County approves $100,000 budget amendment to cover mapping imagery costs

At a public hearing the county sought and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved a $100,000 amendment to cover a higher-than-expected mapping and aerial-imagery payment.

The county budget officer told the board that the county previously accepted a one-inch imagery option and that a catch-up payment this year put mapping costs above the department’s budget. The payment would be taken from the county’s cash reserves and would not require a tax increase; officials said any unused portion of the $100,000 will be returned to reserves.

Board members asked about current and projected reserve balances. The record included figure references showing a current cash-reserve balance in the neighborhood of $197,382 and that, if the full $100,000 were used, the reserve would fall to about $97,000; staff noted the next fiscal year’s budget includes rebuilding reserves. The board approved the amendment by motion and voice vote with one opposed.

Officials said mapping services are used daily by county staff and local cities, and the county will publish and maintain access via the county’s mapping/Beacon site. The county budget officer said the mapping payment is a recurring contract obligation but not the same $100,000 each year and that future mapping payments were budgeted in next year’s figures.