(a) On Friday, February 20, 2026, the County received a Letter from Congressman Mike Thompson inviting Community Project Funding requests (attached). Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff likewise recently released guidance (the Senate’s similar process is called “Congressionally Directed Spending”). Each representative is asking that priorities be submitted by end of day (Friday) March 6, 2026.
Staff reached out to County Department Heads and others seeking input on projects that could be granted priority for the County’s FY 2027 submittal(s). As you may recall, Community Project Funding requests for FY 2025 ultimately went unfunded, and Congressman Thompson consequently submitted the South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project (which had previously been approved for FY 2025) in FY 2026. Your Board may consider granting priority to the three projects submitted for consideration of FY 2026 funding, which were supported by our legislative delegation, but ultimately not funded.
Past successful submittals have generally been well-established, community supported projects (e.g., Armory Repurposing Project, Middle Creek Restoration Project, update to the Full Circle Effluent Pipeline Project Feasibility Study, the Kelseyville Sidewalk Project, and Clearlake Burns Valley Sports Complex/Recreation Center, including a joint request from the County, both Cities).
During a briefing of Thursday, February 26, 2026, staff to Congressman Thompson indicated Members of Congress will be limited to 20 Community Project Funding requests; while this is five greater than the limit of 15 over the last three appropriations cycles, requests are responsive to needs across the entirety of Congressional Districts. There is no guarantee all requests submitted will be funded, and strong local support for projects is frequently pivotal in the Committee on Appropriations’ competitive evaluation process. However, staff to the Congressman advised submitting any viable potential project concepts with significant public benefit at this phase (provided the projects put forth are among the highest priority for the jurisdiction), and submitting all projects through both the House (Community Project Funding) and Senate (Congressionally Directed Spending) processes.
In total, five project concepts were submitted in response to Administration’s inquiries. For all projects detailed here, collaboration with Congressman Thompson’s and our Senators’ staffs will ultimately be needed to determine the most appropriate subcommittee fit, and those determinations will drive additional considerations.
Here are brief descriptions of the projects submitted for your Board’s consideration:
(1) The South Lakeport Regional Water Resiliency & Fire Protection Project ($7,211,500 request) is a cooperative intergovernmental effort between the City of Lakeport and County of Lake. This Project proposes to extend City of Lakeport municipal water service to a currently unserved County of Lake jurisdictional corridor along South Main Street to Soda Bay Road, terminating at Manning Creek, and includes a crucial loop line going west under Highway 29 to connect with an existing main on Parallel Drive. Spanning approximately 8,000 linear feet of water main, 58 two-inch services, 16 hydrants, and 4 fire services, this Project aims to significantly enhance regional water infrastructure and resiliency. This project presents future opportunities for interties with the Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians Tribe and County of Lake Special Districts, setting the stage for a consolidated and robust regional water system. Further details are included in attachments to this Agenda Item.
(2) The Reentry Housing and Workforce Development for those returning from incarceration in Lake County, California, Project ($5,000,000 request) seeks funding to develop individual living space for at least 20 justice-involved individuals and engage those eligible in local workforce development initiatives, potentially including North Coast Opportunities’ (NCO’s) BUILD and Home Hardening programs. Your Board will recall $5,000,000 in Community Corrections Partnership funds have already been dedicated to this project; the total project cost is anticipated to be $24,000,000. Further information on this project and Letters of Support from Lakeport Police Department, Lake Family Resource Center, and NCO are included in the attachments to this Agenda Item.
(3) The Lake County Healthcare Education And Regional Training (HEART) Hub ($3,000,000 request) is a planned $8.75 million workforce development facility near Sutter Lakeside Hospital. Project components include: SPARK Program (Students Promoting Awareness of Real-World Knowledge, offering 5th-8th graders healthcare career exposure through simulations, tours, and mentorships; a Healthcare Work-Based Learning and Career Development Pathway Program for high school students and adults, integrating Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, work experience, adult training, and professional development; and a Community Outreach and Health Literacy Program, featuring CPR training, parenting classes, health and safety workshops, and collaboration space for industry partners, public seminars, and health resources. Sutter Health has committed to a 10-year lease of the facility (estimated value $1M). Partners include all Lake County school districts, medical systems, adult education institutions, workforce organizations, and local government. Funding secured thus far includes: $200,000 from Redwood K16 Collaborative for CTE curriculum; $650,000 in Redwood Rise Catalyst Funding for building and program planning; $700,000 in Sutter Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) funding; and a $150,000 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) grant for equipment. Another $700,000 application to support equipment costs is pending with the Economic Development Administration.
(4) The Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project ($5,874,352 request) will improve: traffic flow and safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians; access to businesses along South Main Street and Soda Bay Road; roadway surface drainage and stormwater system to improve flood resilience and support; and disaster mitigation through the undergrounding of utility infrastructure. Public Works Director, Lars Ewing, notes this project is fully shovel-ready; environmental clearance for both CEQA and NEPA is complete, right-of-way is secured, and design plans are complete. These features, and previous Congressional approval of funding for an earlier phase of the project should bode well for project competitiveness, though the total funding amount is likely to be reduced.
(5) The Southeast Wastewater Collection System Improvements Project ($2,000,000 request) consists of two lift station installations along the Southeast Wastewater Collection system. Collectively, elements of this project will reduce capacity issues in the Southeast Wastewater system, reducing the probability of future sewage spills. Additional details and project documents are attached to this Agenda Item.
The Resolutions attached for your consideration will effectuate your Board’s consensus Direction. In past years, predecessor Boards have Adopted one Resolution for the Community Project Funding process, and those same Resolutions have been used as a demonstration of Board support for the Senate’s Congressionally Directed Spending process; that precedent is followed here.
Staff recommends your Board Adopt each of the Resolutions, and authorize Chair Rasmussen to sign.
(b) Supervisor Rasmussen was contacted by Lakeport Fire Protection District Chief, Patrick Reitz, requesting your Board’s consideration of a Letter of Support for a funding request toward a new Lakeport Fire Station. The attached Letter is addressed to United States Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, as well as Congressman Thompson. Guidance provided by staff to Congressman Thompson was to submit any viable potential project concepts with significant public benefit at this phase. Therefore, staff recommends your Board approve the Letter of Support. Additional information on the project provided by the City of Lakeport is included, for your consideration.
We look forward to your Board’s discussion and establishment of priorities.