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1. How do I pay my taxes?

Tax payments are made to the Tax Collector. Find more Information here: Online payments

2. What is a lien date?

The lien date is the date of valuation of property on the local assessment roll. It is the date when property taxes become a lien on property preceding the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) for which those taxes are levied. Since 1997, the lien date has been January 1. This means property is valued and property taxes become a lien on January 1 each year. (Revenue and Taxation Codes 117 and 405)

3. What is a supplemental assessment?

Supplemental assessments are one-time assessments, which are distinct from regular annual assessments. A supplemental assessment is created each time property is revalued due to a change in ownership or new construction. It is the difference between the prior and the new assessed values. (Revenue and Taxation Code 75-75.72)

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1. Am I eligible for services at Sierra County Behavioral Health?

The Behavioral Health Department provides a broad range of services for Medi-Cal and Medicare eligible recipients; however the assistance that you receive will depend on your individual needs. Please call Sierra County Behavioral Health at 530-993-6746 for additional information.

2. What do I do if I am in a crisis?

You can call the Behavioral Health Department at 530-993-6746, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, please call the Sheriff’s Department at 530-289-3700 or the Sierra County Crisis Line at 1-877-757-0029.

3. Who can see my chart?

Your behavioral health chart is protected by HIPAA standards. HIPAA Statement

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1. How do I apply for CHDP?

Your doctor will help you fill out the application.

2. How do I know if I qualify?

Go to the California Department of Health Care Services Web site: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/chdp/Pages/Qualify.aspx

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1. Will a COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?

No. COVID-19 vaccines do not change or interact with your DNA in any way. Both mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccines deliver instructions (genetic material) to our cells to start building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the material never enters the nucleus of the cell, which is where our DNA is kept.

2. Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic?

No. Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not make you magnetic, including at the site of vaccination which is usually your arm. COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that can produce an electromagnetic field at the site of your injection. All COVID-19 vaccines are free from metals.

3. Do any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States shed or release any of their components?

No. Vaccine shedding is the term used to describe the release or discharge of any of the vaccine components in or outside of the body. Vaccine shedding can only occur when a vaccine contains a weakened version of the virus. None of the vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. contain a live virus. mRNA and viral vector vaccines are the two types of currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines available.

4. Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?

Yes. If you are trying to become pregnant now or want to get pregnant in the future, you may get a COVID-19 vaccine when one is available to you.

There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that female or male fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines.

5. Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?

No. None of the authorized and recommended COVID-19 vaccines cause you to test positive on viral tests, which are used to see if you have a current infection.

If your body develops an immune response to vaccination, which is the goal, you may test positive on some antibody tests. Antibody tests indicate you had a previous infection and that you may have some level of protection against the virus.

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1. From someone who lived thru it....

