If you have interest in sharing your thoughts on how Measure O funds will be spent to make improvements throughout Humboldt County, there are four upcoming opportunities to share your input over the next month.
Background
Measure O is a ballot measure that proposed 1-cent local sales tax that would generate funds to repair county roads and provide bus service. On Nov. 5, 2024, Humboldt County voters overwhelmingly approved Measure O with 63% support, recognizing the urgent need to maintain and improve these critical services. Passage of Measure O will help address decades of deferred maintenance and support the county’s long-term infrastructure needs, as well as ensure transit services for seniors, children, those with disabilities and other residents.
Measure O is anticipated to raise approximately $24 million in the next year. Of that amount, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors has allocated 85%, or approximately $20.4 million, to essential county road repairs and 15%, or approximately $3.6 million, to public transit services, ensuring both immediate impact and long-term benefits for residents across the county. An additional $3 million in anticipated current-year revenue has also been committed to road improvements.
Spending plans for both roads and transit will be reviewed through committee processes before being formally adopted by the appropriate governing bodies. The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will adopt the Roads Spending Plan, and the Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) Board of Directors will adopt the Transit Spending Plan.
There are four upcoming public meetings with the opportunity for you to provide your input on how funds are spent over the next year:
Committee Meeting for Roads: June 5
The Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will review the Roads Spending Plan on Thursday, June 5 at 2:30 p.m.
The meeting will include an overview of general spending categories and specific projects under consideration. As proposed, the plan allocates $9.5 million to roads surfacing projects, $4 million in grant matching funds to leverage more than $20 million in external funding, over $2.2 million for emergency road response and $7.6 million for equipment, Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessible curb ramps, vegetation management and personnel costs.
This meeting offers the public a chance to better understand the plan, ask questions and provide feedback. Agendas and participation information are available at hcaog.net/calendar.
Spending Plan Approval for Roads: June 9
Following the committee meeting, the Humboldt County Department of Public Works will present the TAC’s recommendations on its spending plan to the Board of Supervisors during the county’s Budget Hearings on Monday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. These recommendations must be considered by the Board for approval as part of the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year. For more information on how to attend this meeting, please visit humboldt.legistar.com.
Committee Meeting for Transit: June 11
The $3.6 million Transit Spending Plan will be reviewed by the HCAOG Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) on Tuesday, June 11 at 1:30 p.m. As presented, Measure O spending priorities for the upcoming year include funding for Southern Humboldt Intercity, North State Express 299 and 101 Dial-a-Ride and restoration of late-night and early-morning service on Redwood Transit System (RTS). While HTA is committed to transitioning to zero-emission vehicles, the agency notes that due to the lack of hydrogen fuel infrastructure in the region, maintaining a diversified fleet remains essential. With 76.4% of RTS buses beyond their federally defined useful life, HTA plans to purchase two diesel buses to ensure continued reliable bus service. For more information on this meeting, please visit hcaog.net/calendar.
Spending Plan Approval for Transit: June 25
Following input from the SSTAC, HTA will present its final Transit Spending Plan for adoption as part of its budget at a special meeting on Wednesday, June 25. Meeting details will be available at hta.org/board-meetings.
Community participation is critical to shaping how Measure O funding is used to benefit Humboldt County’s transportation infrastructure and services. All interested community members are encouraged to attend these meetings to learn more and share their input.
For more information, please contact the Humboldt County Administrative Office at 707-445-7266 or email cao@co.humboldt.ca.us.
Humboldt County Department of Public Works road crew conducts paving work on Mattole Road.