Del Norte supervisors approve consent items, budget transfers and send urgent comments on Northwest Forest Plan

The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors on March 25 unanimously approved a package of consent items and budget transfers, authorized purchases of tax‑defaulted parcels, and voted to submit an urgent comment letter on the U.S. Forest Service’s Northwest Forest Plan amendment and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

The vote came after Supervisor Starkey asked that the county submit formal comments by the March 17 deadline and moved to add the item to the meeting agenda as an urgency matter. The motion to add the item passed on a 5‑0 vote, and the board later approved the letter for submission by the same unanimous margin.

Why it matters: Supervisors said the Northwest Forest Plan revision affects extensive public lands that touch Del Norte County’s economy and land management. Board members said they want federal decision‑makers to consult local stakeholders earlier in the planning process and to address the plan’s local economic and access impacts.

Board action and immediate results

- The board added the Northwest Forest Plan comments to the agenda as an urgency item after Supervisor Starkey noted that comments were due March 17 and that staff had prepared a draft to review. Starkey said, “On March 17, the comments are due on the Northwest Forest Plan,” and moved to add the item. The motion passed 5‑0.

- After brief discussion, the board voted 5‑0 to approve submission of the county’s comment letter on the plan.

- The board approved the consent agenda (a package of routine items) by a 5‑0 vote after public comment and a short discussion.

- The board approved a resolution and purchase agreement to acquire 18 tax‑defaulted parcels as recommended by the assistant county administrative officer; the motion passed 5‑0.

- The board authorized a change to Title 5 of the County Administrative Manual to amend the travel and vehicle use policy to align with employee contracts (meal allowances and mileage to follow the GSA schedule); the motion passed 5‑0.

- The board approved an agreement authorizing purchase of one tax‑defaulted parcel by the County Road Fund under Division 1, Part 6, Chapter 8 of the Revenue and Taxation Code; the motion passed 5‑0.

- The board adopted two budget transfers: Budget Transfer 3‑1 for $48,198 to reflect increased revenue from a State Proposition 1 IRWM grant for County Service Area 1, and Budget Transfer 3‑2 for $4,000 in the Building Inspection budget to cover plan review services. Both transfers were approved 5‑0.

Public comment and labor input

Norma Williams, identified as “Norma Williams, Chapter President, DNCEA SEIU ten‑one,” spoke in favor of item 2 (a six‑month successor agreement), describing the package as modest but noting it included increases for standby/on‑call pay and protections on leave. Williams urged longer‑term investment in county employees ahead of broader contract negotiations scheduled for June.

A member of the public who identified themselves as a public health branch program specialist clarified that the state’s California Children’s Services program IT issues referenced in a letter to state legislators were tied to State IT systems and not county IT.

What board members said

Supervisor Starkey framed the urgency of the Northwest Forest Plan comment: “On March 17, the comments are due on the Northwest Forest Plan,” and noted staff assistance from Assistant CAO Randy Hooper in drafting the letter. Chair Borges and other supervisors supported submitting the comments; Borges said the letter was “a little too nice” and expressed frustration that federal agencies had historically not engaged Del Norte County early in planning.

Next steps

The board directed county staff to upload the urgency letter to the agenda packet and to file the county’s comments before the federal deadline. Chair Borges adjourned the meeting to the next regular session on March 25.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to add Northwest Forest Plan comments to the agenda (mover: Supervisor Starkey). Vote: Starkey — yes; Howard — yes; Wilson — yes; Short — yes; Chair Borges — yes (5‑0). Outcome: approved. - Consent agenda (routine items, moved and seconded). Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved. - Item 7: Approve resolution and purchase agreement to acquire 18 tax‑defaulted parcels. Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved. - Item 8: Amend Title 5 travel and vehicle use policy to align with employee contracts (GSA rates). Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved. - Item 9: Approve purchase of one tax‑defaulted property by the County Road Fund (Revenue & Taxation Code). Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved. - Items 10 & 11: Adopt Budget Transfer 3‑1 ($48,198) and Budget Transfer 3‑2 ($4,000). Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved. - Urgency item: Approve letter and submit comments on Northwest Forest Plan amendment/Draft EIS. Vote: 5‑0. Outcome: approved.

All votes recorded in the transcript were unanimous (5‑0) in favor of the listed items.