination)
Supervisors Unit
Primary: Lee Johnson (renominated)
Alternate: N/A
Consensus Member
Primary: Shari Henderson (new nomination)
Alternate: Kevin McAlister (renominated)
D. Human Services Agency:
1. The board adopted a resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of allocations awarded under the Transitional Housing Program Round Five and Housing Navigation and Maintenance Program Round Two.
The THP Round Five allocation for Kings County is $136,530.
The HNMP Round Two allocation amount for Kings County is $94,571. THP and HNMP program allocations will be reflected in the department’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2024-25.
Funds will be used to offset the costs of housing navigation and support of former youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The HNMP allocation is based on the county’s percentage of the total statewide number of young adults ages 17- 21 in the foster care and probation system.
The HNMP allocation requires training for child welfare agency social workers and probation officers who serve nonminor dependents.
The THP and HNMP allocations will be used by HSA’s Supportive Services Unit, which will provide subsidies and services to homeless individuals ages 17 through 24, as defined by program allocation requirements, with priority given to youth adults who are former child welfare youth.
E. Sheriff’s Office:
1. The board authorized the exemption from normal identification for vehicle 52726, which is used for community events, transportation of animals and some animal service calls.
F. Administration:
1. The board approved the cancellation schedule for the Board of Supervisors’ meetings for 2024.
2. The board approved 25 reappointments and two new appointments to multiple boards.
The committees and boards are as follows:
- Child Abuse Prevention Coordinating Council
- Shanna Meier (new appointment)
- Kings County Commission On Aging Council
- Kings County Fish And Game Committee
- Kings In-Home Supportive Services Advisory Council
- Kings Early Education Planning Council
- Roxanna Solorio (new appointment)
- Law Library Board Of Trustees
- Kings County Museum Advisory Committee
- San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District/Citizens Advisory Committee
- Kings County Water Commission
Regular agenda items were as follows:
A. Human Resources Department
1. The board (5-0) approved the Tripepi Smith Talent Solutions agreement for Countywide Professional Recruitment Services.
The agreement allows for two types of recruitment: (a) Search Support and (b) Talent Quest.
Search Support costs approximately $9,845 per recruitment and is focused on marketing and outreach efforts to drive as many talented candidates to the application as possible.
Talent Quest costs approximately $24,500 per recruitment, and is focused on finding one individual for an executive-level position that best fits the culture and needs of the county.
Human Services Director Carolyn Leist said that each recruitment will be covered by the departments that initiate an engagement for services using their allocated funds.
The agreement gives county departments the opportunity and flexibility to choose if recruitment services are beneficial for their department and what type of services would best meet their recruitment needs.
This contract will last one year, starting retroactively on Dec, 1, 2023, and ending on Nov. 30, 2024.
B. Public Health Department
1. a. The board (5-0) retroactively approved the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care Plan and Budget, effective July 1-June 30, 2024.
b. The board (5-0) authorized the county public health director as the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care authorized representative.
The recommended action will increase state aid revenue by $44,138 and federal aid revenue by $164,487 in the fiscal year 2023-24 adopted county budget.
Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn said that the Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) serves a caseload of about 350 foster children in Kings County.
Public Health Assistant Director Heather Silva said that Public Health Nurses’ duties include the monitoring and oversight of psychotropic medication for foster care children and children in group homes.
Public Health Assistant Director Everardo Legaspi said that the budget for this program does not necessarily reflect the entire allocation, as the funding may be based on caseload, the breakdown of Medi-Cal vs. non-Medi-Cal clients and other funding directives set by the state.
2. The board (5-0) adopted a resolution authorizing an application to CalRecycle for a Senate Bill 1383 Local Assistance Grant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through organic waste diversion.
Grant for Kings County is estimated to be $75,000. CalRecycle will determine the final award amount in March 2024. If approved, there will be an increase in the current fiscal year 2023-24 budget.
Public Health Director Rose Mary Rahn said that the department intends to use the grant to support the development of the Kings County FED (Food Education and Donations) program.
Kings County FED aims to develop education materials, reduce food waste, alleviate hunger and build a sustainable food recovery network while complying with SB 1383 requirements.
Public Health Assistant Director Heather Silva said this program will primarily focus on enhancing education and outreach to Tier 1 and 2 facilities and generators in unincorporated areas and educational support for other jurisdictions within Kings County.
C. Public Works Department
1. The board (5-0) approved the second amendment with DKJ Architects, Inc. for the Kings County Fire Station 5 – Partial Remodel project.
This project is a capital project and will not impact the general fund. The project will use funding secured from the California High-Speed Rail Authority budgeted for the fiscal year 2023-2024. The consultant fee of $127,485, including Amendment II, is $3,685.
The California High-Speed Rail construction has created the need to relocate Kings County Fire Station 4. Public Works Director Dominic Tyburski said the county intends to use the High Speed Rail Authority funds to relocate the existing Fire Station 4 and provide a partial remodel of Fire Station 5.
Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera said Amendment I to the consultant services agreement resulted from the need to extend the fire apparatus bay longitudinally, which was not anticipated during the initial design.
The reconstruction of the parking lot will include landscaping intended to reduce the heat wave effect by providing some trees and shrubs along the west and east sides of the parking lot.
Due to the nature of the parking lot reconstruction, Amendment II to the consultant services agreement must include an irrigation design to irrigate the anticipated landscape areas for the project.
2. a. The board (5-0) authorized the purchase of an EZ Liner Model TS-AL600 Truck Mounted Striping Machine;
b. The board (5-0) authorized the purchasing manager to approve the purchase order for the EZ Liner using the Sourcewell purchasing consortium.
c. The board (5-0) authorized the purchase of a Backhoe Loader from N&S Tractor.
d. The board (5-0) authorized the purchasing manager to approve the purchase order of the Backhoe Loader using the Sourcewell purchasing consortium.
