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Dear friends and neighbors,
Happy holidays! As 2025 concludes, I am thankful for the many acts of kindness from friends, colleagues, and strangers that have made this a memorable year. It is a good time to take a deep breath and enjoy the short and bright winter days.
In this newsletter, you will find a recap from our November 19 community listening session on airplane noise, information on hot topics from recent Board of Supervisors’ meetings, announcements for upcoming events, and pointers to community food resources.
Thank you for reading and please reach out any time to let me know how I can be of service,
Warmly,
| | Aircraft Noise Concerns: UPDATE | | |
On November 19, Supervisor Ramos and I hosted an Air Traffic Noise Listening Session. We deeply appreciate everyone's willingness to show up, share your experiences, and advocate for the well-being of our neighborhoods. Your engagement is essential as we work together toward solutions that protect quality of life while supporting responsible aviation activity.
Next Steps
Napa County has engaged Coffman Associates, to assist us in analyzing air traffic patterns and developing an alternative public airport approach that may yield reduced impacts on residents. Once the contract is executed, the firm will begin a detailed assessment to guide recommendations. Your feedback is an important part of that process.
We are also grateful to share that Congressman Mike Thompson has offered his full support as we advocate for an alternative published approach with federal partners—one that would meaningfully reduce disturbances to Napa County residents. His partnership strengthens our ability to push for changes at the federal level, where flight paths and airspace decisions are ultimately made.
Information Links
Thank you again for your time, your insights, and your commitment to ensuring Napa County remains a livable and thriving community. We look forward to continuing this work together and will keep you informed as the next steps progress.
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The Napa Berryessa Resort Improvement District (NBRID) is considering proposing a special tax to resolve a budget shortfall and cover the annual expenses of operating the community water and wastewater systems in the Berryessa Highlands area. If a majority of the Board votes to place the special tax measure on the ballot, and the measure is approved by two-thirds of voters at the NBRID special election, the special tax would provide stable funding to protect public health, comply with State water quality requirements, and maintain essential infrastructure.
Some important dates to consider:
- Ballots will be mailed out on December 22, 2025
- Ballots are due by January 20, 2026
- Tabulation of votes on February 18, 2026
Please reach out if you have any additional questions:
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What Are Affordable Housing Impact Fees?
When new homes or businesses are built, they bring new jobs, some of which pay wages too low for workers to afford local market-rate housing. Affordable housing impact fees ensure that new development contributes its fair share toward meeting this increased need. These fees are not a tax; they are cost-recovery fees allowed under the Mitigation Fee Act.
Residential fees had not been updated since 2010 and commercial fees since 2014. Updating them helps keep the program legally defensible, aligned with RHNA requirements, and phased in gradually to protect project feasibility.
The updated fee structure also aims to protect the “missing middle.” Homes under 2,500 square feet remain at a $0 fee, strong ADU incentives continue, and fees apply only to added square footage (not interior remodels). The new structure will be phased in over three years and applies only to unincorporated Napa County; cities and towns maintain their own programs.
These fees support the Napa County Affordable Housing Fund, which has helped deliver more than 1,700 affordable homes through rental developments, down-payment assistance, supportive housing, farmworker centers, ADU loans, and more. The program includes annual reporting, inflation adjustments, and periodic reviews. If a regional housing bond passes, the Board may revisit fee levels.
Questions?
Jennifer Palmer, Director of Housing & Community Services
jennifer.palmer@countyofnapa.org
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Napa County
Food Access Coalition
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The Napa County Food Access Coalition is a one-stop-shop online guide of all the resources available in Napa County for residents in need of food. Their new website lists resources by geographic location, date, time, and eligibility requirements and is available in English and Spanish.
Resources include food pantries, grocery distributions, congregate meals, and more. Also available are county-wide resources, such as CalFresh, WIC, and Meals on Wheels Meals, which require completing an application process through the relevant organization.
The Napa County Food Access Coalition is a network of 35 nonprofit organizations, faith-based organizations, local government representatives, healthcare providers, and funders working together to ensure everyone has enough food. The coalition builds connections among Napa County food security network partners to foster creative solutions to ensure equitable access to sufficient, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food and collaboratively address chronic and crisis food insecurity.
Please share this information with your friends and loved ones to help spread the word about this amazing coalition, who works throughout the year to ensure food remains accessible for our most vulnerable community members.
| | NVTA Awarded $6.8M to Purchase Hybrid Buses | | |
NVTA was awarded $6.8 million by the Federal Transit Administration for the purchase of six new Gillig hybrid-electric buses for its Vine Transit fleet. Funded by the Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program, it will allow NVTA to replace older diesel and unleaded buses that are well beyond their useful life. The new 35-foot hybrid vehicles will offer an improved rider experience while reducing harmful emissions. This wouldn't be possible without the support of Sen. Padilla, Sen. Schiff, and Rep. Mike Thompson in securing this federal grant.
