5.1 26-0003Approve Out of State Travel for District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend National Association of Counties (NACo) Western Interstate Region (WIR) Conference in Maui County, Hawaii from May 4-8, 2026.
Those of us who are still not able to use our wells should be provided with drinking water. The monies spent to send the Supervisor, who opposed working with the City of Clearlake on the sewer issues doesn't need to go to Hawaii. How selfish! The "potable" water that is being provided is disgusting. It smells and tastes like chlorine and is not drinkable. How about use the money that would be wasted sending her to Hawaii to purchase drinkable bottled water for us! We are used to drinking clean, fresh water from our well. My husband and I do not qualify for the water from social services, as we are not elderly or disabled and have been purchasing water. We are already struggling financially, and this is just an additional burden!
This county is one of the poorest counties in our state. We currently have issues in this county that need to be addressed and solved. Pyska gets paid plenty of money if she reaches to attend it should be at her own expense. She isn't the chair anymore. Here seat is contested in the next election I know of 2 people that will be running to oppose her. This doesn't really benefit our county. If the supervisor's don't know how to deal with a fire or recover from one by now after the last 15 years then they haven't been doing their jobs. This should not be a cost the citizens have to bare. The county can't afford to fix what needs to be fixed here in the county so should not be paying for a glorified vacation for a Supervisor who very well may be on her way out.
Board of Supervisors,
Oppose this request for Supervisor Psyka to travel to Maui. Spend the time and the budgeted amount staying in Lake County helping the county constituents. Supervisor Psyka and Sabatier have already been approved to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., from February 20 to February 25, 2026. Do not approve this request.
Supervisor Psyka,
Rescind your request to travel to Maui.
I respectfully oppose this item. While conference travel may be routine, Lake County is currently managing an unresolved public health and infrastructure crisis related to the ongoing sewer spill. Residents remain displaced, without safe water, and are still awaiting remediation and accountability. Approving out of state travel at this time sends the wrong message about priorities and oversight during an active emergency. I urge the Board to defer nonessential travel until this situation is fully resolved.
The county needed emergency funding to make payroll in late fall 2025, and now there is a conference in Maui. If they need to learn something maybe go to a conference in state. Also people are struggling in the spill area and surrounding areas, maybe stay here in county and do what you were voted in to do, you know be the voice for your district. Isn't she the same person who voted for changing Kelseyville's name after 70% of Lake County said "no". Why spend money for our opinion if you aren't going to listen
I am a concerned resident writing to express strong opposition to the proposed approval of out-of-state travel for District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend the NACo Western Interstate Region Conference in Maui, Hawaii, from May 4-8, 2026, at an estimated cost of up to $4,000+ in taxpayer funds. Just weeks ago, in January 2026, a major sewage spill in the Robin Lane area of Clearlake—caused by a ruptured pipe and multiple faulty valves in the Lake County Sanitation District system—released million gallons of raw sewage, impacting over 58 properties initially (and expanding further), contaminating waterways and ditches, and forcing residents to rely on bottled water while many with private wells seek sanitization services. This preventable failure has caused real hardship and expenses for affected families, with cleanup ongoing and trust in local infrastructure badly shaken. At the same time, the Board is considering funding a luxury conference trip to Maui, including optional tours like Haleakalā National Park and site visits to Lahaina recovery efforts. While disaster recovery is important—and Supervisor Pyska serves on the NACo Disaster Task Force—the optics and priorities here are deeply troubling. Residents struggling with basic access to clean water should not see county funds directed to tropical travel when those same dollars could help reimburse spill-related expenses, support well testing/sanitization, or invest in urgent wastewater system repairs to prevent future failures. From the standpoint of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility, this expenditure feels unnecessary and out of touch. Much of the conference content—especially on Lahaina's post-2023 wildfire recovery, community engagement, cultural/environmental restoration, and infrastructure management—is readily available online through videos, reports, and updates. Supervisor Pyska could access these resources remotely without the cost or optics of a site visit amid our local crisis.
I urge the Board to think hard about this travel approval and redirect any potential funds toward direct relief for spill-affected residents. Prioritizing local needs over out-of-state conferences would better reflect efficient, accountable governance.
Thank you for considering this input.
