Governance Workshop Highlights Accomplishments and Priorities

Each Lake County department shared 2024 highlights, many featured in our newsletter:

• Lake County Library celebrated 50 years.

• Community Development Department, Lake County Sheriff, and Board of Supervisors: earned a California State Association of Counties Challenge Award for the Road Map Task Force.

• The Department of Water Resources hosted the first Clear Lake Integrated Science Symposium in 25 years with 500 attendees and premiered “Big Lake, Big Science” at the Soper-Reese Theatre.

• Public Services completed the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan, and hosted the wildly successful kids summer day camp.

• Behavioral Health Services opened the Pallesen Place, expanded school-based mental health programs, and led the Mobile Crisis Response.

• Administration established Lake County Regional Housing Trust Fund, implemented the first Hospital Improvement District in the State of California, and helped secure nearly $10M for local climate resiliency priorities, in collaboration with community partners.

• The Agricultural Commissioner presented the first Annual Weights and Measures Report and introduced a new Weights Truck.

During the Workshop, Assessor-Recorder, Rich Ford, recognized his staff for successful implementation of the TYLER Recording System. Ford explained, “This is a database type of system; [it] requires a lot of staff involvement, and usually takes about a year. This is half our business… [it’s] a really big deal.” Ford also shared that 2024 brought growth from one part-time Certified Advance Appraiser to six full-time Certified Advance Appraisers; [and] “continued staff development” to enhance service to County residents.

Ford explained “We have wanted to do E-Recording... Now, through the TYLER Recording System, we purchased the Recording module. This [will be] a big improvement for our County… We’re working with the Treasurer [and] Auditor’s Office to set up a plan… so large businesses and small businesses [and residents] will have access to electronic payment.”

To watch Ford’s presentation, click here.

Another important highlight was Lake County Auditor-Controller/County Clerk, Jenavive Herrington’s announcement of adoption of a more modern finance system for the County; in 2024, the department had completed the Needs Assessment for a countywide Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system: “We worked with Avero Consulting to go through each County Department and integrate any systems they have into the major finance system we’re planning for the County.”

Herrington also detailed how her team collaborated with Administration to update the County’s contract management process, while incorporating the new Purchase Ordinance. She stressed co-equal goals of “[Building in] protections in without creating additional processes,” noting she seeks to “always increase efficiencies, increase professional development opportunities and staff growth retention” for her department.

To watch Herrington’s presentation, click here.

Further County of Lake Departmental highlights from 2024 included the following:

• The Social Services Department (one of Lake County’s largest employers) achieved Blue Zones Employer Status.

• Information Technology conducted a Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

• Animal Care and Control facilitated 20+ adoptions at a June event; new Director, Greg Wilkins’, leadership is already making a significant impact.

• University of California Cooperative Extension saw 15,000 monthly visits to Dr. Mike Jones’ “Ask an Oak Expert website,” while an Acorn Weevil video reached 1.5 million views on YouTube.

• The Sheriff’s Office reduced vacancy rates and initiated work on a Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• Special Districts initiated long-term Capital Improvement Planning and experienced zero spills in November and December, despite heavy rainfall.

Community Development Director Mireya Turner highlighted her department’s progress on the Lake County 2050 process, a comprehensive update to the General Plan, all eight Local Area Plans and a climate adaptation plan. In its first year, the initiative focused on public engagement, including 46 meetings, two community surveys, one customized for each Local Area Plan and extensive outreach efforts.

To learn more about the process and participate in upcoming meetings, click here.

Highlights presented by County of Lake Department Heads also included the following:

• The Treasurer’s office implemented electronic payments and improved operational efficiency.

• Public Works completed Middletown’s Multi-Use Path.

• Probation hosted 6 Tattoo Removal events, performing 191 procedures.

• The Public Defender established a long-term home for their growing program.

• The District Attorney implemented Race-Blind Charging.

• Air Quality maintained Clean Air Standards attainment.

• Child Support Services was recognized for serving more families with faster processing.

• Health Services strengthened partnerships with the First Responder community.

• Elections conducted a secure and successful General Presidential Election and processed 16,912 voter registration updates.

To watch the full Governance Workshop, click here.

To view the presentation slides, click here.