Humboldt supervisors keep Project Trellis funds focused on past-due taxes, add state-license priority

Eureka, Calif. — The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 on Aug. 26 to direct staff to administer the next round of Project Trellis local equity funds primarily for Measure S and property tax past-due balances and planning/building fees, while adding state cannabis licensing fees as an eligible, prioritized use for applicants who are current on county requirements.

The action keeps the county on Alternative A, as presented by staff, but with the board-authorized amendment that staff may pay an applicant’s current-year state license fee and prioritize applicants who are current on county compliance. Chair Bushnell made the motion and the board approved it unanimously.

Project Trellis is a state- and county-funded program intended to help people disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition enter or remain in the regulated market. Peggy Murphy, a county staff presenter, told the board the upcoming round (identified by the state as CEG‑658) totals $657,437 before a 10% administrative charge: “Just to clarify, the upcoming round ... is $657,437 at minus a 10% administrative charge.”

Nut graf: The board moved to narrow allowable uses of the roughly $657,000 allocation…