Willits, CA

City Council

The Willits City Council will consider two action items: a resolution establishing a temporary Fiscal Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee to review cost savings and revenue strategies, and a resolution authorizing a grant application for the Little Lake Mobile Home Park water system improvement project. The meeting also includes routine consent items, monthly reports, and a closed session on City Manager recruitment.

• Resolution to establish a Fiscal Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee to address General Fund revenue-expenditure imbalance
• Resolution authorizing grant application for Little Lake Mobile Home Park water system improvement (North Main Street Pipeline Extension)
• Approval of City Council minutes from August 12, 2026
• Closed session: recruitment and potential appointment of City Manager

City Council

The Willits City Council is holding a special meeting with a single substantive item: a closed session to confer with legal counsel regarding existing litigation in the case of Amy Grooms and Jesse Grooms vs. City of Willits, Case No. 26CV04194. No other business is scheduled; the meeting is otherwise procedural.

• Closed session on litigation: Amy Grooms and Jesse Grooms vs. City of Willits, Case No. 26CV04194 (Mendocino County Superior Court)

Finance Committee

The Willits Finance Committee will review the draft FY 2026-27 budget, which projects a General Fund deficit of $483,804 and use of reserves, along with updates on the FY 2024/25 and 2025/26 audits. The committee will also receive the Treasurer's Report and discuss other financial matters. The agenda includes old business items such as audit updates and new business items including the budget review.

• Review FY 2026/27 Budget with projected General Fund deficit of $483,804
• Update on FY 2024/25 Audit (in process) and FY 2025/26 Audit (on hold, new auditor RFP)
• Treasurer's Report on investments and banking
• Measure K fund update: FY 2026-27 balanced at $1,228,160, ending reserves $3,330,031
• General Fund health benefits costs increase to $922,000 (19% of expenditures)

City Council

The Willits City Council will consider appointing Kevin Copperfield and Helen Sims as the two at-large members of the Cannabis Dispensary Selection Committee, which reviews and ranks dispensary permit applications. The council will also consider supporting the relocation of the Mark Walker Sculptures to Highway 20 Park and will hold a closed session to discuss recruiting a City Manager. The agenda includes routine consent items and monthly activity reports.

• Appointment of Kevin Copperfield and Helen Sims to Cannabis Dispensary Selection Committee
• Consideration of city support for relocating Mark Walker Sculptures to Highway 20 Park
• Closed session on City Manager recruitment
• Approval of July 22, 2026 council minutes
• Accounts payable reports for June and July 2026

City Council

The Willits City Council will vote on renewing the lease agreement with EarthScope Consortium for the GPS station at Willits Municipal Airport. It will also discuss a resolution to establish the 2026/27 project list for the Local Streets and Roads Program (SB1) fund requirements. A public art sculpture proposal will be presented, and routine consent‑calendar items such as approval of recent meeting minutes will be considered.

• Renew lease agreement with EarthScope Consortium Inc. for GPS station at Willits Municipal Airport (term July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2036)
• Resolution to adopt the City’s 2026/27 project list for the Local Streets and Roads Program (SB1) Fund Requirements
• Public art presentation: Gary Martin sculpture proposal
• Consent calendar approval of City Council minutes from June 26, 2026 and June 29, 2026 (Special Meeting)
• No ordinances to enact

The Willits City Council held a regular meeting on July 22, 2026, with all members present. The only formal action taken was approving the consent calendar, which included minutes from June 26 and June 29, a lease renewal with EarthScope Consortium for a GPS station at the airport, and a resolution establishing the 2026/27 project list for the Local Streets and Roads Program (SB1). No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting also included public presentations and reports.

• Approved consent calendar items (a-c) unanimously: June 26 and June 29 minutes, EarthScope lease renewal, and SB1 project list resolution
• No ordinances presented
• No action items from City Manager or departments

City Council

The Willits City Council will hold a public hearing to receive a report on the City’s staffing vacancies as required by California Government Code §3502.3. The Council will also discuss and possibly adopt the proposed Fiscal Year 2026‑27 budget, which totals $16,821,004. The meeting includes routine opening matters and a public comments segment.

