2026 Governance Workshop Highlights

Each department shared 2025 highlights, many featured in our newsletter:

• Agriculture and Weights and Measures presented the 2025 Weights and Measures Report, installed a closed-system water meter test bench, and hosted a pesticide recycling event.

• Lake County Air Quality Management District maintained Clean Air Standards and processed over 1,293 burn permits.

• Animal Care & Control renovated livestock facilities and, through a UC Davis grant, provided 500+ spay, neuter, and vaccinations for cats and dogs.

• Assessor/Recorder implemented e-recording and prepared for card payments.

• Auditor-Controller launched a new ERP system, reached full staffing, and earned state awards.

• Behavioral Health Services opened Pallesen Place together with partners, maintained 24/7 crisis hotlines, and expanded services by over 65%.

Further 2025 department accomplishments included the following:

• Child Support Services transitioned to California Department of Child Support Services (DCSS), managing the County’s connection to the State Child Support System, and increased payments disbursed to families from $4,863,634 to $5,043,957.

• Public Defender increased attorney and administrative staffing, improving client representation and experience.

• Sheriff’s Office reported fewer arrests and streamlined the efficiency of services provided to the community.

• Social Services addressed food insecurity in Lake County during the federal shutdown and expanded housing and homeless programs.

• University of California Cooperative Extension supported 4-H Youth Development and expanding leadership, STEM, agriculture, and civic engagement opportunities for 292 youth.

Building on these successes, Lars Ewing, Public Services and Public Works Director, shared accomplishments across both departments.

From Public Services:

• Managed 100+ County-owned buildings, parks, and landfills.

• Oversaw capital projects, such as courthouse parking lot solar installation, Eastlake Landfill Expansion Phase 1, Cell Hill Road Correctional Facility exterior security fencing, and Hammond Park improvements.

• Maintained recreation programs: Konocti Climb, summer day camps, and swim lessons.

• Led the Courthouse Museum Pomo Gallery and Pomo Exhibit at County Museum.

From Public Works:

• Oversaw the Cobb Area Pavement Rehabilitation, Bartlett Springs and Chalk Mountain Road Bridge replacements, South Main Street Widening & Utility Undergrounding and Konocti Road Sidewalks.

• Enhanced County Surveyor GIS mapping.

Additional departmental accomplishments included:

• Administration coordinated Board adoption of the Lake County Housing Action and Implementation Plan (HAIP), advanced climate resiliency initiatives, supported countywide evacuation planning and prepared financing for priority infrastructure projects.

• Community Development Department completed year 2 of the Lake County 2050 General Plan, hosted six Free Dump Days, and launched the Community Oriented Policing and Targeted Relief (COPTR) program.

• Library launched a new online catalog and partnered with Clear Lake State Park for StoryWalk events.

• County Counsel reviewed 956 documents, handled 106 juvenile cases, 150 probate/conservatorship cases, and 140 Public Records Act requests.

• District Attorney served over 1,000 victims and implemented a new case management system.

Other County department accomplishments included the following:

• Health Services served 3,000 unduplicated clients through Veterans Services, improved jail medical oversight, and earned three Beacon of Hope Awards.

• Information Technology upgraded data center infrastructure, improved ADA compliance, and completed website enhancements.

• Probation held the 4th Annual Resilient Reentry Program with Woodland College, advanced the Child Abuse Prevention Plan, trained Tribal and community partners, completed the County Self-Assessment and System Improvement Plan, implemented AI tools, and began Prop 36 implementation without funding.

• Registrar of Voters completed November 4, 2025, Special Election preparations in 75 days and began candidate filing for the June 2, 2026, Direct Statewide Primary.

Additional highlights shared by department heads included the following:

• Special Districts developed a sewer spill response packet, constructed secondary water sources, and coordinated mobile fire suppression units.

• Treasurer-Tax Collector transitioned custodial banking to BMO, launched short-term rental enforcement software, increased Transient Occupancy Tax revenues from $932,574 in 2024 to $1,349,443 in 2025, expanded electronic payments, implemented third-party collections and tax intercept programs, and continued tax sales while modernizing technology.

• Water Resources launched the Community Science Hitch Survey, advanced the Middle Creek Flood Damage and Ecosystem Restoration Project, maintained quagga mussel inspections, strengthened Tribal partnerships, and received multiple grants supporting stream gage monitoring and habitat improvement projects.