Board Chambers Meetings

Cable Commission - 6/4/26

The Sacramento Metropolitan Cable Television Commission meeting on June 4, 2026, was dominated by a pivotal discussion regarding the FY 2026-27 preliminary budget, characterized by the challenge of declining cable franchise revenue and the vital community role of local access channels.
 
The Fiscal Reality: Declining Revenues
Executive Director Sean Ayala reported a 13% year-over-year drop in cable revenue, with a high-end projection that reductions could reach 20% in the coming year.
General Fund: The Commission has a carry-forward balance of approximately $6.06million. Recommended expenditures for the 2026−27 year total roughly $5.27 million, which includes funding for "Metro" operations ($3.2million)and channel license requests($1.8 million).
PEG (Public, Education, and Government) Funds: This fund, restricted to capital and equipment costs, faces a deficit. While requests total $4.22 million, only $2.04 million is currently available in carry-forward. Staff expects future quarterly payments of approximately $1.2 to $1.4 million to eventually cover these encumbered costs.
Public Testimony: The Value of Community Media
Sixteen public comments were received, largely in support of full funding for channel licensees like Access Sacramento, SECCC (Sacramento Educational Cable Consortium), KVIE, and SackLife TV.
Community Impact: Speakers highlighted personal stories of how these stations provide workforce development, youth media training, and a platform for underserved voices, such as the immigrant and disability communities.
Member Agency Concerns: Conversely, the City of Sacramento’s Finance Director expressed concerns over budget assumptions and the fact that member agencies are currently receiving zero distributions from the franchise fees.
Major Action: The Four-Step "Path Forward"
Recognizing the "competing interests" between maintaining community programming and fiscal responsibility to member agencies, Chair proposed a compromise that avoids a binary choice of approving or cutting the budget. The Commission unanimously approved a four-step plan:
Adopt the FY 2026-27 Budget as Drafted: This ensures operational continuity for the commission and licensees in the immediate term.
Establish a Finance Working Group: A voluntary group of finance staff from member agencies (such as Elk Grove and Sacramento) will be convened to validate revenue assumptions, salary increases, and pension contributions.
Budget Ad Hoc Committee: This committee will review the working group’s findings and present potential budget amendments to the full commission by September 3, 2026.
Strategic Ad Hoc Committee: A separate group will evaluate the long-term operating model, governance, and revenue-sharing methodology, returning with recommendations by March 4, 2027.
Licensee and Administrative Reports
Channel Successes: Licensees reported on new initiatives, including Access Sacramento's focus on the creative economy, SECCC's documentaries on local educational history, and SackLife TV's Emmy-nominated podcasts on human trafficking and community spotlights.
New Contracts: Metro Cable expanded its coverage to include meetings for SCAS (Sacramento County Animal Services) and the Disaster Council.
The meeting concluded with a call for transparency and collaboration, with the Chair emphasizing that while revenue is declining, the Commission will solve the problem "with vigor" and "respect" for all stakeholders.

LAFCo 6/3/26

The Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) meeting held on June 3, 2026, focused on administrative updates, a significant office relocation, and a strategic discussion regarding fire district consolidations in the South Delta.
 
