6.1 INTRODUCTION

This chapter describes the existing services provided through the County of Sutter, services provided by special districts, as well as some public utility services provided by private companies. The public services discussed are: 1) general government, 2) law enforcement, 3) fire protection, 4) education, 5) utility services, and 6) special districts.

6.2 GENERAL GOVERNMENT

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Sutter County was one of the original counties created in 1850 by the first State Legislature. The County is governed by a five member Board of Supervisors who are elected by district to staggered four-year terms. The terms of the Supervisors overlap, with the voters electing a representative in Districts 1, 4, and 5 during Presidential election years, and Districts 2 and 3 in State general election years. Supervisorial districts vary greatly in geographic size, but they each contain approximately the same population. The District boundaries are redrawn after each census to ensure an even distribution of the population.

The Board of Supervisors exercises the legislative, administrative, and appellate powers prescribed to it by the California Constitution and Statutes as well as the Sutter County Charter. Similar to a corporate board of directors, but with broader powers, the Board of Supervisors sets policy for the County and it's operations. The Board appoints the Chief Administrative Officer and all department heads with the exception of the following positions: Assessor, Auditor, Clerk-Recorder, District Attorney, Municipal and Superior Court Judges, Sheriff-Coroner, Superintendent of Schools, and Treasurer-Tax Collector. These positions are elected by the citizens of Sutter County. The Board also serves as the governing body of a number of special districts with individual members serving on intergovernmental committees, bi-county agencies, and policy making bodies.

CITY COUNCILS

Within Sutter County there are two general law cities that are governed by individual city councils: The City of Live Oak and the City of Yuba City.

BI-COUNTY AGENCIES

Between Sutter and Yuba Counties there are a number of Bi-County agencies that have been established through memorandums of understanding (MOU) between the two counties. This arrangement allows the counties to address regional issues that affect both jurisdictions through shared resources. Current Bi-County Agencies include: Regional Waste Management Authority, Yuba-Sutter Transit, Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation, Bi-County Transportation Agency, and Feather River Air Quality Management District.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION

County Administrative Officer

Like the CEO of a major corporation, the County Administrator is responsible to the Board of Supervisors for the day-to-day administration of all County departments. The County Administrator provides staff support to the Board by conducting research and providing policy recommendations, submitting an annual budget, monitoring the fiscal condition and overall effectiveness of County programs and generally seeing that Board policy is carried out. The duties of the County Administrator are delineated in State Statute and County Ordinance.

Assessor

The County Assessor is an elected official charged by law with the annual responsibility of preparing the assessment rolls from which local property taxes are derived. The Assessor oversees a department that is responsible for determining the value of residential, industrial, commercial, and personal property for tax purposes. Once the Assessor has determined and assembled information regarding the appropriate assessed value of property, this information is provided to the County Auditor/Controller, who applies tax rates, and to the County Treasurer/Tax Collector, who issues tax bills. The three departments, together, comprise the overall Property Tax Administration function for the County.

Auditor-Controller

The Auditor-Controller, an elected official, is the chief accounting officer of the County. The responsibilities of the office include maintaining the fiscal records of the County and those special districts governed by the Board of Supervisors. In addition, control accounts are maintained for self-governed special districts and school districts depositing money with the County Treasurer. The traditional auditor functions include auditing special districts, auditing treasury cash and investments, accounting for payments and receipts, budget control, financial reporting, payroll and cost accounting. The controller function is to oversee departments, with emphasis on internal control, economy and efficiency.

Agricultural Commissioner

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors for a four-year term, the County Agricultural Commissioner is responsible for the local administration of certain state and local laws and regulations which protect the environment, public health and safety, agriculture, and the consumer. The Agricultural Commissioner is also the County Sealer of Weights and Measures; Director, Underground Storage of Hazardous Materials; and Ex-officio Air Pollution Control Officer, for the purposes of enforcement of open burn regulations.

Community Services Department

The Community Services Department is a combination of programs which include Planning, Building Inspection, Environmental Health, Fire and Emergency Services and the Animal Control functions. The department is a consolidation of services related principally to the development process which include distinct program functions within it. The following briefly describes each program in the Community Services Department.

Animal Control - This Program provides animal control services for the unincorporated area of Sutter County, the City of Live Oak and the City of Yuba City. The services include animal licensure, investigation of animal bites and the quarantine of animals.

