On May 29th, RCRC submitted comments to the Senate Budget Committee regarding proposed allocations in the reauthorization of the Cap-and-Trade program. The funding provided by the program thus far has been vital to rural communities, while at the same time…
Assembly Bill 1156, authored by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks (D, Oakland), seeks to update a law allowing solar use easements on Williamson Act lands, thereby putting unproductive farmland to use for renewable energy generation. RCRC has removed its opposition to the bill and now supports the measure…
On May 30th, the Department of Health Care Services announced the opening of the application for grants for the second round of Proposition 1 Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Bond funding. The Unmet Needs Request for Applications (RFA) represents the final round…
Before leaving Washington D.C. for Memorial Day recess, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a budget reconciliation package by a vote of 215-214. The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will face additional scrutiny when Congress returns next week…
Last week, U.S. House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) released a schedule to markup all 12 Fiscal Year 2026 (FY ’26) spending bills over the next 10 weeks of June and July, with the goal of completing all markups before the August recess…
AI agents are showing up in rural California counties, and Agentic AI—AI that can act on its own within set boundaries—is finding its way into county operations. In this special feature to the Barbed Wire, Steve Monaghan, retired Director of Nevada County’s Information & General Services Agency, discusses how Agentic AI systems can work independently to achieve specific goals, make decisions, and handle tasks with minimal human input– and why it matters.
The views or opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of RCRC or its affiliate entities.
A monthly update regarding the important work of RCRC’s affiliate entities, providing innovative services for the benefit of rural communities.
In early May, the Rural Advancement Institute (RAI), an affiliate of RCRC, conducted its “Beyond the Lettuce Curtain: Innovations and Challenges” educational tour in Monterey County. This immersive learning experience brought together nearly two dozen senior policymakers and a diverse group of stakeholders focused on innovation, workforce development, and agricultural sustainability.
The tour provided insight into Tanimura & Antle’s agricultural technology and workforce practices, Joby Aviation’s advancements in aviation technology, and Rancho Cielo Youth Campus’s vital work in empowering underserved youth with workforce skills. Beyond these site visits, the tour included discussions with industry experts on topics such as sustainable land use practices, the impacts of changing landscapes on agricultural production, and the challenges surrounding sustainable land management. By showcasing innovative solutions and fostering discussion, the tour highlighted the importance of collaboration, technology, and strategic planning for agricultural communities and the rural economy.
RAI is grateful to all the senior policymakers and stakeholders who contributed to making this experience a success and looks forward to future opportunities to unite leaders in exploring rural agricultural innovations and challenges. To learn more about RAI, visit http://www.ruraladvance.org.
During the week of May 5–9, RCRC affiliate entity Golden State Connect Authority (GSCA) conducted project briefings in six of the seven jurisdictions selected for broadband infrastructure improvements: Alpine County, Amador County, Glenn County, Mono County, Tehama County, and the Town of Mammoth Lakes.
Representatives from UTOPIA Fiber, Tilson Technology, and GSCA met in person with local government leadership teams to present an overview of the planned open-access fiber broadband projects. Discussions included project area maps, construction timelines, and the long-term benefits of fiber connectivity. Officials were also briefed on what to expect during construction—such as traffic management, utility coordination, and public outreach—as well as the post-construction services available to their communities.
Each jurisdiction received a clear outline of the support needed from local agencies, including permitting, inspections, right-of-way access, and coordination with public transportation. The briefings helped strengthen collaboration, align expectations, and advance high-speed internet access in rural and underserved areas of California.
Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of rural county importance.
Sonoma County is nestled in Northern California’s Wine Country, just 30 miles north of San Francisco, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west, Marin County and San Pablo Bay to the south, and Solano,...
Part 1 of 2: INTRODUCTION TO EWP PROGRAM AND SPONSOR RESPONSIBILTIIES OCTOBER 14, 2025 – 1:00-2:00 PM ET The NRCS Watershed Programs Branch invites potential and current project sponsors to join us for an introduction...
