Sheriff Deputy Todd Fulton Appointed to County Planning Commission

Supervisor Michelle Bushnell on December 15 appointed Todd Fulton to the Humboldt County Planning Commission to represent the Second District. Fulton will replace Thomas Mulder, who resigned after nearly five years as the district appointee, leaving a seat that shapes permits, zoning and resource management across Southern Humboldt.

Fulton is a fourth generation Fortuna resident and operates a local ranch. He is a long time Humboldt County sheriff deputy and investigator who now works as a security and safety coordinator for Green Diamond Resource Company. Fulton also serves on the Northcoast Regional Land Trust board and participates in local agricultural and rodeo organizations. He was previously under consideration for a Planning Commission appointment in 2024, signaling continued interest from county leaders in his participation.

The Planning Commission reviews land use proposals, conditional use permits and policy recommendations that influence timber operations, agriculture, housing and rural infrastructure. Fulton’s combined experience in law enforcement, corporate timber operations and agricultural organizations will bring practical familiarity with county operations and rural community life to commission deliberations. For residents in the Second District, which includes large tracts of privately owned timberland and dispersed rural communities, the appointment will matter for how development and resource stewardship are balanced.

At the same time, Fulton’s employment with a regional timber company and his law enforcement background are likely to prompt questions about potential conflicts of interest and about how the commission weighs competing priorities. Appointees to land use bodies are expected to disclose affiliations and, where required, recuse themselves from matters that present direct conflicts. The commission’s handling of disclosure and recusal will shape public confidence in permit decisions and policy outcomes.

Mulder’s resignation after nearly five years interrupted continuity for Southern Humboldt representation on the commission. The new appointment restores a local voice but also changes the experience mix on the panel. Residents and advocacy groups will now look to Supervisor Bushnell and the Planning Commission to ensure transparent public meetings, accessible hearings and clear records of votes and recusals so that community priorities are reflected in land use outcomes.

As Fulton assumes the district seat, the planning body will continue work on issues central to Humboldt County, including resource management, rural housing and landowner permitting. Close attention from local government watchers and civic organizations will be important to track how his perspectives influence commission policy and decisions.