Building Inspection - The Building Program is responsible for administering the building, electrical, plumbing, and zoning codes adopted by the County as control measures for public safety. The Program checks plans, issues construction permits, and inspects buildings and structures at all stages of construction alteration, and repair for safety and conformity with State and local codes.

Code Enforcement - This Program is responsible for inspection, investigation and enforcement of violations involving building, housing, zoning, sanitation, and other related codes, ordinances, and regulations. The Program issues citations, assists in cases for public hearings and testifies in court.

Environmental Health - Environmental Health consists of organized activities undertaken to protect and enhance the public's health through the control of potentially harmful materials, organisms, energies and conditions in the environment. Environmental Health services and programs include: food, housing and institutions, water-orientated recreation, safety, vector control, wastes management, water supply, air sanitation, land development and use, and related services and programs as required by the Board of Supervisors.

Fire and Emergency Services - This Program is responsible for liaison between the County and local fire organizations. The Administrator coordinates and administers the fire protection programs and activities of five fire districts operating as County Service Areas. He serves as Chief of the Sutter Fire Department and directs the work of career captains and volunteer chiefs. This position is also responsible for managing and directing the Office of Emergency Services.
The office prepares and maintains emergency plans and training programs to respond to routine incidents such as hazardous materials releases, and major calamities such as floods or major transportation accidents.

Planning - The Planning Program encompasses current and advanced planning functions which are responsible for the administration of the County General Plan, the zoning code, the subdivision ordinance, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the preparation of plans which guide the physical development of the County. The Program is responsible for providing support to the County Planning Commission in addition to serving as staff to the Local Agency Formation Commission.

County Counsel

Appointed by the Board of Supervisors for a four-year term, the County Counsel serves as the chief legal counsel to the Board of Supervisors. In this capacity, the Counsel also serves as legal counsel to all county departments, LAFCO, some special districts, and the boards and commissions established by the Board of Supervisors. The Counsel is responsible for advice on legal matters, written legal opinions, review of county contracts, personnel hearings and arbitrations, overseeing litigation and represents the County in administrative hearings.

Personnel Department

The Personnel Department is a centralized merit systems agency providing the following services to County departments: labor relations; recruitment and selection; classification and salary administration; administration of personnel rules and regulations; deferred compensation; unemployment insurance; risk management.

Public Guardian-Conservator

The department, when appointed by the court, serves as conservator of persons, and/or the estate of persons, who are unable to manage their personal and/or financial affairs by reason of a mental or physical disability.

Treasurer-Tax Collector

The Treasurer-Tax Collector is an elected official who is responsible for the taxing, collection, and control of County funds. The office is responsible for investment and safeguarding of County and school district funds; tax collection which includes billing collecting and processing county taxes; and central collections, which collects funds for most departments within the county. In addition the office acts as the tax collector for both cities, school districts and special districts within the County.

Public Protection

County Clerk Recorder

The County Clerk/Recorder is an elected official who serves as the Clerk of Superior Court, and is responsible for filing all civil, criminal, probate, and juvenile cases, taking minutes and scheduling court proceedings. In addition, the clerk registers voters, conducts elections, records vital statistics and real estate documents, maintains files on corporate and fictitious business names, issues marriage licenses, and may perform civil marriages.

The Clerk/Recorder is also the ex-Officio Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. This office is charged with the responsibility for the safekeeping of all books, papers, and records which are deposited with this office, in accordance with state law. This office attends all meetings, and maintains all minutes and records of the Board of Supervisors, the Assessment Appeals Board, and other Board of Supervisors functions.

Court, Superior

The Superior Court has jurisdiction for civil cases over $25,000 and for all felony cases. It is responsible for Probate, Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court. Superior Court is responsible for the selection of the Grand Jury. The Court is currently composed of three judges.

Court, Municipal

The County Municipal Courts have jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $25,000 and presides over preliminary hearings in felony cases to determine whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold a defendant for further proceedings in Superior Court. There are two Municipal Court Judges in the County.

District Attorney

The District Attorney is an elected official who serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the County and acts as the public prosecutor for all criminal violations of state and county laws and ordinances. In addition, the District Attorney operates a family support division that enforces child and family support obligations; investigates and prosecutes criminal child abuse; operates a welfare fraud unit to investigate welfare and public assistance fraud; and provides enforcement of environmental health, planning and building code violations.

