County Conversations: Supervisor Michelle Bushnell on Budget Challenges, Eel River Dams, and Measure O

In this edition of County Conversations, our monthly check-in with Humboldt County Supervisors, we spoke with Michelle Bushnell, who represents the Second District. This district covers communities along the Highway 101 corridor from Benbow to Fortuna, extending east to Bridgeville and west to Shelter Cove.

As the newly appointed Chair of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, Bushnell shared insights on how her responsibilities have evolved in this leadership role. She also addressed some of the county’s most pressing issues, including:

• Humboldt County’s Budget Crisis – The county is facing ongoing deficits, which will require stricter spending controls in the next budget cycle. Bushnell discussed financial challenges and possible strategies to address them.
• Potter Valley Project & Eel River Dams – She provided updates on the decommissioning plan for the two dams on the main stem of the Eel River and the new water diversion agreement, which notably does not include Humboldt County despite the impact on the region.
• Measure O – Bushnell touched on the importance of Measure O, a sales tax measure that helps fund essential county services.

She also emphasized the importance of the Eel River watershed and the county’s plans to advocate for funding to support restoration efforts.

Catch our monthly check-in with Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell on the second Wednesday of each month. If you have questions you’d like us to ask in a future segment, email us at news@wordpress-1438018-5376424.cloudwaysapps.com.