Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Mendocino County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
33 issues with high priority
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) Program
The county could opt into a state program allowing residents to legally run small food businesses from their home kitchens. If the board approves, staff will draft a local ordinance and permitting process.
First Quarter Budget Report and FY 2026-27 Budget Amendments
The county's mid-fall checkup on spending and revenues comes with proposed budget adjustments — a 4/5ths vote would be needed to adopt the amending resolution.
Public Ambulance Joint Powers Agreement
The Fire Safe Council and Fire Chiefs Association will update the board on work toward a public ambulance JPA, which could reshape how emergency medical transport is delivered in the county.
Deteriorating county roads
Supervisor Williams warned the Board that District 5 residents want road funding in the next budget — drains aren't cleaned, roads are crumbling, and he'll be a holdout on any budget that doesn't address it.
County Executive and Legal Leadership Appointments
The county has its new permanent CEO and incoming County Counsel — key players in everything from budgeting to code enforcement.
Sea Level Rise Policies for the Mendocino Coast
The county is updating its coastal plan to deal with rising seas — covering bluff erosion, deed restrictions on risky properties, and newly added saltwater intrusion language. Speakers flagged septic system risks as seas push groundwater up.
Residential Permit Amnesty Program Considered
Residents packed the room to say the county's permit process is too costly and confusing, and that unpermitted housing is widespread. Only 12 of 38 housing applications from the last amnesty program got through to final inspection. The Board is now digging into why people couldn't finish, before deciding whether a new amnesty program makes sense.
Permanent County CEO appointment
The county is working on filling its top administrative job — the CEO who runs day-to-day county operations. The board discussed the appointment behind closed doors and announced no hire, so the position's status remains up in the air.
Labor Negotiations with County Employee Unions
Nearly 20 employees and union reps pleaded for a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, saying county workers qualify for food assistance, can't afford local housing, and that the county's 1% offer and cut to longevity pay would drive staff away.
Data center moratorium extension
The Board imposed a 45-day emergency ban on approving new data center projects in unincorporated Mendocino County while it studies their water, electricity, farmland and fiscal impacts. A renewal hearing — possibly for a term as long as two years — is expected October 6.
Reynold's Highway bridge replacement over Outlet Creek
A 1955 single-lane timber bridge — the only access and evacuation route for west-of-creek residents near Brooktrails — will be replaced with a new two-lane structure designed for 100-year floods, fully reimbursed by the federal Highway Bridge Program.
El Niño winter storm emergency
The county ratified an emergency proclamation for a potentially historic El Niño, but staff say state permitting could take 9–18 months — meaning flood-prevention work in places like Hopland likely can't happen before the storms.
Water and Sewer Rate Increase
Willits residents will see higher water and sewer bills starting in October after the City Council approved a 6.5% water rate hike and a 6% sewer rate increase. If you live in Willits, this is a direct hit to your monthly utility bill.
Sea level rise and coastal plan update
The county is developing baseline sea level rise policies for its coastal General Plan element.
ADU amnesty program for unpermitted units
The state's AB 2533 lets owners of pre-2020 unpermitted ADUs legalize them. The Board formed a committee to explore going beyond the state program locally, with a proposal due October 20.
$4.5M grant to fight illicit cannabis grows
The Sheriff's Office secured a $4.5 million Prop 64 grant for enforcement against illegal cannabis cultivation, including a code enforcement position and citation software, after reporting roughly 200,000 plants eradicated in July and that 75% of recent homicides occurred at illicit grow sites. Quarterly reports and a public FAQ were added to address community fears about misuse.
Behavioral Health Contracting and Mental Health Client Services
The board approved $19.2 million in contracts with five mental health providers, but punted on whether providers must use the county's Avatar record system or may keep their own systems with a hybrid model. A new ad hoc will study it and report back.
Homelessness services and federal policy direction
The county is relaunching homeless outreach as a behavioral-health-focused program with two teams working seven days a week, six new positions, and $230,000 annually in Measure B funds, starting in the greater Ukiah area before expanding. Supervisors and staff framed it as filling the gap for unsheltered residents with mental health and substance use needs.
Sheriff Staffing Crisis
The Sheriff's Office has a 33% vacancy rate pushing toward 45% with injuries, and says illicit marijuana operations are driving homicides, violence and human trafficking. The board unanimously funded five positions at roughly $1 million a year, partly offset by Prop 64 grants.
1% Road Sales Tax Falls Short
The county tried to put a 1% transportation sales tax on the November ballot to fund road paving and maintenance staffing. It needed four of five supervisor votes just to pass the board, and got three. Roads stay underfunded.
1% Road Sales Tax for November 2026 Ballot
Transportation is developing a special sales tax measure for roads, with a July 7 board presentation and a public comment page on the county website.
SB 1 Road Projects and Bridge Work
The board approved the next three years of state-funded road work in Caspar/Comptche, Redwood Valley, Potter Valley, Ukiah, and Calpella — and Supervisor Cline noted publicly that residents doubt the county will actually show up.
Glassy-winged sharpshooter contamination from Costco shipments
Infested grapevines from a Fresno nursery were shipped to the Ukiah Costco over a month before detection, threatening the county's wine grape industry with Pierce's disease. About 15 trace-forward plants located so far.
FY 2026-27 final budget adoption
The proposed budget is balanced only with $2.59 million in one-time funds, and supervisors acknowledged it doesn't include likely union settlement costs, HR 1 federal cuts, or financial system fix costs. Final adoption is set for June 23.
Property tax assessment backlog and financial roadmap
The county has 5,000+ unprocessed property assessment events, 1,300 past the deadline to bill — costing the county, schools, and cities revenue. A consultant laid out a 3-year, $3-5 million fix including re-implementing the county's financial system.
Neglected and abandoned vineyards
Abandoned vineyards are becoming reservoirs for powdery mildew, viruses and pests that threaten working growers. The board told the Ag Commissioner to enforce minimum standards, leaning on education first and new AB 732 civil penalties as a backstop.
Federal Medicaid/IHSS Funding Deferral
Washington deferred over $1 billion in Medicaid reimbursement to California tied to In-Home Supportive Services as part of an anti-fraud review. Local IHSS keeps running for now, with 2,513 recipients and 2,447 providers watching closely.
Redwood Valley gas station and convenience store appeal
A ten-pump Chevron gas station with convenience store is coming to North State Street after the Board overruled the Planning Commission. Supporters cited jobs, tax revenue and cleanup of a blighted property; opponents cited traffic, air quality near Eagle Peak School, and the operator's record of environmental violations.
Renewal of Climate and Tree Mortality Emergency Declarations
The board renewed its local emergency declarations for tree mortality and climate change, keeping the county eligible for related response tools and funding.
Delinquent Cannabis Business Tax Cleanup
The board moved to write off millions in delinquent cannabis taxes, offer amnesty on interest and penalties, and scrap the minimum tax that small growers say is bankrupting them. Starting 2027, everyone pays a flat 2.5% of sales. Dissenting supervisors worried about lost revenue and repeatedly softening a voter-approved tax.
State audit findings
Staff presented the finalized county audit and the California State Auditor's report on Mendocino County. How the county responds could affect its fiscal oversight and credibility.
Mayoral Appointment
Point Arena’s city council just named Barbara Burkey as the town’s new mayor. It’s a leadership swap that could change what the coastal town prioritizes—so if you care about local budget, housing, or coastal issues, watch what the council does next.
Mayoral Transition
Willits has a new mayor: Tom Allman is taking over after Larry Stranske stepped down due to health reasons. If you live in Willits, that means the person leading city government just changed—so expect a new tone and priorities at City Hall.