[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6528937,"mediaKeyId","5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5","parentId",5020021,"title","County employees and unions urge larger raises; speakers call 2.5% proposal insufficient","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",631000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5&start=631&end=631","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5/thumbnail_631000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528937/Imperial-County/California/County-employees-and-unions-urge-larger-raises-speakers-call-25-proposal-insufficient","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528937-55f7a3f9cbfed261d8730a4f25fdf929/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148553&Signature=NueDOGAiRHeRbYoidNc3NmdgyoAp82Qb~IJ8QLCo70bUc3STYrKAZs2KlGNb8v6f-BWpFBmQhn5HWOTL5I1d5PrQWlLNWyusXAwBChi6mRC3ZyAR6JQr2k~g3Pu1TZSaxkGLrlSTF-9TsVfvxWIDaINF1mmmrU-IABqSJJ~w5vJ0W1alay4qaorIKAw6i8RVkY2nv6GfeVuT2lWQ48BMNE56K9aEIpyqDtFJ00QBY~uejYiHZHKDt6eDtwj7n6HI8UNEPZGK68uB-VVSYWILYmxDArBpx2ypMYm2F6fO4ozuGgfKFnr8~YMaP5Xq5MZHill1hLjzxlxe24CA7AvElA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Imperial County","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","Several county employees, union representatives and residents used the public-comment period on June 10 to urge the Board of Supervisors to grant larger pay increases than the 2.5–3% cost-of-living adjustment the county proposed.

Carla Flores, identified as the long-term care ombudsman coordinator for Imperial County's Area Agency on Aging, told the board the 2.5% raise is \"insulting\" and does not reflect rising prices for essentials like food, rent and gas. Flores said many county employees work multiple roles and are forced to take second jobs to make ends meet.

Ruth Duarte, who identified herself as a business agent for \"Tinsley's local 542 representing craft labor and trades,\" read a letter from more than 1,000 employees and called for a pay increase of no less than 20% (10% per year over two years). Duarte cited multiple cost increases and said county management-level raises earlier in the year had widened perceived wage disparities; she named a recent compensation increase for the clerk of the board and an assistant's pay increase as examples addressed in her remarks.

Other public commenters voiced related concerns: Tony Ramos, a former county probation employee, voiced support for Teamsters and for workforce raises; Patricia Carrillo, a county retiree and resident of Brawley, criticized recent employee separations and said taxpayers deserve accountability.

Ending: Board members acknowledged the economic pressure on county workers; several supervisors said they would press for solutions during upcoming budget and labor negotiations. Workforce and county staff said they are coordinating outreach and rapid-response services for impacted workers in areas such as Spreckels-related layoffs and business closures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Imperial County - Board of Supervisors (Part 2) - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple public commenters and a labor business agent urged the Board of Supervisors to raise county employee wages well above the proposed 2.5–3% increase, citing rising costs of living and localized hardships after layoffs and plant closures.","taxTitle","Imperial County, California","taxId",3829,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6528939,"Imperial County returns from Washington with momentum for —Lithium Valley— push; county plans rapid-response services after Spreckels closure",1593,2059000,3652000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5&start=2059&end=3652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5/thumbnail_2059000.jpg","/articles/6528939/Imperial-County/California/Imperial-County-returns-from-Washington-with-momentum-for-Lithium-Valley-push-county-plans-rapid-response-services-after-Spreckels-closure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528939-6a6d621aa8d884380b931ee3793aafc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148553&Signature=bPyJ30Xp1PeWd-gCE-Dma2rIiEmFaNjaqgRfO~lXu87a4a92j-WuSimWtA6aICcBLgbmB1yXqfCmvJM~ER7Ik4i4qhxqaRJE~ladfnWWYGJynJ0Uvojj4zqHQOGmvOQ0xfhtR45H1PNDaW1M9Gv3kjZyWM-hNmQrUsvVPJV6o1L4ZdOcY5Qm2ZuoIbzbEZEtQv0MTUyZuNtwzFMQm0l0o9JSjodRBKr2IxC2z-dDGEJI1ZHvyg2W7-TD8sP-SjMihvoYiKvtSEM2W5EweX3YbFJqCHSY5VcO~Rvf1zr458DBnj21JGijBbHs2NhAUFMpGW9kYZWjI50HpaUnM2BX5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Imperial County supervisors and staff returned from a week of meetings in Washington, D.C., reporting broad federal and private-sector attention to the county's Lithium Valley project and related infrastructure needs, while also describing near-term workforce supports after the closure of the Spreckels sugar plant.

