The Lake County Board of Supervisors moved on a slate of advisory-board appointments and approved nominees for four local advisory bodies during its session.

The board approved nominees to the Cobb Municipal Advisory Council, the Kelseyville Cemetery District, the Lake County Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Lower Lake Cemetery District. Motions to appoint the Cobb nominees (Paul Duncan and Cathy McCarthy) and the Kelseyville nominee carried without recorded opposition; the motion appointing four members to the Ag Advisory Committee passed despite two supervisors voting no. A motion to appoint Iris Hudson to the Lower Lake Cemetery District also carried.

Why it matters: The most contested discussion concerned the Ag Advisory Committee, where supervisors debated preserving seats tied to cannabis processors and growers while also adding members who represent livestock and hay operations. That tradeoff prompted two supervisors to oppose the final slate, but the majority voted to approve four nominees to the committee.

Board discussion and appointments
Supervisors spent significant time reconciling a recently circulated roster with current applicants and with the committee’s seat categories. Supervisors identified Carolyn Hillman, David Weiss, Paul Barancino (transcribed as Barancino/Barancino), and Mikayla/Mikaela Benjamin as the four nominees moved for appointment to the Lake County Agricultural Advisory Committee. Some supervisors argued for keeping Jennifer Smith’s seat designated to cannabis growers to preserve cannabis-industry representation; others urged adding ranching and livestock voices to the committee.

The chair called each item separately for motion and vote. A supervisor moved to appoint Paul Duncan and Cathy McCarthy to the Cobb Municipal Advisory Council; the motion was seconded and recorded as carried. A separate motion to appoint Elizabeth Reuter (the transcript later renders the name as 'Elizabeth Bridal' during the formal motion) to the Kelseyville Cemetery District was seconded and carried without recorded opposition. The Ag Advisory Committee slate was raised, seconded and carried after two board members recorded opposition. Finally, a motion to appoint Iris Hudson to the Lower Lake Cemetery District was seconded and carried.

Remote access for advisory boards
During discussion on the Lower Lake Cemetery District, Supervisor Sabatier noted a recent change described as a ‘‘Brown Act’’ bill that permits advisory boards to offer remote access, and asked staff to consider adjusting application forms to ask whether applicants prefer remote or in‑person participation. "We should implement that in our advisory board forms so we can make it as open and accessible to anybody," Sabatier said. The board indicated staff would follow up.

Public comment
The chair opened the item for public comment; no in‑room speakers came forward and the clerk reported no online comments.

What happens next
The appointments take effect according to the advisory boards’ rules; supervisors said they would follow up as needed on district residency verification and finalize any outstanding roster questions. The board closed the item after recording the motions and votes.

Votes at a glance
- Cobb Municipal Advisory Council: Paul Duncan, Cathy McCarthy — motion carried (recorded 5–0).
- Kelseyville Cemetery District: Elizabeth Reuter (transcript also shows 'Elizabeth Bridal') — motion carried (vote not numerically specified).
- Lake County Agricultural Advisory Committee: Carolyn Hillman, David Weiss, Paul Barancino, Mikayla/Mikaela Benjamin — motion carried (two recorded nays; board chair stated motion carried).
- Lower Lake Cemetery District: Iris Hudson — motion carried (vote not numerically specified).