With $7.2 million already dedicated to next year’s budget for public safety services like employing deputies in the Sheriff’s Office, prosecutors in the District Attorney’s office, probation officers to reduce recidivism, and social workers to help victims of child abuse, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proposed an additional $4.4 million in Measure Z spending for projects that will protect our community. These proposals will be included in the county’s proposed budget, which will be available for public comment at the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 5.
The proposal includes $1.6 million to the Humboldt County Fire Chief’s Association for training facilities and dispatch fees. The Fire Chiefs’ Association will also use Measure Z funding for metal building kits to house fire trucks, many of which were purchased with prior years' Measure Z funding.
The cities of Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, Trinidad, Blue Lake and Rio Dell all would receive funding for law enforcement officers. Specifically, the City of Eureka would receive more than $500,000 for police officers, housing and detox services, and a ranger to patrol the city’s recreational open spaces where homeless-related problems occur. The Arcata Police would receive more than $350,000 for a School Resource Officer (SRO) and Juvenile Diversion Counselors to serve K-12 students. Rio Dell would fund a position to support law enforcement services, while Trinidad and Blue Lake would receive deputy sheriff services. Fortuna would be able to fund an SRO for the Eel River Valley and a position to serve on the Drug Task Force. The Sheriff’s Office is proposed to receive funding for an SRO for the Northern Humboldt School District in McKinleyville, and a sergeant to oversee the Drug Task Force.
Since Measure Z began in 2014 more than $6.3 million has been allocated to local roads, resulting in maintenance for more than 50 miles of road. In FY 2018-19 an additional $850,000 would be allocated to roads under this proposal. In addition, as recommended by the CItizens' Advisory Committee on Measure Z Expenditures, if there are excess revenues that become available during the year roads would be a top priority to share in that funding. Take a look at this interactive map to see a year-by-year look of Measure Z road work.
In total, agencies submitted 40 applications requesting more than $13 million in funding. The applications were reviewed by the Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Measure Z Expenditures earlier this year and the committee submitted its recommendations last week. The committee held six meetings, including one public hearing, in which it took public input and evaluated proposals that sought a share of these funds.
A complete list of the proposed projects for FY 18-19 are as follows:
Ongoing Projects | Board Recommended |
Sheriff’s Office |
|
Funding for 38 deputies, correctional staff, community services officers and other law enforcement staff and needed equipment. | 4,424,000 |
District Attorney’s Office |
|
Prosecutors, investigators, records staff, including services and supplies – 12 positions total | 1,243,962 |
Probation Department |
|
6 probation officers, including equipment and training. | 538,774 |
Public Defender |
|
Deputy public defender and investigator to provide indigent defense | 216,657 |
Department of Health & Human Services |
|
Rural child health and welfare. Substance abuse counselors, mental health case managers and mental health clinicians – 7 positions total. | 752,672 |
Auditor-Controller |
|
Staff to process and audit additional payments related to Measure Z | 51,795 |
Total On-Going Costs | 7,227,860 |
New projects for FY 18-19 | Board Recommended |
Boys & Girls Club of the Redwoods |
|
Leverage Older Americans Act funding to continue Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program | 40,000 |
City of Arcata Police Department/Sheriff |
|
Two student resource officers and two juvenile probation diversion positions to directly serve K-12th students and families for Humboldt County’s 3rd and western 5th districts. | 353,367 |
City of Blue Lake |
|
One half time deputy sheriff position to provide a dedicated peace officer to the Blue Lake area. | 37,500 |
City of Eureka Police Department |
|
Continued funding for 2 FTE positions - Police officer and Homeless Services Program Manager to work with DHHS and the MIST Team, implement Focus Strategies' Plan, etc.; funding for Parks-Waterfront Ranger to patrol City's recreational open space areas where majority of homeless-related problems occur; funding for non-sworn civilian Parks-Waterfront Ranger to augment sworn Parks Ranger and ensure consistent EPD presence; funding for DHHS for housing, detox, residential treatment, other services to serve/house high needs homeless population | 512,840 |
City of Fortuna Police Department |
|
Funding for salary, benefits, equipment for Fortuna Police Officer assigned as School Resource Officer for Eel River Valley (High School and Elementary) | 136,674 |
Salary and benefits for a police officer assigned to the Drug Task Force. | 136,674 |
City of Rio Dell Police Department |
|
Continued funding for part time clerical position in the City’s police department to support law enforcement, nuisance abatement and code enforcement. | 32,000 |
City of Trinidad |
|
One half-time deputy sheriff position to provide a dedicated peace officer in the Trinidad area. | 37,500 |
Humboldt County Adult Protective Services and District Attorney |
|
Elder and Vulnerable Adult Services Team (EVAST) to address cases of elder and vulnerable adult abuse with comprehensive approach and improved systematic response | 106,354 |
Humboldt County Fire Chiefs’ Association |
|
Purchase equipment to bring firefighters to minimum level safety, three multi-use regional training facilities and upgrades to a current training facility, continuation of support funding for dispatch fees | 1,610,536 |
Humboldt County Library – Eureka Branch |
|
Supplemental funding for part-time security guard at Eureka Main Library | 21,307 |
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office |
|
Two new positions: Sheriff's Sergeant assigned to Drug Task Force (DTF) in lieu of full-time DTF lieutenant, Sheriff's Deputy School Resource Officer for Northern Humboldt School District in McKinleyville | 196,812 |
Funding towards replacement of county’s radio infrastructure, which serves all law enforcement and emergency response agencies in Humboldt | 24,000 |
Humboldt County Public Works |
|
Improve county roads, reducing response time for law enforcement, fire protection and emergency services | 847,245 |
Walkability studies for Willow Creek, Arcata and Petrolia | 35,000 |
Southern Trinity Area Rescue |
|
Volunteer, non-profit organization that would like to transition to having one more paid EMT to help alleviate some of the strain on volunteers. | 65,720 |
K'IMA:W Medical Center |
|
The continuation of ambulance service in the Willow Creek Service area. | 259,208 |
Total for new projects | 4,452,737 |
TOTAL FOR ALL PROJECTS FOR 2017-18 | $11,687,264 |