According to the agenda packet report, this purchase will not affect the general fund, as road fund contingency money of $1.1 million is available.
The Striping Machine’s bid is $795,285, excluding applicable tax, license and fees pending upon receipt of equipment (out-of-state purchase).
Tyburski said that taxes and fees are estimated at approximately $79,529. The backhoe loader’s bid is $160,451.
Chief Engineer Mitchel Cabrera added that the Roads Division’s current striping machine needs to be replaced because it has 4,000 hours on the motor, is over 10 years old, and continues to present maintenance issues. The backhoe loader is approximately 16 years old, and has exceeded its useful life, according to the county.
D. Sheriff’s Office
1. a. The board (5-0) retroactively approved the agreement with Kings Christian School for school resource deputy services, effective from Oct. 23-June 30, 2024.
b. The board (5-0) authorized the sheriff to sign the agreement with Kings Christian School.
According to the agenda packet report, the Sheriff’s Office will not add any deputy sheriff I/II positions to backfill this new assignment.
The only increase in salary and benefits for the remainder of fiscal year 2023-2024 is estimated at $6,033.
Sheriff David Robinson said that the increase is due to the special assignment pay for SRD positions and will be offset by an estimated $54,000 in revenue from Kings Christian School to cover the cost of a .50 full-time equivalent.
This deputy will be assigned to Kings Christian School as well. During school downtime or emergencies, the deputy will be available to assist with other duties for the Sheriff’s Office as needed.
Kings Christian School agrees to pay 50% of each assigned deputy’s salary and benefits.
The agreement will renew each July 1 unless modified by mutual written agreement or terminated by either party.
The agreement is retroactive because it was not finalized until after the start of October 23, 2023.
E. Administration
1. a. The board (5-0) approved the 10th amendment to the tolling and waiver agreement with the California Department of Water Resources, extending the statute of limitations on certain claims through June 30, 2026.
b. The board (5-0) authorized the county administrative officer to sign the tolling and waiver agreement.
In 2007, the county and the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) entered into a tolling and waiver agreement to extend the statute of limitations about certain claims. In this instance, claims are related to State Water Project (SWP) charges, which DWR collects from SWP Contractors for using the SWP infrastructure.
Administrative Officer Kyria Martinez said that the amendment will extend the statute of limitations through June 30, 2026.
This amendment gives SWP contractors, of which the county is one, the ability to address issues related to billing charges for SWP expenses and helps to ensure the fiscal transparency and accountability of the project and DWR’s administration.
2. The board (5-0) approved the Public Safety Realignment and Post Release Community Supervision 2023 Plan for submission to the Board of State and Community Corrections.
The board adopted Public Safety Realignment allocations during final budget hearings on Aug. 8, for $14,559,387.
Below is the list of allocations:
- Administration $47,491
- County Counsel $44,000
- Human Resources $65,900
- District Attorney $467,065
- Sheriff Assembly Bill 109 $10,975,568
- Probation $2,909,363
- Defense of the Accused $50,000
Prison realignment has increased the number of people placed on probation and PRCS because of insufficient resources to support them.
An increase in probationers has resulted in an increased workload and more violations of probation pre-trials and hearings, requiring additional services from district attorney staff.
The Sheriff’s Office Program Division continues its jail programs, with the help of AB 109 funds, such as general education development (GED) services, resume building in conjunction with the JTO and auto detailing, which teaches trade skills that can successfully lead to job security upon release.
Changes in funding awarded to the county included an increase in allocation of $488,903 for fiscal year 2023-2024 from fiscal year 2022-23.
Administrative Analyst Matthew Boyett said there was a decrease of $210,707 in growth fund allocation for fiscal year 2023-2024, for which the county was allocated $719,221 in fiscal year 2022-23. The growth fund allocation for fiscal 2023-2024 is $508,514.
During the upcoming year, an emphasis will be placed on enhancing and providing evidence-based programs for community supervision offenders needing these services to promote reducing recidivism rates.
Evidence-based practices are supervision policies, procedures, programs and practices demonstrated by scientific research to reduce recidivism among individuals under probation, parole or post-release supervision.
Administrative Officer Domingo Cruz said that the Need Principle assesses the offender’s criminogenic needs, and targets those needs in treatment. The Responsivity Principle maximizes the offender’s ability to learn from rehabilitative intervention.
3. a. The board (5-0) approved the County of Kings Public Facilities Impact Fees Annual Report for the fiscal year ending June 30.
b. The board (5-0) directed staff to bring options back on a future agenda.
According to the agenda packet report, the remodel of the Juvenile Center began in August 2021.
$3.7 million in impact fees were used to fund the project. No expenditures were made in fiscal year 2022-2023. The remodel is estimated to be completed in spring of 2024.
Potential options for future consideration are as follows:
- Updating fee table
- Maximum Justified Development Impact Fee
- Percentage of Maximum Justified Impact Fee
- Applying a percentage increase
- Make no changes to the current schedule
- Updating ordinance for inflation index
- Keep the same inflation index (Construction Cost Index)
- Change the inflation index
- Keep the same month of inflation or move to the average
Closed session includes the following:
Conference with labor negotiator:
Negotiators: Martinez, Leist, Che Johnson of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore
General Unit – CLOCEA
Supervisor’s Unit – CLOCEA
Blue Collar – SEIU
Detention Deputies Association
Firefighter’s Association
Deputy Sheriff’s Association
Probation Officers Association
Prosecutor’s Association
Unrepresented Management
Significant exposure to litigation: (1 Case) Additional information: Report on conditions at Kings County Juvenile Center
Personnel Matter: Public Employee Appointment: Fire Chief
The next board meeting will be on Dec.19 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.
