The supervisors approved an amendment to the county’s Cal Mesa agreement for enhanced behavioral-health data tracking. Health Services Director Stacey Spahr said more frequent reporting could help the county monitor state measures; she also outlined a planned substance-use-service transition and projected a six-month surplus of just over $180,000.

Charles Delgado of the California State Association of Counties told the Modoc County Board that recent state and federal actions produced one-time county relief but left persistent holes, urged reexamination of medium-priority SGMA basins and warned wildfire-liability debates could return in a special session.

The board approved a 1 Gbps dedicated fiber connection and SIP trunking with Charter, adding redundancy to county communications; staff noted a one-time $250 installation fee, estimated taxes/fees (~$554.56/month) and 30–60 day lead time for installation.

The board approved a task order with West Yost for a five-year periodic evaluation of the Big Valley Groundwater Basin, not to exceed $55,655; Modoc will act as pass-through and Lassen County is expected to cover 60% of costs, with a state submittal due in January 2027.

County officials told supervisors the 2026–27 budget closes a multi‑million dollar gap but leaves a persistent structural deficit; staff said options are limited because the county’s largest revenue streams are fixed and suggested either deep service cuts or a future discretionary revenue measure.

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First discovered: 3:42 p.m. Sep. 13

Evacuation orders have been issued for residents near Likely, Wormville, Mill Creek Falls and more in Modoc County due to a vegetation fire, last reported to b

Joshua Kern, newly named unit chief for the CAL FIRE Lassen‑Modoc unit, told the Modoc County Board of Supervisors that the unit is fully staffed and that new permanent firefighter‑2 positions will allow 24/7 coverage at the Alturas station in shoulder months; he also outlined ongoing fuel‑reduction projects including an Overland project and a funded fuel break along County Road 91.

Chester Roberts briefed the board on county fiscal risks, highlighting state-level deferred revenues, increased employee enrollment in county health plans, and a wave of historic sexual-abuse lawsuits that have produced large settlements in other counties and could strain local insurance pools.