Trinity County’s Board of Supervisors took final action on a number of items during its May 20 meeting, approving proclamations, resolutions, contracts and local ordinance changes by roll-call votes.

The board adopted a proclamation declaring May 18–24, 2025, National Public Works Week in Trinity County; approved two separate resolutions urging federal recognition for the Norilmok Gwentu Nation (HR 619) and the Sonangwe tribe; amended the County Administrative Officer’s employment contract to extend the term to April 18, 2026, and to add one week of professional leave; and approved two five‑year, on‑call agreements for geotechnical services for disaster response. The board also adopted updates to environmental health fees under Trinity County’s California Unified Program Agency (CUPA) and approved a county ordinance adding building-permit exemptions for specified agricultural structures.

Key votes and outcomes
- Proclamation — National Public Works Week: moved, seconded and approved by roll call (ayes recorded: Lutweiler, Cox, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris). Outcome: adopted.
- Resolution supporting federal recognition of Norilmok Gwentu Nation (HR 619): moved, seconded and approved by roll call (ayes recorded: Cox, Carpenter Harris, Lutweiler, Brownfield). Outcome: adopted.
- Resolution supporting federal recognition of the Sonangwe tribe: moved, seconded and approved by roll call (ayes recorded: Lewyler, Carpenter Harris, Cox, Brownfield). Outcome: adopted.
- Amendment No. 2 to the CAO employment contract (Trent Tuthill): motion passed by roll call (aye: Lutweiler, Cox, Carpenter Harris; no: Brownfield). Outcome: approved; motion extended CAO contract to 04/18/2026 and added one week of professional leave; monthly salary/benefit amount listed in staff report as Step D $26,685.
- Two on‑call geotechnical agreements (Geocon Consultants, Inc. and MGE Engineering, Inc.): each approved by roll call. Each contract allows up to $800,000 over a five‑year term to support exploratory field testing, monitoring and design services for disaster response; funding sources cited include Federal Highway Administration, FEMA and RMRA/STIP funds. Outcome: approved.
- Environmental Health — CUPA fee ordinance (Trinity County code amendment): introduced, reading waived and adopted. Estimated Environmental Health revenue from the fee schedule: ~$157,000 and eligibility for $60,000–$100,000 in grant funds. Outcome: adopted.
- Building code amendment — agricultural structure exemptions (Trinity County Code §15.04 amendment): introduced, reading waived and adopted. The ordinance narrows exemptions to structures related to agricultural uses (examples discussed: barns, hoop houses, crop drying, certain equipment shelters) while maintaining zoning and fire‑safety setback requirements. Outcome: adopted.
- Fee waiver for Trinity County Fairs Association: the board approved a partial waiver of solid‑waste fees for the annual fair (waived portion cited in staff report; estimated County revenue impact $8,480). Outcome: approved.

What the actions mean
- The two tribal resolutions are formal statements of support from the county for pending federal recognition legislation and do not themselves change federal status; the staff report cites HR 619 as the vehicle referenced in the draft resolutions.
- The CAO contract amendment increases the CAO’s term and leave accrual; the recorded vote shows one dissenting supervisor. Board discussion noted CAO Tuthill had voluntarily deferred step increases earlier in the year and that the amendment aligns the CAO pay relationship relative to department head pay scales.
- The two on‑call geotechnical agreements place consultants under contract so county transportation staff can rapidly deploy engineering and testing expertise after declared disasters; firms and amounts were selected after competitive solicitation for preparedness given federally required procurement timelines.
- The CUPA fee adoption implements state‑required program fees for Trinity County as it moves into oversight of the unified hazardous materials programs; staff estimated new fee revenue and potential grant eligibility.
- The building‑permit ordinance is intended to reduce permitting friction for specified farm‑related structures while preserving public‑safety and zoning constraints, per staff and board discussion.

Votes at a glance (recorded roll calls as shown in the minutes)
- Proclamation, Public Works Week — adopted (ayes recorded: Lutweiler, Cox, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris).
- Norilmok Gwentu Nation resolution (HR 619) — adopted (ayes recorded: Cox, Carpenter Harris, Lutweiler, Brownfield).
- Sonangwe tribe resolution — adopted (ayes recorded: Lewyler, Carpenter Harris, Cox, Brownfield).
- CAO contract amendment (Trent Tuthill) — approved; ayes: Lutweiler, Cox, Carpenter Harris; no: Brownfield; one vote not recorded in transcript block.
- Geocon Consultants on‑call agreement (D20) — approved (ayes recorded: Cox, Lutweiler, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris).
- MGE Engineering on‑call agreement (D21) — approved (ayes recorded: Cox, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris, Lutweiler).
- CUPA fee ordinance (E1) — adopted (ayes recorded: Lutweiler, Cox, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris).
- Building permit exemption ordinance (F3) — adopted (ayes recorded: Brownfield, Cox, Lutweiler, Carpenter Harris).
- Fee waiver for Trinity County Fairs Association (F5) — approved (ayes recorded: Cox, Lutweiler, Brownfield, Carpenter Harris).

Where to find more detail
Full agenda staff reports and text of the adopted resolutions, ordinances and contracts are included in the county’s official meeting packet. The meeting transcript records the roll‑call tallies and the verbatim motions.

Ending note
Most contested discussion at the meeting concerned the CAO contract amendment, which drew a recorded “no” vote from one supervisor; other items passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous support in the roll‑call recorded in the transcript.