Yes. I support allocating Measure P funds in the manner outlined in BOS Resolution 22-159. The intent of Measure P was clearly communicated to voters to strengthen fire protection and prevention across Mendocino County. When the public approves a measure with a specific purpose, it is important that the County follow through on that commitment.

Direct funding to fire agencies is essential to maintaining staffing, equipment, training, and emergency readiness. I also support the portion dedicated to prevention and resiliency efforts, because investing in prevention ultimately protects lives, property, and public resources. As Supervisor, I would support maintaining transparency and accountability in how those funds are distributed and ensure that local fire agencies continue to have a strong voice in how those resources are used.

Yes, I would support efforts to renew the sales tax for fire protection and prevention. Wildfire risk is an ongoing reality in Mendocino County, and our communities rely on strong fire protection and prevention systems. Stable and predictable funding is essential for fire agencies to plan, recruit personnel, maintain equipment, and invest in mitigation.

At the same time, I believe it is important to clearly communicate to voters how the funds are being used and the impact they are having in our communities. Maintaining public trust will be critical to the long-term sustainability of any funding measure.

Yes, I support maintaining these funding sources in their current form. Emergency response services are foundational public safety functions, and rural areas like Anderson Valley, Laytonville, and Covelo rely heavily on these funding streams to maintain ambulance coverage and fire protection. At the same time, we have to acknowledge that current funding levels are not fully meeting the needs of our communities. Many of our fire and ambulance services continue to operate with limited resources, staffing challenges, and increasing demand.

Because of that, I believe we should not only maintain these funding sources but also look at ways to strengthen and increase funding over time to ensure sustainable, reliable emergency services. If modifications are considered in the future, they should be done through a collaborative process with fire districts, local governments, and community stakeholders, with a focus on improving service levels, not reducing them. Maintaining and strengthening support for emergency services must remain a priority.

Our fire agencies should not have to rely on pancake breakfasts and volunteer fundraising to maintain critical emergency services. Volunteerism is a proud tradition in rural communities, but it cannot replace stable public funding for life-saving services. As Supervisor, my role would be to:

• Advocate for stable county funding streams
• Support state and federal grant opportunities
• Work collaboratively with fire districts to identify long-term funding solutions
• Prioritize infrastructure improvements that support emergency response

We need a coordinated approach that strengthens the entire emergency response system, from fire districts to dispatch to ambulance services.

I support maintaining the Teeter Plan because it provides critical stability for our local agencies, especially fire districts, schools, and special districts that rely on predictable property tax revenue to operate. At the same time, I don’t think it should remain static. The audits and current financial challenges make it clear that we need to take a closer look at how it’s functioning and whether adjustments are needed to ensure it remains sustainable for the County.

I would support evaluating a few key areas. First, strengthening delinquent tax collection practices to reduce the County’s exposure and improve recovery timelines. Second, ensuring we have clear and transparent tracking and reporting, so the Board and the public understand the level of risk and outstanding liabilities. And third, reviewing whether the reserve levels and risk thresholds tied to the Teeter Plan are adequate given current conditions.

I would also want to make sure that any changes do not unintentionally destabilize the very agencies that rely on the program, particularly our rural fire districts. Overall, I support maintaining the Teeter Plan, but with a focus on strong oversight, improved collection, and long-term sustainability.

Yes, I agree that public agency provision of EMS is critical and must be sufficiently funded. In many rural communities, EMS services are the backbone of emergency medical care, particularly where hospitals are far away. Fire agencies are often the first and fastest responders.

As Supervisor, I would focus on:

• Ensuring sustainable funding for ambulance services
• Supporting collaboration between fire districts, ambulance providers, and the County
• Improving coordination of emergency response systems
• Advocating for rural EMS funding at the state level

Improving prehospital care ultimately saves lives, and it should remain a core priority for county government.

Wildfire is part of our reality in Mendocino County, and addressing it requires a coordinated, long-term approach. I see the County’s role as a convener and partner, aligning efforts, removing barriers, and helping bring resources into our communities. Key priorities include strengthening fuel management and defensible space programs, including supporting prescribed and cultural burning in partnership with Tribal communities. We must also improve infrastructure by addressing road conditions and identifying safe, reliable ingress and egress routes, particularly in our rural areas.

The County should expand support for home hardening and community preparedness by helping residents access funding and technical assistance. At the same time, we need fair and consistent enforcement where properties create hazards, paired with education and support. Finally, we must continue to pursue state and federal funding and strengthen partnerships to scale these efforts. Addressing wildfire risk requires coordination, accountability, and sustained investment, and I am committed to ensuring the County plays an active and effective role in protecting our communities.

