|
The People are the Key to Placer's Greatness!
October 1st 2024
|
|
Welcome to October!
Fall is officially here, and while we may still be feeling the lingering summer heat, it’s time to start thinking about preparing our homes for the cooler months ahead. As you begin to swap out your summer wardrobe for cozy sweaters, don’t forget to take a moment to clean out those gutters and check your roof for any potential leaks.
I want to provide an update on the recent Granite Bay roundabout study. We heard you loud and clear! Over 50% of residents voiced their opinions against adding a roundabout to our community. With such a strong sentiment, we have decided not seek proposals for a roundabout. Our priority is always the safety and satisfaction of our residents. While we won’t be pursuing the roundabout option, we will continue strict speed limit enforcement in these areas, with 24/7 monitoring to help ensure the safety of our roadways. Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate and share your feedback!
September was a fantastic month for community connection. We had a wonderful time at our Coffee with First Responders event, where we had the chance to talk about fire safety, fire insurance issues facing our community, and traffic concerns along Douglas Boulevard and Auburn-Folsom Road. We were also fortunate to have reports from both the California Highway Patrol and our local Sheriff’s Office, who shared their insights on how to address speeding and traffic safety.
A special highlight was the visit from our District Attorney, Morgan Gire. He discussed the challenges of policing organized crime and the critical issue of fentanyl affecting our region. It was an eye-opening discussion, and I’m grateful to our first responders and law enforcement officials who are dedicated to keeping our community safe. A huge thank you to Al Gonzalez for capturing such wonderful moments from this event (see the photo below)!
Furthermore, in regard to fire insurance, the Board of Supervisors approved a resolution asking the governor to declare a state of emergency for homeowners and commercial property insurance.
In a letter sharing the resolution with the governor and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, the board called for the state to “take immediate emergency regulatory and legislative action to strengthen and stabilize California’s marketplace for homeowners' insurance and commercial property insurance.”
While the state has taken recent action to help stabilize the insurance market, we recognize that too many of us are still facing dire insurance affordability challenges, and through this resolution the board has urged them to take more action sooner than those changes are expected to provide relief. Stay tuned.
Remember to stay safe on the roads as the sun begins to set earlier, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with any concerns, ideas, or questions you may have. Your voices make our community stronger, and I appreciate each and every one of you for staying engaged and involved.
Warm regards, Suzanne Jones Placer County Supervisor, District 4
|
|
Photo by Al Gonzalez.
|
|
Placer jury first in the region to convict for fentanyl-related murder
A Placer County jury found defendant Carson Schewe, age 23, guilty of murder for selling Kade Webb a pill that contained a deadly amount of fentanyl. This is the third fentanyl-related murder conviction for Placer County and the second conviction by jury trial in the state.
In 2021, first responders received a call of a deceased victim at a local business. In the course of their investigation, detectives determined that the victim, Kade Webb, had ingested a pill that contained fentanyl that he had purchased earlier from Carson Schewe.
As a result of the investigation conducted by the Placer County Special Investigations Unit, supported by the Roseville Police Department Crime Suppression Unit, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office charged Schewe with second-degree murder and several drug sales. The case has also been supported by the Placer County Sheriff's Office's newly formed Opioid Response Team.
The guilty verdicts came after the jury considered extensive testimony and physical evidence presented from the District Attorney’s Office, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, and forensic experts, among other witnesses. The trial began on Aug. 26 and was presided over by the Honorable Judge Jones.
In reaching their verdict, the jury concluded that the evidence proved that Schewe was aware that his conduct was dangerous to human life and that he acted in reckless disregard for life by selling fentanyl. As fentanyl continues to cause the death of Placer County citizens, the Placer County District Attorney’s Office will use all appropriate legal theories to hold dealers accountable.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Devan Portillo of the office’s Special Prosecutions Unit and the victim’s family was supported by the Victim Services Unit.
The defendant is set to be sentenced on Dec. 5 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 3
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is being illicitly manufactured and often mixed with other substances, making it nearly impossible to detect. Just a tiny amount—equivalent to a few grains of salt—can be lethal. This alarming potency and its increasing prevalence have resulted in a staggering rise in overdoses and deaths across our county, state, and nation.
Far too many families have been devastated by the loss of loved ones who had no idea they were consuming fentanyl-laced drugs. What may look like a common painkiller or recreational drug can in fact be a fatal dose of this silent killer. The tragic reality is that the threat of fentanyl isn’t limited to habitual drug users. Young people experimenting for the first time, or those taking a pill from a friend to alleviate stress or pain, are equally at risk.
Raising awareness about fentanyl is crucial to preventing more unnecessary deaths. Education, open conversations, and community engagement are the keys to keeping our friends, families, and neighbors safe. I encourage parents, educators, and community leaders to talk openly about the dangers of fentanyl and emphasize that no pill purchased on the street or taken without a prescription can be considered safe.
Placer County secures $23.7M to expand broadband access to more foothill communities
|
Another significant boost to broadband connectivity is headed for Placer County’s rural communities.
