Board approves energy-credit filing, CAL FIRE co-location, Riverstone fire station funding and several public-safety items

The Madera County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a package of actions that the board and staff said will shore up public-safety operations, advance construction of a new fire station in the Riverstone area and enable the county to claim federal energy tax credits.

The measures were presented and voted on during the regular board meeting at the Madera County Government Center. Supervisors voted unanimously on each item that required formal board approval.

Why it matters: The approvals affect near-term county cash flow and near-term emergency response capability — including bringing a CAL FIRE engine into a newly built county facility in North Fork and locking a funding mechanism for a major new fire station in the Riverstone development. The items also include administrative authorizations that will let county departments obtain federal reimbursement and proceed with capital projects and planning studies.

Key votes and outcomes

- Energy-credit filing (Consent item 5E): The board approved proceeding with a county filing to claim credits under federal programs tied to recent projects. Staff corrected a typographical error in the agenda packet and said the correct figure in the backup is $1,085,000. The motion to approve (mover not specified on the record) passed 5-0. Supervisors voting yes: Poitras, Womhoff, Rogers, McCauley and Chair Sherry Gonzales.

- CAL FIRE co-location at Station 11 (Item 6I): The board approved…