Budget Priorities for FY 2025–26
Fiscal Sustainability and Reserves Management
Adopt a balanced budget: Ensure ongoing revenues support ongoing expenditures. One-time revenues or grants should not be relied upon for continuous operational costs.
Maintain current levels of service: Avoid staff layoffs and program reductions.
Maintain General Fund reserves at or above GFOA-recommended levels. Fund emergency reserves at 10% of operating expenditures to enhance the City’s preparedness and financial resilience and Maintain a dedicated litigation reserve of $200,000.
Provide additional contributions to the Section 115 Trust to address unfunded pension liabilities.
Explore diversified revenue streams or expand the tax base to strengthen long-term fiscal sustainability.
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Ensure continued funding for police, fire, and emergency response services to ensure a safe and secure community.
Invest in staffing, equipment upgrades, and public safety infrastructure.
Explore community-based programs for crime prevention and strengthen emergency preparedness.
Continued support for the CRU program as a key initiative in addressing homelessness.
Infrastructure Maintenance and Modernization
Elevate the priority of infrastructure improvement funding, including streets, alleys, sidewalks, and storm drain systems, with consideration for General Fund support.
Maintain and improve water and wastewater infrastructure.
Implement Broadband Infrastructure network and launch enterprise fund.
Enhance and update the 5–10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to guide long-term infrastructure planning and investment.
Implement energy efficiency upgrades and sustainable infrastructure initiatives.
Housing, Housing, Housing
Allocate funds to support housing development incentives and pursue pro-housing policies. 2026 Housing Goal: 200
Launch the Community Land Trust to secure long-term affordability.
Explore Public/Private Partnerships to develop vacant lots in the City to increase housing Stock.
Actively pursue state and federal housing grants to leverage external funding.
Effectively communicate to the community housing incentives currently offered by the City.
4. Economic Development, Business Support and Downtown Revitalization Support local business growth through revolving loans, grant programs, and resources.
Invest in downtown revitalization, tourism promotion, and workforce development.
Expand and promote community-building and tourism-driven events to strengthen local engagement and economic activity. (Night Markets, Music festivals, Entertainment zones).
Explore new economic development incentives to attract investments, spark innovation, and create new jobs.
Strategic efforts to diversify the local economy, fostering economic resilience, attracting new industries, and reducing reliance on any single sector.
Continue refining permitting, licensing, and startup processes to reduce barriers to starting a business.
Enhance Public Spaces, Promote Recreation, and Cultivate Civic Pride Ensure long-term, sustainable operations of the C.V. Starr Center.
Invest in youth programs, parks, trails, and recreational facilities.
Partner with the Fort Bragg Unified School District (FBUSD) to improve local soccer fields.
Enhance the maintenance of parks and trails.
Prioritize equitable access to community services and amenities for all residents.
Championing a Sustainable Organization: Staffing and Capacity Prioritize recruitment and retention of high-caliber staff across departments.
Ensure adequate staffing levels are in place to effectively implement the City’s Strategic Plan and achieve City Council goals.
Continue to offer competitive compensation, including COLA adjustments, employee wellness, and comprehensive benefits.
Invest in workforce development through succession planning, cross-training, and teambuilding efforts to build high-performing teams.
Technology and Digital Service Enhancements
Modernize systems to improve customer service, permitting, and internal workflows.
Invest in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and digital tools.
Expand digital access for residents, businesses, and City staff by upgrading the City’s website and enhancing online services that benefit the public.
Community Engagement and Transparency
Expand outreach efforts to increase public participation throughout the fiscal year.
Ensure clear, consistent, and accessible communication on City finances and operations across the departments.
Encourage public involvement through participatory workshops, and community surveys to gather input.
Utilize social media platforms and the City’s e-newsletter to share information with the public.
Launch internship programs with the Schools to invest in the next generation of leadership.
Code Enforcement Policy Direction
Provide policy direction on code enforcement priorities.
Evaluate staffing and resource needs to support proactive enforcement if desired.
Align enforcement efforts with community priorities such as housing preservation, neighborhood livability, and business vitality. “Code-to-compliance Navigator Program” Pairing enforcement with staff, assistance programs, or partnering with non-profits to help owners comply instead of punish.
Vacant and Abandoned Buildings (registration and levy escalating fines) Commercial Property Blight and Mixed-Use Potential
Non-compliant Short-term Rentals
Blight on Residential Properties (Focus on properties with chronic violations) Illegal Conversions or Unpermitted Units (Prioritize bringing units into compliance instead of removal. Launch Amnesty programs, and offer fee waivers to bring units up to code) Planning & Building
Create a One-Stop Shop for permitting to improve customer service and streamline processes.
Improve permit processing times.
Expand outsourcing of plan checks to 4Leaf to streamline service delivery.
Strengthen collaboration between Planning, Engineering, Building, and Economic Development to ensure timely project review and permit issuance.
Mill Site Rezoning, Development, and Public Participation Engage the community through inclusive and transparent public participation processes to shape the vision for the site.
Pursue a Local Coastal Program (LCP) Amendment to rezone the Mill Site in alignment with the City's development goals.
Prioritize planning and infrastructure readiness for the redevelopment of the Mill Site property.
Pursue funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to support infrastructure, remediation, and phased development.
Align Mill Site redevelopment with the City's economic, environmental, housing, and recreational goals.
Consider future restoration of mill-ponds to attract wildlife and public access.