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Board allows county seal on private America 250 plaque; 4‑1 vote
Summary
After public comment and internal debate about precedent and sponsorship, the Board authorized use of the county seal on a privately funded America's 250 plaque to be installed on private ranch property; motion passed 4‑1.
The board considered a request from a private ranch to place a bronze plaque with the county seal as part of an America 250 celebration to be installed at a private ranch in the Lakeport area. The chair introduced the request, saying the plaque is intended to be inclusive of the community.
Supervisor Sabatier said the county should not simply allow private use of the seal and suggested the county sponsor or pay for the plaque so the seal would be on an item coming from the county rather than given for private use. “I don’t think we should ever provide our seal for someone else to use, but I think we should support this,” Sabatier said, suggesting the county might instead fund the plaque.
Public commenters echoed both positions. Betsy Khan said the county seal should not appear on privately sponsored artifacts, while other speakers said proclamations and awards bearing the seal frequently end up on private property and that this specific request appeared appropriate. Supervisor Pascale said he liked the design but questioned using public funds for private property.
Supervisor Pascale moved, and Supervisor (speaker 8) seconded, a motion to approve use of the county seal for the plaque celebrating 250 years of America and the county’s patriots; the motion carried 4‑1 (Supervisor Sabatier opposed).
