Madera County supervisors approve interim probation appointment, jail medical contract, water system measures and other items; votes at a glance

The Madera County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 approved a sequence of routine and substantive items, including a resolution authorizing retired Chief Probation Officer Chris Childers to serve as a retired annuitant interim chief probation officer until a permanent replacement is appointed, a two‑year extension of the county’s jail medical services contract, and steps to bring a private water system into the county’s service area for the Gunnar Ranch West development.

Why it matters: The actions keep core county services running while staff recruit permanent replacements, establish a county‑operated community water system that will serve the Gunnar Ranch West development and Valley Children’s facilities, and extend a medical contract the county says helps avoid litigation exposure tied to inadequate care in custody.

The board voted unanimously, 5‑0, on the items summarized below. Several measures were routine consent items; others were separate resolutions or contracts requiring roll‑call votes.

What the board approved (high‑level) - Appointment of retired annuitant: The board adopted a resolution appointing Chris Childers as a retired annuitant to serve as interim chief probation officer, waiving the 180‑day rehire waiting period and setting salary/term details as described in the resolution. County human resources said an active recruitment for a permanent chief is under way with an anticipated appointment in early October. (Roll call: 5‑0)

- Jail medical services contract extension: The board authorized a two‑year amendment and extension to the county’s agreement with California Forensics Medical Group, Inc. (CFMG) for delivery of medical services at the Madera County Jail, citing the county’s legal duty to provide adequate care and the department’s view that the contractor’s staffing and standards have reduced litigation risk. The contract amendment increases annual compensation for FY 2025–26 and FY 2026–27 to the amounts listed in the contract amendment. (Roll call: 5‑0)

- Water system: The board adopted rates for County Service Area (CSA) 22 Zone C (Gunnar Ranch West) that will combine Valley Children’s Water System with the Gunnar Ranch community system, approved a deposit agreement with Valley Children’s to seed a new fund (deposit credited back after reserve requirements are met), and adopted a resolution accepting dedication of water system assets and related easements for Gunnar Ranch West. Staff said residential bills will be a fixed charge plus a metered rate and estimated a typical residential monthly bill will be in the neighborhood of $100 a month; property owners waived the right to a Proposition 218 protest hearing. (Two separate roll‑call votes; both 5‑0)

- Consent calendar and other routine items: The board approved the consent calendar, which included routine contract extensions and administrative items. (Roll call: 5‑0)

- Pending‑legislation letters: The board approved sending a letter of support for AB 1413 (requesting courts rely on groundwater sustainability plan work in adjudications) and authorized joining an RCRC coalition letter requesting revisions to SB 131. (Roll calls: 5‑0)

Votes at a glance (selected formal actions recorded on the agenda) - Consent calendar (single motion to approve all routine items listed on the consent calendar). Motion: “Move for approval.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. Evidence: the board moved and seconded the consent calendar and completed a roll call.

- Resolution appointing retired annuitant Chris Childers as interim chief probation officer. Motion: “Move to approve.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. County HR noted an active recruitment with a final filing date of Aug. 8 and an anticipated permanent appointment in October; the Superior Court approved the annuitant appointment.

- Water rates & deposit agreement for CSA 22 Zone C (Gunnar Ranch West). Motion: “Move for approval.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. Staff described a flat fixed rate plus a metered charge (per CCF) and an estimated typical residential charge of about $100 per month; property owners waived Prop 218 protest rights. Deposit agreement: Valley Children’s will provide an initial deposit to seed the fund; the deposit will be credited back after the county meets reserve requirements. (Vote recorded as part of the same agenda item.)

- Acceptance/dedication of Gunnar Ranch West potable water system assets and related easements. Motion: “Move to approve.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. Staff said the county will own and operate the system initially but all parties hope a private utility will eventually purchase and operate it; the CSA 22C Municipal Advisory Committee had recommended approval.

- Amendment and extension of medical services agreement with California Forensics Medical Group, Inc. Motion: “Approve.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. The contract amendment increases compensation to not‑to‑exceed amounts for FY 2025–26 ($6,342,739.56) and FY 2026–27 ($6,571,078.18) and extends the term to June 30, 2027, according to the contract language presented to the board. County staff described the extension as intended to maintain compliance with the county’s legal duty to provide adequate care in custody and to limit exposure to medical‑care litigation.

- Letters on pending legislation. Motion: “Move to approve.” Outcome: approved, roll call 5‑0. The board approved a letter of support for AB 1413 (requesting that adjudicating courts make use of the work done in groundwater sustainability plans) and authorized joining an RCRC coalition letter requesting revision of SB 131 to loosen certain siting restrictions for daycare centers.

Discussion versus decisions - The meeting included substantive presentations and public comment separate from the votes. For example, Human Resources and the Superior Court discussed the mechanics of hiring and using a retired annuitant for continuity while recruitment proceeds; public works staff explained the structure of the Gunnar Ranch water system integration and the deposit agreement; the sheriff’s office described the reasons for extending the jail medical contract. Those presentations informed the board votes recorded above but the formal decisions are the roll‑call outcomes listed.

What the board did not do - The board did not take reportable action from closed session, according to county counsel’s statement at the meeting’s close.

Follow‑ups / clarifying details - Recruitment timeline: County HR said recruitment for a permanent chief probation officer has a filing deadline of Aug. 8 with an anticipated appointment in early October. - Jail medical contract amounts: The amendment lists not‑to‑exceed annual compensation figures of $6,342,739.56 (FY 2025–26) and $6,571,078.18 (FY 2026–27). - Gunnar Ranch residential rate: Staff estimated the typical residential monthly combined water charge will be approximately $100; the final fixed and metered rates were adopted by resolution. - Valley Children’s deposit: The transcript notes a deposit agreement will seed the new fund and that Valley Children’s will be credited back after required reserves are met; the exact deposit amount was not specified in the board discussion.

Ending: The board concluded the meeting by returning to closed session later in the day; county counsel reported there was no reportable action from the closed session at adjournment.