Shasta County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Shasta County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County support services agreement for the Air Quality Management District
The air district has operated under a support agreement with the county since 1994, and the board was set to replace it with a new evergreen MOU. It covers the office space, admin and legal help that keep local air quality programs running day to day.
AB 2766 motor vehicle fee increase to $5.00
Vehicle owners in Shasta County will pay 75 cents more per registered vehicle starting April 1, 2027. The money funds clean-air programs — school bus upgrades, zero-emission vehicle incentives, and air quality monitoring. Ironically, doing nothing would have meant paying $4 anyway due to DMV rounding.
EPA IRA grant-funded air monitoring upgrade
The county is spending federal EPA grant money ($227,256 total award) to replace aging air monitoring equipment that's five-plus years old. No local tax dollars involved.
West Central Landfill Unit 5A construction
The County awarded a $5.16 million contract to build the next cell at West Central Landfill, keeping landfill capacity available for the region.
AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Fee Increase
Every fee-paying registered vehicle in Shasta County will pay $1.25 more for air quality programs starting October 1. The board rejected the $6 maximum staff proposed, and the first dollar of the increase goes to lower member jurisdictions' assessments. The rest funds clean-air grants and district programs.
Redirection of unspent Carl Moyer Program funds to Glenn County
Shasta County couldn't meet about $179,274 in match-funding obligations on three years of Carl Moyer grant money, so up to $545,236 in unspent funds is being sent to Glenn County instead of being paid back to the state. Shasta keeps the $200,000 annual minimum, and both districts avoid match requirements.
Northern Sacramento Valley 2024 Triennial Air Quality Attainment Plan
Seven north state counties jointly update this plan every three years to work toward meeting state ozone standards. The adopted version covers the 2025–2027 planning cycle and confirms Shasta County doesn't need a no-net-increase permitting program.
Air Toxics “Hot Spots” reporting and facility reclassification
The annual AB 2588 report tracks toxic air emissions from local facilities. The district is updating facility categories under new state rules and may reclassify smaller local facilities to cut their reporting costs.
Manton solar project appeal (Use Permit 24-0009)
Battle Creek Alliance appealed the Planning Commission's approval of the RCPA Solar 14 project near Manton. The Board let the approval stand 4-1, ruling the commission had acted within its authority.
Public outreach on prescribed fires
The county's air district is spending state grant money on a marketing campaign to help residents understand prescribed burns — the controlled fires used to cut wildfire risk — and the smoke they create. If grant funding ever dries up, the outreach campaign would be scaled back or ended.
CAPP Incentives Year 3 fund extension
The district still has $75,224 in AB 617 community air protection incentive money to spend, and the state gave it two extra years — now through June 30, 2027 — after too few eligible local projects came forward by the original 2025 deadline.
CHIRP grant funding for diesel generator replacement
The district is tapping about $298,012 in state money to fund scrapping and replacement of diesel backup generators that run beyond permit limits during extreme heat events. If the board hadn't acted, the funds would have gone to other air districts.
Regional air quality representation (Basinwide Air Pollution Control Council)
The board picked who will represent Shasta County on the regional council that handles smoke management and agricultural burning rules across the Sacramento Valley. Corkey Harmon takes the seat, Allen Long is the backup.