Where is the City Expanding?

The City is tripling its size and scope by annexing the Willow and Millview Water District areas into the city limits. These two districts stretch from Central Avenue near Calpella all the way down to Burke Hill Drive south of Highway 253.

Development in this area includes some commercial, industrial, and manufacturing uses (both existing and decommissioned), as well as areas containing vacant and agricultural lands.

Why does this matter?

This matters for all residents because the City is trying to grow the city limits to increase tax revenue. However, with this expansion, the city’s resources will be stretched even thinner, putting an undue burden on local services such as police, fire, and other local agencies, as well as city residents.

Is Tripling the Size of the City at Once the Best Course of Action?

We don’t believe that tripling the size of the city in a single move is the best course of action. While annexation can be an essential tool for accommodating growth and future development, the current proposal seems excessive and could place unnecessary strain on infrastructure, public services, and the surrounding community. We believe a more measured, phased approach would allow the city to expand responsibly—ensuring that resources are not overstretched, the interests of all residents are respected, and growth is guided by thoughtful planning that minimizes negative impacts on both current residents and neighboring communities.

Why do we Oppose the City’s Current Annexation Proposal?

Annexation Scope and Scale

• The proposed Annexation Area is too large – this would greatly increase the size of the city limits.

• This proposal is excessive and would place unnecessary strain on infrastructure, public services and law enforcement for not only the proposed areas but for the residents within the city limits.

Financial Burden and Increased Costs

• This proposal would increase fees for District residents for Building Permits, Sales Tax, and utilities that are provided.

• The City has a higher sales tax and higher business license fee than compared to the County.

• Ukiah collects nearly six times the sales tax per resident compared to the county.

• The City is planning to increase fees for the sanitation district by 36% over the next 5 years, meaning that the newly annexed residents would have to pay this excessive fee.

• Although City staff argue that the rate change will still leave rates relatively low compared to other communities, Ukiah’s base rate remains among the highest in the North Bay and is on par with communities whose median incomes are nearly twice that of Ukiah.

Public Safety and Law Enforcement Capacity

• Ukiah Police Department lost more officers than it hired and just a few years ago, they were operating at just 62% of required staffing. Even as they offer a $25,000 signing bonus, they still struggle to recruit and retain officers.

• This shortage has impacted response capacity—highlighted during a recent Zoning Commission meeting, where a project manager for Habit Burger stated they excluded outdoor seating to avoid attracting homelessness, knowing police don't respond to those calls due to lack of capacity. Annexation would only increase the burden on an already overwhelmed police department. (Link to UDJ Article here)

• Currently, UPD has about 20% of their deputy positions that are unfilled.

Fiscal Health and City Finances

• The city’s General Fund is already under pressure, with a $572,182 decline in balance due to weak tax and intergovernmental revenues. Relying further on depleted reserves to support annexation could deepen financial instability, especially with an unrestricted net position worsening to -$40.62 million from last year’s -$39.34 million.

• Critical funding measures are failing to meet demands—Measure P cannot keep pace with public safety costs, and Measure Y is operating at a -$2.25 million deficit for street infrastructure. Taking on additional service obligations from annexation would stretch these underperforming funds even thinner, compromising existing city services.

• Sales tax growth is sluggish, with no sustainable new revenue sources to support expanded boundaries or services.

Fire Department and Management Issues

• The City of Ukiah has not been able to effectively manage the Fire Department since its merger. While not technically under city jurisdiction, the fire staff are still city employees.

1. Pre-Merger:

• Resources: 3 fire engines, 6 firefighters, 2 chiefs, 1 ambulance

• Volunteers: ~50 (ambulance typically staffed by 2 trained firefighters when available)

• City Fire Response: 3 career engines, 2 chiefs, 6 career firefighters, ~10 volunteers (ambulance often included trained FFs)

2. Currently:

• Resources: 2 fire engines, 4 firefighters, 1 chief, 1 ambulance

• Volunteers: ~10 (ambulance staff not required to be suppression-trained)

• City Fire Response: 2 career engines, 1 chief, 4 career firefighters, ~3 volunteers