County & community news from District 1 Supervisor Joelle Gallagher | |
| |
|
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
While warmer weather has arrived, the “lazy days of summer” seem to be a thing of the distant past. The County Board of Supervisors just approved the final budget for Fiscal year 2023-24, fire prevention work continues, and emergency preparedness takes on a heightened level of importance. We have hired a new County Executive Officer (more below) and additional County job opportunities await. (Click JOBS.)
Many residents ask me how they can get more involved in the community. I usually ask, “What are you passionate - or curious - about?” There are incredible opportunities to work or volunteer for organizations devoted to everything from emergency food for seniors to caring for wounded wildlife, advocating for teen mental health, supporting struggling parents, or protecting our natural resources. Through the County, you can share your talents and expertise by serving on a Board, Commission or Committee. Follow this LINK to view current openings.
My hope is that this newsletter provides a snapshot of my work and advocacy here in the County. I'll endeavor to keep you up-to-date, and hopefully inspire you to engage with me and our County staff directly. Please take a moment to complete the surveys in sidebar below, and feel free to reach out to me and/or my Board Aide Leah Doyle-Stevens at (707) 254-4154; joelle.gallagher@countyofnapa.org; and leah.doyle-stevens@countyofnapa.org.
Happy summer,
Joelle
|
Budget Adoption
On June 27, the Board of Supervisors approved the FY 2023-24 Annual Budget totaling approximately $680 million, a 12.6 percent increase from the FY 2022-23 budget. The proposed budget provides a solid foundation to address board priorities, maintain healthy reserve funds, reduce future obligations, and invest in infrastructure. Increased investments include fire prevention and mitigation, Care Court, and public health, like a mobile office to bring services to specific areas within the county's geographic footprint.
The total breakdown of the budget is as follows:
General Administration and Finance, $56,509,976
(21.60%)
Community Resources/Infrastructure, $36,489,246
(13.47%)
Law/Justice, $55,381,553
(20.44%)
Public Safety, $79,938,476
(29.51%)
Contributions to non-GF departments, $40,610,183
(14.99%)
|
Climate Action Committee
The Climate Action Committee (CAC) is comprised of two representatives from the County, and each of our cities and town. This committee works collaboratively to review the best ways to reduce emissions and build climate resilience throughout the county. At the recent CAC meeting, the Committee discussed its commitment to create a Regional Climate Action Plan. Our various jurisdictions have committed to “net zero emissions” by the year 2030. The Committee members agreed that we must set goals that are clear and measurable, and to do that we will need to work closely to align our actions to make maximum community impact. This will also require time and effort from our residents, industries and workforce, to assure progress. If you are interested in participating, start by attending and speaking at CAC meetings. You will find more information and the meeting calendar at this LINK.
|
Language Access in Napa County
Part of providing equitable access to governmental services, electeds and public meetings is to assure everyone can meaningfully engage. Toward that end, the County and partners have embarked on creating a Language Access Plan. This means assuring that not only are we prepared to communicate in emergencies, but in everyday interactions, such as providing & receiving services, or discussing important community issues at public meetings.
The Napa County Language Access Ad Hoc Committee met for the first time on June 28th. Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza and I are the Board representatives and were joined by Henry Wofford (PIO/Sheriff), Holly Dawson (Deputy CEO/Communications), Neha Hoskins (Clerk of the Board) and Jennifer Yasumoto (HHSA), and Ron Abernathy (Public Defender). Initially, we will be gathering data from our departments about their language, translation and interpretation challenges and get a better understanding of the ways our staff and clients, formally and informally, meet language needs. We will also be working closely with our community partners to assure we make the best use of trusted messengers and meet the needs of our residents in a way that is seamless, comfortable, and welcoming. If you’d like to discuss your ideas to bolster community engagement, please reach out to me to discuss!
|
|
ARPA Funding for Childcare
The Board of Supervisors approved the allocation of $3.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Coronavirus Recovery funds for childcare infrastructure. Grants in the form of forgivable loans, will be awarded to seven grantees for eligible projects, including acquiring, building, or renovating a facility, furniture/equipment or other facility costs, and licensing fees. The Board has expressed an interest in continuing to fund projects should additional funds be allocated. Applications will continue to be accepted through July 21: APPLY HERE.
|
 |
COAD: Meet Your Neighbor Program
The Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) Meet Your Neighbor Program, brings neighbors together to plan for emergencies. Through this program your neighborhood will be able to identify your strengths and areas for improvement. It also assures that neighbors develop relationships and are able to rely on each other during times of crisis.
If you are interested in learning more about the Meet Your Neighbor Program or how you can get one started in your neighborhood, click this LINK.
| |
Napa StoryWalk
Napa County Resource Conservation District and First 5 Napa County will host their second annual Napa StoryWalk. This is a fun, outdoor literacy event where children and adults can enjoy reading together while exploring beautiful local parks.
First 5 has also created a living art installation and placed images from the book Senorita Mariposa along park trails to encourage kids to experience the outdoors and enjoy nature. (All are available in English and Spanish.)
Upcoming dates and locations are:
- 7/8-7/30 Moore Creek Park, St. Helena
- 8/5-8/26 Wetlands Edge Park, American Canyon
| |
Novack Concerts for Kids via Festival Napa Valley
This concert series provides a rare opportunity for young children and students to attend live concerts in professional settings. To learn more, and/or make your reservation click this LINK.
| |
Teens Connect
Teens Connect (a program of Mentis) brings teens together from throughout Napa County to support each other and advocate for mental health services. While group meetings occur at schools throughout the school year, Teens Connect offers a variety of activities year-round. Open to youth ages 13-19, opportunities include monthly meetups, empowerment clubs, and volunteer and civic engagement and more.
