Consent Agenda Item 3d
STAFF REPORT
Consent Agenda Item
DATE: August 3, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Amy Nilsen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Agreement with the County of Humboldt for Environmental Health Services
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Fortuna and the County of Humboldt for Environmental Services and direct the City Manager to execute the agreement, including any minor, non-substantive revisions approved by the City Manager.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
California law authorizes cities and counties to enter into agreements for the performance, administration, and enforcement of public health and environmental health functions within incorporated cities. The City of Fortuna has historically authorized Humboldt County to implement and enforce public and environmental health laws, orders, and regulations within City limits.
The Humboldt County Division of Environmental Health (DEH) currently provides environmental health services for regulated facilities throughout Humboldt County, including facilities located within incorporated cities. These services include, but are not limited to, retail food facility inspections and plan reviews, public pool and spa inspections, body art facility inspections, hazardous materials oversight, solid waste facility inspections, onsite wastewater treatment system review and inspections, and related complaint response. Environmental Health has oversight of approximately 259 facilities in Fortuna.
The proposed MOA updates and clarifies the contractual relationship between the City and County for environmental health services within the City of Fortuna. The agreement identifies the programs DEH will administer and enforce within City limits, clarifies the rights and responsibilities of each party, and establishes how services and complaint responses will be handled and funded.
Most regulatory services are billed directly to regulated facilities in accordance with the current Humboldt County Schedule of Fees. Services that are not funded through an approved County fee or grant, and that are specifically requested by the City, will be the responsibility of the City. Under the MOA, those City costs may not exceed $500 per fiscal quarter without the City’s express written consent.
Approval of the MOA will allow the County to continue providing environmental health services within the City and will provide a clearer framework for coordination, service delivery, complaint response, and cost recovery. Staff recommends approval.
Consent Agenda Item 3d
STRATEGIC PLAN 2026-2036:
This action supports the following area(s) of your City Council’s Strategic Plan 2026-2036.
Quality of Life: Family, Nature & Neighbors: Safety, family life, care for youth, cleanliness, parks, forests, and rivers.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no immediate fiscal impact associated with approving the MOA. The majority of environmental health regulatory services are funded through fees charged to regulated facilities pursuant to the Humboldt County Schedule of Fees.
If DEH provides services that are not funded by a County-approved fee or grant, and those services are specifically requested by the City, the City will be responsible for the associated costs. The MOA limits those costs to $500 per fiscal quarter unless the City provides express written consent for additional costs.
The Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget does not currently include an appropriation for City-funded DEH services. If such services are needed, staff will return to the City Council with a supplemental budget request.
ALTERNATIVE TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council could choose not to approve the MOA. This alternative is not recommended because the services addressed in the MOA are State-mandated public and environmental health services. Without the MOA, the City may need to establish or administer certain public and environmental health programs independently, and the City does not currently have the capacity to implement those programs.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
Motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City of Fortuna and the County of Humboldt for Environmental Health Services and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement, including any minor, non-substantive revisions approved by the City Manager.
Consent agenda vote.
ATTACHMENTS:
• Memorandum of Agreement By and Between County of Humboldt and City of Fortuna For Environmental Health Services For Fiscal Years 2026-2027 Through 2046-2047. o Exhibit A Scope of Work
o Exhibit B Fortuna City Limits
o Exhibit C Complaint Subject Titles and Definitions
o Exhibit D Code Enforcement Referrals
o Exhibit E Funding and Implementation