Supervisor Kelly, who led part of the delegation, said the group met with officials at the White House, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that the county's Lithium Valley strategic plan and programmatic EIR for roughly 51,000 acres drew interest. Kelly told the board the Department of Energy committed to interagency coordination and that the White House offered to facilitate interagency connections with USDA. \"We got to meet with Fortune 500 companies,\" county staff said in a related update.

Supervisor Escobar said federal advisers and congressional staff expressed recognition of the county's resource potential but warned of state-level permitting and regulatory challenges in California. Board members repeatedly cited CEQA, litigation from environmental-justice groups, and complex permitting as obstacles to rapid deployment of projects.

The trip also focused on the economic fallout from the closure of the Spreckels sugar plant. Priscilla Lopez, from the county's Workforce and Economic Development office, described a rapid-response plan: an informational packet and an online flyer for displaced workers, partnerships with Imperial Valley College and IID, and an on-site rapid-response event planned for July with outreach to HR leadership at Spreckels. \"We are developing an online flyer that we will be putting out directing all employees of Spreckels and small businesses indirectly affected to go to the business development center,\" Lopez said.

County staff and supervisors said they raised airport compliance issues with the Federal Aviation Administration and discussed New River pollution with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; staff reported FAA follow-up and EPA commitments to technical assistance and site visits. Board members asked for continued federal engagement while stressing a need to streamline state-level processes to attract investment.

Ending: Supervisors urged regional cooperation and pledged to continue federal outreach; workforce staff said rapid-response services and pop-up information sessions will be deployed in coming weeks to assist workers and affected businesses.","Supervisors said meetings with federal agencies and private firms reinforced interest in Imperial County's Lithium Valley project; board and workforce staff described outreach and rapid-response planning to assist workers affected by the closure of the Spreckels sugar plant.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6528944,"UC San Diego and Imperial County form psychiatry residency program; county to host rural track with $2.5 million in initial support",993,3963000,4956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5&start=3963&end=4956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5/thumbnail_3963000.jpg","/articles/6528944/Imperial-County/California/UC-San-Diego-and-Imperial-County-form-psychiatry-residency-program-county-to-host-rural-track-with-25-million-in-initial-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528944-80462a4a06d2a33f94782a6ea98f4bbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148553&Signature=W1IJdk9D-H616DiN4p6QTLQdOcZCgmh0EMjtJuUYKt61ZRcXWNUut638WAhvXHIesAPOQLQJxZy00NyA1WssiGunmHDi6htmHnM-4j0eQe6mitUN1DyNJLGmCadwaAXT8oxVwNp56iDeF0H47LlSL~iySWSgQy8~8xZ~1c0UffAC7Xt0qLn4deRbCEKVHufuCz-1oiUXnqk0cJvuBg6ygrk6F3EK3hPTHj2cLXZrnoOcMEco2Ezf6GFXHnqMipG9DoZfZ0xPRaX1ltXCd5GWJuEehhozdeCWjLk-wlIA~Uti4DFXM7c4s47g5Z7i~0YTjoIiMDdsI1jpSlYIpIYeXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","UC San Diego and Imperial County behavioral-health officials on June 10 announced approval to establish a psychiatry residency program based in Imperial County intended to expand local access to psychiatric care and train clinicians to remain in the region.

Leticia Blancarte Garcia, director of the county behavioral-health department, said the program has been two years in active development and follows more than a decade of prior efforts to bring a residency track to the county. \"Imperial County has struggled for many years to meet the needs of our community,\" Blancarte Garcia told the board. She said roughly 20% of people who need mental-health services are actually being served now and that a local residency will help grow that capacity.

UC San Diego physician partners described the accreditation steps already completed: the sponsoring institution approval (sponsoring-institution accreditation was secured in July 2023), the program application, faculty recruitment, and required affiliation agreements with El Centro Regional Medical Center, Intercare and other partners. Dr. Koh of UC San Diego said the county's program is part of a small group of rural psychiatric residency programs nationally and that housing the residency in the county (rather than as a San Diego-based rural track) increases the likelihood trainees will remain practicing locally.

Program leaders said they have line-of-sight on a multi-step timeline: a posting this summer, interviews in the fall, participation in the national \"Match Day\" (March 15), and an expected start date for new residents on July 1. The program plans an initial class size of four residents per year. Presenters told the board that federal and institutional partners provided about $2,500,000 to support the project during setup and early operations.

