Humboldt Supervisors Split Over Handling Michelle Bushnell Conduct Complaints

An outside investigation by Kramer Workplace Investigations that cost $8,461.50 concluded there were sustained violations of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct involving 2nd District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, finding she "yelled at and cursed at county staff" and allegedly "raised her voice, spoke in a hostile manner and cursed" at two employees in May. The county Human Resources director received complaints, initiated the review and submitted a staff report and executive summary for the board to consider.

The board has taken multiple, distinct actions. The North Coast Journal reported a 4-0 vote to censure Bushnell and a separate 3-1 vote to remove her as board chair for the remainder of her term, with Supervisor Rex Bohn dissenting on removal and Bushnell abstaining from both votes. A later procedural vote to "approve moving forward with addressing current complaints" passed 3-2, with Bushnell and Supervisor Mike Wilson recorded as the dissenting votes, as reported by the Times-Standard. The differing tallies reflect separate motions and agenda items, including an item tied to a November 4, 2025 agenda packet and a subsequent meeting in early March when the board discussed guidance while the Humboldt Civil Grand Jury considers a review of the code of conduct.

Supervisor Steve Madrone urged tougher steps in board meetings and in staff materials recommended removing Bushnell from chair and other assignments, referring the matter to the civil grand jury and appointing members to draft a formal request. Madrone said, "I have a growing, increasing concern over that pattern of bullying, intimidation, retaliatory conduct and abusive treatment of others," adding, "I don't think it's necessarily intentional, but it does happen." Madrone's motion and the staff report also framed the conduct as having "a negative impact on staff morale."

Bushnell addressed the board and the public, framing her behavior in the context of personal history and treatment, saying, "Not making excuses at all, but I have a fight-or-flight personality sometimes," and, "It comes from past traumas of a very abusive relationship. And I work really hard and I’ve been in counseling for it for a lot of years." Public comment included four speakers who defended Bushnell's long-term service and commitment to constituents, and online commentary ranged to strongly partisan neighborhood posts.

Supervisor Mike Wilson warned of workplace consequences, saying, "It’s not just uncomfortable... People are concerned about their job, about their livelihoods. They’re concerned about their place in the community." The board noted it adopted a complaints process a few years ago; several supervisors said that process needs refinement, while Bushnell raised concerns about due process under the current code. The board formally asked the Humboldt Civil Grand Jury to review the Code of Conduct and provide recommendations for modifications; staff materials listed options ranging from censure and removal from assignments to alternative corrective actions or no further action, and described the additional administrative cost of those steps as minimal.

Records filed with agendas include a staff report and an executive summary but the full investigative report text was not attached to public summaries released during the meetings. With the Grand Jury review pending, the county faces a decision point: whether procedural changes to the code of conduct will follow the symbolic and procedural disciplinary steps already taken or whether further corrective measures will be recommended.