Mendocino County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Mendocino County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026-27 Property Tax Rates
The Board formally set the county's tax rates for the coming fiscal year.
Anticipated Litigation Against the County
The Board got briefed in private on litigation exposure involving multiple cases. Details stay confidential, but outcomes could carry costs for the county.
CEO salary increase to $300,000
Facing a second failed recruitment, the Board raised the advertised CEO salary to a $250,000–$300,000 range, passing 3-2. Dissenting supervisors argued the 20% bump next to staff's 3% raise sends the wrong message, while supporters said the higher ceiling is the only way to attract qualified candidates.
Grand Jury response on Planning and Building oversight
The Board approved its response to two 2025/2026 Grand Jury reports examining Board oversight of Planning and Building Services, and disbanded the ad hoc committee that drafted it.
Fiscal Transparency and the $30 Million Uncollected Revenue Question
Supervisors Mulheren and Williams pressed for better financial reporting on road spending, and Supervisor Haschak flagged public confusion about roughly $30 million in uncollected county revenue flagged in a state audit. Staff said the financial system needs years of work before full transparency is possible.
Lodging Business Improvement District assessment for FY 2026/27
The county will keep collecting the BID assessment with a June 23 hearing set, but supervisors pressed Visit Mendocino to fix its neglect of inland tourism and directed staff on ordinance changes returning election and board powers to the organization.
Proposed sale of four county-owned properties
The county is quietly working on selling land and buildings in Covelo, Boonville, near Willits, and Fort Bragg. Staff now have authority to negotiate price and terms, though any final sale would return to the Board in public.