September 19, 2023
Supervisor Jessica Pyska
Email: SupervisorJessicaPyska@gmail.com
Phone: 707-278-4007

 

Jessica Pyska announces that she will seek a second term as Lake County Supervisor for District 5.

 

I am excited to announce that I am seeking a second term as District 5 Supervisor for Lake County. Since taking office in January of 2021, I have been working diligently with my colleagues on the Board and County staff to serve District 5 and Lake County constituents, always seeking solutions that will move us forward toward a vibrant future.

Economic Vitality, Prevention and Preparedness, and Healthy and Safe Communities – the three broad areas of focus I laid out in my 2020 campaign – have been my guide and will remain so during my second term. Updating our General Plan and Area Plans has been a top priority and we are finally launching that work this fall. This extensive planning will significantly shape how we grow in each of our communities and as a county. There will be many opportunities for the public to participate and embed their priorities, and I encourage everyone to be a part of this exciting process.

Much of my work has centered around building climate resilience and adaptation into our communities, as we feel the impacts of a rapidly changing environment. From extreme drought, pervasive tree mortality, and wildfires to atmospheric rivers, and year-round power outages, we must be ready for everything. Collaboration and working together is how we are preparing the Soda Bay Corridor Evacuation Plan, targeting dead and dying trees with removal projects, hardening 500 homes in the Kelseyville Riviera, and why I am committed to developing “Climate Safe Lake,” a climate action plan that is inclusive of the County, both cities, and the tribal nations. We can thrive through these dynamic times, but we must be proactive, collaborative, and adapt together.

The work we are doing in Lake County is getting noticed at both the State and Federal levels. I take every opportunity to advocate for the unique needs of rural counties with our elected representatives, the California Public Utility Commission, Cal Fire, CalOES, and hold PG&E accountable for their actions and inactions. Recently, I was appointed to the National Association of Counties’ “Environment, Energy and Land Use” steering committee to develop federal policy, bringing Lake County to the national table.

This is an exciting time for Lake County as we step up to meet the challenges and position ourselves to benefit from the historic investments in bi-partisan legislation that are funding infrastructure, broadband, housing, and economic development. Our team has been laying the groundwork to meet this moment, and we will be implementing projects that will elevate Lake County for future generations.

Priorities, Projects, and Exciting Announcements

Economic Vitality

  • Increased the County’s interest income from less than $500K to approximately $7M a year with the implementation of an investment strategy developed with the new Tax Collector. These funds are distributed to county, school, and special districts each quarter.
  • Historic salary increases for all County staff and impactful signing bonuses for “difficult to fill” positions, including Law Enforcement. Competitive compensation ensures we retain excellence and attract high-caliber candidates. As the largest employer in the County, higher wages stimulate our economy and support local businesses.
  • Broadband Master Plan- Applied for millions of dollars to implement the “Middle Mile” and “Last Mile” infrastructure to bring Broadband access across Lake County.
  • General Plan and Area Plan- Updates are officially underway and will include a county-wide climate vulnerability analysis and evacuation plans, $1.8M in secured grants.
  • Workforce Development- Training, skill development, and connecting to local businesses, CareerPoint in Lakeport leverages regional funding to provide career services to local residents of all ages. https://www.workforcealliancenorthbay.org/job-seekers/

Prevention and Preparedness

  • Tree Mortality Emergency in May of 2022, developed a plan to remove 20,000 dead trees along county roadways and facilitated grant-funded “Hazard Tree” removal projects in the Fox Drive neighborhood of Cobb and the Bottle Rock Road and Soda Bay corridors.
  • Home Hardening in the Kelseyville Riviera, a pilot program with Cal Fire, CalOES, and FEMA will harden 500 homes over the next 3 years, in partnership with North Coast Opportunities. $22M in grant funding
  • Soda Bay Corridor Evacuation grant from the California Fire Safe Council for planning and fuel reduction – the first of many evacuation plans for all communities in the county.
  • Konocti Fire Safe Council  supported with $10K in start-up funding to focus on wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and community education for the Soda Bay corridor.
  • Holding PG&E Accountable – for the removal of cut trees left behind on people’s property.

Healthy and Safe Communities

  • The first Climate Resiliency Officer and Tribal Liason in the State of California was hired through a 5-year grant with CalOES.
  • Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan is in process and will ensure safe and equitable access to outdoor space and promote resilience to the impacts of climate change, funded with cannabis tax revenue.  Trail Plan
  • Cobb is getting a park! Planning is underway for the first County park in the Cobb Area, funded by geothermal royalties.
  • Senior Centers were awarded $50K grants to upgrade their facilities and programs to ensure they continue to provide services to our growing senior population, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
  • Homelessness: “People Helping People” the Lake County Street Outreach and Prevention Team van brings services and support to meet people where they are in our rural areas. Outreach Van
  • Library Bookmobile – is coming soon and will connect communities with books and Wi-Fi, funded by a grant written by the County Librarian.
  • Kelseyville Sidewalk Safe Routes to School program will provide a continuous sidewalk along Konocti Road, $450K through Congressman Mike Thompson and the Community Projects Fund.

I was born and raised on Cobb Mountain and Lake County is my home.  I returned to raise my family where the air is clean, the people care, and life is connected to the land.  Since losing my home in the Valley Fire, I have been working to raise Lake County to a higher level of resiliency and vitality. 

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