Trinidad City Council Tackles FY2026 Budget, Addresses Beach Concerns

The Trinidad City Council convened on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, for a hybrid meeting that centered on the review and approval of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Mayor Cheryl Kelly, Council Member Jack Tuttle, and the City Clerk were present in person, while Council Member Brian Kelly participated remotely via Zoom. The approximately 58-minute meeting covered a range of topics, from committee reports to public concerns about the local beaches.

The council began by unanimously approving both the agenda and the minutes from the April 8th meeting. Substantial time was dedicated to a detailed review of the FY2026 budget, encompassing revenue projections, expenditure plans, and reserve allocations. While specific budget line items were not publicly detailed in the meeting summary, Council members engaged in a thorough discussion of the financial plan. A final draft of the budget is expected by June 10th, with a resolution for adoption scheduled for that date's meeting.

Public comment included concerns raised by an unnamed resident about biohazards detected near Trinidad Beach and Freshwater Creek. This individual requested further information regarding the issue from the council. Council Member Brian Kelly provided updates from recent meetings he attended, including the Redwood Regional Economic Development Commission (REDC) and the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCOG). Kelly noted that at the REDC meeting, the California Fishermen's Association highlighted concerns about potential impacts of offshore wind energy projects on prime fishing areas. He also reported that Trinidad's request for transportation funds was approved at the HCOG meeting. During the budget discussion, Kelly suggested the addition of dog waste disposal stations and signage on the beach to address a state report indicating the presence of animal waste on Trinidad beaches.

Other announcements included a report on a successful community emergency response team (CERT) mock first aid exercise conducted on April 27th and information about free energy assessments and savings kits offered by the Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA).

The council's next steps include a staff review of the April 30th financial statements, council input on discretionary spending, and the preparation of a final budget draft for presentation and adoption at the June 10th meeting.

Residents interested in learning more about the budget or providing input can access meeting agendas and minutes at https://www.trinidad.ca.gov/meetings, or attend the next city council meeting on June 10th.