Grand Jury

The Grand Jury is a body of 19 electors who are selected annually from a panel of prospective jurors by the Superior Court. The Grand Jury hears evidence of criminal matters presented by the District Attorney and judges if there is sufficient evidence to present an indictment to the Superior Court. The Grand Jury also investigates the operation accounts and records of the County departments and inquires into misconduct by any public office within the County.
Probation

The Probation Department provides mandated and discretionary probation services to the adult and juvenile courts of the County. The department is divided into four basic units: Juvenile Services, Adult Services, Administrative Services, and Youth and Adult Services. The services provided by the department include investigations, sentence recommendation, supervision of persons placed on probation, custody mediation, domestic violence diversion, truancy, and child custody investigation. The department operates under the direction of the Probation Officer who is appointed by the presiding judge of the Juvenile Court.

Public Defender

The Public Defender offers legal counsel to those citizens who have been charged with a criminal offense and who are not able to provide for their own legal defense. The Public Defender provides counsel at the request of the defendant or of the court.

Sheriff-Coroner

A detailed description of the Sheriff's Department's duties and responsibilities are discussed in Section 6.3.

Public Assistance/Health

Human Services Department

The Human Services Department provides a combination of services including Mental Health, Welfare and Public Health. The following briefly describes the services offered within each area.

Mental Health - Bi-County Mental Health is responsible for the treatment of the mentally ill, drug abusers, and alcohol abusers of Sutter and Yuba Counties. The programs provided offer direct services to patients and families, as well as maintaining contracts with various community organizations who also provide services to the bi-county population.

Public Health - Sutter County Public Health consists of Administration, Public Health Nursing, Public Health Laboratory Services, and Special Health Programs/Health Education. The services are provided in accordance with the mandates of the Health and Safety Code or the California Code of Regulations. These services are generally directed toward the identification, removal and control of the causes of disease which affect the community as a whole.

Welfare - Welfare is responsible for the administration of federal, state and county funded public assistance and social welfare programs. These programs include Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamp, Medi-Cal, Independent Living Program, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment, In-House Support Services, and the County General Relief Program.
Education

Library

The Sutter County Library is a resource center for County residents with intellectual interests. The Library provides books, records, and other materials to fill a variety of individual needs. The main branch is located in Yuba City, with branch offices located in the City of Live Oak, and the communities of Pleasant Grove, Rio Oso, and Sutter.

Museum

The museum is responsible for the preservation and interpretation of the cultural history of Sutter County. In addition, museum staff is responsible for maintaining professional museum standards of artifact conservation, research, and public education.

Farm Advisor

The Bi-County Farm Advisors' service is shared between Yuba and Sutter Counties. Sutter County is responsible for administering this program, but the department is run by the University of California Cooperative Extension Service. The major emphasis of this program is on agricultural research and education, 4-H youth development activities, farm and home economic information, and the Master Gardener program for the general public.

6.3 LAW ENFORCEMENT

Law enforcement in Sutter County is provided by two principal separate agencies, the Sutter County Sheriff, and the California Highway Patrol.

SUTTER COUNTY SHERIFF

The Sutter County Sheriff's Department (SCSD) is responsible for crime prevention, law enforcement, and criminal investigation in the unincorporated areas of the County and the City of Live Oak. The SCSD operates the County jail and acts as bailiff for the County court system. The SCSD functions as the County Coroner, and investigates all violent deaths and those deaths where there is no certified cause. The SCSD also functions as the Public Administrator for the County. In this capacity the SCSD is responsible for the investigation of facts pertaining to the death of persons with no known heirs, and the administration of their estate.

The SCSD has its main office at the Law Enforcement Center in Yuba City, with resident deputies in Meridian, Robbins, and Pleasant Grove. The existing County jail is also located at the Law Enforcement Center.

The SCSD maintains close working relationships with other law enforcement agencies in the area. The SCSD currently has mutual aid agreements with the California Highway Patrol, the Yuba City Police Department, the Yuba County Sheriff Department, and the Marysville Police Department. Law enforcement services are provided for the City of Live Oak through a contractual agreement.

Service

At present (1996) the SCSD has approximately 53 sworn and 72 non-sworn personnel or limited sworn personnel. The sworn personnel are the sheriff, officers, and deputies. The non-sworn personnel consist primarily of clerical staff, while limited sworn personnel are the correctional officers and bailiffs.

The SCSD maintains 10 patrol areas in the County. Deputies are generally assigned 2 patrol areas during a single shift. Shifts are 8 hours long (days, swing, and graveyard), with deputies working 5 days on and 2 days off. The SCSD also has 4 K-9 units and one patrol boat that operates year-round.

