On the morning of Tuesday, June 20th Mendocino County workers flooded the Mendocino Board of Supervisors’ meeting. The workers were there to demand the Board prioritize people and services in their budget.

Mendocino County’s total revenue has increased 44.8% since 2019-2020, but Mendocino County administrators and the Board of Supervisors have failed to address understaffing for essential services for its county residents in their latest budget. County workers are fed up with the County’s excuses and are demanding that the County take action. Mendocino County needs to address the staffing crisis that’s leaving Mendocino residents underserved, especially compared to neighboring counties and municipalities.

“The County is crying poverty as it continues to leave revenues uncollected and underestimated,”  said SEIU 1021 Mendocino County Chapter President Julie Beardsley, a senior public health analyst for the county. “Meanwhile, vital county services remain understaffed, jeopardizing the wellbeing of Mendocino families. The County must prioritize recruitment and retention of these vital county services.” 

Mendocino County has a county-wide vacancy rate of 29%. Among the critical staffing shortages jeopardizing the health, safety, and well-being of county residents, including the most vulnerable, are:

• A nearly 40% vacancy rate in Family & Children’s Services — putting at-risk kids in danger
• A 44% vacancy rate in Department of Transportation road crews, meaning our roads don’t get paved or repaired in a timely manner
• A 70% vacancy rate for mental health clinicians