Measure Z Funding Recommendations Unveiled After Heated Discussion

The Humboldt County Citizens Advisory Committee on Measure Z Expenditures held a lively meeting on Thursday, March 21st, deliberating over funding applications for various agencies. The meeting, which lasted approximately 58 minutes and included both in-person and remote participants, focused primarily on allocating funds from Measure Z, a local initiative. Key committee members present included Chair Ginger Campbell (District 3), Tami Trent (District 2), Bob Bronkall (At-Large), and Glenn Ziemer (District 1), along with Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal.

The committee began by unanimously approving the minutes from their March 14th meeting. Following an administrative update with no new information, the bulk of the meeting centered on the review of numerous funding applications. Committee members engaged in a thorough discussion, considering the financial constraints and striving for equitable distribution of funds across all applicants. This included agencies both within and outside of Humboldt County.

Several agencies presented their cases, highlighting critical needs. Casey Day from the Fortuna Police Department advocated for the restoration of funding for their School Resource Officer (SRO) program, emphasizing its role in drug abuse education, and noting prior voluntary budget cuts. Nick Pape from Shelter Cove Fire Department reiterated their willingness to accept a $300,000 reduction but stressed the importance of sufficient funding for essential equipment and personnel. Concerns about the fairness of the allocation process were voiced by Chris Goetz (Petrolia Fire Chief), who highlighted aging equipment and unmet community needs. Tom Matson from Humboldt County Public Works expressed appreciation for a proposed collaborative funding approach. Representatives from the Willow Creek and Petrolia Volunteer Fire Departments also emphasized the critical need for funding to ensure the safety of their responders and communities, specifically mentioning the need for PPE and equipment.

The committee's deliberations resulted in several key decisions. While precise vote counts weren't explicitly stated, the committee ultimately approved a $5,000 reduction to the Fortuna Police Department's application. A significant decision was the final recommendation of $1,400,000 in funding for the Humboldt County Fire Chiefs' Association. These recommendations, along with others detailed in a spreadsheet presented during the meeting, will now be forwarded to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for final approval.

Public comment played a significant role in the meeting. Representatives from various agencies shared their perspectives on funding needs and the challenges faced in their respective departments. The committee acknowledged upcoming budget hearings in June, providing an opportunity for the public to further present their cases to the Board of Supervisors.

The next steps involve the submission of the committee's recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. The committee will continue its work, reviewing and discussing further funding applications as they are received. Citizens interested in learning more about Measure Z and the Citizens Advisory Committee can find additional information and meeting agendas on the Humboldt County website: https://humboldtgov.org/1968/Measure-Z-Citizens-Advisory-Committe