Government

Humboldt Supervisors Approve Project Trellis Modifications, Hear Concerns on Overregulation and Bombing

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved modifications to the Project Trellis Local Equity Program, prioritizing funds for state licensing fees. The meeting also included public comments on overregulation, the need for dark skies, and the impact of bombs. Supervisor Madrone was absent.

Humboldt Supervisors Approve Project Trellis Modifications, Hear Concerns on Overregulation and Bombing

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors held their regular meeting on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, addressing several key issues impacting residents. While Supervisor Steve Madrone was absent, the remaining supervisors Chair Michelle Bushnell, Vice-Chair Mike Wilson, Rex Bohn, and Natalie Arroyo deliberated on a range of topics, from program funding to community concerns.

One significant item on the agenda involved modifications to the 2019 Project Trellis Local Equity Program Manual. County Administrative Officer Elishea Hayes, along with staff members Nick Moyle and Peggy Murphy, presented the proposed changes. After discussion focusing on fund allocation and staff capacity, the board approved Option A, which prioritizes funding for state licensing fees for businesses current on their Measure S taxes and planning and building fees. The exact vote count was not clearly shown in the available video recording.

The meeting also featured public comment periods. Several residents voiced their opinions on various issues. Kent expressed support for the Jomberg Christian Jomberg Foundation's donation to the K9 program, echoing sentiments shared by Supervisors Bohn and Bushnell, who also praised the foundation's long-term support and Connie Sunberg's decade of service on the First Five Humboldt Commission. JoAnne McGary brought attention to the impacts of bombs, both locally and globally, advocating for a resolution supporting Representative Ramirez's "Block the Bomb Act" and highlighting the importance of preserving dark skies. Thomas Mulder focused on overregulation, suggesting grant funding to alleviate the issue and advocating for resolutions supporting jobs, particularly in the outdoor and cannabis sectors, including batch tagging. Craig expressed concern about the exclusive use of funds for back taxes, stressing the need to support income-generating businesses and job creation.

The board unanimously approved the consent calendar, which included routine items. While no explicit announcements were made during the meeting, the supervisors indicated they would continue to monitor the Project Trellis program and revisit the issue as needed in future meetings. Specific deadlines were not mentioned.

Agendas and action summaries for Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meetings are available online at https://humboldt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx. This allows residents to stay informed and participate in local governance.