Lake County board approves Supervisor Jessica Pyska’s travel to NACo energy academy over one member’s objections

The Lake County Board of Supervisors voted 3–1 on a motion to approve travel and related expenses for Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange in Joliet, Illinois, June 29–July 1, 2026.

Board debate centered on cost and timing amid a current hiring freeze. One supervisor said approving travel now was "tone deaf" given recent budget pressures and questioned whether reservations had been made without prior board approval. That speaker stated they "can't support this" and cited what they said were nearly $17,000 in travel expenditures tied to Supervisor Pyska this year.

Supervisor Jessica Pyska said she applied for the academy in May as an alternate and accepted the spot after another county declined. "It's mostly paid for by NACo," she said, adding that the primary county expense would be travel to and from San Francisco and that the event content aligns with Lake County's work on energy policy. The county memo estimates the total county exposure at no more than $800; NACo is reimbursing up to $700 and is directly covering lodging, meaning the event's out‑of‑pocket county cost was described as likely less than $800.

The county CAO told the board that, while approval before booking is preferable, conference deadlines often require early reservations and that the county would seek refunds if the board later decided travel was unnecessary. "In a perfect world we will do that and can do that if the deadlines allow us to do that," the CAO said, and added staff would pursue refunds if needed.

During public comment, Margo Cumbara urged the board to capture and apply conference learnings to a comprehensive energy policy and to reference that policy in the county’s general plan. Phone commenter Skyler Pillsbury of Family Farms said constituents object when officials charge travel to the county and suggested Supervisor Pyska personally cover costs in contentious instances.

Supervisor Crandall argued for the value of outside outreach and training, saying travel can help attract attention and funding to Lake County's projects and that he would support the trip. Several board members agreed travel items should be placed on agendas earlier in the process so the board can approve them before bookings are made.

A motion to approve the travel was made and seconded; the board voted to carry the motion 3–1. The motion text as read publicly referenced travel exceeding 1,500 miles round trip to Joliet, Illinois and associated costs for Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend the NACo Rural Energy Academy Peer Exchange, June 29–July 1, 2026. The board did not record individual member roll-call votes by name in the public discussion.