Humboldt County Supervisors Honor Veteran Employee, Approve New Lighting Ordinance

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors convened on August 19, 2025, for a meeting addressing a range of community issues. The approximately 50-minute hybrid meeting, attended both in-person and remotely, saw the unanimous approval of several key items impacting county residents.

One significant action was the unanimous approval of a retirement resolution for Correctional Deputy Deanna Fox, honoring her three decades of service to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. Supervisor Rex Bohn presented the resolution, highlighting Fox's dedication and contributions.

Another key decision involved the unanimous approval of an amendment to the county's zoning code, establishing new employer standards for outdoor lighting. Director John Ford from the Planning & Building Department presented the amendment, which was subsequently approved by all five supervisors.

Supervisor Natalie Arroyo presented a proclamation declaring August 2025 as Child Support Awareness Month, commending the Humboldt-Trinity Child Support Agency for its efforts. This proclamation also received unanimous approval.

The meeting also included public comment periods. Kent Swatzski voiced support for the board's handling of employee compensation, suggesting departmental autonomy in budget allocation. He also indicated he would be sharing information with Kyla Baxley and Stacy Deeds. JoAnne Magary expressed appreciation for the board's work on the outdoor lighting ordinance and stressed the importance of maintaining adequate staffing levels. An attorney speaking during public comment highlighted the unique challenges faced by prosecutors and suggested a strategy involving freezing two positions and seeking external funding to help cover salary increases. Swatzski also commented a second time, thanking the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) for election funding efforts and opposing unfunded mandates, citing a personal experience to highlight concerns about law enforcement resources.

In addition to the formal agenda items, the board announced a dedication ceremony for the memorial of Robert "Bob" Pryor at the Humboldt County Fair, scheduled for noon on August 19th. The County Attorney's Association also announced the opening of a new office space on the third floor of the courthouse, open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 4 pm, starting in September.

The meeting minutes and agendas are available on the Humboldt County website at https://humboldt.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for those who wish to review the details further. Information regarding future meetings and opportunities for public involvement can also be found on this website.