Announcements regarding hearings, grants, and public comment notices of importance to California's rural counties.

 

Career Opportunities

  • Alpine County has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Alpine County Counsel Services. The county is accepting proposals to retain, by contract, a qualified attorney(s) or law firm for the provision of needed legal services.  View the full RFP here. Closing Date: September 16, 2022 at Noon.

  • East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition (ESJWQC) is seeking an Executive Director to serve as the day-to-day agent and executive for the governing Board of Directors. Located in the Central Valley of California, with the administration office in Modesto, California, the ESJWQC desires to find an individual that has experience in administration, managing nonprofits, preparing financial reports, managing issues related to water quality, public affairs, public meetings, and communications. Familiarity and experience with the ILRP, the Central Valley Water Board and the State Water Board is highly preferred. The position will remain open until filled by the ESJWQC Board. For more information and to apply, see here.

  • Maxwell Irrigation District (MID), located in Colusa County is in search of a General Manager. The position requires oversight of operations as well as coordination of business activities with local, state and federal agencies for their 6,300 acre CVP Settlement Contract district.  Candidates should be capable of supervising and working with both administrative and operational staff, both in the office and in the field. The Manager reports to, and takes direction from, the MID Board of Directors.  A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management, business administration, irrigation engineering or other related majors is preferred, but experience in lieu of the full educational requirement will be considered.  Base salary will range from $70k and up, dependent upon education and experience.  Those interested in the full job listing and a packet of District information should email a request to kathleen@maxwellirrigationdistrict.com or call 530-438-2773.

  • Monterey County is seeking a County Administrative Officer to execute and coordinate the management and administrative policies and directives of the Board as well as directing the activities of the Administrative Office. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here for more information or to apply online. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: 10/7/22

  • Placer County is seeking a County Executive Officer to manage and direct the activities of County departments and offices, other than those of the County Counsel and elected department heads; to coordinate the work of all County offices and departments, both elective and appointive; to plan, organize, direct, and review the activities of the County Executive Office; and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Board of Supervisors. For more information, or to apply online, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Gary Phillips at (916) 784-9080. Filing Deadline: 9/11/22

  • Shasta County invites applications for County Health Officer to maintain primary responsibility for the enforcement of public health laws in both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County. For more information or to apply online see here (view brochure) Closing Date:  November 28, 2022, 7:59 am. 

  • Sonoma County is seeking a County Administrative Officer to act as an agent for the Board with responsibility for the prompt and efficient administration and execution of all aspects of County government over which the Board exercises control and direction.  For more information, or to apply online, please visit the Bob Murry & Associates website here. Filing Deadline: 10/5/22

  • Yolo County is seeking a Chief Budget Official. Applications must be submitted no later than September 12, 2022. For additional information and a detailed job announcement, see here.

 

California Public Utilities Commission and Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety Hosting Utility Safety Culture Briefings

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety or OEIS) have announced two upcoming public meetings jointly directing Bear Valley Electric Service (San Bernardino County), Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to present updates on their electric safety related efforts and answer questions from CPUC and Energy Safety. The purpose of the meeting is to support decision-making activities related to safety policies and practices to promote (and maturate) safety culture at each respective utility. 

These meetings will take place as follows:

  • Wednesday, September 14th from 9am to 12:30pm: Bear Valley Electric Service and SCE.
  • Thursday, September 22nd from 9am to 12:30pm: SDG&E and PG&E.

To view these briefings, please visit www.adminmonitor.com/ca/cpuc. Public Comments will be accepted at both meetings by calling 1-800-857-1917, passcode 1767567# (or use passcode 3799627# for Spanish).

 

Farm Bill Listening Sessions

CDFA (California Department of Food and Agriculture), in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, California Natural Resources Agency and Cal EPA (California Environmental Protection Agency), is leading listening sessions with all farm bill stakeholders to inform California’s priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill.
 
The 2023 Farm Bill is an opportunity for California farmers and ranchers to influence national agricultural policy to maximize the benefits for all Californians – from farmers and ranchers to consumers.  Although California agriculture traditionally leads the country in production value and sustainable agriculture, we are currently facing a wide range of challenges and your input on farm bill programs and policies is more important than ever.

For more information, farm bill resources, and the option to submit comments online, visit the CDFA website here.

Calendar of Upcoming Listening Sessions
(see flyer here)

Live Only
September 7, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Urban Tilth (North Richmond Farm)
323 Brookside Drive
Richmond, CA 94801

 

Reminder: Counties Must File Secure Rural Schools Election Allocation Paperwork by September 30th

As a reminder, counties must file Secure Rural Schools (SRS) election allocation paperwork by September 30, even if the intent is to keep the percentages as they are. Counties that do not file SRS election allocation paperwork by the deadline will go to the default allocations as laid out under the statute. For more information on SRS election allocations, the USDA training slideshow and webinar recording are available here. 

 

DWR Multi-Lingual Dry Well Public Outreach Material Templates for Counties, Local Agencies to be ‘Well Prepared’

On June 6, 2022, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) released two dry well tools to help Californians be Well Prepared for the continuing drought conditions. Counties, local water agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, and well owners should use these tools for drought-related decision-making and local emergency response (for more information, please see resources below). To support counties and local agencies with their outreach and communication with well owners regarding dry well emergency assistance, DWR has developed public outreach material templates that are available for download, local customization, and immediate use.

  • The California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley has developed outreach materials for the following ten counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus, Tulare, San Joaquin, and Los Angeles Counties.

These materials can also be found by clicking the Resources button on DWR’s Dry Well Reporting System website, under the Public Outreach Materials section. Please contact sgmps@water.ca.gov with any questions. To find more information about the State’s Drought Response and Assistance, please visit drought.ca.gov.

 

Institute for Local Government Launches New Digital Planning Commissioner Handbook & Regional Trainings

The Institute for Local Government (ILG) recently released an updated version of their Planning Commissioners Handbook. This handbook is designed to support planning commissioners, their staff, and other officials interested in land use and planning; to help local officials understand the planning process; and provide a glimpse of some potential planning challenges commissioners may experience during their terms. The handbook describes the major terms, plans, and policies that make up the framework of local planning, as well as typical stakeholders in the process and the basics of reviewing applications for development.

In conjunction with this release, ILG is hosting regional training sessions for planning commissioners. These interactive sessions will take place in person at various locations throughout the state and will cover topics such as the role of a planning commission, how to work effectively with staff and the governing board, effective community engagement, CEQA basics, required planning documents, and local and regional planning challenges and opportunities. Each session will give participants the opportunity to engage with experts in the field and fellow planning commissioners to hear best practices, emerging trends, and lessons learned. All sessions are FREE but space is limited and registration is required. Find a full schedule and register here.

Los Angeles County, September 12, 2022 – TRAINING AT CAPACITY

 

Access the State Grants Portal for a Multitude of Funding Opportunities

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 delivered straight to your inbox.