Board packages: tax rates, proclamations and zoning notices; several resolutions pass

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 approved the consent calendar, adopted a resolution setting fiscal-year tax rates, recognized community proclamations, and approved planning and code changes that permit electronic mail for certain administrative land-use notices.

The most contested vote on the agenda was the county's resolution setting property-tax rates for fiscal year 2025—26. The motion passed 4-1 with Chair Michelle Bushnell voting no; Supervisors Madrone, Wilson, Arroyo and Bone voted yes.

Other formal actions included a unanimous approval of a commendation recognizing longtime volunteer Byrd for civic service, and a unanimous resolution recognizing the 2025 North Coast Stand Down veterans outreach event. The board received the county's biannual state legislative report and a public-health update on overdose-prevention and syringe-service efforts and filed both reports.

In planning and land-use business, the board approved an ordinance amendment allowing the county to deliver certain administrative notices electronically, while preserving first-class mail as an option for people without email. The board also voted to proceed with code-enforcement abatement steps at 473 Quarry Road, a property that has been the subject of recurring enforcement activity and a contested petition to allow an "alternative lodge park." Staff had earlier outlined missed application deadlines and unresolved staff costs tied to previous code-enforcement efforts.

Finally, the board introduced (waived first reading) an ordinance amending the County Administrative Officer (CAO) duties and employment agreement; the board asked county staff to add clarifying language that would require board-approved budget allocations for any major reassignments of county resources and scheduled adoption for Oct. 7.

Votes at a glance (motion text as recorded/summary; mover/second where shown; tally; outcome):

- Consent calendar: "I will move consent." (moved by Supervisor [record indicates: motion made on the floor], seconded) Motion carries 5-0.

- Resolution setting tax rates (D1): "Move approval." (mover: not specified in transcript; seconded) Vote: Supervisor Madrone Yes; Supervisor Wilson Yes; Supervisor Arroyo Yes; Chair Bushnell No; Supervisor Bone Yes. Outcome: passed 4-1.

- Commendation for Byrd (outstanding volunteer service): Motion moved by Supervisor Bone; seconded. Vote: 5-0. Outcome: adopted.

- Resolution recognizing the 2025 North Coast Stand Down: Motion moved and seconded. Vote: 5-0. Outcome: adopted.

- Planning: Ordinance amendment permitting electronic delivery of certain administrative land-use notices (while preserving first-class mail as an alternative): Motion to adopt staff recommendation. Vote: 5-0. Outcome: adopted.

- Garth / 473 Quarry Road (general plan amendment/zone reclassification petition and code enforcement): Board received an update and "proceed with abatement" (staff to re-engage code enforcement unless board directs otherwise). Motion to "receive and file and proceed with abatement" carried 5-0.

- Public Health: Biannual report on overdose prevention, syringe services and harm reduction: Motion to receive and file carried 5-0.

- CAO ordinance and employment agreement (introduction/waive first reading; adopt on Oct. 7): Motion to approve staff recommendations with a direction to add clarifying language requiring board action/budget allocations for substantial resource changes. Vote recorded 4-0 (Supervisor Bone absent). Outcome: introduction approved; adoption scheduled Oct. 7.

What these votes mean: most actions were routine or ceremonial and passed without significant opposition. The tax-rate resolution drew the single dissenting vote from Chair Bushnell. Planning staff were instructed to resume formal abatement steps at 473 Quarry Road after repeated missed deadlines for applications intended to resolve the site's violations.