Lake County supervisors approve interim sanitation-board structure, set public hearing after Clear Lake vote

The Lake County Board of Supervisors, sitting in multiple district capacities, voted unanimously to delegate the Kelseyville County Water Works District No. 3 seat to the County Board of Supervisors and to adopt a resolution of intent establishing an interim five-member composition for the Lake County Sanitation District, conditional on a City of Clear Lake vote that would trigger a 30-day public-comment period.

County administration said the change responds to recent negotiations after the City of Clear Lake withdrew an earlier delegation. Under the interim plan the board would include two county seats, two City of Clear Lake seats and one public at-large seat that will remain vacant until applications are solicited and the newly composed board fills it.

The proposal rests on the county’s reading of the Health and Safety Code. County counsel told the board that if the City of Clear Lake adopts the referenced resolution (on its July 16 agenda, identified in the meeting as City of Clear Lake resolution 2025-42), the law would require a 30-day public-comment period and a public hearing expected on Aug. 16; the board anticipates making appointments at that hearing if the trigger occurs.

Public commenters pressed the board for documentation and representation for unincorporated areas. Cindy Storrs pointed out that the agenda attachment lacked a vote count and signature and asked for clarification; Supervisor Spitey responded that the Board of Supervisors already serves as the Kelseyville board, which explains the paperwork. Helen Mitchum of Spring Valley said it “seems odd” for a sitting board to appoint itself to a reconstituted board and asked whether unincorporated residents would have representation; Supervisor Spitey replied that Spring Valley CSA 2 is separate from Lake County Sanitation District and reiterated which sewer districts the proposal covers.

Patrick Sullivan, the county’s Treasurer–Tax Collector, told the board his offices and the auditor-controller were “scrambling” to assess operational and financial impacts if the sanitation district becomes independent. He warned that changes affect payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, financial reporting and the county’s Workday rollout, and that the county has met bond advisers and bond counsel to manage debt-financing and credit-rating risks. Sullivan said his office is working to identify interim resolutions to keep operations running without creating irreversible harm before the Aug. 16 deadline.

A Zoom commenter identified as Sterling urged the board to slow the process, asked for evidence that Hidden Valley formally delegated its seat, and raised concerns about transparency, potential service impacts in Spring Valley and contract/NDA costs cited in public remarks.

After discussion, the board voted 5-0 on both items. The board also directed county administration to immediately advertise and collect applications for the at-large seat and to coordinate with the Treasurer–Tax Collector to prepare resolutions and interim measures to ensure continuity of financial and operational functions through the transition. The City of Clear Lake’s action on July 16 remains the condition that will start the 30-day public-comment period and the Aug. 16 hearing.