Operated by the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA), Vine Transit is the public transportation system of Napa County, including fixed-route services, on-demand shuttles and paratransit, with more than 500,000 rides annually. With connections to BART, the Vallejo Ferry and Amtrak, Vine Transit is a necessary lifeline for residents, workers and visitors. Napa County has a population of 132,000 but it attracts around 3.5 million tourists every year, and a robust transit service helps reduce congestion on our roadways.
Communities across the country rely on Low-No funding to update their fleets with more sustainable technology, including Vine Transit.
You can read the full news report here.
| | I-80 Express Lanes in Solano County Opening December 2025 | | |
I-80 Express Lanes in Solano County Opening December 2025
Prepare for on-time arrivals with the Express Lanes coming to the I-80 corridor in Solano County. Express Lanes provide drivers with the choice for a faster, more reliable trip. All drivers must have FasTrak to use the lanes.
The lanes will operate 7 days a week, from 5 AM to 8 PM. Tolls are shown on overhead signs along the highway and increase as traffic increases and decrease as traffic decreases.
Carpools with 3 or more people and motorcycles can use the lanes for free. 2-person carpools can use the lanes for half-toll. Solo drivers pay full tolls. Carpools and motorcycles must have a FasTrak Flex Toll Tag mounted in the vehicle and set properly to receive free or discounted tolls. Income-eligible drivers can also apply to receive discounts to use the I-80 express lanes.
To learn more about the I-80 Express Lanes visit: expresslanes.511.org
To get FasTrak Flex, visit: bayareafastrak.org.
To apply for income-based toll discounts, visit: expresslanesstart.org.
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Napa County is quickly entering the rainy season. Now whether or not we get lots of rain is still yet to be seen, but it is always a good idea to be prepared for winter storms and prolonged power outages.
Many older adults in our community live alone and may need extra support during an evacuation. Take time to check in with neighbors and work together to build a more resilient, connected community.
Below are some helpful resources to support your preparedness this season. You can always find local resources at Ready Napa County.
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PG&E Storm Safety Tips
If an outage does occur, PG&E customers can find real-time updates via the online outage center, including status updates the assessments, repair and estimated time of restoration. Renters and others without a PG&E account may also use this portal to sign up for outage notifications by text, email, or phone.
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Never touch downed wires. If you see a downed power line, assume it is energized and extremely dangerous. Do not touch or try to move it—and keep children and animals away. Report downed power lines immediately by calling 9-1-1 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5002.
- Use generators safely. Improperly installed generators pose a significant danger to customers, as well as crews working on powerlines. If using portable generators, be sure they are in a well-ventilated area.
- Use flashlights, not candles. During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights and not candles, due to the risk of fire.
- Have a backup phone. Having a portable charging device helps to keep your cell phone running.
- Have fresh drinking water and ice. Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that can be placed in your refrigerator/freezer to prevent food spoilage.
- Secure your outside furniture. Strong winds can blow lawn chairs and other outdoor items into powerlines.
- Turn off appliances. If you experience an outage, unplug, or turn off all electrical appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns.
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After the storm has passed, be sure to safely clean up. Never touch downed wires and always call 8-1-1 or visit 811express.com at least two full business days before digging to have all underground utilities safely marked.
| | | | COAD's Community Connections Launch | | | | Women's Leadership Conference Reception | | | |
Napa Early Learning Center Grand Opening | Dec 13
This center brings together community partners to support families with children from birth to five years old. Tour the updated facility and enjoy the free activities and food!
Where: 74 Wintun Court, Napa
When: Saturday, December 13 (10:30am to 2:30pm)
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Holiday Lights Group Ride
Join the Napa County Bicycle Coalition & Athletic Feat Bicycle Works for a free family-friendly community bike ride touring festive holiday homes in north Napa and highlighting safe biking skills.
Where: 3367 Solano Ave, Napa
When: Friday, December 12, 2025 at 6PM
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Napa County Crop Report Art Contest
Each year the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office and the Napa County Ag in the Classroom Program invite Napa County students in grades 6 through 12 to enter our annual Napa County Agricultural Crop Report cover art contest. The winner's art will be featured on the cover of our next Agricultural Crop Report.
Entry Deadline: All entries*must be received by the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office (1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 3, Napa) by: 5:00 pm, Friday December 19, 2025. For more information, call (707) 253-4357.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Napa County Closed during the Winter Holidays
Napa County offices will be closed for the holidays starting Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Public safety services, including those provided by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and Napa County Fire, as well as essential health and human services, will remain available. For non-emergencies, contact the dispatch center at 707-253-4451. For emergencies, dial 911.