Administrative Actions and Budget
The Commission addressed several routine and administrative matters:
Consent Calendar Corrections: The action summary for the April 1st meeting was amended to include the approval of an annual update for the Florin County Water District, which had been omitted.
Consulting Contracts: Commissioners questioned a monthly retainer for CV Strategies. Staff clarified that the $2,500 monthly fee (averaging 15 hours of work) covers background administrative matters even when meetings are cancelled and ensures the agency is not charged for overages during busier months.
Financial Status: The Executive Officer reported that the agency is currently 94% funded for the year, pending a few remaining checks.
Relocation to 1000 G Street
The Commission unanimously authorized a new five-year lease for administrative offices at 1000 G Street, Suite 380.
Cost Savings: By co-leasing the space with the California Association of LAFCos (CALAFCO), Sacramento LAFCo will only pay 72% of the rent, leveraging a significant cost-sharing opportunity.
Improved Facilities: The new location offers better amenities, including larger conference rooms for public meetings and special district advisory committees.
Public Member Recruitment
The recruitment process is underway for the public member and alternate public member positions, whose terms expire at the end of the year.
Process: Recruitment is "passive" to ensure neutrality, with notices sent to all local public agencies and media outlets.
Deadline: The application deadline is July 3, 2024.
Municipal Service Reviews (MSR) and Fire District Concerns
A major portion of the meeting involved updates on the five-year MSR project plan, which aims to ensure no agency's service review is more than 10 years old.
Current Projects: Updates are currently in progress for various agencies, including the Florin Resource Conservation District, Metro Fire, and countywide cemetery districts.
South Delta Fire Districts: Commissioner Hume raised concerns regarding the Delta Fire, River Delta Fire, and Isleton Fire districts, citing leadership instability in Isleton and potential legal/safety issues with out-of-county contracting.
Future Study: The Commission agreed to agendize a request for the August meeting to authorize a specialized study. This study will examine economies of scale and potential consolidation of these districts to improve service delivery and public safety in the southern portion of the county.
The meeting adjourned to a closed session following these discussions.

First 5 Sacramento - 6/1/26

The June 1, 2026, meeting of the First 5 Sacramento Commission focused on the retirement of a long-standing leader, the graduation of new parent advocates, and the approval of a critical multi-year implementation plan facing significant budget reductions.
 
Recognition of Commissioner Dr. Olivia Kasirye
 
The Commission honored Dr. Olivia Kasiryefor her 14 years of service as a commissioner and her role as the County’s Public Health Officer. Chair Serna presented a proclamation highlighting her leadership through the "historic pandemic" and her integral role in developing the Commission’s racial equity and social justice resolution. Fellow commissioners and public health partners praised her "calm, thoughtful leadership" and fierce advocacy for vulnerable populations. Dr. Kasirye expressed her gratitude for the progress made in reducing disparities in African-American child deaths and introduced her successor, Dr. Fong-Lu.
 
Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) Graduation
 
The Commission celebrated the graduation of the fourth PLTI cohort, which included 40 new parent leaders (22 in the English cohort and 18 in the Spanish cohort).
Expansion and Impact: The program has now grown to over 100 alumni. This year's cohort saw an increase in male participation, with eight fathers and five married couples graduating.
Community Projects: Graduates presented civic projects, including the "Moai Intergenerational Gardens" to connect Head Start students with seniors and various wellness, literacy, and safety initiatives.
Civic Engagement: A recent case study revealed that 81% of PLTI alumni have volunteered in their community, compared to 11% of the general public in Sacramento County.
2027-2030 Implementation Plan and Budget
 
A major action item was the approval of the 2027-2030 Implementation Plan, which guides how $35.7 million will be spent over the next three years.
Funding Reductions: The plan includes a 20% reduction in overall funding compared to the previous plan. Despite these cuts, the Commission maintained a steady funding level for the last six years, unlike many other California commissions.
Strategic Priorities: The plan prioritizes Health and Well-Being (63%) and Racial Equity (15%). A specific fourth strategy was added to the "Birth and Beyond" program to explicitly focus on reducing African-American child deaths and disparities in child welfare data.
Public Testimony: Several community providers, including representatives from the Sacramento Children's Home and the Child Abuse Prevention Council, acknowledged the difficulty of the cuts but expressed gratitude for the "trust-based grantmaking" approach that allows them flexibility in how they allocate their reduced funds.
Contracts and Administrative Actions
Data Management: The Commission approved a $267,500 contract with AJW, Inc. for a new customizable, cloud-based data management system. The transition will migrate approximately three years of historical data to ensure continuity for programs like Birth and Beyond.
CalWorks Home Visiting: A $4.7 million revenue agreement with the Department of Human Assistance was approved for the CalWorks Home Visiting Program, with the majority of funds going to direct program implementation by the Child Abuse Prevention Council.
Equity in Action: The Commission approved $140,829 for the Touchstone Leadership Group to provide capacity-building support to Equity in Action grantees to ensure their long-term sustainability.

