Humboldt County Association of Governments Approves Revised Personnel Policy

The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAG) board held its monthly meeting on July 17, 2025, focusing primarily on revisions to its personnel policies and procedures. The most significant change involves a new tiered system for administrative leave, differentiating between salaried and hourly employees.

The meeting, attended by key officials including HCAG Chair Mike Johnson (Mayor of Fortuna), County Supervisor Steve Madrone, and representatives from several Humboldt County cities, saw the approval of the June 16th meeting minutes with a unanimous vote. However, the discussion surrounding the revised personnel policy generated considerable debate.

The proposed changes to the HCAG Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual centered on administrative leave. The new policy establishes 68 hours of administrative leave for new employees, a reduction from the current 80 hours provided to existing employees. This difference became a point of contention.

Councilmember Atkins-Salazar voiced concern, stating (paraphrased from timestamps 0:13:04-0:14:31 and 0:43:14-0:43:38) that the reduction in leave for current employees without prior discussion seemed unfair. Conversely, Councilmember Napier (paraphrased from timestamps 0:15:41-0:16:00, 0:27:04-0:27:59, 0:43:12-0:43:45, and 0:53:47-0:54:51) commended the Executive Director for bringing the issue forward and preferred maintaining the existing 80 hours of leave.

Mayor Pro Tem Kenny (paraphrased from timestamps 0:28:26-0:28:58 and 0:51:13-0:52:14) supported the tiered system, while Supervisor Madrone (paraphrased from timestamps 0:44:09-0:44:33, 0:48:07-0:48:42, 0:55:17-0:55:51, and 0:57:54-0:58:07) also favored Option 2 (the tiered system) and suggested separate motions to approve the changes and define "new employee." This strategy was adopted.

The board ultimately approved the revised policy in two separate votes. The first vote approved the changes to administrative leave, maintaining the 80-hour allowance for current employees while implementing the 68-hour provision for new hires. The second vote defined "new employee" as anyone hired after the policy's adoption.

While the implementation timeline wasn't explicitly stated, the meeting concluded without further discussion on this aspect of the policy. No public comments were received during the meeting.

For more information on the HCAG and access to the meeting records and agendas, please visit http://www.hcaog.net/content/board-directors. Information regarding future meetings will be posted on the website.