Stockton, CA – Today, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors received updates and took actions on issues related to homelessness, elections, and the Delta.
San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti gave a Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee update on Countywide meetings that he and Supervisor Paul Canepa coordinated with stakeholders to identify best practices, services and gaps with local agencies and entities assisting the vulnerable unsheltered population and make recommendations for next steps. The Ad Hoc Committee, composed of County, city, non-profit and homeless advocacy stakeholders, identified that homeless services are a unique and specialized skillset and that addressing the complex issue of homelessness requires collaboration and a multipronged approach to solutions. The Committee recommended to the Board that a position be funded within Neighborhood Preservation to explore ideas that will assist the County, the cities, and local non-profit organizations in filling gaps in homelessness services within the County. The Board approved $30,000 to hire consultants for the purpose of further exploring options for the Board to consider in addressing homelessness. The $30,000 allocation and follow-up Ad Hoc Committee report was passed on a 4-0 vote.
The Board also heard a presentation about the composition, role, responsibilities, and operating procedures for the County’s existing Election Advisory Committee (EAC). Established in June 2022, the EAC is intended to provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and the Registrar of Voters office to reform the integrity of the electoral process and to increase voter confidence, public trust and voter engagement in the County. It also provides a platform for voters to receive information, ask questions and raise concerns about the electoral process.
The EAC will consist of one Board of Supervisors designee and five appointed members and five alternates with each member of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors nominating a member and an alternate. Members will be appointed to a two-year term and will be expected to attend regularly scheduled meetings. Topics of discussion could include items such as: voter engagement, improved voter trust and voting security, equipment integrity and community outreach.
In addition, the San Joaquin County Public Works Director, Fritz Buchman, gave a presentation regarding the County’s water-related activities related to Delta advocacy and the Delta Counties Coalition. Mr. Buchman noted that San Joaquin County is unquestionably tied to the long-term economic, social, and environmental viability of the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta with roughly two-thirds of the legal Delta being located within San Joaquin County.
Mr. Buchman noted that San Joaquin County is ground zero for the disastrous, multi-billion-dollar Delta tunnel conveyance project and the battle over Delta water. He noted that advocating for the County’s interests in the Delta has been a longstanding priority of our Board of Supervisors and overviewed efforts the County, in partnership with the Delta Counties Coalition (DCC) have been promoting for nearly 15 years to defeat any tunnel proposal and instead advocate for a Statewide water solution that includes water system operational and conveyance improvements, regional water supply self-reliance, Delta levee improvements, water storage, and Delta restoration. He said more information could be found at: savethedelta.saccounty.gov.
Supervisor Robert Rickman, Chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors concluded the presentation stating, “On behalf of the Board, we appreciate all of the advocacy efforts made by County staff and the DCC over the years. The Delta is the heart of this County. It connects everything that makes San Joaquin County special and a great place to live, work, and play. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure any tunnel project is defeated and that the Delta remains the precious resource we all count on, not only here in San Joaquin County, but throughout the State.”
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