Sutter County supervisors approve contract solicitations, construction and consultant agreements and personnel reclassifications

Sutter County supervisors approved a slate of operational and capital items, including changes to agricultural contracts, infrastructure projects, consultant agreements and personnel classifications.

Williamson Act: Development Services staff told the board that about 145 parcels remain in the Williamson Act program but that the state has not reimbursed the county for the reduction in assessed values in recent years; staff estimated the county lost roughly $2.4 million in revenue and recommended shortening county contract terms from 10 to 9 years. The board approved the term reduction; staff projected the change would yield about $77,000 of additional county revenue in the coming year.

Road overlay: The board approved plans and specifications and authorized solicitation of bids for the fiscal‑year 2025–26 road overlay package, covering about 7.6 miles across multiple districts. Staff said bids would be open for 30 days with award expected at a February meeting.

463 2nd Street demolition: Supervisors awarded a contract to Professional Asbestos Removal Corporation (dba Park Environmental) for interior demolition and hazardous‑materials removal at 463 2nd Street (old courthouse second floor) in the amount of $196,600, with change‑order authority up to $19,600 under the director’s contract authority. Staff estimated the second floor is about 7,200 square feet and provided a 90‑working‑day contract completion window.

Jail HVAC and Kitchell agreements: The board waived the county’s Request for Proposals requirement and authorized independent contractor agreements with Kitchell to prepare design and construction documents for HVAC upgrades at the main and medium jails. Staff described a prior assessment that identified roughly $13 million of mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements across jail facilities; the current agreements are for design services that will be brought back for bid and construction award.

Lakeside at Centerpoint and Sped Consulting: The board approved Amendment No. 2 to an independent contractor agreement with Sped Consulting LLC to extend the term through April 30, 2027 and raise total compensation from $72,000 to $200,000. Staff said the contract is fully reimbursable by the developer and supports work on phase 1 (about 1,100 homes) of the Lakeside project.

Housley Road bridge (T Y Lynn): Supervisors approved Amendment No. 12 to the professional services agreement with T Y Lynn International, extending the contract by 12 months to Dec. 31, 2026 and increasing total compensation by $21,000 to a not‑to‑exceed $2,061,823 to complete design and permit responses for the Housley Road bridge replacement. Staff said estimated construction costs are roughly $25 million and described required coordination with Caltrans, US Army Corps and federal funding programs.

Personnel and classifications: Human Resources presented multiple reclassification and salary‑range recommendations across HHS, assessor and auditor‑controller offices and a new executive director (First 5) job class. HR said most HHS changes have no net general‑fund impact this fiscal year; HR listed $18,465 and $12,601 as the general‑fund impacts for the auditor‑controller and assessor office items, to be absorbed with salary savings.

Votes at a glance: The clerk recorded roll‑call votes on the above actions; supervisors recorded unanimous “aye” votes on the listed approval items.

Next steps: Staff will publish required notices, proceed with the road bid advertisement and return to the board for awards and construction‑phase approvals as specified in each staff report.