• Public hearing to receive a report on City vacancies (2 vacancies: City Manager and Police Sergeant; 1 anticipated vacancy in IBEW) – no fiscal impact
• Discussion and possible adoption of the FY 2026‑27 budget totaling $16,821,004
• General Fund appropriation of $6,436,329 (38% of total budget)
• Enterprise Funds (Water, Wastewater, Airport, Closed Landfill) appropriation of $7,499,307 (45% of total)
• Measure K Fund appropriation of $1,228,160 (7% of total)

The Willits City Council held a special meeting on June 29, 2026, and adopted Resolution No. 2026-31, approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Final Budget. The motion was made by Councilmember Gonzalez, seconded by Vice Mayor Alaniz, and carried 4-1 with Councilmember Burton dissenting. The council also received a report on city vacancies in compliance with California Government Code Section 3502.3, with public comment from a Willits Police Officers Association representative. No other substantive decisions were made.

• Adopted Resolution No. 2026-31, FY 2026-27 Final Budget (4-1, Burton dissenting)
• Received report on city vacancies under Government Code Section 3502.3 (no action taken)

City Council

The City Council will discuss a three-year agreement for animal control services and receive a recap of the FY 26/27 budget. The body will also consider approving minutes from two previous June meetings.

• Three-year agreement for County of Mendocino animal control services not to exceed $24,732.00 per year ($74,196.00 total)
• Update and recap of FY 26/27 Budget with Financial Advisor
• Approval of June 10, 2026, and June 11, 2026, meeting minutes

The Willits City Council approved a three-year animal control services agreement with Mendocino County, not to exceed $24,732 per year for a total of $74,196. The vote was 3-2, with Councilmembers Burton and Stranske dissenting. The council also unanimously approved the consent calendar item for meeting minutes. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included only reports and announcements.

• Approved three-year animal control services agreement with Mendocino County, total $74,196 (3-2, Burton and Stranske dissenting)
• Approved consent calendar item approving June 10 and June 11, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will discuss the draft 2026/27 fiscal year budget and possible adoption timelines. Members will consider whether to follow the on‑time schedule or a delayed schedule with a continuing resolution. The committee will also receive updates on the 2025/26 audit RFP, the Treasurer’s investment report, and the Measure K fund.

• Review and discuss draft 2026/27 FY budget (presented by Mr. Heath) and decide on adoption timeline
• Consider two timelines: on‑time schedule (review June 24, possible adoption June 29) or delayed schedule with continuing resolution (review June 24, adoption July 22)
• Find new auditor for 2025/26 FY audit and prepare a new RFP
• Treasurer’s report on investments and banking, including request for a cash‑balances chart
• Update on Measure K fund

City Council

The Willits City Council will convene a special meeting to discuss the recruitment and potential appointment of a new City Manager. The session will include an opening roll call and a closed session regarding the personnel matter.

• Closed session to discuss City Manager recruitment
• Meeting held in council chambers
• City Clerk certification posted at City Hall

The Willits City Council met in special session and immediately adjourned to closed session to discuss recruitment and potential appointment of a city manager. No public comment was taken and no substantive decisions were made in open session. The council reconvened and reported that direction was given to staff, then adjourned.

• Held closed session on city manager recruitment (unanimous)
• Reported direction given to staff on city manager recruitment

City Council

The Willits City Council will present a proclamation celebrating the centennial of Willits Frontier Days and will designate June 22 through July 4, 2026 as Western Wear Days. The meeting also includes a timeline update on the FY 26/27 budget and the status of the FY 24/25 audit. Routine items such as the consent calendar, monthly activity reports, and department reports will be considered.

• Presentation of a proclamation for the 100th anniversary of Willits Frontier Days and designation of Western Wear Days (June 22–July 4, 2026)
• Consent calendar approval of City Council minutes from May 27, 2026
• Consent calendar approvals: transfer of funds between the Local Agency Investment Fund and Savings Bank of Mendocino County; change of authorized signatures for checking, payroll, and safe‑deposit accounts; resolutions for the November 3, 2026 election; authorization of the Frontier Days parade route and Main Street pole decorations
• Monthly activity reports: Accounts Payable, Building Permit, and Business License for April 2026
• City Council announcement of a timeline update on the FY 26/27 budget and status of the FY 24/25 audit

The Willits City Council approved the consent calendar item (May 27, 2026 minutes) unanimously. No ordinances or action items were presented. The council heard a presentation on the Fiscal Year 26/27 budget timeline, including upcoming meetings and a possible adoption date of July 22, 2026. No substantive policy decisions were made.

