The following is a column submitted by Mendocino County 3rd District Supervisor John Haschak. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the Mendocino Voice.
Mendocino County is in the process of searching for a new CEO and county counsel. The positions of Auditor/Controller, Treasurer/Tax Collector, and Assessor/Clerk/Elections are up for election. There is only one candidate for each elected position. These are important positions in order for the county to function effectively and efficiently.
The Auditor/Controller position will be separated from the Treasurer/Tax Collector. This is a good move. I was the lone dissenting vote when these two positions were combined. The positions were to be separated at the beginning of 2027 but since the outcome of the election is clear, the board will consider separating the positions now.
The state audit of county finances noted changes that need to be made. The board hired a consultant to look at the internal financial systems. The roadmap to change was presented at the June 2 Board meeting. It is going to require the collaboration of elected positions. The elected officials, the executive office, and the board need to work together to modernize the software systems in conjunction with the processes and procedures in the county. It won’t be a quick fix but must happen.
The board passed a balanced budget this week. It is balanced at this time yet there are many needs that aren’t included such as the impact of contract negotiations and capital improvements. Remaining unknowns are the additional costs the county must pick up from effects of the Big Ugly bill. Some of the hardest hits will take place after the November election.
I am on the board of the Great Redwood Trail. Of the 231 miles of the GRT from the Sonoma/Mendocino border to Humboldt Bay, there are already over 47 miles of the trail complete and open. This includes miles around Humboldt Bay and the City of Ukiah. Construction is ongoing on the Willits portion.
The Mendocino Land Trust is doing the planning and design for the section from Commercial St. in Willits north to Longvale. Senator Mike McGuire was able to get $50 million of Prop. 4 money for trail planning and construction, environmental restoration and tribal engagement. Please visit TheGreatRedwoodTrail.org for more information.
Check out the Redwood Highway exhibit at the Mendocino County Museum in Willits. The exhibit, along with the speaker series, is very entertaining and informative.
There will be a Talk with the Supervisor on Thursday, June 18, from 10-11 a.m. at Brickhouse Coffee in Willits. You can always contact me at haschakj@mendocinocounty.gov or call 707-972-4214.
What is troubling about the fund’s secured for The Great Redwood Trail is that those funds were taken from Prop 4 that is supposed to go to clean drinking water, wildfire prevention, and drought preparedness. With looming water scarcity and reservoir removals happening all across California you would think that water security would be a much more responsible place to allocate the funds. Wonder how much kick back McGuire is receiving from his cronies for stealing funds from Prop 4. Newsom 2.0
Prop 4 isn’t a slush fund to protect Vineyard and Cannabis farm water supplies. Not to mention Prop 4 wouldn’t be near enough to stop what is happening to the Dam in Lake County. Plus the trail is akin to a park which does fall under the premise of Prop 4 parameters.