4c) Discussion and Possible Action Including Direction to Staff Regarding a Presentation on Mendocino County's Preliminary Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget
(Sponsor: Executive Office)
I understand that budgets are tight and hard decisions must be made. But cutting Covelo from the funding it has historically received—a relatively small amount of $66,000 for FY 25-26—will likely dismantle an already fragile but vital service. The Covelo FPD is not sitting back; they are actively training local residents to become EMTs, working with Mendocino College and neighboring fire agencies, and doing everything possible to build a sustainable emergency service. But this takes time—and without basic county support, they may not get the chance.
We are not asking for new or expanded funding, just the continuation of what has already been historically provided. Please help us ensure that Covelo retains access to lifesaving care.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I sincerely hope you will stand with us and support the continued funding for Covelo’s ambulance service.
Dear Members of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to you today with deep concern regarding the future of emergency medical services in Covelo and the surrounding remote areas of our county. As a long-time resident, and as someone older who is increasingly aware of how precious time can be in a medical emergency, I urge you to continue funding Covelo Fire Protection District's ambulance service.
Currently, Covelo residents are fortunate to receive emergency medical assistance within roughly an hour—barely within the so-called “golden hour” when treatment is most effective in saving lives. If the County discontinues funding to Covelo FPD, that response time could double. For those of us living in this rural, isolated area, the difference between one hour and two can be the difference between life and death.
In the last year alone, Covelo FPD responded to nearly 300 medical calls—an enormous number for a small, volunteer-based operation. If those calls must now be covered by ambulances coming from Laytonville, Willits, or even Ukiah, the delay will not only jeopardize lives in Covelo but also strain the entire countywide EMS system, pulling scarce resources away from other critical areas.
I understand that budgets are tight and hard decisions must be made. But cutting Covelo from the funding it has historically received—a relatively small amount of $66,000 for FY 25-26—will likely dismantle an already fragile but vital service. The Covelo FPD is not sitting back; they are actively training local residents to become EMTs, working with Mendocino College and neighboring fire agencies, and doing everything possible to build a sustainable emergency service. But this takes time—and without basic county support, they may not get the chance.
We are not asking for new or expanded funding, just the continuation of what has already been historically provided. Please help us ensure that Covelo retains access to lifesaving care.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I sincerely hope you will stand with us and support the continued funding for Covelo’s ambulance service.
I'm writing in support of the staff proposal to use a revised 6.62 percentage figure as the new basis for allocating Prop 172 funds to Fire Agencies. This singular number simplifies and standardizes calculations moving forward. It also consolidates Fire Agencies' Prop 172-related funding under the revenue source and eliminates historical use of General Fund dollars. Good move.
I am one of the 600 people who signed the petition to have the County fix the many potholes on Little River Airport Road. I am using this road weekly when I drive from Albion Ridge Road where I reside to Little River by way of Albion Little River Road and back. If there would be a petition gathered in Albion you would also see 600 signatures in favor of fixing the many potholes on Albion Ridge Road. The County comes and fixes them at times and within a month they look the same. Problems are that they are not fixed properly, and not at the right time, etc.
Another problem is that many people drive faster than safe considering the many curves, ditches and narrow roads. I understand that agenda item 4f addresses your “Intent to Establish a Maximum Speed Limit(s) Between 25 Miles per Hour (MPH) and 40 MPH on Various Segments of Little River Airport & Albion Ridge Roads.
In order to maintain cars it is needed to have the car aligned every 5,000 miles or at least yearly. As expenses for insurance, gas, and new cars increase this cost should not have to be paid by the people who are already paying taxes, but should be covered by the County. Also with the many road construction jobs the time it takes to go places increases.
I am aware that the County is barely able to do what the County currently does as far as maintenance of County roads are concerned.
There are more and more delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and of course also logging trucks. The roads are seeing more wear and tear than they used to.
With the extent of these potholes dangerous situations can happen, especially for pedestrians walking on the road, bicycles, and motorcycles. In some areas the vegetation is so high that visibility is hindered. Also scotch broom is out of control causing a fire danger, and spreading seeds if not cut on time.
With Albion Ridge Road and Navarro Ridge Road being no through roads it is crucial that these roads are safe. Many older people live alone and need at times help from the local fire department, and the EMT’s. It is crucial that they need to be able to access the houses safely and fast.
I am not in favor of a dedicated ROAD tax. The logging companies should have paid extra money all along. I am also not in favor of abandoning roads.
The County has paid huge amounts of money to hire outside lawyers to deal with situations that could have been prevented.
