Sierra County supervisors approve staffing moves, equipment purchase and intercounty agreements

Sierra County’s Board of Supervisors on Feb. 3 approved a package of staffing, contracting and equipment actions the county said are needed to maintain services and public safety.

Votes at a glance

- Approve advertising and hire for a deputy probation officer (funded by SB 678 realignment) — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Contract with Tuolumne County for placement at the Mother Lode Juvenile Detention Facility — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Agreement with Nevada County for WIC nutrition/dietitian services — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Authorize advertising to fill a planning administrative secretary vacancy — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Set public hearing on Lucy Blake General Plan/Zone/Williamson Act amendments for March 17 — Date set by consensus. - Ratify advertising/offer for two vacant West Side road worker positions and approve an urgency offer structure (initial hire at level 1 step e with promotion to level 3 step a upon obtaining a Class A license) — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Approve purchase of an ABC 306 cold planer for $26,505.21 using remaining FEMA project funds — Approved by roll call, ayes recorded. - Adopt residency requirement resolution and waive first reading of ordinance repealing the old code section — Approved by roll call; matter to return for second reading. - Adopt resolution increasing grand juror compensation from $25 to $50 per day — Approved by roll call.

Probation and juvenile services

Probation leadership asked the board to advertise and hire a deputy probation officer to replace an anticipated retirement effective April 24. The position was described as a safety‑critical, adult‑services role, and the chief said it is funded through SB 678 realignment dollars. "It is a safety position," the probation chief said, noting the lengthy onboarding process and the importance of regional coordination.

The board also approved an inter‑county contract with Tuolumne County for backup juvenile detention placement, emphasizing that the contract incurs costs only when used and that Tuolumne provides onsite medical and mental‑health services, which staff said fit Sierra County’s needs.

Road crews and urgent hires

Facing West Side staffing shortages, staff reported they had two strong candidates for newly advertised road‑crew positions. Because both candidates lacked Class A licenses at the time of offers, staff asked to offer the jobs at level 1 step e with written commitments to promote to level 3 step a once licenses are obtained. HR requested that promotion language appear in the offer letters so pay adjustments do not require a return to the board; the board approved that path.

Equipment and planning

Public Works secured board permission to purchase a cold planer (cost $26,505.21) using funds remaining from a FEMA project; staff said the purchase will allow more efficient road patching and crack repair. Planning asked to re‑advertise for an administrative secretary and to set a March 17 public hearing for the Lucy Blake General Plan/Zone/Williamson Act amendments; both were authorized.

Personnel and governance

The board adopted a revised residency policy for select positions to broaden recruitment options in a tight labor market and waived first reading of an ordinance repealing the older code section; the ordinance will return for a second reading. The board also approved raising grand juror pay from $25 to $50 a day to help seat jurors.

Next steps: Staff will return with formal funding details where required (for example, for equipment or mitigation requests) and will include promotion language in offer letters for urgent hires as approved by HR and the board.