The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will soon be presented with a recommendation on projects to be funded by Measure Z, the county-wide half-cent sales tax passed by voters in November. The Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Measure Z Expenditures this week held its seventh meeting in which it took public input and evaluated proposals that sought a share of these funds. The committee has finalized its recommendations and will present them to the board on June 2.
The committee is recommending roughly $8.9 million in funding for FY 2015-16, including $3.5 million for the Sheriff’s Office to hire 30 positions, and more than $2.6 million to the Humboldt County Fire Chief’s Association for fire equipment. Some other projects being recommended for funding include more than $1.5 million to the District Attorney to hire 11 positions; over $600,000 to the Probation Department to hire six positions; and $400,000 to the Eureka Police Department for positions and services.
A total of 46 applications were submitted for funding. The committee sorted these applications in to three categories: “must have,” “need to have,” and “nice to have.” The committee further developed two lists for projects to be funded. The primary list includes projects the committee recommends be funded first, and is comprised of “must have” projects. The secondary list includes projects that should be considered during the mid-year budget review. If applicants cannot or do not expend their funds during FY 2015-16, the committee is recommending that projects on the secondary list be considered.
Organization
(Alphabetical) | Funding
Project | Recommended
Allocations |
| Area 1 Agency on Aging | Elder Ombusdman | $10,452 |
| District Attorney | Frozen Positions | $1,507,934 |
| Eureka Police Department | Homelessness/MIST | $400,000 |
| Fire Chief's Association | Equipment, Dispatch, Planning | $2,629,100 |
| *Hoopa Valley Tribal Council | Willow Creek Ambulance | $267,543 |
| Probation Department | Probation Officers | $607,047 |
| Sheriff's Office | 30 Frozen Positions | $3,500,000 |
| Total Recommended Funding |
| $8,922,076s |
Secondary List
Organization
| Funding
Project | Recommended
Allocations |
Department of Health & Human Services -
Children & Family Services | Child Welfare Workers | $1,003,139 |
| North Coast Substance Abuse Council | Rehab Services | $113,150 |
| Public Defender | Social Worker/IT Technician | $190,000 |
| Public Works | Improve Road Surfaces | $630,000 |