Things that I learned from Hurricane Sandy
1. The excitement and coolness wears off around day 3
2. You are never really prepared to go weeks without power, heat, water etc. Never!
3. Yes it can happen to you.
4. Just because your generator runs like a top, does not mean its producing electricity.
5. If you do not have water stored up you are in trouble.
a. A couple of cases of bottled water is “NOT” water storage
6. Should have as much fuel as water
a. Propane
b. Gas
c. Kerosene
d. Firewood
e. Fire starter, (kindling, paper, etc)
7. Even the smallest little thing that you get from the store should be stocked up.. (spark plug for the generator, BBQ lighter, etc).
8. If you are not working, chances are nobody else is either.
9. I was surprised how quickly normal social behavior goes out the window. I am not talking about someone cutting in line at the grocery store.
a. 3 people were killed at gas stations within 50 miles of my home.
b. I did not say 3 fights broke out, 3 people were killed.
10. Cash is king (all the money in your savings means nothing)
11. Stored water can taste nasty.
12. You eat a lot more food when you are cold.
13. You need more food than you think if your kids are out of school for 2 weeks
14. Kids do not like washing their face in cold water.
15. Your 1972 Honda civic gets to the grocery store as well as your 2012 Escalade…but the Honda allows money left over for heat, food, water, a generator, fire wood, a backup water pump, you get the idea..
16. The electrical grid is way more fragile than I thought.
17. Think of the things that are your comfort, your escape, a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of milk and a ding dong before bed, tequila, etc. Stock up on those too. You will need that comfort after day 3.
18. You quickly become the guy in the neighborhood who knows how to wire a generator to the electrical panel, directly wire the furnace to a small generator, or get the well pump up and running on inverter power or you are the guy whose Master’s degree in Accounting suddenly means nothing. (Love you Steve!)
19. A woman who can cook a fine meal by candle light over the BBQ or open fire is worth her weight in gold. And women, whose weight in gold, would not add up to much, usually die off first. Sorry skinny women.
20. It takes a lot of firewood to keep a fire going all day and into the evening for heat.
21. All the food storage in the world means nothing if your kids won’t eat it.
22. You might be prepared to take care of your children and their needs, but what about when the neighborhood children start to show up at your door?
23. Some people shut down in an emergency. There is nothing that you can do about that.
24. Your town, no matter how small is entirely dependent on outside sources of everything.
a. If supply trucks stop rolling in due to road damage, gas shortages or anything else you could be without for a long time.
25. In an emergency men stock up on food, women stock up on toilet paper.
26. I was surprised how many things run on electricity!
27. You can never have enough matches.
28. Although neighbors can be a great resource, they can also be a huge drain on your emergency storage. You need to know how you are going to handle that. It is really easy to be Bob the guy who shares on Day 3, not so easy on Day 11. Just reality.
29. Give a man a fish he eats for that day, teach a man to fish and he will never be hungry again.. Now I get it.
30. All of the expensive clothes in the closet mean nothing if they don’t keep you warm.
31. Same goes for shoes… Love you Honey!!!!
32. You cannot believe the utility companies. They are run by politicians!! Or so it seems,
33. Anything that you depend on someone else for is not available anymore.
34. Quote “A man with a chainsaw that knows how to use it is a thing of beauty” hahaha
35. Most folks don’t have any emergency storage. They run to Wal-Mart and get water and batteries and then fill their tubs with water. That is it. A lucky few will get a case of ramen and a box of poptarts. That will be your neighbors supply. (especially if you live outside of Utah)
36. Fathers, all the money you have ever made means nothing if you can’t keep your kids warm.
37. Mothers, everything you have ever done for your kids is forgotten if your kids are hungry.
38. You really do not want to be the “Unprepared Parents” The kids turn on you pretty quick.
39. Small solar charging gadgets will keep you in touch. Most work pretty well it seems.
40. Most things don’t take much power to operate.
a. Computers,
b. Phones
c. Radios
d. TV
e. lights
41. Some things take a ton of power to operate.
a. Fridge
b. Toaster
c. Freezer
d. Hot plate
e. Microwave
42. When it gets dark at 4:30pm the nights are really long without power.
43. Getting out of the house is very important. Even if it is cold. Make your home the semi warm place to come home to.. not the cold prison that you are stuck in.
44. Someone in your family must play or learn to play guitar (or other musical instrument).
45. Things that disappeared never to be seen again for a very long time.
a. Fuel, of all kinds
b. Matches, lighters of any kind etc.
c. Toilet paper
d. Paper plates, plastic forks and knives
e. Batteries, didn’t really see a need for them. (flashlights??? I guess)
f. Milk
g. Charcoal
h. Spark plugs (generators)
i. 2 stroke motor oil, (chainsaws)
j. Anything that could be used to wire a generator to the house.
k. Extension cords
l. Medicines (Tylenol, Advil, cold medicine etc)
46. There was a strange peace to knowing all I had to do each day was keep my family safe, warm, and fed, but my peace was someone else's panic.
There were also many things that were not learned from hurricane Sandy, but reinforced. Those things were the importance of my family and their love and support, especially my lovely wife, that my Heavenly Father is really in charge, period, and finally that I am very thankful for the upbringing and experiences that have taught me and brought me to where I am .. Wherever that is…hahahaha..
God Bless!!!

2. Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Office of Emergency Services; what's the difference?

All emergency activities are aligned at the federal level under Emergency Support Functions (ESF) 1 through 15. Federal grant funding is provided through the State of California to each county. Both Public Health and Office of Emergency Services (OES) receive allocations for local emergency preparedness activities. FEMA provides specific guidance for the use of each type of funding as it relates to developing and maintaining local preparedness. Public Health’s specific areas of focus are outlined by the 15 Public Health Capabilities. 

Example areas: 

•Communicable disease; prevention, testing, surveillance, investigation and reporting

•Pandemic influenza planning & response

•Laboratory & epidemiology contracts and coordination 

•Purchase flu and pneumonia vaccine for administration through annual drive-thru flu clinics (mass vaccination prophylaxis exercises) 

•Trainings for medical & health first responders 

•Coordination and planning with healthcare facilities Above are tasks Public Health is good at and does on a regular basis. Logically they would be tasked with planning and practicing performing them under emergency circumstances. 

The funding is provided in order to ensure these capabilities remain strong and are incorporated into the larger emergency response scenario. 

OES’s specific areas of focus are outlined by the Homeland Security 31 Core Capabilities. The above referenced 15 Public Health Capabilities are enfolded within the 31 Core Capabilities. 

Example areas: 

•Buildings & infrastructure protection 

•Fire fighting & prevention 

•Law enforcement tools & training 

•Cyber security Areas of strong collaboration between Public Health & OES: 

•Public Information & Warning 

•Planning for at-risk/special needs populations 

•Mass Care

 •NIMS/SIMS - ICS compliance & training 

•Community preparedness and recovery

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1. Where can I learn more about grand juries?