Ending: County and UC San Diego leaders told the board they will continue community engagement, finalize rotations and faculty assignments, and proceed with recruitment; the first match results are expected March 2026 with residents beginning clinical duties the following July.","County behavioral health and UC San Diego announced an accredited psychiatry residency program to be based in Imperial County; application and match steps put first residents on track for July 2026 start.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6528949,"Imperial County supervisors appoint CEO Kathleen Lang; board takes positions on state bills, approves voter-choice transition funding",2743,6292000,9035000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5&start=6292&end=9035","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5020021-de364ad888f897f0c0eed28f93e7ede5/thumbnail_6292000.jpg","/articles/6528949/Imperial-County/California/Imperial-County-supervisors-appoint-CEO-Kathleen-Lang-board-takes-positions-on-state-bills-approves-voter-choice-transition-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528949-6332c823b2c3e6c080bcf7db327df93c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148553&Signature=oOLhalIi6pfUYkBPCScdw39Ck79em6lke-OqSMkAlQCqUpybyX8smzsuzcAWXUk1pS83TQmQ~5HhyNyoS9RP3HS8O7s2SmhymnfAXOntdn9cOLvAgZvT559NU7cKzDi4RxHW4f2rnATS-Nt2k0rdNU-mQhWAeIpNQq8UYZ4~Sf63B5ECJG3Txb4tBuIksOQQVpI5avOE6cdyyBEm4dScQQ4QiiLGc8Srf0ZqSiB98uyh~KrBlkt9iGjADCMjD2tOxd7L6H78hLqDQyl3~-5WdnzNbZ~soKRsZhB0P8xnaCK6d0l7WW-4E-FhAvVr0l~QJ5i59P3JkanK3PweM4Th~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted June 10 to appoint Dr. Kathleen Lang as the county's new county executive officer and approved a set of policy positions and administrative actions, including funding to begin a transition to the Voter's Choice Act election model.

County Counsel announced the closed-session decision that the board voted to appoint Dr. Kathleen Lang effective June 27, 2025, and stated the starting annual salary as $290,000; the announcement said the board took no final action on the CEO's compensation, which will return to the board as part of a June 17, 2025, employment-agreement item. The closed-session roll call recorded District 1: no; District 2: no; District 3: yes; District 4: yes; District 5: yes.

The board also took formal positions on three state bills. Staff presented SB 707 (Durazo), which would expand teleconferencing requirements under the Brown Act; staff recommended opposing the bill unless it is amended to provide funding for implementation, saying the county lacks reimbursable funding for the mandate. The board approved an \"oppose unless amended\" position after public comment from Sarah Emts, area-agency on aging director, who said the bill would impose unfunded burdens on small offices.

On SB 346 (Durazo), which would strengthen local authority to audit and enforce transient-occupancy taxes for short-term rentals, staff recommended support and the board voted to support the measure. On AB 470 (McKner), regarding carrier-of-last-resort regulation for landline service, staff recommended opposition; the board approved an opposition position following public comment that emphasized the impact on rural and vulnerable residents.

Administrative approvals included authorization for three workforce/economic development staff to attend an out-of-state Geographic Solutions training (authorized with standard funding sources) and the resolution to hire a recent retiree in county counsel's office as extra help. The board also approved a request to use Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) monies in the amount of $520,956 to support a multi-year transition to the Voter's Choice Act election model, subject to required public outreach and the formal election-administration plan process.

Votes listed in the meeting record include the closed-session roll call for the CEO appointment and multiple \"motion carries\" outcomes for other items; where roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript, they are reflected below. Where the transcript records only \"motion carries,\" the article reports the documented outcome without inventing a tally or mover/second details.

Ending: The board scheduled follow-up actions: final CEO compensation on the June 17 action calendar and continued implementation steps for the voter-choice transition (public workshops, outreach and a final plan submission to the California Secretary of State).","The board appointed Dr. Kathleen Lang as county executive officer and voted on state bill positions, approved out-of-state travel, and authorized $520,956 from LATCF to begin transitioning to the Voter's Choice Act.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County employees and unions urge larger raises; speakers call 2.5% proposal insufficient

Imperial County returns from Washington with momentum for —Lithium Valley— push; county plans rapid-response services after Spreckels closure

UC San Diego and Imperial County form psychiatry residency program; county to host rural track with $2.5 million in initial support

Imperial County supervisors appoint CEO Kathleen Lang; board takes positions on state bills, approves voter-choice transition funding