Community Conversation: Supervisor Rich Desmond - D3 E-Bike discussion

A community meeting led by Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond to address growing traffic safety concerns, specifically the proliferation of e-bikes and e-scooters. Local law enforcement and park officials provide a "crash course" on the legal distinctions between Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes, highlighting that many high-powered models are being operated illegally by minors. The California Highway Patrol emphasizes that electric motorcycles and modified bikes are strictly prohibited on public roads and often lead to dangerous injuries among teenagers. Officials explain that local ordinances now allow for misdemeanor charges and vehicle impoundment to curb reckless riding on the American River Parkway. The discussion underscores a collaborative strategy of education, engineering, and enforcement to manage modern transportation technology that has outpaced existing state laws. Finally, the sources encourage residents to report violations directly to specialized police teams to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists alike.

AQMD - 5/28/26

The May 28, 2026, meeting of the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD) focused on fiscal approvals, community-led emission reduction plans, legislative advocacy regarding state budget deficits, and a landmark report on regional air quality.
 
Fiscal and Administrative Actions
 
The Board approved the FY 2026-2027 Proposed Budget and Fee Schedule, which includes $49.6 million in revenues and $56.1 million in expenditures. A 2.72% fee schedule adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was adopted, effective July 1, 2026. Despite a projected $6.5 million use of fund balance—primarily from restricted revenue funds—the District maintains healthy reserves well above the required minimum.
 
South Sacramento Florin Community Emission Reduction Program (CERP)
A major milestone was the adoption of the South Sacramento Florin CERP, marking the conclusion of a seven-year community-led development process.
Community Impact: Steering Committee Co-lead Tito Hong highlighted the generational significance of the plan, noting that it moved from monitoring to actionable strategies to protect local children from air pollution.
Next Steps: A celebration is scheduled for June 22, 2026, with the plan moving to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for final action in July. A five-year implementation phase will follow, focusing on top-priority strategies such as community outreach and tree planting.
Legislative and State Budget Concerns
Representatives from ARC Strategies provided a briefing on the "mad house" of the state capital during budget negotiations.
Budget Deficits: While a one-time $16.5 billion surge in revenue from "the artificial intelligence bubble" occurred, the state faces a long-term structural deficit that could reach $100 billion in the out years.
Funding in Peril: Funding for AB 617 programs and the cap-and-invest program is currently in peril. Changes to program regulations could potentially zero out tier-three funding, which supports local air quality efforts.
Opposition to SB 1075: SMAQMD is actively opposing SB 1075, arguing it would divert local resources and shift control of community emission reduction plans from local districts to CARB.
Air Quality Trends and Clean Technology
Air Pollution Control Officer (APCO) Alberto Ayala delivered a historic update on regional air quality:
25-Year Clean Air Milestone: Certified data from 2025 indicates that air in the Sacramento region is the cleanest it has been in the last 25 years for both ozone and particle pollution (PM 2.5). This improvement has occurred despite significant population and vehicle growth since 2000.
Hydrogen Innovation: The District is promoting hydrogen internal combustion engine technology from Europe as a "sensible tool" for reducing carbon and greenhouse gas emissions without the high costs of full electrification.
ACT Expo Insights: Board members reflected on the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo, noting emerging trends like autonomous big rigs and shifting dynamics in the hydrogen technology market.
Policy Debate: Electrification vs. Attainment
 
The meeting included a philosophical discussion regarding whether SMAQMD should follow the Bay Area’s lead in mandating the electrification of appliances like water heaters. APCO Ayala cautioned against "super aggressive" rules, arguing that since the region is making steady progress toward federal air quality attainment, imposing the high costs of mandated electrification on residents may not currently be necessary or sensible.

Library - 5/28/26

The Sacramento Public Library Authority Board of Directors met on May 28, 2026, to discuss the upcoming fiscal year budget, major challenges in library collection services, and several community milestones.
 
