The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, beleaguered by financial struggles and reliance on one-time funds, received unexpected news during Tuesday’s meeting. Acting Auditor-Controller Sarah Pierce announced that the county ended the 2023-2024 fiscal year with an $11.2 million carryforward surplus and a $6.3 million surplus.
According to Pierce, the county's assets total approximately $45 million, with $25 million in cash. Pierce noted that the statements were subject to audit.
Supervisors voiced optimism but caution. Supervisor Dan Djerde expressed concerns about potential pressure to spend the newfound funds across various departments. “County costs grow at a fast rate,” Gjerde said, referencing increasing expenses for healthcare, pensions, and wages, which often outpace inflation.
Supervisor Glenn McGourty highlighted the significance of this financial turnaround, commending staff for their efforts to stabilize the county’s finances. “This is remarkable. We’re setting it up well for the new supervisors, who will not have to deal with the constant uncertainty we faced before,” McGourty stated.
Despite the surplus, Pierce warned that ongoing challenges remain, as the county may still need to rely on one-time funds to balance the 2024-2025 budget.
In other business, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to remove the Royal Bank of Canada from the county’s investment portfolio in January 2025. The decision, advocated by Mendocino County for Ethical Investing, stemmed from concerns over the bank’s role as a major financier of fossil fuels and military manufacturers.
Additionally, the board proclaimed November 11 as Veterans Appreciation Day, renewed local emergency declarations related to climate change and tree mortality, and approved a corrective action plan required by the California State Controller.
