Board of Supervisors 10/20/2026

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting on October 20, 2026, included employment agreements, coastal planning, and housing-permit discussions. The Board unanimously approved Michael Rossi’s appointment as County Counsel, with an annual salary of $271,000; the transcript gives inconsistent figures for estimated total compensation (approximately $460,000 or $467,000). It also unanimously approved Sarah Pierce’s CEO employment agreement, with annual compensation of $481,000 including salary and benefits, for a term from October 20, 2026, through October 20, 2029. No vendor or competitive procurement award was identified. The Board also unanimously approved the consent calendar, except for item C3, which was considered separately for appointments.

Planning staff presented proposed Local Coastal Program amendments addressing sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion, hazard disclosure, and periodic updates, and sought authorization to submit an amendment to the California Coastal Commission; the transcript does not clearly capture the Board’s final action on that item. On unpermitted housing, the Board directed staff to prepare records on prior amnesty applications that did not reach completion and invite affected property owners to meet with the Board ad hoc committee, which will report back. Staff discussed a possible rental arrangement for the county’s animal-services caravan with a local veterinarian, including discounted fees for underserved areas, but no decision was recorded. Other reports included a $21,000 allocation from a spay/neuter donation for an animal clinic and election, fire-service, and vaccination updates.