Sign up for HERE for Teens Connect.
| |
June PRIDE Proclamation
On Tuesday, June 27 the Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 2023 LGBTQ+ PRIDE Month in Napa County. Accepting the proclamation on behalf of LGBTQ Connection Napa, was Director of Training and Technical Assistance, Heather "Coach" Bailie. Napa County is dedicated to providing services that are respectful, equitable and inclusive. I encourage you all to join the Countys efforts to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
| |
Broadband Digital Equity Public Survey
To provide input on how to improve the digital divide statewide and in Napa County, the community is encouraged to take this survey.
The results to this survey will inform how the roadmap to bridge the gap between those with and without internet access in the community. The funding for this project comes from an allocation of the $62 billion broadband investment under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.
|
Defensible Space Certificate
Defensible space is the area around a structure within a 100-foot radius or to the property line, in which combustible vegetation and other prohibited materials must be treated, cleared, or reduced to slow the spread of fire.
The Napa County Fire Marshal's Office has received approval to issue a Defensible Space Compliance Certificate to all properties that are compliant with Napa County's Defensible Space Ordinance and Requirements. In addition, the States Fire Marshal provides support and will be displaying dual CAL FIRE and Napa County logos.
To learn more about defensible space, and the defensible space guidelines use this LINK.
|  | |
Easy Smart Pay is Live
Easy Smart Pay is a solution for property tax payments as it is designed to provide an additional payment option for Napa County taxpayers. This program allows taxpayers to pay secured property taxes through monthly installments. This benefits taxpayers who do not have the ability to leverage mortgage impound accounts.
To start using Easy Smart Pay use this LINK.
| |
Monarch Justice Center
Supervisor Anne Cottrell and I toured the Monarch Justice Center with District Attorney Allison Haley, Tracy Lamb and Shea Hunter. The vision of the Center is to build a community that is safe and free from violence and victimization. They aim to create a collaborative community that works together to ensure that all survivors have access equal justice and to the resources they need to heal and to thrive.
Learn more about the Monarch Justice Center at this LINK.
| D1 resident, Tama Adelman speaks about her work in the Ukraine. To find more information about her journey use this LINK. | Juneteenth celebration at Oxbow Commons. Pictured left to right are: JT Thompson Stephen Corley, Kim Hester-Williams, Jeni Olsen, me, Lilea Duran, and Cara Mae Wooledge. | Meeting with Napa Firewise and CAL Fire/Napa County Fire representatives to tour a fuels reduction project. This tour provided me with a better understanding of the different fuel reduction efforts taking place in Napa County. | |
In-Time Virtual Public Comment for Board of Supervisors Meetings to Return in July
Virtual public comment during Board of Supervisors meetings is to be reintroduced on July 18. By calling (707) 299-1776, members of the public will again be able to participate in the process by making public comment remotely.
Call before the item you wish to comment on, you will then be placed into a cue, and wait until it is time for public comments. All comments will be limited to three minutes, regardless of whether you call in or attend in person.
Instructions will be provided on the Board of Supervisors agenda for July 18.
|
Not Sure Which County Department to Call?
Napa County's website features a "Good Neighbor Resources" page, which offers a list of County services and contact information for the appropriate department.
|
What Interests You?
Which County-related issues, departments or programs do you want to know more about? I'd love to hear from you and feature that content in an upcoming newsletter. Send us your feedback HERE.
| | |
Hello Ryan. Thank you, David! | |
|
On August 7th, we will welcome our new County Executive Officer, Ryan Alsop. As you may know, Ryan comes to us from Kern County, where he served as CEO for the past 7 years. Prior to serving in Kern, Ryan served for the County of Los Angeles and the City of Long Beach. An experienced and talented leader, I’m confident Ryan will work collaboratively with the Board and Staff to move the County forward. For more information, please consult the local press…. which, frankly, left some stones unturned. I spoke with Ryan to the get scoop.
So Ryan, what is your favorite ice cream flavor? “Vanilla… but drenched in warm chocolate sauce, with marshmallow topping and nuts.”
What excites you most about moving to Napa County? “My family and I are most looking forward to the adventure that moving to a new place brings.”
What song sums up your teen years? “Iggy Pop, Lust for Life”
What makes you most proud? ”My children, and the kind human beings they have become.”
What do you do outside of work? “I’m an athlete and enjoy running. I’ve run 20 marathons and another 20 half marathons and other races. I’m looking forward to finding new tracks.”
Ryan will be moving to Napa soon with his wife, Melissa, and youngest child, Eoin. Please join us in welcoming Ryan and his family to Napa County!
David Morrison, our interim CEO, has been steering the County ship for 10 months now. We owe David a huge thanks for stepping into this critical role, and doing so with grace, humility, and a “can-do” attitude. David (a vanilla ice cream with strawberries fan) will be moving into the role of Director of Special Projects, where he will be assisting with the development and implementation of various countywide programs. We look forward to our continued work together.
| | |
I celebrated our nation's Independence Day with fellow local leaders and members of the Napa County community. Here are a few photos of all the fun. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful and safe 4th of July! | | | | |
