General Government Standing Committee 10/21/2026

The Mendocino County General Government Standing Committee met on October 21, 2026, and received presentations on the 2025–26 water year, drought monitoring, and the winter outlook. The National Weather Service described a strengthening El Niño, with increased odds of wetter conditions later in the season, potential flooding and landslides, and coastal-flooding risks. County staff reported the county ended the water year in Stage 1 water-shortage monitoring; there was one dry-well report, Lake Mendocino storage ended at 54% of the target curve, and coastal precipitation was about 102% of historical averages. Staff said updating the drought resilience plan could involve hiring an outside expert, subject to available grant or county funding, but no procurement was approved. The committee unanimously approved a motion to accept the presentations and continue the current drought task force meeting format, including outreach through email and social media.

The committee also reviewed proposed updates to Mendocino County’s 2027 legislative platform and offered recommendations for staff to consider before the item goes to the full Board of Supervisors; no vote on the platform was recorded in the transcript. Proposed priorities included advocating for state and federal funding and technical assistance for water-storage infrastructure, rural traffic-safety improvements, coastal property relocation, and rural emergency medical services. No contract awards, bids, vendor selections, or specific spending amounts were identified.