Farmers press for hemp ordinance on April 8 agenda; veterans raise service and policing complaints

Public comment at the Sutter County Board of Supervisors' March 25 meeting included two focused appeals: one from a hemp industry representative seeking formal county action, and another from a local veteran alleging problems with veterans services and police response.

Tyler Tomani, who identified himself as a local industrial hemp farmer, thanked supervisors and stakeholders for meetings since hemp production began in 2019 and said stakeholders had identified solutions to problems that emerged. "We feel like we have come up with some great solutions to all the issues," Tomani said, and asked the board to place a new hemp ordinance on the April 8 meeting agenda.

Later, Stephanie Resignio criticized the Yuba Sutter Veterans Service Office, saying it has operated "secret under the table" and alleging that, on several calls, police refused to take reports, characterizing some responses as being dismissed as "civil matters." She also raised broader fiscal and political grievances about state finances and referenced the concept of a "New California" movement as a potential response for rural communities. Resignio said she had asked Steve Smith to check into certain matters and expressed frustration that earlier inquiries had not produced a response.

County Administrator Steve Smith was recorded as saying he would gather staff and bring back a discussion of a hemp ordinance if the board so chooses, and he noted the office's intention to follow up on concerns raised by the public. No ordinance or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting.

The board did not reach a vote on the hemp ordinance during this session; staff follow-up and formal agenda placement were the next procedural steps mentioned on the record.