Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to vote tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8th, to determine whether or not they will pass the Urgency Ordinance to implement new fines of up to $10,000 due to COVID-19 non-compliance. This needs attention and a true understanding of who, what and to what extent this will affect us.
Key points if this Urgency Ordinance passes:
- Businesses can receive additional fines of up to $10,000 per violation (on top of the repercussions/fines that are already in place)
- New fines/amounts will be based soley upon the discretion of the code enforcement officer (see attached Urgency Ordinance (Sac Co)
- This will also allow fines for non-businesses of up to $500 per violation
- The Board of Supervisors need a 4/5 vote to pass the Urgency Ordinance (Agenda Item #36 at 10:15 am) which would go into effect immediately
- Tomorrow, they will also be discussing an option to make this a Regular Ordinance (Agenda Item #33), which would go into effect in 30 days as it would only need a 3/5 vote (essentially this is the back up plan to make sure this gets pushed through)
- The affects of passing this Urgency Ordinace will be long-term and potentially devastating -- it will affect everyone as the Ordinance is not specific to only businesses, it covers ALL Public Health Orders, Current and Future -- in other words, there is no clause or deadline for this ordinance to end -- even if/when the pandemic ends, these fines can still be enforced
You can have your voice heard and are urged to say something by participating in one of the following ways:
- Send and email comment to BoardClerk@saccounty.net -- in the subject line, type "Agenda Items #33 & 36" (View Meeting Agenda to review #s 33 & 36)
- Make a verbal public comment during the meeting by calling 916-875-2500 -- #33 will be discussed in the morning but does not have a specific time. #36 will be discussed at 10:15 am on Tuesday, December 8th. You will be placed in queue to speak. Please plan for an extended wait time.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, no in-person comments will be accepted. You are highly encouraged to take part in the conversation.
