Lassen County supervisors approve job‑classification changes, software and IT purchases, and an agricultural commissioner appointment

At its regular meeting the Lassen County Board of Supervisors approved several administrative items affecting recruitment, payroll classification and county operations.

Personnel and job descriptions: Danielle Tanton, personnel coordinator for Health and Social Services, told the board her office updated job descriptions to align county titles with preexisting Merit/CalHR classifications so HSS can recruit for five needed fiscal supervisor positions across Public Health, Community Social Services and Behavioral Health. She said the county will use a county title of "fiscal supervisor" while Merit will list the role as "chief fiscal supervisor." The board discussed pay ranges and incentives; Tanton and CAO staff said they expect to begin recruitment within about 30 days and that the change helps finalize budget allocations. The motion to approve the job‑classification adjustments passed by roll call.

HSS director pay range: The board also approved returning the Health and Social Services agency director pay range to a flat Range 36 (with education incentive pay available) to simplify budgeting; supervisors discussed possible future organizational structure changes, but the approved change was presented as a budgetary measure.

Appointment: The board approved the appointment of the county agricultural commissioner and sealer of weights and measures as presented in the packet (named in materials as "Mr. Finsler") to a four‑year term ending August 2029 and authorized the CAO or designee to execute payroll actions. Colleagues praised the appointee's experience and staff continuity.

IT procurement and contracts: Travis from Lassen County ISD reported an annual personal‑computer purchase recommendation not to exceed $200,000, split in two parts so the county can use current fund balance for about $100,000 now and administrative budgeted funds after the upcoming budget approval. He said the split purchase eases deployment ahead of Windows 10 end‑of‑life and will allow staged replacement of roughly 100 desktop devices; the board authorized the purchase and CAO execution.

Software contract: Galen Norwood, planning and building services, requested authorization for a three‑year SmartGov (Granicus/Geot) licensing contract from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2028, not to exceed $57,414.77 for permit tracking and issuance; the board authorized the chairman to sign.

Payroll/salary tables: Personnel risk analyst Virginia Schaff presented CalPERS‑format salary tables to bring the county into compliance; the board adopted the resolution updating bargaining‑unit salary schedules.

Votes and procedure: Most items were discussed briefly, with staff answering technical questions about recruitment timing, pay ranges and procurement logistics. Each of the listed items was put to a vote and approved (board members recorded 'Aye').

Next steps: Staff will return with recruitment details and exam timelines for Merit processes, Timber/forest questions will be addressed separately with the Forest Supervisor, and the county will proceed with the authorized contracts and purchases.