East Sierra News

Inyo County's latest Board of Supervisors meeting on April 8, 2025, saw discussions and decisions on various projects and initiatives, touching on public works, education funding, child abuse prevention, and environmental health programs.

Mike Errante, Inyo County Public Works Director, assured the board that Whitney Portal Road is slated for reopening by the end of April, following emergency repairs on an aging culvert. The construction, conducted by Speiss Construction, addresses issues discovered in February and is unrelated to previous damage from Hurricane Hilary in 2023. "The project is on track to be completed no later than April 30," said Errante.

The board granted the Owens Valley Unified School District (OVUSD) and Lone Pine Unified School District (LPUSD) the ability to autonomously issue and sell bonds, following successful bond measures in November. OVUSD’s Measure T allows $7.3 million in bonds, while LPUSD’s Measure U authorizes $7.5 million. This decision requires collaboration with the County Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector to manage tax rates and relevant financial logistics for district residents.

April's designation as Child Abuse Prevention Month prompted the appointment of Stephanie Tanksley and Griselda Ortiz to the Child Abuse Prevention Council. The council aims to eliminate child abuse by ensuring a nurturing environment for children. The board sanctioned a partnership with the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento, expanding coordination among 13 counties under the Innovative Partnerships Program Northeast Region. An event including a flag-raising ceremony on April 25 and a Superhero 5K on April 26 will mark the occasion.

The board also endorsed Assembly Bill 993 to expand and fund the Rural Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Reimbursement Program, crucial for sustaining hazardous materials and waste programs in rural areas. Inyo County's Environmental Health Department operates as a CUPA, and the reimbursement program addresses funding shortfalls due to fewer regulated businesses in these regions.