Wildfire is part of our reality in Mendocino County, and addressing it requires a coordinated, long-term approach. I see the County’s role as a convener and partner, aligning efforts, removing barriers, and helping bring resources into our communities. Key priorities include strengthening fuel management and defensible space programs, including supporting prescribed and cultural burning in partnership with Tribal communities. We must also improve infrastructure by addressing road conditions and identifying safe, reliable ingress and egress routes, particularly in our rural areas.

The County should expand support for home hardening and community preparedness by helping residents access funding and technical assistance. At the same time, we need fair and consistent enforcement where properties create hazards, paired with education and support. Finally, we must continue to pursue state and federal funding and strengthen partnerships to scale these efforts. Addressing wildfire risk requires coordination, accountability, and sustained investment, and I am committed to ensuring the County plays an active and effective role in protecting our communities.

Wildfire prevention and mitigation is a high priority and absolutely within my top concerns for Mendocino County. Our communities have experienced firsthand the devastating impacts of wildfire, and the risks continue to grow. Because of that, prevention, preparedness, and long-term resilience must remain central to how we plan, invest, and make decisions at the County level. This includes strengthening fuel reduction efforts, supporting home hardening and defensible space, improving emergency access and evacuation routes, and expanding partnership. Investing in mitigation today is not optional, it is essential to protecting lives, property, and the long-term sustainability of our communities.

Yes, I am familiar with the work of the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council and the critical role they play in wildfire prevention and community preparedness across our county. Programs like defensible space assistance, home assessments, fuel reduction projects, neighborhood fire-safe groups, and support for seniors and vulnerable residents are essential to reducing risk and strengthening community resilience. I believe the County’s role is to be a strong partner in this work by:

• Supporting and expanding these programs
• Helping secure and align state and federal funding
• Improving coordination across agencies, fire districts, and Tribal partners
• Promoting public education and increasing community participation

The County should also work to remove barriers that slow down implementation and ensure these resources are reaching rural and high-risk communities. These efforts are not optional, they are critical to building a culture of preparedness and protecting lives, homes, and our communities.

In general, I support the Mendocino County Strategic Plan 2022–2027 as a framework for setting priorities and guiding long-term planning. It reflects many of the core issues our communities are facing, including infrastructure, workforce challenges, and public safety. At the same time, a strategic plan is only as effective as its implementation. I believe there is an opportunity to strengthen accountability, timelines, and measurable outcomes to ensure the plan translates into real progress on the ground.

Regarding item IV.B, ensuring access to rural fire protection and emergency medical services is critical. In a county as large and rural as Mendocino, access to reliable fire and EMS services can be the difference between life and loss. I support prioritizing:

• Sustainable and increased funding for rural fire and EMS services
• Recruitment and retention of firefighters, EMTs, and volunteers
• Improved coordination between fire districts, the County, and regional partners
• Investments in infrastructure, including roads and emergency access
• Support for training, equipment, and local capacity

We also need to recognize that many rural areas, including communities like Covelo and Laytonville, face unique challenges that require targeted solutions. Ensuring access to fire protection and EMS is not just a goal, it is a fundamental responsibility, and I am committed to advancing that work.

1. Yes, I strongly support recruitment and retention efforts for both paid and volunteer fire departments. Our fire services are stretched thin, especially in rural areas, and sustaining this workforce is critical to public safety. As a Supervisor, I would support efforts to improve recruitment by addressing barriers such as workforce housing, training access, and funding stability. Retention also requires supporting fair compensation where possible, investing in equipment and resources, and ensuring volunteers feel valued and supported.
2. Yes, I support working with the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council to expand and strengthen Neighborhood Fire Safe Councils. These local groups are essential for building community-level preparedness and reducing wildfire risk. As a Supervisor, I would help promote these efforts, support coordination across agencies, and work to connect NFSCs with funding opportunities, technical assistance, and County resources to help implement projects effectively.
3. Yes, I support seeking funding to expand access to advanced life support services. In many parts of Mendocino County, especially rural communities, timely access to emergency medical care is limited. As a Supervisor, I would advocate for increased funding, support partnerships with local providers, and work to ensure that resources are distributed in a way that improves response times and outcomes across the county.
4. As a Supervisor, I would see my role as helping ensure the Strategic Plan reflects the real needs of our communities and leads to measurable results. In updating Section IV.B, I would prioritize strengthening rural fire protection and EMS through clear goals, accountability, and sustainable funding strategies. I would also emphasize coordination with fire districts, Tribal partners, and community organizations to ensure solutions are practical, inclusive, and effective.