The Inyo County Board of Supervisors addressed several topics at its October 7 meeting, including election reimbursements, support for wildlife rehabilitation, road closures, and a new contract for opioid remediation services.
Clerk-Recorder-Registrar of Voters Danielle Sexton informed the Board that the State has fully reimbursed Inyo County for the costs incurred during the statewide special election in November. Sexton stated, “her office received $220,826 to cover its costs, including printing and mailing ballots and voter guides.” She also noted that while the estimated statewide cost for the special election was over $250 million, additional expenses are expected due to errors such as a typo on a district map, which led to reprinting voter guides and sending over 5 million postcards—a mistake projected to cost $4 million. Sexton commended her staff for managing the process without any significant issues or unexpected costs.
The Board approved a request from the Inyo County Fish and Wildlife Commission to allocate $5,000 from fine fund money to Wildcare Eastern Sierra. This organization, formerly known as Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care, is a non-profit focused on rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife. The funds will be used to reimburse direct costs for food, supplies, medicine, and medical supplies. According to California Fish and Game Code § 13100, half of the fines collected for Fish and Game Code violations are deposited in a county fund for fish and wildlife propagation, with expenditures directed by the Board of Supervisors for conservation purposes.
Tinnemaha Road (Old Highway 395) will be closed temporarily from October 15-18 about six miles south of Aberdeen. Detours will be available between U.S. 395 and Blackrock Springs Road. The closure supports the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s annual Sierra Bighorn Sheep monitoring program. The Board also approved delegating authority to the Public Works Director for temporary road closures and restrictions, aiming to improve flexibility during emergencies or construction work. Public Works is still required to notify both the Board and the public when such measures are enacted.
In another decision, the Board approved a $100,000 contract with Crossroads Recovery Center in Bishop to provide opioid remediation services in Inyo County. Crossroads was selected following a Request for Proposals issued earlier this year by Health and Human Services to address opioid abuse impacts locally. The initiative includes purchasing a mobile harm reduction unit, providing recovery residence housing support, purchasing supplies for youth prevention events, monthly sobriety recognition event supplies, and establishing a recovery hangout center. Funding comes from opioid remediation settlements distributed nationwide as part of class action lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.
