As Humboldt County braces itself for some major cuts, county officials are hoping to hear what the community is willing to do without.The County is holding the following community meetings seeking input from the community:
The Humboldt County Administrative Office is hosting a series of meetings this month to gather input from residents about services that are important to them. The first meeting is on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Ag Center Auditorium in Eureka, but there are seven meetings total.
◼ Monday May 2nd, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
AG Center Auditorium, 5630 South Broadway, Eureka
◼ Wednesday May 4th, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
McKinleyville High School multi-purpose room, 1300 Murray Road, McKinleyville
◼ Thursday, May 5th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, 320 South Fortuna Blvd., Fortuna
◼ May 9th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
John Haynes Memorial Veterans Hall, 483 Conger, Garberville
◼ May 10th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Jacoby Creek School Gymnasium, 1617 Old Arcata Road, Bayside
◼ May 11th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Eureka Veterans Building, 1018 H St., Eureka
◼ May 12th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Community Services District, Board Chambers, 135 Willow Road, Willow Creek
Per the T-S article: "…in an effort to fill a $5 million shortfall, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors has already asked department heads to reduce their general fund budgets for the 2011-2012 fiscal year by 8 percent, and the county has offered incentives to employees for voluntary separations to avoid layoffs. The county's reserves -- which ideally would be between $7.1 million and $9.1 million -- are at $250,000. We've been spending more than we've been taking in, so now we have to correct that,” Smith-Hanes said. “There's going to be some pretty painful choices. -- none of (the choices) are going to be roses and cream puffs.” Although the county has a $300 million budget, only $45 million is money that can be moved around. The rest comes from grants or funding attached to specific programs. "Sixteen percent of people's property tax bills go to the county general fund, and we get a portion of sales tax,” Smith-Hanes said. “That's really what the board has to allocate.”If you cannot attend, CALL YOUR SUPERVISOR TODAY!
The Department of Health and Human Services has a $150 million budget. The total fund is divided into $7.75 million from the county's general fund, with $142.3 million from state and federal sources that can't be moved to the general fund. Additionally, many social services are mandated by law.
◼ 1st District: Jimmy Smith Phone: 476-2391
Email: jrsmith@co.humboldt.ca.us
◼ 2nd District: Clif Clendenen Phone: 476-2392
Email: cclendenen@co.humboldt.ca.us
◼ 3rd District: Mark Lovelace Phone: 476-2393
Email: mlovelace@co.humboldt.ca.us
◼ 4th District: Virginia Bass Phone: 476-2394
Email: vbass@co.humboldt.ca.us
◼ 5th District: Ryan Sundberg Phone: 476-2395
Email: rsundberg@co.humboldt.ca.us
Mailing address:◼ HUMBOLDT COUNTY Board of Supervisors
Humboldt County Courthouse (Humboldt)
825 Fifth St., Room 111
Eureka, CA 95501