Links to Lahaina, Maui fire recovery information (as alternatives to in-person visits):
These provide detailed updates, videos, reports, and visuals on the 2023 Lahaina wildfire recovery, including community engagement, infrastructure, and restoration efforts—many from official sources that Supervisor Pyska could review without travel:Official Maui Recovers website (County of Maui recovery hub with news, updates, grants, and progress reports): https://www.mauirecovers.org/
Maui Now article on Mayor Bissen's 2026 updates on housing delivery, infrastructure investments, and recovery shifts: https://mauinow.com/2026/01/27/mayor-bissen-mauis-wildfire-recovery-shifts-gears-to-housing-delivery-and-infrastructure-investment
FEMA weekly fact sheet and extensions for Maui wildfire assistance (January 2026): https://www.mauirecovers.org/news/fema-weekly-fact-sheet-january-28-2026-dr-4724-hi-wfs-063
Maui County milestone on 100th rebuilt structure and ongoing programs: https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=18027
Maui Long Term Recovery Group (Hoʻōla iā Maui) with support programs and news: https://www.mauilongtermrecovery.org/
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force page (listing Supervisor Pyska and focusing on FEMA/disaster priorities): https://www.naco.org/program/intergovernmental-disaster-reform-task-force
Lake County is in the midst of a catastrophic raw sewage spill and Ms. Pyska wants to attend a little soirée in Hawaii? How nice. Is she planning on using County funds, AKA TAXPAYER DOLLARS to fund her trip? While the sewage spill is not in her District, one would assume she is representing the entire county if she attends this unnecessary meeting. Why are we wasting taxpayer dollars on thus trip when there is a more serious problem affecting our County. I would love to see a financial audit be conducted on this County. I’m sure there is a lot of fraud happening.
While a conference in Maui might seem a wonderful idea, I believe we have more pressing needs for the limited funds of our beloved county. I can immediately think of two, the resolution of the Clearlake sewage infrastructure and spill, and repair of our dilapidated roads.
As a constituent of Supervisor Pyska, I strongly suggest a more local and appropriate usage of the funds.
This does not seem appropriate or responsible given the unknown costs associated with the sewage spill. These funds should be directed to help the Lake County residents affected by this catastrophic event. Please vote no on this agenda item.
I am writing to express my opposition to approving Agenda Item 5.1.
We are in the middle of a serious sewer disaster, and District 5 still has major unresolved issues — over-budget and unfinished road paving, downed trees that have not been cleaned up, and no visible progress on housing. Residents are dealing with the consequences of these problems every day.
During prior discussions about collaborating with the City of Clearlake on the sewage issue that led to a spill, Supervisor Pyska stated, “I don’t see how this benefits the county.” Given that statement, I am struggling to understand how approving taxpayer-funded travel to an out-of-state conference at this moment is a better use of county resources than focusing on the urgent problems here at home.
This is a matter of priorities and timing. I do not believe this trip should be approved while critical infrastructure issues remain unresolved and residents feel left behind.
Those of us who are still not able to use our wells should be provided with drinking water. The monies spent to send the Supervisor, who opposed working with the City of Clearlake on the sewer issues doesn't need to go to Hawaii. How selfish! The "potable" water that is being provided is disgusting. It smells and tastes like chlorine and is not drinkable. How about use the money that would be wasted sending her to Hawaii to purchase drinkable bottled water for us! We are used to drinking clean, fresh water from our well. My husband and I do not qualify for the water from social services, as we are not elderly or disabled and have been purchasing water. We are already struggling financially, and this is just an additional burden!
This county is one of the poorest counties in our state. We currently have issues in this county that need to be addressed and solved. Pyska gets paid plenty of money if she reaches to attend it should be at her own expense. She isn't the chair anymore. Here seat is contested in the next election I know of 2 people that will be running to oppose her. This doesn't really benefit our county. If the supervisor's don't know how to deal with a fire or recover from one by now after the last 15 years then they haven't been doing their jobs. This should not be a cost the citizens have to bare. The county can't afford to fix what needs to be fixed here in the county so should not be paying for a glorified vacation for a Supervisor who very well may be on her way out.
Board of Supervisors,
Oppose this request for Supervisor Psyka to travel to Maui. Spend the time and the budgeted amount staying in Lake County helping the county constituents. Supervisor Psyka and Sabatier have already been approved to attend the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., from February 20 to February 25, 2026. Do not approve this request.
Supervisor Psyka,
Rescind your request to travel to Maui.
I respectfully oppose this item. While conference travel may be routine, Lake County is currently managing an unresolved public health and infrastructure crisis related to the ongoing sewer spill. Residents remain displaced, without safe water, and are still awaiting remediation and accountability. Approving out of state travel at this time sends the wrong message about priorities and oversight during an active emergency. I urge the Board to defer nonessential travel until this situation is fully resolved.
