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Residents, speakers press Sutter County supervisors over Yuba College financing district on consent calendar
Summary
Public commenters urged the board to remove a Yuba College School Facilities Infrastructure District (SFID) item from the consent calendar, arguing it was too substantial for routine approval; county staff explained an SFID merely enables a local vote on improvements and that items may be pulled from consent for discussion.
Public comment at the Sutter County Board of Supervisors meeting centered on a dispute over how a School Facilities Infrastructure District (SFID) item related to Yuba College was handled on the consent calendar.
An emailed comment read into the record by staff said, "I am opposed to the CSAF fire tax measure... it will increase current residential rates 800 to 900%" and urged a sales tax alternative. Tom McWhorter of Yuba County criticized the February consent action and asked, "Why was the SFID request on the consent agenda? It was not routine," saying the action could lead to a $300,000,000 bond affecting Sutter and Yuba Counties and deprive the public of discussion. Liz Cervantes also urged the board to change meeting times to increase public attendance and questioned the criteria for placing a substantial financing district on consent, noting Yuba County delayed a similar item for additional review.
County Administrator Steve Smith responded to the concerns, explaining that the SFID item as presented did not itself authorize a bond. "What it allowed them to do is set up a special financing district... to put out to voters to decide," Smith said, adding that an SFID would limit spending locally and that any consent item can be pulled for discussion. He described consent placement as staff judgment that the matter was routine for the board to consider but acknowledged that the public may request items be removed for full discussion.
No vote was taken on the SFID during this meeting; the speakers urged more public notice and review. The board received the comments and proceeded to other agenda items.
