Lassen County Board of Supervisors roundup — Tuesday, Aug. 18

Supes approve live streaming of pubic meetings
By a 3-2 vote, the Lassen County Board of Supervisors directed staff to begin live streaming the county’s public meetings.

According to the agenda packet, “Although Lassen County falls below the population threshold requiring live streaming of public meetings … there are constituents who would like to participate and remain informed about public meetings … ”

Supervisors Jason Ingram, Gary Bridges and Mike Scanlan voted aye while Supervisors Tom Neely and Aaron Albaugh voted no. Neely and Albaugh both said they didn’t believe many people watch the live streaming of the supervisor’s meetings.

Here’s a roundup of other actions taken by the supervisors at the board’s Tuesday, Aug. 18 meeting.

Closed session
The board met in closed session to discuss a significant exposure to litigation (if needed) and employee evaluation of the agricultural commissioner. The board took no reportable action.

Boards and commissions
The board unanimously appointed Cindy Harbert to the Lassen County Waterworks District 1 Board and confirmed current board members Jim Chapman, Dan White and Bob Meeink.

District 4 Supervisor Aaron Albaugh acknowledged an anonymous letter critical of Harbert, but he and several other board members expressed doubts about information contained in anonymous letters which District 2 Supervisor and chairman Gary Bridges equated to Facebook posts.

Albaugh also noted two other candidates allegedly had a conflict, and he would not support their appointment.

Information/consent calendar
The board unanimously approved its information and consent calendar (minutes from the July 28 and Aug. 11 meetings, a not to exceed $50,000 contract between Lassen County and Redwood Toxicology Laboratory for substance/toxicology testing services and supplies and miscellaneous correspondence items.)

Department reports
Health and Social Services
The board unanimously approved five contracts totaling $1.8 million for the Health and Social Services Department — a not to exceed $300,000 contract between Lassen County and Locumtenens.com for professional psychiatric, diagnostic, and therapeutic after-hour services July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; a not to exceed $600,000 contract between Lassen County and Locumtenens.com for professional psychiatric, diagnostic, and therapeutic services July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; a not to exceed $400,000 contract between Lassen County and North Valley Behavioral Health for acute psychiatric inpatient care; a not to exceed $200,000 contract between Lassen County and Star View Behavioral Health for mental health services for children and adolescents from July 1. 2026 through June 30, 2027; and a not to exceed $300,000 contract between Lassen County and the Lassen County Office of Education for child care services required by Senate Bill; 1542 for July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The Lassen County Board of Supervisors next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 25.