Abhilash Itharaju

The Board conducted a regular meeting covering various administrative, operational, and legislative matters. Key discussion topics included labor negotiations and performance evaluations in closed session; departmental reports from Environmental Health, the Water Department, and Health and Human Services; and updates on local transportation and government meetings. The Board authorized the 2025 EMPG program application, renewed various insurance coverage MOUs for 2026-2027, adopted a new ordinance for groundwater transfer regulation, approved a contract amendment for inpatient psychiatric services, appointed an interim County Surveyor, approved a free green waste weekend, declared surplus vehicles for auction, awarded a contract for asphalt purchases, updated tobacco settlement fund transfer authorizations, and implemented a high-wind operations policy for landfills. Additionally, the Board received an update on the Southern Inyo Healthcare District, a report from the Inyo Council for the Arts, and approved several lease renewals with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.

The Board discussed various administrative and operational matters, including the auction of surplus agricultural ATVs and the amendment of multiple contracts, such as the remote supervision agreement with the California Mental Health Services Authority, professional service contracts with Roux Associates, Inc., Helix Environmental Planning, Inc., and Bonanza Peak Solar, LLC, and a contract amendment with Precision Civil Engineering. The Board also reviewed the Eastern Sierra Area Agency on Aging 2026-2027 Area Plan, authorized federal exchange and state match program agreements, approved maintained mileage certification, and addressed a change order for the Recorder's Office countertops project. Additionally, the Board conducted a public hearing on airport fuel fee structures, held a workshop regarding the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power operations plan, and received updates from various departments and the California State Association of Counties.

The meeting included several key items such as closed session discussions regarding labor negotiations and legal matters, and public employment and performance evaluations for the County Administrator. The Board addressed the introduction of new employees and received updates on the Northern Inyo Healthcare District, tourism-related data from the Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce, and a parks and recreation program update. Administrative actions included the amendment of the PRISM Joint Powers Agreement, various service agreement amendments, appointments to the Child Abuse Prevention Council, and approval for road closures and equipment purchases, including a van for the Probation Department and medical services for the Health Officer/Jail Medical Director. Additionally, the Board handled a personnel contract for a Deputy County Counsel and reviewed correspondence regarding the Indian Wells Valley Groundwater Authority.

The board meeting agenda includes closed session items regarding labor negotiations, existing litigation, and a public employee performance evaluation. Open session topics feature appointments to the Mt. Whitney Cemetery District Board of Trustees and the role of Local Governmental Agency Coordinator, along with several contract amendments for professional consulting, hydrological services, and airport equipment storage building design. Further business involves the declaration of surplus vehicles, a report on the 2026 Mule Days Celebration, a funding agreement with the DEA for cannabis eradication, approval of utility easements for telecommunications infrastructure, various budget amendments for fuel reduction programs, and the authorization of letters of support for state legislative bills.

The board meeting agenda included several key items such as closed session discussions regarding labor negotiations, litigation, and various department head performance evaluations. Open session items featured introductions of new county employees, approval of the Fiscal Year 2025 Emergency Management Performance Grant application, and the renewal of memorandums of understanding for master crime, cyber liability, pollution liability, and excess liability insurance programs. Additionally, the Board considered modifications to the groundwater transfer ordinance, a contract amendment for inpatient psychiatric services, the appointment of an interim county surveyor, approval of a free green waste weekend, adoption of a high-wind operations policy for landfills, the auction of surplus vehicles, and the purchase of asphalt for road repairs. The agenda also included updates on Southern Inyo Healthcare District operations, a state of the arts report, and the upcoming 2026 Mule Days Celebration, alongside the approval of multiple leases with the Department of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles.