1. Set the geographic footprint around actual service territory
Bosseo describes a choice between statewide coverage and a tighter footprint limited to selected counties. Thermalito’s recorded county relationship is Butte County, so a firm serving Thermalito can assess a Butte County scope without treating the community’s population as proof of demand. The right boundary depends on where the firm accepts matters, not simply on how many places can be named. A review should distinguish Thermalito from Butte County and from California as a whole. It should also identify whether the firm wants pages for every city in a chosen county or a broader state footprint. Those are materially different coverage decisions.
Recommended approach
Bring a current service-area policy to the consultation. Decide whether Thermalito belongs in a Butte County footprint, a wider California footprint, or neither. Do not approve locations solely because they appear in a demographic record.