Friends of the Sacramento Public Library Update
 
Devon Graves, Vice President of the Friends of the library, reported a highly successful Big Day of Giving, which raised approximately $120,000, significantly exceeding the original $85,000 goal. He also highlighted the success of the "Booked-in" facility, which serves as a community hub for students and seniors. An "All Friends" meeting is scheduled for June 28, 2026, at the Carmichael Library.
 
Collection Services and Vendor Crisis
 
Michelle Gordon Hartman, Collection Services Department Manager, provided a "pull back the curtain" look at the massive administrative challenges caused by the sudden closure of Baker & Taylor, formerly the library's primary book vendor.
Logistical Chaos: The library had to cancel and reorder tens of thousands of items and quickly onboard new vendors like Brodart and Ingram to ensure opening day collections for new branches were not delayed.
Processing Complexity: The board learned about the intensive labor required for every item, including assigning call numbers, applying RFID tags, and creating complex bibliographic records.
Digital Trends: Digital circulation is growing rapidly and is expected to break 5 million circulations this fiscal year. However, digital materials are significantly more expensive; for example, a $30 physical book can cost $80 in digital format and often comes with a limited two-year license.
Operational Highlights and Construction
Executive Director Peter announced that the library received an Epic Award for its new branding. He also highlighted the kickoff of the Summer Reading program on May 30th at Tahoe Park, featuring the theme "Read Freely". Construction projects for the Martin Luther King, North Sacramento Hagginwood, and Elk Grove libraries remain on schedule, with staff currently outfitting the King branch.
 
Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget
 
The Board approved the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes $65.3 million in revenues and $69.3 million in expenditures.
Deficit and Diversions: The budget reflects a $4 million net use of fund balance. This is largely attributed to a $2 million diversion by the City of Sacramento to fund construction projects and a $1.1 million structural deficit on the city’s side.
Measure E: Approved by voters in 2024, Measure E provides a stable property tax revenue stream that consolidates previous measures and is adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Staffing Changes: The budget includes a net reduction of 3 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions. While 10 full-time positions were added, 13 limited-term library assistant positions were eliminated due to city budget constraints.
Future Concerns
 
The Board discussed long-term sustainability, noting that maintaining 12 branches within the City of Sacramento may become problematic after 2029-2030 if structural deficits persist. Directors engaged in a robust debate regarding the use of Economic Uncertainty Reserves, which are currently maintained at 17% for the city and 35% for the county. While the library is currently meeting its reserve requirements, members requested future policy discussions on how to handle potential "harder cut scenarios" if economic conditions do not improve.

SacSewer - 5/27/26

The May 27, 2026, meeting of the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) focused on the completion of a major community infrastructure project, the presentation of the upcoming fiscal year budget, and strategic financial refinancing.
 
Community-Wide Septic to Sewer Program
The Board received a final status update on a multi-year project to convert several disadvantaged communities from septic systems to public sewer service.
Completion Milestones: The district successfully connected five communities—Freeport, Linda Manor, Old Thorntown, Hood, and Franklin—totaling 219 properties, including two mobile home parks and a school.
Funding Success: The $54.8 million project was primarily funded by $48.2 million in external grants from the State Water Resources Control Board, the US EPA, and ARPA funds. This allowed the district to provide the service to residents without a financial burden on existing ratepayers.
Community Recognition: Representatives from the State Water Board and Congresswoman Doris Matsui's office presented awards and recognition for the program's success in protecting regional groundwater and improving public health.
FY 2026-2027 Budget Workshop
Staff presented the recommended budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which includes a combined operating budget of $372 million and a capital budget of $486.2 million.
Labor Drivers: The budget includes a 3.3% Cost of Labor Adjustment (COLA) and a request for 21 new positions, bringing the total head count to 851.
Chemical Costs: A significant driver of the 14.7% increase in services and supplies is a $10.6 million spike in chemical costs, specifically for chlorine/hypo, due to market volatility and local supplier exits.
Reserves: The district maintains a healthy general reserve of 25% of operating costs.
Debt Refinancing and Financial Actions
The Board approved the issuance of 2026 Bonds to refinance approximately $152.3 million in existing debt.
Strategic Goals: The move is designed to eliminate "sequestration risk" associated with federal Build America Bonds and is expected to generate approximately $1 million in annual debt savings.
Delinquencies: The Board set a public hearing for July 22, 2026, to address $16 million in delinquent sewer charges across approximately 20,800 accounts, which will be moved to property tax roles for collection.
Ordinance and Fee Updates
The Board introduced a new unified "SacSewer Ordinance," merging the previously separate collection and treatment ordinances.
Industrial Fee Changes: For the first time since 2007, industrial impact fees were updated, shifting from a flow-based model to an acreage-based model, which actually results in a net decrease in costs for new industrial customers.
Biogas Incentives: New liquid waste hauler charges were introduced to incentivize the delivery of high-strength organic waste (such as brewery or dairy waste) to support the district's new biogas enhancement facility.
Workforce and Staffing (AB 2561)
The district provided a mandated update on workforce status, noting that the overall vacancy rate improved from 13.28% in 2024 to 11.93% at the end of 2025.
Engineering Challenges: The Professional Engineers Group (PEA) continues to have a high vacancy rate of 22.79%, though this is down from over 30% the previous year.
New Leadership Positions: The Board approved new salary schedules for three key leadership roles—Controller, Finance Manager, and Internal Auditor—to reflect the increased complexity of the department following the district's transition away from county-provided services.