I understand that budgets are tight and hard decisions must be made. But cutting Covelo from the funding it has historically received—a relatively small amount of $66,000 for FY 25-26—will likely dismantle an already fragile but vital service. The Covelo FPD is not sitting back; they are actively training local residents to become EMTs, working with Mendocino College and neighboring fire agencies, and doing everything possible to build a sustainable emergency service. But this takes time—and without basic county support, they may not get the chance.
We are not asking for new or expanded funding, just the continuation of what has already been historically provided. Please help us ensure that Covelo retains access to lifesaving care.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I sincerely hope you will stand with us and support the continued funding for Covelo’s ambulance service.
Mary Jane Cummings
Dear Members of the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors,
I am writing to you today with deep concern regarding the future of emergency medical services in Covelo and the surrounding remote areas of our county. As a long-time resident, and as someone older who is increasingly aware of how precious time can be in a medical emergency, I urge you to continue funding Covelo Fire Protection District's ambulance service.
Currently, Covelo residents are fortunate to receive emergency medical assistance within roughly an hour—barely within the so-called “golden hour” when treatment is most effective in saving lives. If the County discontinues funding to Covelo FPD, that response time could double. For those of us living in this rural, isolated area, the difference between one hour and two can be the difference between life and death.
In the last year alone, Covelo FPD responded to nearly 300 medical calls—an enormous number for a small, volunteer-based operation. If those calls must now be covered by ambulances coming from Laytonville, Willits, or even Ukiah, the delay will not only jeopardize lives in Covelo but also strain the entire countywide EMS system, pulling scarce resources away from other critical areas.
I understand that budgets are tight and hard decisions must be made. But cutting Covelo from the funding it has historically received—a relatively small amount of $66,000 for FY 25-26—will likely dismantle an already fragile but vital service. The Covelo FPD is not sitting back; they are actively training local residents to become EMTs, working with Mendocino College and neighboring fire agencies, and doing everything possible to build a sustainable emergency service. But this takes time—and without basic county support, they may not get the chance.
We are not asking for new or expanded funding, just the continuation of what has already been historically provided. Please help us ensure that Covelo retains access to lifesaving care.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I sincerely hope you will stand with us and support the continued funding for Covelo’s ambulance service.
With heartfelt concern,
Patricia Sobrero
Greetings Members of the Board,
re: Agenda item 4c FY 2025-26 Budget Workshop, Prop 172 allocations
I'm writing in support of the staff proposal to use a revised 6.62 percentage figure as the new basis for allocating Prop 172 funds to Fire Agencies. This singular number simplifies and standardizes calculations moving forward. It also consolidates Fire Agencies' Prop 172-related funding under the revenue source and eliminates historical use of General Fund dollars. Good move.
Esteemed Supervisors,
I am one of the 600 people who signed the petition to have the County fix the many potholes on Little River Airport Road. I am using this road weekly when I drive from Albion Ridge Road where I reside to Little River by way of Albion Little River Road and back. If there would be a petition gathered in Albion you would also see 600 signatures in favor of fixing the many potholes on Albion Ridge Road. The County comes and fixes them at times and within a month they look the same. Problems are that they are not fixed properly, and not at the right time, etc.
Another problem is that many people drive faster than safe considering the many curves, ditches and narrow roads. I understand that agenda item 4f addresses your “Intent to Establish a Maximum Speed Limit(s) Between 25 Miles per Hour (MPH) and 40 MPH on Various Segments of Little River Airport & Albion Ridge Roads.
In order to maintain cars it is needed to have the car aligned every 5,000 miles or at least yearly. As expenses for insurance, gas, and new cars increase this cost should not have to be paid by the people who are already paying taxes, but should be covered by the County. Also with the many road construction jobs the time it takes to go places increases.
I am aware that the County is barely able to do what the County currently does as far as maintenance of County roads are concerned.
There are more and more delivery trucks, garbage trucks, and of course also logging trucks. The roads are seeing more wear and tear than they used to.
With the extent of these potholes dangerous situations can happen, especially for pedestrians walking on the road, bicycles, and motorcycles. In some areas the vegetation is so high that visibility is hindered. Also scotch broom is out of control causing a fire danger, and spreading seeds if not cut on time.
With Albion Ridge Road and Navarro Ridge Road being no through roads it is crucial that these roads are safe. Many older people live alone and need at times help from the local fire department, and the EMT’s. It is crucial that they need to be able to access the houses safely and fast.
I am not in favor of a dedicated ROAD tax. The logging companies should have paid extra money all along. I am also not in favor of abandoning roads.
The County has paid huge amounts of money to hire outside lawyers to deal with situations that could have been prevented.