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Modoc supervisors approve sheriff equipment, road projects, public‑defender contract and travel‑policy changes
Summary
At its June 9, 2026 meeting the Modoc County Board of Supervisors approved a series of contracts and funding actions — including a CDFW agreement for wildlife management, purchase of a mobile command post, RMRA road‑fund projects, on‑call engineering services, an HDAP contract increase, a PRISM JPA amendment, a Modoc Fire Safe Council MOU, and an updated county travel policy adding a 15% tipping cap.
The Modoc County Board of Supervisors voted June 9 to approve a slate of agreements and budget actions spanning public safety, road maintenance, social services and county administration.
Sheriff Tex Dowdy told the board the county would sign an agreement with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide wolf/wildlife‑management services and described the agreement as “a tool” that may provide additional options for local law enforcement. Dowdy also requested and the board approved authorization to acquire a decommissioned mobile command post trailer and a 2019 Kenworth truck from Lake County for emergency management and public‑safety operations. The sheriff indicated the county will add California sales tax ($3,262.50) to the acquisition cost and that deputies’ names required for training compliance could be added to the agreement after initial signature.
On transportation, Road Department staff presented the annual Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) resolution and proposed projects — including paving sections on Kenny Road 60 and Cedarville Streets, chip‑sealing in the Newell area and base rock on gravel roads — to maintain eligibility for about $3.8 million in estimated RMRA funding. The board approved the RMRA resolution and later approved an on‑call engineering services contract with Lumos and Associates (not to exceed $400,000) to support upcoming road work.
Social services Director Tom Sandidge requested an amendment increasing the Housing and Disability Advocacy Program (HDAP) contract with Training Employment and Community Help, Inc. from $204,411 to $219,411 to cover extended case management and advocacy timing; the board approved the increase. Administration recommended and the board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Modoc Fire Safe Council for a residential chipping program (not to exceed $67,400) to sustain local fire‑wise activities while state funding uncertainty continues.
Administration also led a substantial discussion and won approval for an updated countywide travel and reimbursement policy effective July 1, 2026. During debate supervisors and staff added language to cap the county’s reimbursement for ride‑share and similar tips at 15% of the bill. The board also approved a contract to transition the county website to a .gov domain in advance of a 2029 state requirement.
Other approved items included a budget correction for the assessor‑recorder (small equipment overage), a public‑defender contract amendment raising monthly compensation to $18,566.22, and Taylor Grazing Act funding (up to $6,564.56) for a Lower Lake solar pump project. The board adjourned after returning from closed session where it reported direction given on two labor‑negotiation items and that an evaluation had been held for the county administrative officer.
Votes at a glance: all presented agenda items were approved during the meeting; votes were recorded by vocal 'aye' in the public record and motions carried as announced by the chair. Where a board member recused (Taylor Grazing funding) or recorded a public 'no' (Fandango Day alcohol license on principle), that was noted in the record.