Issues and Concerns

At present, the SCSD is operating with 1 sworn personnel per 665 unincorporated County residents.

In October of 1994, the County expanded its jail facilities and added 148 beds for minimum security prisoners. This expansion has increased total capacity to 293. Throughout 1995, the number of inmates peaked between 250 - 260. As of February 1996, SCSD is awaiting funding from the state to expand the facility by 32 more beds within the next year. This additional capacity should provide surplus capacity for the next 2 to 5 years.

CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is the primary law enforcement agency for State highways and roads in the unincorporated areas of the County. Services include law enforcement, traffic control, accident investigation, and management of hazardous materials spill incidents. The CHP has a mutual aid agreement with the Sheriff's Department and will respond when requested by the sheriff.

Service

The CHP has one office in Yuba City, which serves Sutter and Yuba Counties, as well as portions of Butte, Plumas and Sierra Counties.

The Yuba City office has 34 uniformed staff, including 29 officers, 4 sergeants, and 1 captain. The office has 15 vehicles in operation. Typical staffing has 5 units during the day shift,(2 in Sutter, 3 in Yuba) 6 units during the afternoon shift (3/3), and 2 units on the graveyard shift, one in each County.

Issues and Concerns

Currently the Yuba City office is understaffed. There are 6 vacant officer positions that have not been filled due to budget constraints at the state level. It is anticipated that some positions will be filled during 1996.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME

The California Department of Fish and Game is responsible for the protection of wildlife resources within the County. The Department has jurisdiction over all state, county, and municipal lands to enforce wildlife statutes.

Service

The Department has 3 wardens and 1 wildlife biologist assigned to Sutter County. The regional Headquarters is located in Rancho Cordova. These staff operate out of their homes and establish their own hours, patrols, and focus for their activity. They are interconnected through the Sheriff's Department and are accessed through the Sheriff as well. The wardens generally respond only to wildlife issues but can and do respond to public safety issues if they witness such violations or situations. They will also assist in emergency situations. Most of the officers have federal wildlife enforcement capability as well.

Issues and Concerns

The primary concern for the Department is the lack of funding to provide the staffing necessary to adequately protect the wildlife resources of the county and of the state.

6.4 FIRE PROTECTION

SUTTER COUNTY FIRE SERVICES

Sutter County Fire and Emergency Services coordinates fire protection for County Service Areas C, D and F in the unincorporated portion of Sutter County covering approximately 360 square miles. In addition, Sutter County provides fire service to the City of Live Oak through a contractual agreement. The Meridian Fire Protection District covers approximately 93 square miles. The Sutter Basin Fire Protection District covers approximately 127 square miles. The Walton Fire Protection District covers approximately 24 square miles. The Meridian Fire Protection District, Sutter Basin Fire Protection District, and the Walton Fire Protection District are all independent fire districts.

ORGANIZATION

The fire services are provided through an organization of three Fire Protection Districts and three County Service Areas (Figure 6.4-1).

County Service Area "C", East Nicolaus Fire Department

County Service Area "C" was formed as a dependent district in 1963 to provide fire protection in the rural area bordered by the Bear River/Yuba County line on the north, the Feather River on the west, County Service Area "D" on the south and Placer County on the east. This area includes the communities of Nicolaus, East Nicolaus and Rio Oso. Land use in the area is predominantly agricultural. Services are provided from fire stations in East Nicolaus and Rio Oso. Staffing is provided as follows:

Station #85 (1988 Nicolaus Avenue, East Nicolaus) is a volunteer station with 4 vehicles.

Station #85-2 (176 Pleasant Grove Road, Rio Oso) is also a volunteer station with 2 vehicles.

Staffing for both stations is provided by a total of 27 volunteer firefighters.

County Service Area "D", Pleasant Grove Fire Department

County Service Area "D" was formed as a dependent district in 1963 to provide fire protection in the rural area north of the Sacramento County line, between the Feather River and Placer County. Services are provided from two stations with staffing as follows:

Station #9 (3100 Howsley Road, Pleasant Grove) is a volunteer station with 2 seasonal paid firefighters. Available equipment includes 5 vehicles.

Station #9-2 (3489 Sankey Road) is also a volunteer station. Equipment includes 4 vehicles.

Staffing for the two stations is provided by a total of up to 25 volunteer firefighters.