The county needed emergency funding to make payroll in late fall 2025, and now there is a conference in Maui. If they need to learn something maybe go to a conference in state. Also people are struggling in the spill area and surrounding areas, maybe stay here in county and do what you were voted in to do, you know be the voice for your district. Isn't she the same person who voted for changing Kelseyville's name after 70% of Lake County said "no". Why spend money for our opinion if you aren't going to listen
I am a concerned resident writing to express strong opposition to the proposed approval of out-of-state travel for District 5 Supervisor Jessica Pyska to attend the NACo Western Interstate Region Conference in Maui, Hawaii, from May 4-8, 2026, at an estimated cost of up to $4,000+ in taxpayer funds. Just weeks ago, in January 2026, a major sewage spill in the Robin Lane area of Clearlake—caused by a ruptured pipe and multiple faulty valves in the Lake County Sanitation District system—released million gallons of raw sewage, impacting over 58 properties initially (and expanding further), contaminating waterways and ditches, and forcing residents to rely on bottled water while many with private wells seek sanitization services. This preventable failure has caused real hardship and expenses for affected families, with cleanup ongoing and trust in local infrastructure badly shaken. At the same time, the Board is considering funding a luxury conference trip to Maui, including optional tours like Haleakalā National Park and site visits to Lahaina recovery efforts. While disaster recovery is important—and Supervisor Pyska serves on the NACo Disaster Task Force—the optics and priorities here are deeply troubling. Residents struggling with basic access to clean water should not see county funds directed to tropical travel when those same dollars could help reimburse spill-related expenses, support well testing/sanitization, or invest in urgent wastewater system repairs to prevent future failures. From the standpoint of government efficiency and fiscal responsibility, this expenditure feels unnecessary and out of touch. Much of the conference content—especially on Lahaina's post-2023 wildfire recovery, community engagement, cultural/environmental restoration, and infrastructure management—is readily available online through videos, reports, and updates. Supervisor Pyska could access these resources remotely without the cost or optics of a site visit amid our local crisis.
I urge the Board to think hard about this travel approval and redirect any potential funds toward direct relief for spill-affected residents. Prioritizing local needs over out-of-state conferences would better reflect efficient, accountable governance.
Thank you for considering this input.
Links to Lahaina, Maui fire recovery information (as alternatives to in-person visits):
These provide detailed updates, videos, reports, and visuals on the 2023 Lahaina wildfire recovery, including community engagement, infrastructure, and restoration efforts—many from official sources that Supervisor Pyska could review without travel:Official Maui Recovers website (County of Maui recovery hub with news, updates, grants, and progress reports): https://www.mauirecovers.org/
Maui Now article on Mayor Bissen's 2026 updates on housing delivery, infrastructure investments, and recovery shifts: https://mauinow.com/2026/01/27/mayor-bissen-mauis-wildfire-recovery-shifts-gears-to-housing-delivery-and-infrastructure-investment
FEMA weekly fact sheet and extensions for Maui wildfire assistance (January 2026): https://www.mauirecovers.org/news/fema-weekly-fact-sheet-january-28-2026-dr-4724-hi-wfs-063
Maui County milestone on 100th rebuilt structure and ongoing programs: https://www.mauicounty.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=18027
Maui Long Term Recovery Group (Hoʻōla iā Maui) with support programs and news: https://www.mauilongtermrecovery.org/
NACo Intergovernmental Disaster Reform Task Force page (listing Supervisor Pyska and focusing on FEMA/disaster priorities): https://www.naco.org/program/intergovernmental-disaster-reform-task-force
Lake County is in the midst of a catastrophic raw sewage spill and Ms. Pyska wants to attend a little soirée in Hawaii? How nice. Is she planning on using County funds, AKA TAXPAYER DOLLARS to fund her trip? While the sewage spill is not in her District, one would assume she is representing the entire county if she attends this unnecessary meeting. Why are we wasting taxpayer dollars on thus trip when there is a more serious problem affecting our County. I would love to see a financial audit be conducted on this County. I’m sure there is a lot of fraud happening.
Dear Supervisors,
While a conference in Maui might seem a wonderful idea, I believe we have more pressing needs for the limited funds of our beloved county. I can immediately think of two, the resolution of the Clearlake sewage infrastructure and spill, and repair of our dilapidated roads.
As a constituent of Supervisor Pyska, I strongly suggest a more local and appropriate usage of the funds.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Sincerely,
Burton Tschache
This does not seem appropriate or responsible given the unknown costs associated with the sewage spill. These funds should be directed to help the Lake County residents affected by this catastrophic event. Please vote no on this agenda item.
To the Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to express my opposition to approving Agenda Item 5.1.
We are in the middle of a serious sewer disaster, and District 5 still has major unresolved issues — over-budget and unfinished road paving, downed trees that have not been cleaned up, and no visible progress on housing. Residents are dealing with the consequences of these problems every day.
During prior discussions about collaborating with the City of Clearlake on the sewage issue that led to a spill, Supervisor Pyska stated, “I don’t see how this benefits the county.” Given that statement, I am struggling to understand how approving taxpayer-funded travel to an out-of-state conference at this moment is a better use of county resources than focusing on the urgent problems here at home.
This is a matter of priorities and timing. I do not believe this trip should be approved while critical infrastructure issues remain unresolved and residents feel left behind.
Thank you for considering my comment.