Topic
Recent budget coverage from Humboldt County, including local decisions, public meetings, and civic updates.
A June 18 special-session packet shows the board weighing conflict-of-interest, discipline and conduct updates alongside next year’s budget and planning documents.
The June 15 agenda opens public hearings on the county budget and special-district budgets and sets a June 18 adoption date.
State and local witnesses said the youth mental health initiative is scaling, while warning that billing complexity and ongoing funding gaps could limit its reach.
The June 15 agenda includes budget adoption, a public hearing on city fees, an animal-control ordinance update, water-plan approvals and a discussion of River Lodge lease options.
The June 18 agenda would move City of Arcata State of Good Repair money to Humboldt Transit Authority, but the board has not voted yet.
County officials say the Broadway Street site could become a one-stop permitting center, though concerns remain about tsunami exposure, access and upkeep.
The county’s first budget presentation outlines a 4.4% spending increase, general fund growth, staffing changes tied to DHHS restructuring and millions in one-time requests before June hearings.
The Assembly passed AB 1534 and backed urgency language for the bill, which would create a state approval process for short-term workforce training programs seeking Pell Grant access.
Supporters from housing, land-use and local government groups said the bill would help fill an affordable-housing financing gap and could fit into a broader state bond strategy.
The council gave first reading to an ordinance and adopted a resolution to send the measure to voters in the Nov. 3, 2026 general municipal election.
Council approved a 2026-27 fee schedule that raises most building fees 2.9% and moves many permits toward valuation-based pricing, while staff said the building division would still need a small general fund subsidy.
Police said this year’s homeless survey drew 239 responses, up from 221 in 2024, as council members heard about slower access to treatment and service gaps.
Council action on May 5 moved the Halvorsen Park Trail Project into construction by awarding the contract to GR Sundberg, Inc. and setting aside $400,000 for the work.
Finance proposed shifting $1.7 billion from the 2025-26 school settle-up into the Prop. 98 rainy day fund, a move lawmakers and the LAO questioned at a budget hearing.
State Student Aid Commission officials told lawmakers California is not on track to launch the new federal short-term training aid program on time.
The June 9 agenda also would move $2 million from the Tax Loss Reserve Fund and authorize voluntary furloughs as the county finalizes its FY 2026-27 budget.
Staff told the council the voter-approved tax now covers about 17 meters, far fewer than at its launch, and council members asked the Energy Committee to review whether it should be reduced or eliminated.
The unanimous June 2 vote locks in a $10 million water-distribution project, earthquake repairs and a planned draw on reserves while keeping staffing flat.
At the June 2 meeting, multiple speakers urged the city to help fund a Regional Climate Action Plan coordinator or program manager position tied to implementation work.
Council signaled support for a per-unit fee structure and simpler renewals for the residential rental inspection program, which staff said costs about $115,000 a year but brings in only about $31,000.
CDTFA’s May Revision plan would tax electronically delivered pre-written software and software-as-a-service starting Jan. 1, 2027, but industry groups urged lawmakers to reject the change.
The Assembly budget subcommittee heard a proposal to make a temporary cap on business tax credits permanent, with the administration projecting hundreds of millions in new revenue and industry groups warning it could hurt innovation.
At an Assembly budget hearing, the Employment Development Department also asked for $20 million more for EDD Next document management work.
The council adopted a new fee schedule for 2026-27 that raises most building fees 2.9% and changes many permit charges to a valuation-based model.
