Shasta supervisors order deeper review of county advisory bodies; public pushes to revive elections commission

Stephanie Blankenship, chief deputy clerk of the board, told the Shasta County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 7 that the county manages “more than 80 boards and commissions in total, including 30 that are required or mandated.” The presentation led the board to direct staff to return with follow-up information about the Commission on Aging and two discretionary bodies and prompted dozens of public comments urging the board to reactivate its Elections Commission.

The board’s action followed a staff review that classified boards as required, obligated (tied to agreements), discretionary or optional. Blankenship said the review included “extensive research into state code, federal statutes, and local ordinances” and noted some advisory bodies carry eligibility or technical requirements that support grant programs or regulatory functions.

Supervisor Matt Plummer moved to bring back an item for board consideration to direct the Commission on Aging to engage in work “within their scope”; the motion passed unanimously. The…