Board of Supervisors - 5/19/2026

The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 19, 2026, covered a broad range of community recognitions, infrastructure planning, and critical governance updates regarding homelessness.
Recognitions and Community Milestones
Public Health Retirement: The Board honored Dr. Olivia Kasirye upon her retirement as County Health Officer, celebrating her "distinguished career" and steady leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic. Her successor, Dr. Fong Lu, is scheduled to start on June 1st.
Public Works Week: The Board proclaimed May 17–23 as National Public Works Week and presented "Manager of the Year" awards to three county employees: Christina Willington (Administrative), Melissa Jones (Transport), and Jennifer Clayborn (Solid Waste).
"5 Over 50" Awards: The Adult and Aging Commission recognized five outstanding volunteers for their service to the community: Antonia Lopez (District 1), Shirley Fong (District 2), Jody Sato-King (District 3), Ed Valencia (District 4), and Dave King (District 5).
Animal Services: The Board received an update on the Animal Care Fair, which resulted in 35 pet adoptions in a single day.
Infrastructure and Economic Development
Airport Refunding Bonds: Supervisors approved the issuance of up to $115 million in airport system revenue refunding bonds, a move expected to save the county approximately $800,000 annually.
Mather Airport Strategic Plan: The Board reviewed an update on the Mather Airport Strategic Real Estate Development Plan, which outlines two major focus areas: a "North Side" for general aviation and industrial use, and a $209 million "Trade Port" project aimed at significantly expanding air cargo capacity over the next 10 to 20 years.
Mining Expansion: The Board approved the Vineyard South Mine Expansion, allowing surface mining on four additional parcels (86 acres) and extending the mine's operation by three years to 2032.
Housing and Homelessness Governance Affordable Housing Conversion: Through a TEFRA hearing, the Board approved tax-exempt bonds for Step Up Housing to purchase and renovate the Copper Creek Apartments, converting 75% of the market-rate units into affordable housing for residents at 50% to 80% of the Area Median Income.
Homeless Governance Taskforce: In a major step toward regional coordination, the Board voted to establish an ad hoc planning taskforce to design the bylaws and structure for a new unified homelessness governing body. Supervisors Kennedy and Desmond were appointed to represent the county on this task force.
Administrative and Board Actions Election Update: The County Executive reported that ballots have been mailed for the June 2nd primary election, with nearly one million eligible voters and 19 eleven-day voting centers opening soon.
Board Requests: Chair Rodriguez requested a formal presentation on the recent Point-in-Time (PIT) count numbers to better understand the reported 102% increase in homelessness within the unincorporated county.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Jonathan Greg Burgess, a retired Battalion Chief and community advocate who recently passed away after a battle with ALS.