The county has been awarded a grant of $23,752,674 from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand broadband services along the Interstate 80 corridor, spanning the communities of Applegate, Colfax, Cape Horn, Magra and Alta.
The county Board of Supervisors took action at its meeting in Auburn yesterday to accept the grant.
“The CPUC grant will play a pivotal role in expanding broadband infrastructure and closing the digital divide in Placer County,” said Placer County Chief Information Officer Jarrett Thiessen. “This investment will not only enhance economic opportunities but also improve access to education, healthcare and essential services for residents in these underserved areas.”
The project will bring reliable broadband services to approximately 3,825 additional rural households and businesses.
Placer County's commitment to bridging the digital divide is evident in its Broadband Equity Program, launched by the IT Department in 2020.
This initiative aims to provide broadband access to over 17,000 underserved homes and businesses in rural areas.
To date, the program has tackled broadband access in three phases.
-
Phase 1: Enhanced broadband services for 1,500 households in Auburn (Edgehill), North Auburn (Christian Valley) and Penryn.
-
Phase 2: Extended to an additional 638 households and businesses in Penryn.
-
Phase 3: Connecting 11,000 homes in Sheridan, Newcastle, Loomis, South Auburn, North Auburn, Meadow Vista and Folsom Lake Estates.
The grant funding for these projects develops and improves infrastructure in underserved communities so that residents have better options to purchase broadband for themselves.
Project details and area maps are available online at: https://www.placer.ca.gov/7557/Broadband.
|
|
|
Placer County ranks #1 in US for Firewise USA Communities
Placer County is leading the way in wildfire prevention! We've officially become the top county in the US and California for Firewise USA Communities. Join the movement and help protect your home and community. Read more
|
Placer recognized for commitment to wildfire planning
Great news for eastern Placer County residents! We've expanded eligibility for the Defensible Space Fuels Reduction Program. Get up to $5,000 to create a safer home from wildfires. Eligibility requirements apply. Read more
|
|
Placer County approves resolution supporting Prop. 36
Placer County’s Board of Supervisors unanimously supports California’s Proposition 36 ballot measure, voting Tuesday to adopt an affirming resolution.
In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, which classified certain crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies unless the defendant had prior convictions for murder, rape, certain sex offenses, or certain gun crimes. Proposition 47 also allowed resentencing for those currently serving a prison sentence for any of the offenses that the initiative reduced to misdemeanors.
Proposition 36 would amend the changes in law from Proposition 47 - including by increasing penalties for certain drug crimes, adding fentanyl to the list of drugs that would warrant a felony if found in the possession of someone with a loaded firearm, and increasing penalties for certain theft crimes.
“We’re grateful to be able to support this ballot measure as well as our sheriff and district attorney and their counterparts throughout the state,” said Board Chair and District 4 Supervisor Suzanne Jones. “It’s an effective, non-partisan way to put the teeth back into the penalties for these crimes.”
The board heard a presentation on the proposition at its Sept. 10 meeting, during which Placer public safety officials expressed strong support for the measure.
"Prop. 36 has been a top priority for most of the district attorneys around the state,” said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire. “It is a modest, common-sense change that allows prosecutors and law enforcement to have more tools to address the exponential increases in retail theft, fentanyl poisonings and overdoses, and mass addiction leading to chronic homelessness. This measure will help restore accountability for repeat thieves and help get those battling addiction into treatment."
“I want to thank the Board of Supervisors for taking a stand in support of Proposition 36,” said Placer County Sheriff Wayne Woo. “This measure brings accountability and forces people into treatment. It will bring great benefits to public safety in the state of California.”
|
|
|
Community volunteers needed for tax assistance program
Want to give back to the community in the new year? Placer County’s Free Tax Prep program (also known as VITA) is currently seeking volunteers for the 2025 tax season.
The program, operating in conjunction with United Way and the IRS, offers free tax preparation assistance to low income individuals and families in Placer County.
Program volunteers work one-on-one with clients to help them file taxes and maximize refunds. Beyond tax preparation, volunteers can also serve as greeters or quality reviewers. Volunteers have the option to serve at either in-person or virtual sites, during the following windows in early 2025:
Drop off by appointments:
Rocklin: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 3 :00 p.m.
Lincoln: Mondays 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Auburn: Wednesdays – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Roseville: Monday & Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Pop up events in Colfax, Foresthill, and more locations to be scheduled
No prior experience is needed to volunteer, as training is provided beginning January 8. Coordinators will also be available to assist volunteers with any questions.
Last year, the program generated $377,357 in state and federal refunds for more than 280 Placer County families.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to gain hands-on experience in customer service and financial management while seeing the impact of your work firsthand,” said Human Services Director Greg Geisler.
Email HumanServicesOutreach@placer.ca.gov or call 530-889-7689 to sign up or for additional questions
|
Placer County is expanding its Family Self Sufficiency program
Enabling more low-income households to access financial coaching, case management and other support services designed to build self-sufficiency. This voluntary 5-year program, which serves families in subsidized housing, now has the capacity to support 25 families at a time — up from just a handful thanks to a newly-received grant.
