Sierra County supervisors approve grant acceptance, budget corrections and clinic upgrades; appoint task‑force member

Sierra County supervisors on Thursday approved a slate of routine and fiscal items, including authorization to accept Proposition 36 funding for expanded behavioral‑health services, adjustments to the county budget to reflect Board‑approved projects, hiring authority for a public‑works vacancy, purchase of medical‑grade furniture for the Loyalton clinic, payment of a delinquent school mental‑health invoice and the appointment of a member to the Solid Waste Task Force.

The Board voted, by roll call, to give Behavioral Health staff authority to accept the state‑allocated Proposition 36 funds and to sign related agreements when contracts become available. Cheryl Prince McMillan of Behavioral Health told the Board the funding will be used to expand assessments and behavioral‑health interventions for substance‑abuse offenders in county courts and to provide services both in custody and on probation.

Supervisors also approved a resolution to “true up” the county’s final budget so the public budget reflects prior Board approvals and recent contract and grant activity. Prince McMillan said multiple previously approved projects and more than $1,000,000 for the Behavioral Health Housing Fund did not appear correctly in the final budget and staff worked with the county auditor to realign categories without adding new funds.

The Board authorized Public Works to advertise and recruit to fill a Transportation/Public Works vacancy that became effective Feb. 24, citing a need to backfill operational capacity. The supervisors approved a resolution authorizing the purchase of an additional temporary 20‑foot office container for transfer‑station use; county staff said the unit is grant‑funded and will not impact the general fund.

On clinic projects, Behavioral Health staff explained the Loyalton clinic is being reconfigured from five to 11 rooms and requires medical‑grade, wipeable furniture and telehealth workstations. The Board approved the purchase and the use of remodel funds together with Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funds to cover costs.

The Board also approved payment of a delinquent invoice from the local school district for student mental‑health services covering October 2024 through June 2025. Prince McMillan said the invoice accumulated because of billing and staff‑transition issues and that the services are part of the district’s regular MHSA allocation for counseling and wellness services.

Finally, the supervisors appointed Sue McIlhery to the Sierra County Solid Waste Task Force.

Votes at a glance: - Proposition 36 grant acceptance (authorization to sign when contract available): approved by roll call (ayes recorded; all present voted aye). - Budget true‑up resolution to align final budget with Board‑approved items: approved by roll call (ayes recorded). - Authorization to advertise and hire Public Works/Transportation position: approved (motion/second recorded). - Purchase of a 20‑foot office container for transfer stations (grant‑funded): approved (motion/second recorded). - Loyalton clinic medical‑grade furniture purchase (remodel + MHSA funds): approved by roll call (ayes recorded). - Payment of delinquent school district invoice for student mental‑health services: approved by roll call (ayes recorded). - Appointment of Sue McIlhery to the Solid Waste Task Force: approved.

The board then recessed into closed session for multiple personnel matters; the clerk reported no reportable action on one closed session item and county counsel stated direction was given to staff on others.