El Dorado County is seeking a Chief Administrative Officer. To learn more, and to apply, see the job posting here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/edcgov/jobs/5028600/chief-administrative-officer
The County of Monterey invites your interest in the position of COUNTY BUDGET DIRECTOR To view the brochure for this position, please click on the following link: Click Here to View the Brochure for...
The Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) has begun formal rulemaking activities regarding the SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act permanent regulations. The attached Notice of Proposed Action (Notice) was published...
Billions of dollars are up for grabs to public agencies and other entities, including tribes and businesses. Grant seekers can access a centralized portal of grant and loan opportunities here, or sign up to receive new grant opportunities...
Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Ramank Bharti, of Napa, has been appointed Director of Risk Management and Project Controls at the California High Speed Rail Authority. Bharti held multiple positions at ALSTOM Inc from 2004 to 2025, including Project Director, United States West Coast Services, Site Controller, Services North America, Region Controller, Controller, Budgeting and Reporting, and Work Package Controller. He was a Program Director at Transportation and Transit Associates from 2003 to 2004. Bharti was an MBA Intern at the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority from 2002 to 2003. He was a Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer at the North Eastern Railway from 1996 to 2001. Bharti was a Manager, Industrial Engineering at Diesel Component Works from 1992 to 1996. He was a Mechanical Engineer at Northern Railway from 1990 to 1992. Bharti earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Railway Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $225,000. Bharti is a Democrat.
Rajan Gill, of Yuba City, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, where he has served since 2013. Gill has been a Filmmaker at Neena Filmhouse since 2024, Professor of History at Yuba College since 2019, and Managing Partner at Gill Ranches since 2010. He was Professor of History at Las Positas College from 2018 to 2019. Gill was an Adjunct Professor at Yuba College from 2015 to 2018. He earned a Master of Arts degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Middle Eastern and South Asian studies from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Gill is a Democrat.
Raul Morales, of Visalia, has been appointed Warden at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison. Morales has been Acting Warden at Substance Treatment Facility and State Prison since 2024. He was Acting Warden at Valley State Prison in 2024. He held several positions at Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison from 2001 to 2024, including Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant, and Correctional Officer. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $193,524. Morales is registered without party preference.
Kevin Parzych, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Chief of Primary Care Services at Atascadero State Hospital. Parzych has been Chief Medical Officer at Wilshire Health and Community Services since 2013 and Owner of Wilshire Connected Care and K Parzych a Medical Corp since 2017. He was Medical Director of Hospice at Good Shepard Homecare and Hospice from 2004 to 2013. Parzych was Owner of Parzych Family Practice from 2002 to 2013. Parzych earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Albany Medical College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $374,400. Parzych is registered with no party preference.
RCRC press releases and related news clips about RCRC and our member counties. Please note that a subscription may be required to read some external publications.
In this opinion piece, by RCRC Board Delegate and Napa County Supervisor Anne Cottrell and her fellow Napa County Supervisor Liz Alessio, the authors explore the consequences of CEQA’s history of giving a few individuals de facto veto power over projects that a majority of the community wants and needs, and how the RCRC-Sponsored Senate Bill 607 (Wiener) would have made long-overdue changes to update the California Environmental Quality Act to reduce duplicative and unnecessary environmental reviews, promote infill development, and prevent CEQA abuse.
California officials sent water flowing to create new wetlands along the shores of the shrinking Salton Sea. The project is intended to control dust and provide habitat for fish and birds.
Nervous California farmers, ranchers and water agencies have won more time to scrutinize a Fish and Wildlife Service proposal designating 760,071 acres of critical habitat for four foothill yellow-legged frog populations.
Information related to the current status of legislation impacting California’s rural counties. This report updates in real time.
For a full list of RCRC-tracked legislation, by issue area, use our Legislative Tracking Tool.