• Approved consent calendar item (May 27, 2026 minutes) unanimously

Finance Committee

The committee will hear the Treasurer’s report on the City’s bank balances, noting approximately $7,000,000 total cash and a $1,600,000 wire for the Solar Project. An update will be given on preparing the Request for Proposals for the 2024/2025 fiscal‑year audit. The group will discuss the timeline for drafting the 2026/2027 fiscal‑year budget, with a draft expected in May and council review in June. No formal actions are scheduled; the items are informational.

• Treasurer’s Report on investments and banking – $7,000,000 cash, $1,600,000 wired for Solar Project
• Preparation of RFP for the 2024/2025 fiscal‑year audit
• Planning for the 2026/2027 fiscal‑year budget draft in May and revisions in June
• Public communications item – limited to non‑agenda matters, no action taken
• Update on audit and budget timeline

City Council

The Willits City Council will vote on several consent‑calendar items, including a resolution authorizing specific staff to transfer funds between the Local Agency Investment Fund and the Savings Bank of Mendocino County, a resolution changing authorized signatures for the city’s checking, payroll and safe‑deposit accounts, and resolutions setting the November 3, 2026 municipal election schedule and requirements. The council will also consider department recommendations to create ad‑hoc committees for downtown Main Street roadway and parking issues, for reviewing the city’s personnel policies, and to approve an employment agreement with James Conner as interim city manager.

• Resolution authorizing staff to transfer LAIF funds between the Local Agency Investment Fund and Savings Bank of Mendocino County
• Resolution changing authorized signatures for the City of Willits checking, payroll, and safe‑deposit accounts
• Resolutions related to the November 3, 2026 municipal election (notice, consolidation with statewide election, candidate statement requirements)
• Resolution establishing an ad‑hoc committee to review downtown Main Street roadway striping, parking, and circulation
• Resolution establishing an ad‑hoc committee to review the City’s personnel policies and procedures manual

The Willits City Council voted 4-1 against a resolution to establish an ad-hoc committee to review downtown Main Street roadway striping, parking, and circulation configurations. The motion by Councilmember Burton, seconded by Gonzalez, failed with all other council members dissenting. The council also approved the May 13, 2026 regular meeting minutes as amended, after Councilmember Alaniz noted a correction regarding item 5b.

• Resolution for ad-hoc committee on Main Street striping denied (4-1)
• Approved May 13, 2026 minutes as amended (unanimous)

City Council

The Willits City Council will vote on routine items in the Consent Calendar, including approval of the April 22, 2026 minutes and side‑letter agreements extending the IBEW and Police Officers Association MOUs. Council members will also discuss a resolution to establish a Downtown Entertainment Zone. A closed‑session item will consider appointing an interim city manager.

• Approve City Council minutes from April 22, 2026
• Adopt side‑letter agreement extending IBEW Local 1245 MOU through September 31, 2026
• Adopt side‑letter agreement extending Willits Police Officers Association MOU through December 31, 2026
• Discuss and consider adoption of a Downtown Entertainment Zone resolution
• Closed‑session consideration of appointing an interim city manager

City Council

The Willits City Council will meet on April 28, 2026 at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The agenda includes a closed‑session notice to evaluate the performance of the interim City Manager under Government Code §54957. It also includes a closed‑session notice to consider recruitment and potential appointment of a new City Manager under the same code.

• Closed‑session: Public employee performance evaluation – Interim City Manager (Gov. Code §54957)
• Closed‑session: Recruitment and potential appointment – City Manager (Gov. Code §54957)

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee will review the Treasurer’s Report on investments and banking. The body will also discuss the preparation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2024/2025 fiscal year audit and plan the 2026/2027 fiscal year budget.

• Preparation of RFP for the 2024/2025 FY Audit
• Planning for the 2026/2027 FY Budget
• Treasurer’s Report on Investments and Banking

City Council

The Willits City Council will vote on a resolution to adopt a Catastrophic Leave Bank Policy for city employees. The council will also act on several consent‑calendar items, including approval of the April 8 minutes, a contract with RW Consulting for wastewater negotiations, and an agreement with Muchmore Than Consulting for human‑resources services. Department recommendations include a request to vacate an undeveloped alley from the 1902 Oak Park Addition and a Cal Fire cooperative agreement for improvements to Firco Road and Ells Field Airport.

• Adopt Resolution Approving a Catastrophic Leave Bank Policy
• Approve contract with RW Consulting to facilitate wastewater negotiations
• Approve agreement with Muchmore Than Consulting for human resources services
• Consider request to vacate an undeveloped alley (Oak Park Addition, 1902)
• Cal Fire cooperative agreement for Firco Rd. and Ells Field Airport improvements