Clearlake council votes to send letter opposing SB 226, citing local control and district impacts

The Clearlake City Council voted to send a letter of opposition to Senate Bill 226, directing staff to communicate concerns to state legislative leaders including Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry.

Vice Mayor Slotin introduced the item and explained the council was being asked to consider submitting an opposition letter. Doug Harris, a Clearlake resident and trustee of the Yuba Community College District (speaking in his personal capacity), urged the council to oppose SB 226. Harris described the bill—s effect as creating an exception that would give the statewide Board of Governors authority to approve certain territory transfers between community college districts without local board consent or an election. He said the provision, as written, would apply specifically to Woodland Community College territory and Los Rios Community College District and could lead to substantial one-time and ongoing fiscal impacts to Yuba Community College District; Harris cited district staff estimates of multi-million-dollar onetime costs and said the Yuba board had voted 6-1 to oppose the bill and to seek amendments.

Council members said they were concerned about the bill—s potential to eliminate local control and to shift costs and governance responsibilities without sufficient local input. The council voted to send the opposition letter to the named legislative contacts; the motion passed with one absence noted.