Supervisors to take up childcare grants, ethics policy and kratom ban

Aug. 11 board meeting set for 9 a.m. – A summary of the upcoming agenda

The Mariposa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, in the Board Chambers at the Mariposa County Government Center for a meeting expected to include discussion of childcare assistance, county ethics rules, housing-related loans, public health regulations and transportation policy.

The regular board meeting will begin with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, introductions and consideration of the consent agenda, a package of mostly routine items that may be approved in a single vote unless a supervisor or member of the public asks that an item be discussed separately. The board also is scheduled to hear public comment on matters within its jurisdiction that are not otherwise listed on the agenda.

Consent items cover emergency declaration, leases and public safety spending

Among the consent items, supervisors are expected to consider continuing a shelter crisis local emergency in Mariposa, a step that keeps the county’s emergency declaration in place as officials continue responding to housing and homelessness pressures. The board also will consider a five-year grazing lease agreement with Tim and Bette Erickson, with authorization for the board chair to sign the agreement.

Budget and public safety items also appear on the consent agenda. Supervisors are asked to approve a budget action reducing General Fund contingency and increasing appropriations in the indigent defense budget by $19,626 to cover higher-than-expected costs, an action that requires a four-fifths vote. The board also will consider a $150,000 agreement with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Coroner’s Division for forensic pathology services, along with a memorandum of understanding with the CrisCom Company for funding projects identified by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office.

Childcare assistance and CDBG loans headline regular agenda

One of the more closely watched items on the regular agenda is a public hearing on a proposed Community Development Block Grant Program Income application for a microenterprise grant program aimed at childcare provider assistance. The board is scheduled to receive community input, consider adopting a resolution authorizing the application submission and authorize the board chair to sign grant-related documents needed to implement the childcare provider assistance program.

Supervisors also will consider authorizing the county administrative officer to implement a partial loan forgiveness program tied to regular payment and compliance with Community Development Block Grant loan terms. Under the proposal, the CAO would be allowed to offer partial outstanding principal forgiveness in keeping with the terms and conditions of a partial loan forgiveness addendum.

Ethics rules, planning issues and kratom ordinance also on agenda

The board is scheduled to discuss and provide direction on updating the Board of Supervisors’ Code of Conduct and Ethics Policy, a policy matter that could shape expectations for board conduct and governance. Planning staff also are scheduled to present an update on issues facing Mariposa County and possible solutions, though the agenda describes the item broadly and does not list specific proposals in the meeting notice.

Another regular agenda item would waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance creating a new Chapter 8.64 of the Mariposa County Code titled “Sale and Distribution of Kratom Prohibited.” If ultimately adopted, the ordinance would prohibit the sale and distribution of kratom in the county.

Tuesday’s item is an introduction, meaning any final action would generally require later consideration before the ordinance could take effect.

Transportation commission to consider Title VI program

Supervisors also are scheduled to recess as the Board of Supervisors and sit as the Mariposa County Local Transportation Commission. In that role, the commission will consider adopting a resolution approving its Title VI Program, a civil rights compliance document related to transportation programs and services. The agenda states that supervisors receive no additional compensation for sitting as the commission.

The meeting is open to the public. The agenda also lists a call-in line for remote public input and states that audio of the meeting streams online with a one- to four-minute delay. Speakers addressing non-agenda items are generally limited to five minutes. Before adjournment, the board is scheduled to meet in closed session with county counsel regarding existing litigation identified as SB Case No. 26-O-10441.