On his first day as Chair of the Shasta County Board of Supervisors, Kevin Crye had a gift for real estate developers. The board voted 3 to 2 to suspend all new development impact fees. Crye argued that the fees are based on an outdated study that showed more population growth in Shasta County than has been realized. Since 2008 the fees have provided $8.7 Million in funding for projects which otherwise would be paid for by the General Fund. Supervisors Mary Rickert and Tim Garmin urged the board to do more research before eliminating the funding source. During public comment, one real estate agent said the fees impede growth, while another realtor called the decision “Welfare for the rich”.
A large group of proponents for the recall of Kevin Crye gathered to demonstrate in the rain on the sidewalk in front of the Board Chambers prior to Tuesday’s meeting.