Board approves Public Works budgets as department outlines road, airport and fleet plans

Lake County Public Works presented the department’s recommended budgets and capital projects on June 25, describing staffing levels, priority capital work and a countywide chip-seal program; the Board of Supervisors approved the presented public-works budget units by unanimous vote.

Interim Public Works leadership opened the presentation by noting a transition in directorship and highlighted Deputy Public Works Director Alicia Ayala as the primary staff presenting the budgets. Ayala told the board that Public Works manages 40 budget units, including administration, engineering and inspection, Lampson Field Airport operations and multiple county service area (CSA) budgets. She said the department currently has vacancies in several units — “Currently, we have 11 full time positions, with 5 being vacant” in the Administration unit and similar vacancy counts across divisions.

Ayala detailed several projects the department is advancing: design work and construction phases at Lampson Field (East Apron Phase 1 and Phase 2), a wildlife hazard assessment at the airport, a countywide chip-seal program covering roughly 35–37 miles of pavement preservation, Kelseyville sidewalks, Calberry Road rehabilitation and South Main Street and Soda Bay Road rehabilitation projects. She also said public-works capital projects include 15 bridge projects at different stages funded by the Highway Bridge Program and about 25 other road improvement projects funded with federal grants and SB 1.

Supervisors pressed staff for more detail on a few items. Supervisor Sabatia questioned whether CSA chip seals — work performed by county crews for zones of benefit that assess property owners — may pull road crews away from countywide priorities and asked for a future “deeper dive” into the road-funding mix and whether contracting might increase throughput. Supervisor Pyszka asked that Public Works publish a summer schedule listing active construction projects and their expected budgets; the department said several projects were already under construction and that staff would provide seasonal project information.

Public-safety coordination also came up. Board members relayed fire chiefs’ concerns about daytime road closures during fire season and requested clearer pre-notification so first responders can plan for potential evacuations and service interruptions.

On staffing and equipment, Ayala said the county’s Central Garage maintains roughly 148 pool fleet vehicles and that the Road Division is responsible for protecting about 613 miles of county-maintained public roads plus unpaved roads; the department plans to replace five pieces of heavy equipment this year and add one plug-in hybrid vehicle to the fleet.

After the presentation the board moved to approve the recommended budget units covering Public Works administration, engineering, road maintenance, several CSAs and internal service funds. The clerk recorded the motion and later announced the board’s action as passing 5-0.

Ending: The board asked Public Works to return with a more detailed funding and delivery plan in the coming months to clarify how the department will prioritize projects and use reserves; staff also committed to public notices about the summer construction schedule and to coordinate closures with fire and emergency services.