Chriss Street: The Comeback No One Asked For – Agenda Preview for 2-4-2025 Shasta County Board of Supervisors Meeting

In this episode of the North State Breakdown, we preview the agenda for the February 4th, 2025 Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting. From routine budget amendments to the controversial return of Chriss Street, whose history of legal battles and questionable claims continues to raise concerns. We’ll break it down all down, why it matters, and how you can stay engaged with the decisions shaping Shasta County.

Transcript:

Welcome to the North State Breakdown with Benjamin Nowain. In today’s episode, we’re previewing the upcoming Shasta County Board of Supervisors meeting, scheduled for February 4, 2025, at 1450 Court Street.

The most notable item on the agenda is a presentation from former failed CEO hire Chriss Street—but we’ll get to that and more shortly.

R1: Employee of the Month Recognition

The board will recognize Josh Fugitt, Permit Center Manager for the Department of Resource Management, as Shasta County’s Employee of the Month for February 2025. While this recognition highlights his contributions, it’s important to note a potential conflict of interest from last year.

Josh Fugitt's wife, Monica Fugitt, serves as the Personnel Director for Shasta County and was part of the panel that approved Sean Ewing for the Director position at Resource Management. This effectively positioned her to influence her husband’s professional environment. This issue was previously discussed in a North State Breakdown: Fast Fact Edition.

R2: County Executive Officer Updates

The County Executive Officer will provide updates on current county issues, followed by a discussion among the supervisors on county-wide matters. This is a routine item with no formal vote, but it often provides valuable insights into the board’s current focus and priorities.

R3: Addressing California’s Wildfire Insurance Crisis

Sponsored by Supervisor Crye, the board will consider sending letters to President Trump and Governor Newsom addressing the escalating insurance crisis related to wildfires in California.

The insurance crisis has been exacerbated by increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, which have caused significant property damage and loss of life. Shasta County has faced devastating wildfires in recent years, including the Carr Fire in 2018, which destroyed over 1,600 structures and claimed eight lives, and the Zogg Fire in 2020, which resulted in four fatalities and extensive damage. Additionally, the Fawn Fire in 2021 highlighted ongoing vulnerabilities in wildfire management.

More recently, the catastrophic fires in Los Angeles have shown the state-wide nature of this crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive insurance reform and wildfire mitigation strategies.

While the letters aim to seek support and solutions from state and federal leaders, the effectiveness of such correspondence in driving meaningful policy changes remains uncertain.

R4: Presentation on Health Care in Shasta County

The board will receive a presentation on health care in Shasta County and may authorize a contract with a consultant. This item is controversial as it involves Chriss Street, who has a history of legal disputes and a failed background check when previously considered for a County Executive Officer role.

Street was the former Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector and was ordered to pay over $7 million in damages for mismanaging a bankruptcy trust. While he later won a $10 million malpractice lawsuit against his former attorney, alleging poor representation in that very case, it is concerning that the county would engage in business with someone so litigious.

Street’s propensity for legal battles, combined with his history of financial mismanagement, suggests he may be a significant liability for the county. Moreover, he made unsubstantiated allegations about illegal financial activities within Shasta County, which were publicly refuted by County Auditor Nolda Short.

Chriss Street’s Claims:

Nolda Short’s Response:

Street is also a prominent figure in the New California movement, which seeks to divide California and form a new state with several of its counties. This affiliation raises further concerns about his alignment with the values and stability needed for local governance.

The presentation included with the agenda packet features a slide copied directly from the community health assessment, and all data presented originates from publicly available state health and human services data. There does not appear to be any significant analysis or original insights provided by Street. This raises the question: Why would the county consider paying an outside contractor $40,000 for information that is already publicly accessible?

For those interested, an upcoming breakdown will feature an in-depth look at Chriss Street and the New California movement, exploring what they hope to accomplish.

Public Comment Period

Next is the public comment period, which remains the most powerful opportunity for community members to address the Board on any issue within its jurisdiction. Public comment provides a platform for residents to voice their concerns, offer suggestions, or raise awareness about local issues that may not be on the agenda.

Despite its importance, for the past two years, public comment has been relegated to later in the meetings, potentially discouraging participation for those with time constraints. Chair Crye has also limited comments to two minutes or less, depending on the number of speaker cards submitted.

Despite these limitations, engaged civic participation is vital as it holds elected officials accountable and ensures diverse community voices are heard.

Consent Calendar

Up next is the consent calendar, which is a list of what is supposedly non-controversial items to be voted on in one motion.

Routine items on this meeting’s consent calendar include appointments, budget amendments, and agreements related to fire services, mental health, and infrastructure projects. Notably:

• C4: An agreement with AP Triton for developing a county fire master plan.

  
  

• C6: A renewal agreement with Hill Country Community Clinic for mental health services.

  
  

• C9: Budget amendments for the alternative custody metal sliding replacement project, increasing appropriations by $45,000.

  
  

Closed Session

Next up is the closed session. Closed session items are discussed behind closed doors without public input. The Board will recess into closed session to discuss two significant matters:

R5: Conference with Labor Negotiators

This session will focus on negotiations with the Deputy Sheriffs Association, Correctional Officer Deputy Sheriffs, and United Public Employees of California Local 792, General Unit. Discussions typically cover employee contracts, wages, benefits, and working conditions, which can significantly impact county budgets and employee relations.

R6: Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Anticipated Litigation

This will address the initiation of one potential case. While the specifics remain confidential, this item suggests the county is preparing to engage in new legal action. This could involve disputes over contracts, compliance with regulations, or other legal challenges that carry financial and reputational risks for the county.

Potential issues could include violations of the Brown Act, alleged impropriety in the workplace, potential wrongful termination cases, or any matter the county believes could expose it to legal liability. While the details of closed sessions are confidential to protect legal strategies and sensitive personnel matters, these sessions often include significant decisions that can have long-term impacts on county operations and governance.

The lack of transparency in these sessions makes it critical for the public to demand accountability and follow up on any reportable actions disclosed afterward.

Next, the Board will briefly convene as the Shasta County Water Agency before adjourning back to the Board of Supervisors meeting. This should conclude the Board meeting for February 4, 2025.

Why Civic Engagement Matters

Staying informed and engaged with these meetings is essential for ensuring accountability and responsive governance. Active civic participation not only shapes local policies but also strengthens our community's democratic foundations.

The actions taken in these meetings directly affect our daily lives, and your involvement ensures that local government remains transparent, responsive, and accountable. Whether you speak in person, watch online, or email the Board at shastacountybos@shastacounty.gov, you can make yourself heard.

And that's the agenda preview.