Memorandum
Date: April 1, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Jessica Pyska, District 5 Supervisor
Subject: Consideration of Letter of Support for H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025
Executive Summary:
As your Board is aware, Secure Rural Schools Act funding is vital for sustaining essential services, particularly education and infrastructure in rural communities like Lake County’s that contain significant federal lands. In Fiscal Year 2023, Lake County entities were allocated $465,316.51, in consideration of the 258,602 acres of the Mendocino National Forest located within our boundaries; nearly half of that amount was allocated for rural road improvements.
The Secure Rural Schools program has been instrumental in providing stable funding for our schools and infrastructure, compensating for the decline in timber revenue for more than two decades. Rural roads that ensure access to schools, ingress and egress in the event of wildfire emergencies, and promote rural economic opportunity are maintained using this crucial funding source.
Congressman Thompson is a Cosponsor of this legislation, and this Letter will demonstrate our Board’s strong support for this legislation; public safety, long-term economic vibrancy, and access to critical services will all be affected if it is not reauthorized.
Staff recommends your Board Approve the Letter of Support, and authorize the Chair to sign.
If not budgeted, fill in the blanks below only:
Estimated Cost: ________ Amount Budgeted: ________ Additional Requested: ________ Future Annual Cost: ________
Purchasing Considerations (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☐ Fully Article X. <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI>- and/or Consultant Selection Policy <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Policy/Policies+$!26+Procedures+Manual/Ch4_2021v2.pdf>-Compliant (describe process undertaken in “Executive Summary”)
☐ Section 2-38 <https://library.municode.com/ca/lake_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH2AD_ARTXPU_S2-38EXCOBI> Exemption from Competitive Bidding (rationale in “Executive Summary,” attach documentation, as needed)
☐ For Technology Purchases: Vetted and Supported by the Technology Governance Committee <http://lcnet.co.lake.ca.us/Assets/Intranet/Intranet+Forms/Information+Technology/AdvPlan.pdf> (“Yes,” if checked)
☐ Other (Please describe in Executive Summary)
Consistency with Vision 2028 <http://www.lakecountyca.gov/Government/Directory/Administration/Visioning/Vision2028.htm> (check all that apply): ☐ Not applicable
☒ Well-being of Residents ☒ Public Safety ☒ Disaster Prevention, Preparedness, Recovery
☒ Economic Development ☒ Infrastructure ☐ County Workforce
☒ Community Collaboration ☐ Business Process Efficiency ☐ Clear Lake
Recommended Action:
Approve the Letter of Support for H.R. 1383, the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025, and authorize the Chair to sign.