Proposed tax to fix Mendocino County roads dies at the Board of Supervisors

MENDOCINO CO., 7/21/26 — Mendocino County spent the spring building a case that its roads are failing faster than it can fix them. On Tuesday three supervisors voted to put the matter to voters in the form of a 1% sales tax that would go to road repairs. Two voted no, and the measure died.

The ordinance would have imposed a 1% sales and use tax across the unincorporated county, projected to raise about $5.5 million a year for pavement work and road crews. Supervisor John Haschak moved to adopt it and Chair Bernie Norvell seconded. Haschak, Norvell and Supervisor Ted Williams voted for it. Supervisors Madeline Cline and Maureen Mulheren voted against, and the motion failed 3-2.