Humboldt County Grand Jury • 2025-2026

Friend or Foe - Struggling with Reputation at the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department

Published: June 17, 2026 18 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 5 findings

F1
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Budgetary constraints on the County of Humboldt impact the ability for the County Planning and Building Department to successfully recruit and retain qualified staff. The resulting loss of experienced staff, turnover and longer vacancies make it difficult for the Department to adequately serve the public. (R1)
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning and Building Department Director to evaluate and report whether positions could be consolidated or currently vacant positions could be eliminated, allowing the resulting budget savings to be used to increase compensation for positions that are difficult to recruit for and retain. This report is to be completed and presented to the Board of Supervisors by January 1, 2027. (F1)
F2
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: Records of complaints are not being retained as prescribed by the County Planning and Building Department’s Customer Feedback System. This results in reduced transparency, accountability, independent oversight, and missed operational improvements that could be possible by analyzing customer feedback for trends or patterns. (R2, R3)
Related Recommendations (2)
R2
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning and Building Department Director to reinstitute, maintain, and publicize the Department’s Customer Feedback System. This system should be re-implemented by December 31, 2026. (F2)
R3
If the existing Customer Feedback System is not reinstituted, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors should direct the Planning and Building Department Director to implement a new complaint management system, and inform the public of its existence and how to access it. This system should be implemented by March 31, 2027. (F2)
F3
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The County Planning and Building Department does not appear to have a procedure for surveying or polling its customers in advance of making impactful changes. This reduces the ability of the Department to use customer input to improve the Department’s performance and reputation. (R4)
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning and Building Department Director to create and implement a method to survey or poll customers prior to implementing departmental changes that significantly impact the community, by no later than March 31, 2027. (F3)
F4
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The County Planning and Building Department’s homepage does not prominently and clearly display its hours of operation. This reduces public access to services, extends processing times, and delays or impedes completion of projects. (R5)
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning and Building Department Director to update the Department’s homepage to prominently display public hours, by no later than December 31, 2026. (F4)
F5
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The County Planning and Building Department’s homepage does not state that appointment times are available during non-public hours. This reduces public access to services, extends processing times, and delays or impedes completion of projects. (R6)
Related Recommendations (1)
R6
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors direct the Planning and Building Department Director to update the Department’s homepage to prominently inform the public it can schedule appointments to occur during non-public hours, by no later than December 31, 2026. (F5) RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: • The respondent agrees with the finding; or • The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding, in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: • The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or • The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or • The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or • The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (All findings, all recommendations) INVITED RESPONSE The Director of the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department (All findings, all recommendations) Responses are to be sent to both: The Honorable Judge Timothy A. Canning California Superior Court for Humboldt County 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657; Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.