County Service Area "F", Live Oak, Sutter, Barry, and Bailey Fire Departments

County Service Area "F" was formed in 1996 as a result of consolidating previous County Service Area's A and B. The Service Area is a dependent district which provides fire suppression, prevention, emergency medical, rescue, and level "A" hazardous material services in the rural and urban areas of the northern portion of the County and the rural area south of Yuba City. The Service Area consists of four stations with their respective area of responsibility. Staffing is provided as follows:

Station #5 (2745 Fir Avenue, Live Oak) is a full-time station with a minimum of 1 paid firefighter 24 hours a day. There is a total of 4 paid firefighters, 2 seasonal paid firefighters and 25 volunteers assigned to the station. The station is equipped with a total of 9 vehicles.

Station #6 (2340 California Street, Sutter) is also a full-time station staffed with a paid firefighter 24 hours a day. There is a total of 4 paid firefighters, 2 seasonal paid firefighters and up to 25 volunteers. Equipment includes a total of 6 vehicles.
Station #8 (1280 Barry Road, Yuba City) is a full-time station with a paid firefighter on duty 24 hours a day. There is a total of 4 paid firefighters, 2 seasonal paid firefighters and 25 volunteers. Equipment includes a total of 5 vehicles.

Station #8-2 (8403 Bailey Road, Yuba City) is staffed with off-duty paid staff and volunteers in conjunction with Station 8. Currently available equipment includes one engine.

Meridian Fire Protection District

The Meridian Fire Protection District was formed as an independent district in 1977 to provide fire protection. It covers an area generally bounded by the Sacramento River, Tisdale Weir, the Sutter By-pass and County Service Area "F". The district includes the community of Meridian and is otherwise predominantly agricultural in land use. Services are provided from a station in Meridian with staffing as follows:

Station #65 (1100 Third Street, Meridian) is a part-time station staffed with one paid firefighter Monday through Friday during regular business hours. There is a total of 18 volunteers currently available, with the ability to staff up to 50. Available equipment includes 7 vehicles.

Sutter Basin Fire Protection District

The Sutter Basin Fire Protection District was formed in 1951 to provide fire protection and protection of life. The district covers the area between the Sacramento River and the east levee of the Sutter By-Pass, south of the Tisdale Weir. Services are provided to the community of Robbins and surrounding area from several stations with the following staffing:

There are a total of 18 volunteer firefighters, with the ability to staff up to 75, within the district providing support to the following stations:

Station #1 on Pepper Street in Robbins has 3 vehicles.

Station #2 on South Knights Road near Robbins is also a volunteer station with 1 vehicle.

Station #3 on Cranmore Road is a volunteer station with 1 vehicle.

FIGURE 6.4-1
CSA AND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS

Walton Fire Protection District

The Walton Fire Protection District was formed in 1961 to provide fire and rescue services in the urban and rural areas in and around Yuba City. The District boundaries extend from Eager Road to Reed Road and from the Feather River to Township Road, exclusive of the City of Yuba City. The district has two stations with the following staffing arrangement:

Station #75 (211 South Walton Avenue, Yuba City) is a full-time station staffed 24 hours a day with a paid firefighter. Staffing includes 6 full-time firefighters. The station is equipped with a total of 8 vehicles.

Station #75-2 (2855 Butte House Road, Tierra Buena) is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, with two full-time paid firefighters and is a volunteer station outside of these hours. The station is equipped with 4 vehicles.

Both stations are supported by a total of 20 volunteer fire fighters.

FIRE RATING

Insurance Services Office (ISO) ratings are assigned to different areas based on the level of fire protection provided. Most areas of the County are rated based on the following criteria:

4 - Areas within a 1000 foot radius of a fire hydrant.

8 - Dwellings outside the 1000 foot radius of a fire hydrant but within 5 miles of a fire station.

9 - Non-dwellings outside the 1000 foot radius of a fire hydrant but within 5 miles of a fire station.

10 - Areas beyond a 5 mile radius of a fire station.

Historically, the fire districts and service areas in Sutter County have met their service demands with the aid of volunteer fire personnel. The County could experience a transition in service demand associated with future growth in the unincorporated areas of the County. Sutter County is in the process of having its ISO ratings re-evaluated and it appears that the County is making progress towards improving its ratings. The Fire Services Administrator evaluates future service needs of the County and will prepare the appropriate needs assessment reports district wide for the County.