After years of negotiations between Placer County and the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, I’m thrilled to announce that last week the Board of Supervisors approved a Memorandum of Understanding that will give deputies an immediate 10% raise and another 11% over the next three years. 

The Board’s $29 million investment in law enforcement employees over the four-year term of the contract aims to bolster recruitment and retention, and we’re already seeing the effects on recruitment. Before the agreement lateral applicants for both the Deputy Sheriff and Correctional Officer positions had been non-existent, but in the last week, PCSO has already received two lateral applicants for each position.

This decision not only recognizes the dedication and sacrifice of our deputies but also reinforces our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community. | Sheriff Wayne Woo

In addition to salaries, there’s so much more we’re doing to improve public safety ....

BODY WORN CAMERAS
In April of 2021 the Board approved the Body-Worn Camera Program for a period of three years and a total cost of $4,800,000. This also included the allocation of 6 additional staff members for the Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office. In 2022, Congressman LaMalfa secured $580,000 through Community Project funding to speed up the purchase of the equipment. These body-worn cameras allow our deputies to easily share the circumstances of each public encounter ensuring transparency at every level of the investigation.

PURCHASE OF AIRCRAFT HANGAR 
On September 12, the Board approved the acquisition of aircraft Hangar H-2 at the Auburn Airport for the Placer County Sheriff’s Office’s fixed wing airplane which is used for public protection and enforcement. This ensures that the aircraft is easily accessible - the next closest available hangar space which meets the needed criteria is located at the Yolo County Airport in Woodland, California.

PLACER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE EAGLE EYE PROGRAM
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office wants your help in fighting crime by being a Sheriff’s Eagle Eye (SEE). SEE allows residents and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the Sheriff’s Office. When a crime occurs, Deputies will be able to identify the locations of nearby video cameras and enlist the assistance of the community to help officers collect video evidence and follow up on leads. SIGN UP HERE 

TAHOE JUSTICE CENTER
On September 26, the Board approved $500,000 for land use planning and consulting services in order to facilitate the design and construction of a new County facility and renovation of the existing facility for Placer Superior Court at Burton Creek in Tahoe. The facility was built in 1959 and has been in need of major renovation for many years.

PLACER COUNTY, DEPUTY SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION REACH LABOR AGREEMENT | Placer County Sheriff’s Office deputies will get an immediate 10% raise and another 11% over the following three years under a new memorandum of understanding approved today by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. The board’s $29 million investment in law enforcement employees over the four-year term of the contract aims to bolster recruitment and retention. LEARN MORE

2022 CROP VALUE DROPS 12% TO $88 MILLION AMID WEATHER CHALLENGES AND LOWER MARKET PRICES | Historic weather challenges and lower tree crop market prices contributed to a 12% decrease in the total gross value of agricultural crops and products in Placer County for 2022. Rice, along with beef cattle, nursery products, poultry and walnuts, remained among Placer County’s top five highest-gross-value crops. That’s according to the 2022 Placer County Agricultural Crop Report, presented to the county Board of Supervisors as an informational item at the September 26 board meeting in Auburn. LEARN MORE

PLACER TO BEGIN STUDYING REPLACEMENT PROJECT FOR TAHOE JUSTICE CENTER | The Placer County Board of Supervisors took another step toward modernizing the Tahoe Justice Center and Placer County Sheriff’s Office North Lake Tahoe Station, authorizing staff to begin land use consulting and project planning and entitlements to facilitate the design of the project to replace the facilities. The approved contract for the consultant work is to not exceed $500,000. LEARN MORE

Coffee anyone? As hard as we try, we can’t possibly meet with each of our constituents individually. Heading into fall, our office will be setting up coffees and and visits throughout the District. Please let us know if you would like to organize one with your neighbors, friends, or service organizations. EMAIL US!

UPCOMING DATES:

• Monday, October 9th | 4:30-5:30pm
   Meadow Vista Community Center
• Wednesday, October 11th | 6-7pm
   California Conservation Corps in Auburn

In September, a check-in hearing was held regarding the state designated Sexually Violent Predator William Stephenson. Staff from my office joined county officials and community members to monitor the outcome of the meeting. During the hearing, it was found that Department of State Hospital’s private contractor Liberty Healthcare has not provided an update since the September 1 hearing. Nor have they scheduled a new housing community meeting or presented any formal potential locations to the public. While the judge reiterated his opposition to transient release, he also stated that Stephenson has a legal right to conditional release at one point and has concerns with due process violations during this process. The next review hearing is scheduled for October 17 at 9am at CDRA in the Planning Commission Hearing Chambers. Liberty has a history of placing SVPs in rural communities, and with District 5 encompassing 80% of the geography of Placer County, I made it clear to Judge Horst that this practice unfairly places much more risk on the families in rural and tourism areas.
VIEW THE LETTER OUR OFFICE SUBMITTED + MORE INFORMATION

The Board of Supervisors declared October as PlacerGROWN Month in Placer County - a time to celebrate our local farmers and ranchers by purchasing locally grown agricultural products. Be sure to check out their special events for featuring PlacerGROWN produce and products. LEARN MORE

Do you love dogs, but can’t have your own? Take a shelter dog on a field trip! Placer County Animal Services is excited to introduce the new "Doggy Day Out" program, a unique and rewarding opportunity for dog lovers in the community to make a positive impact on shelter dogs' lives. The program invites volunteers to take shelter dogs on field trips for the day, providing them with a break from shelter life and helping them thrive while they await their forever homes. LEARN MORE

A free medication take-back event will take place at many locations across Placer County and the Town of Truckee in Nevada County on Saturday, October 29. Local law enforcement in collaboration with youth organizations, utilities, public health entities and local schools, will hold drop offs at nine locations in western Placer County from 10am-2pm. They will accept prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vape devices with batteries removed and veterinary medications. LEARN MORE

North Tahoe District 5 / Seat #6 of the Library Advisory Board is currently vacant and open for recruitment. The Advisory Board's purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Placer County Director of Library Services concerning policies and procedures for the operation of the County Free Library System. Meetings will be held the second month of each quarter. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY

Interested in serving as a member of the Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council? The mission of the Council is to promote fire safe practices within the community through outreach, education, and program development and identify ways to protect the community from wildfire. Regular meetings are held monthly on the 3rd Friday of each month at 9am at Auburn City Hall. LEARN MORE + APPLY TODAY

We live in a beautiful, but fire danger critical area - it is ALL our responsibility to ensure we are fire-prepared. Please be vigilant with your actions and evacuation plans. SIGN UP FOR PLACER ALERT - it is the single best way to stay informed in an emergency.

IMPORTANT WILDFIRE RESOURCES: 

Defensible space is only a call away with our low-cost chipper program. The Placer County Chipper Program provides a low-cost residential chipping service to help landowners manage vegetation, meet defensible space goals and reduce wildfire risk around your space and access routes. Cost-share fees may be waived for qualifying homeowners. LEARN MORE

Fall is for fire safety! Foresthill residents – the Green Waste Tuesday program is back to help you manage your green waste!

• When: Every Tuesday from September 19 – November 7, 8am- 5pm (closed for lunch)
• Where: Foresthill Transfer Station
• What: Green waste only (including log rounds up to 12”) - no food, pet or construction waste and no dirt, sod or rocks Bring proof of residency
• More Info: Tarp over and under your load and you must empty your own load 
• Questions: Call Recology at 530-885-3735