Humboldt Conservation Board eyes Gotch Park remodel, seeks 50/50 revenue share

The Humboldt County Conservation Board used its annual meeting to press a revenue-sharing proposal and to outline near-term capital priorities, including a remodel of the Gotch Park shelter. The proposal would allow the Conservation Department to retain 50% of revenue generated by parks and department services, with the remaining 50% flowing to the county general budget. The matter will appear on the County Supervisors agenda in the coming weeks for a final decision.

The board met Thursday at noon after snow squalls forced a one-day delay. Officers were re-elected with no changes: Bob Rasmussen will continue as chairman and Will Spellmeyer as co-chair. The projected departmental budget remains unchanged for the coming year, and Conservation Director Todd Lee identified three major expenditures expected over the next 12 months - the Gotch Park Shelter remodel, purchase of a new mower, and installation of wayfinding signage along the Three Rivers Trail. "This is the same stuff we have talked about the last few months. Not any surprises in there," Lee said.

Lee told Supervisors he had discussed the 50/50 revenue split and described the exchange as constructive. "They had quite a few questions but I think there was pretty good dialogue back and forth. I think they grasped what we are trying to do," Lee said. Under the measure, retaining half of earned revenues would give the Conservation Department a steadier funding base to plan larger capital projects without seeking supplemental county allocations. Proponents argue that the change would reduce year-to-year uncertainty when planning repairs or upgrades at parks and trails; opponents on the Supervisors bench may weigh impacts to the county general fund and competing budget priorities.

Board members also moved on a separate, practical issue involving roadside ash trees near Rutland. The City of Rutland has roughly 50 ash trees planted on county land that the city has been maintaining without a documented agreement. "There isn't a written agreement that I can find and Susan Tille (Mayor of Rutland) doesn't have anything in writing either," Lee said. To resolve short-term hazards and clarify responsibilities, Lee proposed Conservation crews remove limbs and brush and haul them to a Humboldt burn pile, then fell trunks and leave them on site for Rutland residents to remove. The board approved those actions.

For Humboldt residents, the revenue proposal could mean faster progress on park projects such as Gotch Park and clearer maintenance on popular corridors like the Three Rivers Trail if Supervisors sign off. The supervisors' upcoming agenda will determine whether the county adopts the 50/50 arrangement, and residents should watch that meeting for potential shifts in how local parks are funded and managed.