Bernie Norvell

County Executive and Legal Leadership Appointments

Interim CEO salary set at $202,716.80 ($344,618 with benefits); counsel contract increased from $190,000 to $360,000.

Permanent County CEO appointment

Combined estimated annual compensation for the two positions is roughly $941,700 including salary and benefits.

Labor Negotiations with County Employee Unions

A 3% COLA placeholder could cost millions annually; the county says it can't afford it, the union says the $30 million uncollected property tax says otherwise.

First Quarter Budget Report and FY 2026-27 Budget Amendments

Resolution 26-079 adjusts current-year departmental spending and revenues; the 2026-27 preliminary budget will shape next year's services.

City of Ukiah proposed annexation and tax sharing

Roughly $150,000 estimated first-year loss; potential $12 million in road obligation savings disputed.

Performance evaluations of department heads

Department leadership performance can shape how well services like agriculture oversight and air quality enforcement run locally.

CEO salary increase to $300,000

Up to $60,000 more in base salary and roughly $510,000 total annual compensation with benefits for the position.

Anticipated Litigation Against the County

Potential litigation costs or settlements could draw on county funds; amounts are not public.

FY 2026-27 final budget adoption

$2.59 million of one-time money is covering this year's gap, and unknowns could add millions more.

AB 2494 opposition letter

Grand Jury response on Planning and Building oversight

2026-27 property tax rates

Sets the rates property owners pay for the 2026-27 year.

Lodging Business Improvement District assessment for FY 2026/27

The BID collects a 1% assessment on lodging; the county's admin costs run near 6%, and dropping the 3% fee would cost roughly $35,000 annually.

1% Road Sales Tax for November 2026 Ballot

A special tax could raise significant new road funding if voters approve it.

Fiscal Transparency and the $30 Million Uncollected Revenue Question

Consultant Ben Rosenfield's report suggested roughly $2-3 million and years of work to modernize the county's financial reporting.

Property tax assessment backlog and financial roadmap

Roughly $2 million in backlog-driven revenue is assumed in next year's budget; the fix itself will cost $3-5 million over three years.

Federal Medicaid/IHSS Funding Deferral

Potential loss of federal reimbursement could strain county and state IHSS funding if the deferral stands.

State audit findings

Audit findings could carry fiscal and compliance implications for county operations.

Delinquent Cannabis Business Tax Cleanup

The county may forgo an estimated $900,000 to $1 million in true-up revenue for 2026, plus writing off delinquent taxes that could total $1-2 million or more.

Proposed sale of four county-owned properties

Sale proceeds and carrying costs on surplus property could affect county finances, but no figures are public yet.