Napa County offices will reopen to the public on Friday, January 2, 2025, operating during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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Napa County receives Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
For the second consecutive year, Napa County has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its 2025-26 fiscal year. The award represents a significant achievement by the County, reflecting the commitment of the Board of Supervisors and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
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Wildlife Conservation Commission supports nearly $75,000 in environmental and wildlife grants
The Napa County Wildlife Conservation Commission (WCC) recently unanimously supported $74,909 in funding for 11 grants for the 2025-26 WCC Grant Cycle. The grants support a range of impactful projects, with a strong focus on environmental education, wildlife research, and wildlife rehabilitation.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
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AB 720 Implementation Update
On November 18, staff presented an initial, safety-centered framework for implementing AB 720. The proposal uses existing Roads and Streets Standards to regulate vineyard tastings and agricultural visits. The approach preserves emergency access on agricultural roads, limits traffic to 40 average daily trips, and prohibits activities on red flag warning days. Staff described this as an initial model that allows for quick implementation under current regulations.
Public comment and Board discussion centered on occupancy limits and transportation requirements, reflecting a shared goal of supporting small growers while managing fire risk in remote areas. The Board agreed that starting with a low-intensity model is the most prudent strategy, with the option to refine the program over time.
Staff will return to the Board with an updated proposal to ensure the County can implement a process by January 1, 2026, when AB 720 uses become permitted.
READ THE FULL STAFF REPORT HERE
| | Board of Supervisors Meetings Overview | | The Board, presented a proclamation recognizing November 2025 as “National Adoption Awareness Month” in Napa County | | |
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The Board approved an agreement to upgrade communication between Napa Central Dispatch and CAL FIRE’s St. Helena Emergency Command Center, improving real-time information sharing and supporting quicker, more coordinated emergency response across fire agencies countywide (5J).
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The Board approved a Certificate of Acceptance for an emergency access easement with the Napa County Land Trust, ensuring continued access along an existing roadway and supporting vegetation management and emergency response in the area near Las Posadas State Forest (5K).
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The Board adopted a resolution reserving $2 million from the County’s Affordable Housing Fund to support development of 40 affordable, for-sale homes for first-time homebuyers at the former Health & Human Services campus, expanding homeownership opportunities for low-income and farmworker households (5Q).
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The Board voted its intent to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code and related updates to Napa County’s building and fire codes, ensuring local construction standards remain aligned with state requirements and reflect current safety practices (5AA).
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The Board approved an agreement with Napa Valley Land Company to conduct environmental studies, site investigations, and due diligence as part of exclusive negotiations for a potential long-term resort concession at Monticello Shores. The Board also approved an agreement with Spanish Flat Campground Inc. to continue operating the Spanish Flat resort area, ensuring on going public access and services at Lake Berryessa while ong-term plans advance (5AH).
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The Board received a presentation on the County's implementation of Assembly Bill 720, which establishes a new state permit for estate tasting events in vineyards (9A).
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The Board received an update from the Airport Manager, Mark Whitsoe, on community aircraft noise concerns related to flight approaches at Napa County Airport and approved an amendment to the agreement with Coffman Associates to expand environmental and planning services - including evaluation of potential alternative flight approach procedures (9B).
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The Board received a presentation introducing an ordinance that would shift the elections for Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk, Auditor-Controller, and Treasurer-Tax Collector to the presidential election cycle (10A).
| | The CEO and Board of Supervisors presented the 2025 Napa County Employee Recognition Awards | | -
The second annual Employee Appreciation Week focuses on recognizing the dedication and excellence of county employees. The week included a presentation of awards at the Board of Supervisors meeting to individuals and teams demonstrating exceptional commitment to public service, significantly impacting the county and its residents. Read the news release here (12A).
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To access Board meeting agendas and accompanying materials, subscribe to receive agendas when they are posted, learn how to address the Board on a specific agenda item or provide general public comment, and watch videos after the board meeting, please click here.
| | What topics interest you the most? | | We would love to hear from you, the reader! Help identify the topics that you would be interested in reading about to include in this newsletter. If you have other ideas not included in the options above, email Abigail Flores with the topics that interest you. | | |
Thank You!
Please forward this email to your friends and neighbors! Click the button below to have this newsletter delivered to your in-box.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting, please reach out to Abigail Flores. I look forward to seeing you out in the community!
Supervisor Amber Manfree
amber.manfree@countyofnapa.org
Abigail Flores
abigail.flores@countyofnapa.org
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