HomeMy WebLinkAbout09.09.25 John Stonebreaker Public Comment_ FW_ comment re_ 3.6.c 308 Nelson HVAC change orderFrom:Clerk of the Board
To:Clerk of the Board; Connelly, Bill; Cook, Holly; Cook, Robin; Durfee, Peter; Jessee, Meegan; Kimmelshue, Tod;
Kitts, Melissa; Krater, Sharleen; Lee, Lewis; Little, Melissa; Pickett, Andy; Ritter, Tami; Stephens, Brad J.;
Sweeney, Kathleen; Teeter, Doug; Zepeda, Elizabeth
Cc:Hodson, Michael; Taggart, Kevin
Subject:Public Comment: FW: comment re: 3.6.c 308 Nelson HVAC change order
Date:Tuesday, September 9, 2025 8:01:51 AM
Please see public comment
-----Original Message-----
From: John S. <john@upperridge.info>
Sent: Tuesday, September 9, 2025 7:45 AM
To: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net>
Subject: comment re: 3.6.c 308 Nelson HVAC change order
.ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening
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This is an obfuscated attempt to draw down the Camp Fire settlement fund for facility repairs unrelated to Camp
Fire.
On October 10, 2023, the cash-strapped Board unadvisedly allocated $70 million for not just overdue deferred
maintenance projects but for for "Phase III" projects that might arise in the future. On November 12, 2024, after
voters had approved Measure H, the Board approved the Job Order Contract with Air Systems. On May 27, 2025,
amidst a 2316-page packet, the consent agenda included a Notice to Proceed with the HVAC repairs at 308 Nelson
for a supposedly fixed cost of $1,497,880. Which was coming out of the settlement fund.
Today, again on the consent agenda, is a request for an additional
$147,840 to cover cost overruns on the 308 Nelson HVAC project. There is absolutely a financial impact being
concealed. The Camp Fire settlement was intended to cover repairs to facilities damaged or destroyed by Camp Fire
like the former courthouse on Elliott and to cover the revenue shortfall from a tax base that was then expected to
recover. Every withdrawal for unrelated expenses further cripples the County's ability to stimulate recovery in
unincorporated Camp Fire communities.
The previous Director of General Services had the discretion not to appropriate Settlement Fund dollars for these
purposes, and if the present Director has different priorities, the Board is advised to Supervise accordingly.
John Stonebraker
Magalia, CA