Press Release from No Ukiah Annexation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: No Ukiah Annexation
Email: noukiahannexation@gmail.com
Website: www.noukiahannexation.com

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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 30, 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.

What Is Annexation and the City of Ukiah’s Annexation Proposal?

Annexation is the process by which a city expands its jurisdictional boundaries. Ukiah’s plan would absorb a massive area extending from near Calpella to Burke Hill Drive south of Highway 253, covering commercial, industrial, agricultural, and undeveloped land. “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,” said the Mendocino County Employers Council. “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.”

Overstretching Public Safety

The Ukiah Police Department (UPD) is currently operating with a 20% staffing shortfall, even after offering a $25,000 signing bonus to new officers. A few years ago, the department was operating at only 62% of its required capacity and the department has failed to fill its ranks in over a decade. These staffing deficits directly impact response times and public safety, especially as service demands grow.

“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. It became clear that this annexation will likely have serious implications for the county.”

-Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall

During a recent Zoning Commission meeting, a Habit Burger project manager confirmed that the company chose not to include outdoor seating, citing concerns that police do not have the bandwidth to respond to quality-of-life calls—an issue that annexation would only exacerbate.

Hidden Costs for District Residents

Beyond public safety, residents in the proposed annexation zone would see a sharp increase in living and business costs, including:

• A 30% increase in Ukiah Valley Sanitation District fees over the next five years

• Higher sales tax and business license fees than in the county

• Increased building permit and utility rates

Ukiah already collects six times more sales tax per resident than the county. However, its FY 2023–2024 General Fund fell by $572,182, and its unrestricted net position have plummeted to -$40.62 million. The city is increasingly reliant on depleting reserves, and Measure Y, intended to fund street repairs and infrastructure, is already running a $2.25 million deficit.

“The Mendocino County Farm Bureau is opposed to the City of Ukiah’s annexation plan,” the organization said in a formal statement. “We have serious reservations regarding the scope and scale of the annexation and deep concern about the negative fiscal implications this would have for County finances.” The County is already navigating financial uncertainty. Losing revenue-producing districts to the City, while still needing to support overlapping services like courts, health programs, and county-wide law enforcement, adds yet another burden on our county taxpayers and departments.

The Farm Bureau went on to say, “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.” Although the City of Ukiah claims its Right to Farm ordinance and current zoning will protect agricultural land, that assurance falls short.

Annexation brings rural farmland under urban control, where city policies, priorities, and residents are often incompatible with agriculture. Even without zoning changes, urban sprawl leads to more complaints about dust, noise, and normal farming activities, pressuring the city to impose restrictions. Ukiah lacks the experience, staffing, and infrastructure to manage agricultural areas responsibly. Giving the City control over these lands poses a long-term threat to the viability of farming in the region.

On top of these land-use and regulatory concerns, annexation also fails to deliver key benefits that the City attempts to tout as advantages. Although the City of Ukiah has lower electricity rates than PG&E, it has consistently stated that residents in annexed areas would not qualify for the city’s lower rates if annexation occurs, meaning those residents would see no benefit to annexation.

LAFCo’s Mandate & Our Concern

The Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) exists to encourage orderly development, protect farmland, and ensure that local governments don’t outgrow their capacity to serve. Ukiah’s plan is the opposite of those principles. It encourages urban sprawl, risks agricultural preservation, and stretches already-thin services. “Tripling the size of the city in one move is reckless,” said Ross Liberty, President of Factory Pipe. “The City of Ukiah didn’t ask us if we wanted to be part of Ukiah — they’re telling us. If I wanted to live and run my business in the City, I would live in the City, and my business would be in the City — but I’m not.”

Take Action Now

We encourage Ukiah residents and those in the affected districts to:

• Contact your local representatives to express your opposition and concerns with the current annexation proposal.

• Attend upcoming meetings related to annexation.

• If you live in the annexation area, keep lookout for Protest Petitions that will be sent out by LAFCo which you can then submit as a formal protest.

• Join us at noukiahannexation.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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About No Ukiah Annexation

No Ukiah Annexation is a community-driven organization made up of residents, local businesses, and public officials committed to ensuring that any annexation is approached thoughtfully, sustainably, and through a phased process.