Lake County supervisors postpone vote on transitional rent agreement to allow tribal consultation

LAKE COUNTY — The Lake County Board of Supervisors agreed to postpone consideration of Item 7.4, a proposed agreement between Lake County Behavioral Health Services and Partnership Health Plan of California, to allow time for outreach to local tribal leaders and consultation under Executive Order B1011.

An unidentified meeting facilitator introduced the item as a transitional rent provider agreement effective Jan. 1, 2026, intended to allow the county to provide transitional rent services under the Medi‑Cal community supports benefit with no impact to the county general fund. "Item 7.4, which is consideration of approval of a transitional rent provider agreement between the Lake County Behavioral Health Services and Partnership Health Plan of California, effective 01/01/2026," the introducer said.

Supervisor Crandall asked that the board postpone the item to give tribal leaders a chance to weigh in, saying "In the Executive Order B1011, for the state it requires there's a consultation when it comes to things like this." Crandall said she had already reached out to tribal leaders but the notice was too short and two weeks would give time for meaningful outreach.

County staff cautioned that a delay would slow the program start. An unidentified staff member said postponing "will postpone us getting the transitional housing rent up and running." Staff explained the operational arrangement: county behavioral health would hold and pass through rental dollars, paying rent and then billing Partnership Health Plan for the rent for up to six months per client. "We will pay the rent and then bill partnership for the rent up to 6 months," the presenter said.

Supervisor Sportier raised procurement and access concerns, asking whether the agreement had gone through a request for proposals. The presenter said Partnership Health Plan is the primary partner for this arrangement and that other tribal community‑based organizations or tribes could pursue their own agreements with Partnership. Sportier said that, because the county would act as a primary pipeline for the funds, "there needs to absolutely be, that conversation," and supported postponing to resolve potential controversies before moving forward.

After discussion, the board agreed to return the item at the next meeting — allowing roughly two weeks for tribal outreach — with flexibility to push the item further out if needed. The chair opened the item for public comment; no members of the public spoke. The board concluded the item by consensus.

The item will return to the Board of Supervisors in the next scheduled meeting for further consideration following tribal outreach.