"This program is about helping families achieve economic independence and reducing their reliance on government subsidies," said Janelle Martinez, the program supervisor over Placer County’s Housing Authority. "By expanding our capacity, we're able to provide even more residents with the tools they need to increase their earned income, save for their future, and ultimately, achieve their personal goals."
Watch a video about a client in the FSS program here.
Placer County first launched the FSS program in 2021, inspired by a similar program for Roseville residents operated by the city’s separate Housing Authority. At the time it launched, though, the county wasn’t funded through the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which prioritizes existing FSS programs before allocating any remaining funding to new applicants via lottery. As a result, only a handful of Placer families could be served.
Recently, though, Placer finally succeeded in HUD’s lottery and received a $130,000 grant, which will renew annually to fund a full-time coordinator position. The program is open to families receiving housing vouchers from the Placer County Housing Authority.
During their five years in the Family Self Sufficiency program, participating families work with a case manager to set and achieve goals aimed at improving their financial situation. Supports can include access to job training, childcare, transportation and other resources necessary for self-sufficiency.
A unique feature of the program is the escrow savings account. FSS encourages participants to increase their earnings through employment. As their income rises, their rent contributions also increase as voucher recipients pay 30% of their income towards rent; however, the difference between the old and new rent is deposited into a personal escrow account. This allows families to save money while transitioning to greater financial independence.
Upon graduating from the five-year program, participants can use their escrow savings to make significant financial decisions, such as buying a car, putting a down payment on a home, or paying for education. Interim disbursements of escrow funds during the five years can also be possible, if needed to reach a client’s goals.
“It’s win-win,” said Katie, a program participant for the last year who lives in Lincoln. “I'm able to have that peace of mind to know that I'm saving money and we're going to have a home one day.”
"We’re excited about the potential this grant unlocks," said Human Services Director Greg Geisler. "We’ve already seen families benefit from the program, and this expansion will allow us to help even more households achieve long-term stability."
|
|
|
I’m excited to personally invite you to the GFX Venture Summit on October 10th! This is our biggest event of the year, where we bring together founders, investors, and thought leaders to connect, collaborate, and explore the future of venture building in Sacramento. The Summit will feature incredible keynotes, panels, and a startup showcase, with topics ranging from AI innovation to ethical leadership. You’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the brightest minds in our community and gain valuable insights into the latest trends shaping the entrepreneurial landscape.
Event Highlights:
-
Keynote: What Makes a Great AI Product SC Moatti, Managing Partner at Mighty Capital & Founder of Products That Count
-
Keynote: Behind the Curtain – Ethics Lessons from Theranos Tyler Shultz, Theranos Whistleblower, Scientist & Founder
-
Startup Showcase – Featuring some of Sacramento’s most promising ventures
Date: October 10th, 2024
Location: @ The Grounds Time: All Day Event For more details and to view the full agenda, click here: GFX2024 Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the conversation and connect with Sacramento’s top founders and investors. Looking forward to seeing you there!
|
|
|
|
Placer County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) Loomis Office 6140 Horseshoe Bar Road, Suite D Loomis, CA 95650 (916)-652-2400 (Non-Emergency)
South Placer Fire District 6900 Eureka Rd, Granite Bay, CA 95746 (916) 791-7059 southplacerfire.org
CAL Fire Nevada-Yuba Placer 13760 Lincoln Way, Auburn 95603 530-889-0111
California Highway Patrol - Auburn Area Office (220) 9440 Indian Hill Road Newcastle, CA 95658 (916) 633-3344 (Non-Emergency)
Placer County District Attorney’s Office 10810 Justice Center Drive Roseville, CA 95678
Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
|
PLACER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Learn more about the Board of Supervisors, including information on upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings.
Municipal Advisory Council (MAC)
Placer County Resources
Find your Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
|
Board of Supervisors Mission Statement:
To act as the legislative arm of county government and provide responsive leadership, governance, effective oversight of county services, and involve citizens and communities in processes that determine and enhance Placer County's future.
|
"The People are the Key to Placer's Greatness!"
The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the County and certain special districts. The Board enacts ordinances and resolutions, adopts the annual budget, approves contracts, appropriates funds, determines land use zoning for the unincorporated area, and appoints certain County officers, including the CEO and members of various boards and commissions.
Regular Meetings
The Board of Supervisors generally meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Placer County Administrative Center located at 175 Fulweiler Avenue in Auburn, CA. Please view the meeting calendar to verify meeting dates.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval. View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes
Strategic Plan
Placer County has identified eight Critical Success Factors to help set the county’s priorities. Part of that effort includes an annual work plan that acts as a roadmap toward achieving our goals and is closely monitored by the board. In an effort to provide total transparency, the Placer County Strategic Work Plan is now available for public review, and we encourage residents to follow our progress through quarterly updates. Learn more about the critical success factors.
What Questions, Comments, Suggestions do you have...
Contact: District 4 Chief of Staff MichaelSpelis@placer.ca.gov ♦ (916) 719 -2955
District 4 Representative FUdvarhely@Placer.ca.gov ♦ (530) 906 - 3120
|
|
Learn more about Supervisor Jones: |
|
|
|
|