A representative for a county partner (referred to in the meeting as Alyssa) presented the group's annual funding request, saying the organization recently rebranded and now manages Humboldt County Housing, the Humboldt County Community Foundation and the Humboldt County Food Pantry.

The presenter said the organization cannot operate those three countywide entities without a full-time staff position and asked the board to increase annual funding to cover staff costs. She said the rebrand and restructuring led to a request that would be used 100% to support staff positions.

As context for the request, the presenter cited updated project metrics from the prior year: a reported $3,800,000 increase in capital investment tied to projects the organization touched; 85 retained jobs; 3 new jobs; and a $65,000 loan to a small business the group administered. The presenter also said those efforts added $14,500,000 in additional taxable valuation to the county.

Board members asked about the requested percentage increase compared with prior support; the presenter said she would try to reduce the requested rate and that further budget review would follow. Supervisors thanked the presenter and invited follow-up on staffing and the formal budget pages attached to the request letter.

The board did not take a formal vote on the funding request during the meeting; staff and board members agreed to continue reviewing the proposal and budget details.