Sutter County supervisors adopt Yuba‑Sutter bike plan, authorize fleet‑leasing intake and advance fire‑code ordinance

The Sutter County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the Yuba‑Sutter Bicycle Implementation Plan and to authorize staff to proceed with intake documents for a proposed fleet‑leasing program, actions officials said are intended to improve active‑transportation options and stretch county equipment dollars.

Neil Hayes, Sutter County development services director, told the board the regional bicycle plan was developed with Yuba County, local cities and a consultant to create a cohesive network and improve competitiveness for SACOG and Caltrans active‑transportation grants. "With adoption of the resolution today, [the plan] would strengthen the counties' partnership in seeking available grant funds to develop the network," Hayes said.

Two local advocates urged adoption during public comment. "We're a local group that works to partner with government on such transportation plans, and we just applaud any effort to improve bicycle transportation and safety in the area," said Spencer Morrison of the Yuba Area Bicycle Advocates. Ricky Samayoa, a policy lead for Project Yuba‑Sutter and a Yuba Area Bicycle Advocates member, said the plan would help students safely bike between communities and institutions such as Yuba College.

On infrastructure and equipment, county staff and a representative from Unified Fleet Services presented leasing and liquidation options for heavy equipment and fleet vehicles. The presenter said the county spent about $358,000 on short‑term rentals in 2025 and that projected maintenance and rental costs could total more over the next five years; leasing, paired with liquidation of older assets, was presented as a way to reduce downtime and free operating funds. "For the same million dollars budgeted for two pieces of equipment, Unified Fleet Services is able to get you all 11 pieces of requested equipment," the presenter said during the pitch.

Board members asked whether emergency vehicles such as water transfer trucks were included; staff said the current package is targeted to road‑maintenance equipment and that other apparatus would be considered separately. The board authorized the development services director (or designee) to execute an acceptance form, a procurement and liquidation agent agreement, and a credit application as a two‑step process; the final lease documents will return to the board for approval.

Votes at a glance - Consent calendar: Motion by Supervisor Baines, second by Supervisor Flores; roll call 5–0 (Boone, Flores, Ziggermeyer, Baines, Stevens — all Aye). Passed. - Yuba‑Sutter Bicycle Implementation Plan (resolution): Motion by Supervisor Baines, second by Supervisor Boone; roll call 5–0 (Boone, Flores, Ziggermeyer, Baines, Stevens — all Aye). Adopted. - Ordinance amending fire prevention code (chapter 60610): Introduced; full adoption continued to Feb. 10, 2026. Motion to continue carried by roll call 5–0. - Authorization to execute intake/procurement/credit forms with Unified Fleet Services (step 1): Motion and roll call 5–0 to authorize execution; final lease paperwork will return to the board. - Letter on special election timing (board correspondence): Motion to request the governor hold a special election within 120 days passed by roll call 5–0.

What happens next The bicycle plan adoption makes Sutter County eligible to show regional support when applying for SACOG and Caltrans active‑transportation grants; staff said grant pursuit is the next step. The fleet agreement requires staff to submit intake documents to Unified Fleet Services and return final lease terms to the board for approval. The ordinance amending the local fire prevention code was set for continued consideration at the Feb. 10, 2026 meeting. The board also instructed staff to prepare and send the special‑election timing letter to the governor and invited continued public engagement on the bike plan and fleet program.