Humboldt’s Attorneys Warn of Staffing ‘Crisis’
Humboldt County’s budget struggles are hampering its ability to pay competitive wages and prosecution and defense attorneys have described the consequences to the Board of Supervisors. Daniel Mintz reports….
County Attorneys Say Staffing Crisis Is “Beyond the Pale” as Burnout Grows
By Daniel Mintz | KMUD News
At the May 13 Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting, the county’s budget woes were laid bare as public defenders and prosecutors issued a stark warning: they are underpaid, overworked, and at a breaking point.
The testimony came during a legally required public hearing under Assembly Bill 2561, which mandates that local governments hold annual discussions on staffing and recruitment. Representatives from both the District Attorney’s Office and Public Defender’s Office said they’re facing critical staff shortages that are driving burnout and defections.
“We’re in absolute crisis”
Carolyn Schaefer of the Humboldt County Attorneys Association said county attorney vacancies are now “beyond the pale.” While the County’s Human Resources Department reported an attorney vacancy rate of 19%, Schaefer said the DA’s Office is currently operating with just 11 of 18 positions filled—a vacancy rate of 39%.
“We are the lowest paid in the state,” Schaefer said. “When we’re competing with 30 other counties for recruitment, we don’t stand a chance.”
She urged the board to consider a 21% pay increase just to be competitive with Del Norte County. “At least then we can convince people not to leave,” she said.
Public Defenders Overloaded
David Shelley, representing the Public Defender’s Office, echoed those concerns. “There’s been a long-term decay in staffing and funding,” he said. “Our members are looking around at other counties. They want to live in Humboldt—but at some point, they have to be able to make a living.”
Shelley reported carrying 113 open felony cases—more than double the caseload recommended for a senior deputy public defender.
Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClure put it more bluntly: “I work 60 hours a week so I can’t see my family, and I’m in debt by working in the public defender’s office.”
Broader Staffing Challenges
County employees beyond the legal offices are also struggling. Supervisors were told the overall vacancy rate for county jobs is around 18%, though those figures may be outdated. The result: essential services are strained, and recruitment remains difficult.
A County in Financial Strain
Supervisor Steve Madrone acknowledged the crisis but said the county is boxed in by its budget. “Even if we maintain current staffing levels, we’re headed toward a $15 million deficit per year,” he said. “How do we do that and still be responsible to the community?”
He added that the county needs creative solutions and floated the idea of encouraging residents to shop locally to boost sales tax revenue.
No Immediate Action
The Board took no formal action beyond receiving and filing the report. But the message from staff was clear: without better pay and more support, the legal system—and many essential services in Humboldt County—could soon face an even deeper staffing crisis.
