Calaveras County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Calaveras County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
property acquisition for Foundry Lane infrastructure project
Angels Camp city council is wrapping up a long-delayed property deal on Foundry Lane to finally kickstart new roads and business growth. After years of talking, this land grab clears the path for major upgrades in town.
Proposed Double Springs battery energy storage system
A resident demanded a moratorium on the proposed battery storage facility, comparing it to the Moss Landing fire and accusing the developer of buying off local agencies. The board took no action — the comment came during general public comment.
Cannabis cultivation tax reduction extension
Chair Stopper wants to raise the cannabis cultivation tax by 10%, worth roughly $400,000, to help close the budget deficit. The ordinance will come to the Board on August 11, where growers' competitiveness concerns will be weighed.
Transient occupancy tax distributions to Chamber and Visitors Bureau
Tourism tax dollars fund chamber workshops, marketing, and a new employee-training reimbursement program; supervisors flagged weak event outreach, especially in District 4.
Justice-behavioral health collaborative grant
The Board declared May Mental Health Awareness Month while residents described how county programs — the Wellness Center, peer support, transportation, and NAMI — helped a family member recover from schizophrenia, homelessness, and addiction. Youth mental health strain and rural access barriers were highlighted.
Data center development moratorium extension
Supervisor Huberty wants the county to pump the brakes on large-scale data centers with a moratorium while an ordinance is prepared, citing electrical infrastructure and fire risks and other counties' experiences. Staff will agendize the discussion.
Repeal of Chapter 20.10 — Lake Tulloch regulations
The county wants to scrap its Lake Tulloch boating and safety ordinance, saying it duplicates Tri-Dam's rules. Tri-Dam's lawyers say it doesn't, and warned of litigation and CEQA problems. The Board hit pause to let staff and Tri-Dam talk.
SR 26 / Olive Orchard Road Intersection Safety
The county's first draft traffic safety plan identifies 356 injury collisions over five years, a top-ten high-injury network, and seven safety projects — rumble strips, guardrails, lighting, sidewalks and bike lanes. Adopting it unlocks federal and state grant money, at no cost to the county.
County Workforce Vacancies and Recruitment (AB 2561)
Hiring social workers and eligibility staff can take months under the state merit system. The county wants out, and labor groups are on board.
Sierra Ridge Academy fire debris dumping
Neighbors on Fruit City Road say trucks dumped toxic debris from the burned school administration building — with no permit — on property uphill from their wells, springs, and vineyard, despite a cease-and-desist. They demanded action and revocation of the school's use permit.
Verizon Cell Tower at Vallecito Bluffs
Residents allege a Golden State Cellular tower was converted from a permitted portable unit to a permanent 45-foot facility without proper permits, setbacks, Native American consultation, or RF emissions reporting, and is a fire and safety risk on a narrow road. They asked that the tower be agendized and the permit revoked.
New Animal Services Facility Financing
After 20 years of delays, the county is moving toward building a new 10,555 sq. ft. animal shelter in San Andreas using up to $10 million in IBank financing. The current shelter is outdated, undersized, and a public safety concern — but the 30-year loan has some supervisors and residents worried about the roughly $23 million total cost.
Dog Rabies Case and Vaccination Alert
The county confirmed its first dog rabies case in nearly 10 years. Several adults and children needed vaccination series, and officials urge every pet owner to verify their animals' rabies shots now. A free rabies and microchip clinic runs June 13 at the Government Center.
Parvo Outbreak and Shelter Shutdown
Several puppies at the county shelter tested positive for parvo this weekend, forcing a 14-21 day partial shutdown. Residents are asked to hold off on dropping off strays and to vaccinate their dogs with the DHPP vaccine.
San Andreas Utility Capacity
Supervisors voiced repeated frustration that San Andreas' aging water and sewer systems may not support any new housing, setting developers up for failure. CPUD's general manager urged the county to evaluate infrastructure costs upfront, and supervisors demanded staff partner with utility districts in future funding cycles.
Workforce Housing REAP 2.0 Grant Program
$1.54 million in state housing grant money went entirely to Habitat for Humanity's Eureka Oaks project in Angels Camp, leaving a San Andreas infill housing project, an affordable ownership project, and a CPUD water line unfunded. Supervisors clashed over whether infrastructure should have come first.
Operation Trash Panda meth seizure recognition
CNEU's five-month investigation ended with ~2,700 pounds of meth seized — the largest in county history and among the largest in DEA history. Supervisors praised the unit and noted the drugs never reached the streets.
Hartvickson Road maintenance complaint
Supervisors Andahl and Stopper blasted years of delays on paving HartVixen and Baldwin Roads, pushed out again due to water district coordination — possibly to 2028 — with risk of losing state grant money.
Dogtown Road bridge replacement contracts
The Dogtown Road over French Gulch Creek bridge replacement is finished; the Board accepted the work and released retained funds.
PG&E Storm Outages and Communication Gaps
PG&E restored power to nearly 17,000 customers after the storm but admitted early communication with the county fell short. The Board wants better coordination — and suggested an EOC rather than a DOC may be needed next time.
Foothill Terrace affordable housing / SRHA agreement
The county has $1.75 million in state REAP funds tied to a stalled 26-unit project at Foothill Terrace in San Andreas. Supervisors balked at a transaction that would reimburse SRHA for land it bought in 2017, and instead want the money reopened to Habitat for Humanity's shovel-ready Eureka Oaks project and other applicants.
Mobile opioid treatment unit for county residents
Aegis Treatment Centers presented a grant-funded mobile medication unit that could serve Calaveras residents five days a week locally instead of forcing trips to Sonora, Stockton or Lodi. The county has no local opioid treatment now and overdose rates exceed the state average.
Open Space Plan deficiencies and update
Planning Coalition supporters told the board the county missed the January 1, 2026 deadline to update the Open Space Plan and must meet the Room to Roam Act wildlife connectivity requirements by 2028. They urged landscape-level planning, an implementation timeline, and warned the state could strip local powers if the county fails to act.
Board of Supervisors Meeting Actions
The Calaveras County Board of Supervisors met March 25 and voted on county decisions, and now there's a recap showing exactly how each supervisor voted. If you've ever wondered what your reps actually approved or rejected, this is the receipt.