Learn more about grand juries ...

2. How can I file a complaint form?

Grand Jury complaint form

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1. How do I contact a city/county department?

Visit the Staff Directory to find all department and staff contact information.

2. Where can I find the answers to my frequently asked questions?

Use the FAQs module to easily find answers to the questions you ask the most.

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1. What are some signs I am becoming opioid dependant?

• Needing to take more of the drug to get the same effect—or getting a lesser effect from the same amount of the drug†
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using opioids, or taking opioids to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms†
• Taking larger amounts of opioids than planned, and for longer periods of time
• Craving for opioids
• Persistently wanting to quit, or trying unsuccessfully to quit
• Spending a lot of time and effort to obtain, use, and recover from taking opioids
• Giving up activities because of substance use
• Continuing to use opioids in spite of negative consequences
• Failing to fulfill major obligations
• Recurring use in hazardous situations
• Continuing to use despite social or interpersonal problems

2. Why can't I stop abusing or misusing opioids on my own?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), people believe at first that they can stop using drugs on their own. But after experiencing cycles of withdrawal and return to drug use, some people begin to fear the withdrawal symptoms and spend progressively more time making sure that they continue to keep a level of drug in their system in order to avoid the intense withdrawal symptoms.

3. How can I get help?

The Sierra County Crisis Line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
They offer confidential support, information, and referrals.
1-877-757-0029

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1. Can I get the flu from the flu shot or flu mist?

No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got the flu shot. There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever, cough, runny nose or sore throat.

2. Do vaccines cause autism?

Medical and legal authorities agree that no evidence exists that vaccines cause autism.
In 2004, the Institute of Medicine—a prestigious group of impartial experts who advise Congress on science issues—stated strongly that the evidence from five large epidemiological studies, three of which involved more than 100,000 children each, did not support a connection between autism and thimerosal-containing vaccines. Similarly, evidence from 14 large epidemiological studies showed no association between measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. Since that time, even more studies have reinforced the conclusion that there is no evidence for a connection between vaccines and autism. In 2009, after extensive proceedings that generated 5,000 pages of transcript and included 939 medical articles, the federal court that administers the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program found the scientific evidence is “overwhelmingly contrary” to the theory that autism is linked to MMR vaccine, thimerosal, or a combination of the two. The World Health Organization, the European Medicines Agency, Health Canada, and other national and international health groups have all dismissed the possibility of a link between vaccines and autism.

3. How do vaccines work?

Check out this short video.

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1. How can I arrange for curbside pickup of household and business waste?

Sierra County has a hauling agreement with Intermountain Disposal. For pickup service and bin rental contact them at 530-832-4879. Intermountain Disposal

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1. Where do I find FACTS about Marijuana?

Staying up to date with cannabis and our kids' health and safety at the Marijuana Fact Check website.

Marijuana Fact Check

2. What You Can do if You are at Higher Risk of Severe Illness from COVID-19

Here’s What You Can do to Help Protect Yourself

3. Do you have to be 21 to purchase tobacco in the United States?

Yes. You must be 21 years old or older to legally purchase tobacco in the United States. Find more information here.

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1. What is "nutritional risk"?

Two major types of nutritional risk are recognized for WIC eligibility:
•Medically-based risks (designated as "high priority") such as anemia, underweight, maternal age, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes.
•Diet-based risks such as inadequate dietary pattern.

Nutritional risk is determined by a health professional such as a physician, nutritionist, or nurse, and is based on Federal guidelines. This health screening is free to program applicants.

Beginning April 1, 1999, State agencies use WIC nutrition risk criteria from a list established for use in the WIC Program. WIC nutrition risk criteria were developed by FNS in conjunction with State and local WIC agency experts. WIC State agencies are not required to use all of the nutritional risk criteria on the new list. FNS will update the list of criteria, as necessary, when new scientific evidence shows, after review by FNS and other health and nutrition experts, that the condition can be improved by providing WIC program benefits and services.

2. What is the WIC infant formula rebate system?

Mothers participating in WIC are encouraged to breastfeed their infants if possible, but WIC State agencies provide infant formula for mothers who choose to use this feeding method. WIC State agencies are required by law to have competitively bid infant formula rebate contracts with infant formula manufacturers. This means WIC State agencies agree to provide one brand of infant formula and in return the manufacturer gives the State agency a rebate for each can of infant formula purchased by WIC participants. The brand of infant formula provided by WIC varies by State agency depending on which company has the rebate contract in a particular State.

By negotiating rebates with formula manufacturers, States are able to serve more people. For fiscal year 2010, rebate savings were $1.7 billion, supporting an average of 1.9 million participants each month, or 20.5% of the estimated average monthly caseload.