Board of Supervisors Tues Mtg 09-22-26 · 7th Cycle Housing Element Preparation

The County of Lake Board of Supervisors held a meeting on September 22, 2026, to discuss the procurement of consulting services for the preparation of the seventh cycle housing element. The board considered approving a contract with PlaceWorks for up to $247,100 to complete the housing element, which is a state-mandated plan due by August 15, 2027. PlaceWorks had previously worked on related housing action and implementation plans, and staff emphasized the benefit of their familiarity with the project to meet the tight timeline. However, several board members and public commenters expressed concerns about the no-bid contract award, advocating for a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process to ensure best value and transparency. The discussion highlighted the risk of missing state deadlines and losing funding opportunities if the housing element is not completed on time. Ultimately, the board leaned toward directing staff to issue an RFP rather than approving the sole-source contract, acknowledging that a competitive process might delay the timeline but would provide a more thorough evaluation of vendors.