Ukiah, CA – July 26, 2025 – We appreciate the City of Ukiah’s decision to pause and reassess its proposed annexation plans. This shift acknowledges the broad community concern and demonstrates the importance of transparency and public input in shaping the future of Ukiah.

Ukiah, CA - July 19, 2025 - No Ukiah Annexation acknowledges the City of Ukiah’s recent removal of the proposed annexation map from its website. Yet the City of Ukiah staff seems to view annexation as inevitable even after clear rejection from those the City proposes to annex.

Community Group Opposes City of Ukiah’s Massive Annexation Plan. Residents Urged to Push Back Against Risky Expansion Proposal That Triples City Limits

Ukiah, CA – June 20, 2025 — No Ukiah Annexation has launched a campaign to oppose the City of Ukiah’s controversial plan to triple the size of its city limits through an aggressive annexation of the Willow and Millview Water District areas. The proposed annexation threatens to overwhelm the city’s already strained public safety services, burden local residents with higher taxes and fees, and accelerate financial instability.

The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to take a critical vote that could effectively shut down the Master Tax Sharing Agreement between the County and the Cities of Ukiah, Willits, Fort Bragg, and Point Arena. This agreement, which was carefully negotiated to create a transparent and cooperative path for future annexations and tax sharing, is now on the chopping block — and public voices must be heard.

“This plan reflects a clear disregard for the property rights and lifestyle choices of residents who intentionally live outside city boundaries to preserve an agricultural or rural way of life. These citizens are now facing the imposition of city oversight without consent, due process, or adequate representation. More concerning is the imposition of city-level regulations that would severely restrict or prohibit long-standing rural practices which are integral to rural living and agricultural operations.”

City officials say the move could bolster Ukiah tax base and improve municipal service delivery. But critics — including business owners, farmers, and county leaders — warn the annexation could violate an agreed-on sphere of influence that protected agricultural land while undercutting the county’s ability to fund essential services like road repair, fire prevention, and law enforcement.

“Mendocino County Farm Bureau is opposed to the City of Ukiah’s Annexation plan. We have serious reservations regarding the scope and scale of the annexation plan and deep concern regarding the negative fiscal implications this would have for County finances. Such a rapid expansion of the City of Ukiah would endanger farmland through urban sprawl that would lead to an increase in conflicts between agricultural producers conducting everyday farming activities and neighboring urban residents.”

“This annexation as currently proposed will be a lose-lose for everyone and will have a negative impact on all of Mendocino County due to the reduction in revenues from businesses as well as a reduction in services for those annexed into the city” - Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall

We urge all residents who are concerned about or impacted by the annexation proposal to attend. Your presence is vital to making sure our voices are heard and that city officials understand the community’s opposition. The town hall will take place on June 19th at 5:30 p.m. at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center. We hope to see you there. If you have any questions, you can email noukiahannexation@gmail.com.

Ukiah’s attempt to fast-track a major land grab hit a wall Wednesday night as the Planning Commission, overwhelmed by public opposition and unanswered questions, postponed a vote on key components of the city’s annexation plan.

The proposal would pull a large swath of county-governed land into city control, but many residents, who only recently learned about the plan, weren’t buying it. Frustration filled the room as property owners demanded to know how the annexation would impact their homes, taxes, and services. The city offered few clear answers.

The City of Ukiah’s Planning Commission will vote on June 11th at 6pm whether or not to “recommend to the City Council to expand the city limits.” If the Planning Commission recommends that the city does proceed with annexation, it will then be sent to the City Council to “conduct a notice public hearing to consider the recommendation.”

The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at 300 Seminar Avenue.

No Ukiah Annexation has received yard signs, and we are currently seeking residents to help us spread the word. We are especially looking for individuals both within the proposed annexation area and those who live within the City of Ukiah’s limits.

If you’re interested in placing a sign in your yard, please contact us by emailing noukiahannexation@gmail.com. We appreciate your support!

The City of Ukiah will be hosting an Annexation workshop on Tuesday, June 3rd from 5:30-6:30 at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center. We encourage residents to attend to voice their opposition and concerns with the current annexation proposal.

The City’s financial outlook reveals several red flags, casting doubt on the advisability of annexing new areas. With a shrinking General Fund, rising liabilities, and a deeply negative unrestricted net position. Key funding measures like Measure P and Measure Y are failing to keep pace with public safety and infrastructure costs, increasing pressure on limited general revenues. Concerns over financial reporting accuracy further highlight internal weaknesses. Given these challenges, annexation would likely overextend the city's already strained resources and worsen service delivery for current residents.

If annexation goes through, business owners should expect to be paying significantly higher costs to operate their business in the city limits compared to the county. According to both the City’s website and to city officials, business across the board will see the cost for their licensing fees dramatically increase.

One local small business will see their fees increase by an astounding 1,250% if the annexation proposal went through. Additionally, another business owner commented how their business licensing fee for their business that is in the city limits is ten times the amount of their business that is currently in county jurisdiction.

The City of Ukiah’s Planning Commission will vote on May 28th at 6pm whether or not to “recommend to the City Council to expand the city limits.” If the Planning Commission recommends that the city does proceed with annexation, it will then be sent to the City Council to “conduct a notice public hearing to consider the recommendation.”

The meeting will be held in the City Council Chambers at 300 Seminar Avenue.

The Ukiah Valley Sanitation District (UVSD) is holding a regularly scheduled hearing on proposed sewer rate increase. This proposal would increase sanitation rates by 30% for those that receive sewer service from the UVSD. The UVSD serves almost 3,000 residents and businesses across the Ukiah Valley, many of which reside within the City of Ukiah’s boundary and would include almost all of the planned annexed areas. 

At last night’s City Council meeting, Ukiah’s councilmembers voted unanimously to let city staff move ahead with a controversial annexation proposal that would nearly triple the city’s geographic size. The proposed expansion would extend the city limits from just south of Calpella all the way to Burke Hill.

Link to article: https://mendovoice.com/2025/04/ukiah-city-council-considering-annexing-more-land-surrounding-city-at-wednesday-meeting/

The City Council on Wednesday at 5:15 PM will discuss annexation and whether or not to direct staff to continue to research annexation.

If Ukiah cannot properly manage the problems that already exist within its borders, how can we be confident in its ability to effectively govern and support the expanded area? Until fundamental issues are resolved, expanding the city’s footprint only adds to the complexity without solving the root problems.