Supervisor District 5, Chair· 2023-01-02 – 2027-01-01 (start: sworn in Dec 13 2022 and took seat Jan 2 2023 per KRCR; month-level end: January 2027 per county page listing District 5 term end 01/04/2027, same 2022 election cycle)
Chris Kelstrom
Shasta County
About
Chris Kelstrom's reelection campaign for the Shasta County Board of Supervisors focused heavily on public safety, specifically highlighting fire funding concerns. Additionally, his platform engaged with county financial management and local governance issues.
Campaign promises (1)
- public-safetyChris Kelstrom campaigned on addressing fire funding concerns for Shasta County.Related votes
Want every word Kelstrom has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Kelstrom said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Opioid settlement funds for workforce programs
$1.5 million in settlement funds remains unallocated until at least November.
Social Services Fund shortfall
General Fund loan of up to $10 million, repayable by October 31, 2026 with interest.
Public Works Director appointment
About $17,144 per month in salary during the interim period.
County Vacancies and Recruitment
Jones Valley water emergency
Not specified in the agenda.
Renewal of audit services contract
Up to $54,600 over five years, starting at $8,500 a year, already budgeted.
Mobile home park rent increases
No direct county cost, but the policy could affect monthly housing costs for mobile home residents.
County support services agreement for the Air Quality Management District
No extra general fund cost — the deal just formalizes support the district already gets.
ALPR license plate cameras
Listed as no additional General Fund impact.
Sheriff equipment and staffing
Roughly $350,000 in combined equipment and staffing spending, much of it grant- or dedicated-fund supported.
Potential county litigation
Potential county defense costs if Curtis files suit naming elections employees.
Election certification for Congressional District 1 special election
The results could shift county spending priorities and budget decisions, so local taxes and services may feel different depending on who wins.
Filling vacancies in elected county offices (Measure F)
Special elections could cost the county money depending on timing.
County Counsel employment agreement fails
No salary change was proposed ($20,840/month), but the failed vote leaves his contract on existing terms with the 18-month severance question unresolved.
election voter guide
No direct financial impact is identified; the guide is a free informational resource for voters.
city council election fundraising
Donors are putting most of their money behind three candidates, which can buy more ads, mailers, and outreach—and tilt the race before most voters tune in.
election results delay
The delay itself shouldn’t cost most residents anything, though the county may face added overtime or staffing costs to finish the count.
election ballot counting delays
The delay likely means extra overtime, staff hours and administrative costs for the Registrar’s Office—plus a hit to public confidence that’s hard to price.
campaign finance violation
If it turns into a formal case, expect possible fines, legal fees, and more scrutiny on how his campaign spends donor money.
Non-profit Funding Requirements
Unknown — discussion item only at this stage.
Decisions during term (323)
Recorded while Kelstrom was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Adopt Shasta County Fire Department Long-Range Master Plan & Community Risk Assessment
Consent Calendar (C1–C17, except C15 pulled)
Motion to invite Tehama County Supervisor Greg Jones to present mobile home rent ordinance
Hill Country Community Clinic note amendment / loan forgiveness path
Introduce ordinance amending Section 2.04.020 (Training of Supervisors-Elect)
Proclamations: Employee of the Month, Breast Cancer Awareness, Red Ribbon Week, National 4-H Week
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Local Authority Recommendation Form
Letter of opposition to AB 1383 (Public Employees' Retirement Benefits)
Global War on Terrorism and Desert Storm Veterans Appreciation Day proclamation
Ordinance No. SCC 2026-07: unlawful dumping reward increase
Appointment of Kevin Butler to the Planning Commission
Amendment to Humboldt Moving & Storage election delivery agreement
Care Horizons II adult residential care contract amendment (pulled from consent)
Retroactive agreement with Project 14:14, Inc. for youth mental health services
Renewal agreement with Northern Valley Catholic Social Service for youth mental health services
Renewal agreement with Hill Country Community Clinic for the CARE Center
ESRI GIS software agreement
Meyer Road at Dry Creek bridge repair CEQA exemption
Waiver of confidentiality for County Counsel employment review
Renewal employment agreement with Joseph Larmour, County Counsel
Voting record (36)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Motion to direct CEO and Fire Chief to meet with City of Redding on automatic aid/consolidation
Did not want to direct the CEO or Fire Chief.
Motion directing Chief O'Hara to bring back station consolidation recommendations
Motion to bring back County Counsel Larmour's contract extension
Hill Country Community Clinic note amendment / loan forgiveness path
By amended motion made, seconded (Plummer/Crye), and carried 3-2 by roll call vote with Supervisors Kelstrom and Long voting no, the Board of Supervisors approved a letter of opposition to Assembly Bi
Letter of opposition to AB 1383 (Public Employees' Retirement Benefits)
Favored deferring the letter to allow more input from law enforcement, unions, and cost analysis.
Renewal employment agreement with Joseph Larmour, County Counsel
Opioid Settlement Funds RFP deferred to November
agendize the item for further discussion at the September 29, 2026, Board meeting
Letter of opposition to AB 1383 (public safety pension bill)
He wanted to read the bill before deciding whether to oppose it.
directed staff to place on the next agenda for their consideration a letter of opposition to AB 1383
form a committee to evaluate the Project and identify alternative Project sites to be brought back to the Board for consideration
Flock camera contract — future discussion item
Ad hoc committee for Community Reentry Center site selection (R7, part 2) — REJECTED
He saw no point in micromanaging the sheriff.
Removal of Steve Kerns from Planning Commission; nomination of Kevin Butler (R8)
Competitive procurement for professional video review and editing services (R9)
List v. Curtis litigation — discussion in open session
Motion to agendize possible county action on election documents — FAILED
Adopt Resolution 2026-07 raising AB 2766 vehicle fee to $5.00
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-073 — Censure of Clerk-Registrar of Voters Clint Curtis
Citing his earlier statement that even 10% substantiation warranted censure and observed problematic behavior.
Letter of support for AB 2604 (ballot curing)
Letter of support for SB 1420 (vote-by-mail and early voting)
approve a letter of support for Assembly Bill 2604: Elections: ballot curing and designate authority to the County Executive Officer, or their designee, to submit future letters on the Board’s behalf
approve a letter of support for Senate Bill 1420: Vote by mail ballots and early voting and designate authority to the County Executive Officer, or their designee, to submit future letters on the Boar
Censure item regarding Registrar of Voters placed on future agenda
Charter amendment limiting eminent domain — to November ballot
Charter amendment on filling elected department head vacancies — to November ballot
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-04 increasing AB 2766 Motor Vehicle Fee
direct Social Services staff to place an item on an August agenda, after the state budget was finalized, presenting projections on the expected impacts of House Resolution 1 on Shasta County for Board
incorporate the requirement that NPOs share their indirect cost/overhead rates in the policy regarding transparency in funding and due diligence for NPOs that would be brought before the Board later i
reduce the transfer out from the General Fund (BU 100) and reduce the transfer in to the Fall River Mills Airport Admin Budget by $28,000.
Legislative direction — House Resolution 1 impact report
Closed session and waiver of attorney-client privilege
Pathways to Leadership Campus Expansion — opioid settlement match, budget amendment, and letter of support
Appeal of Use Permit 24-0009 (RCPA Solar 14, LLC) — Resolution No. 2026-031
Believed in the importance of representing local residents and could not support approval of the Use Permit.