[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6579225,"mediaKeyId","3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026","parentId",3096515,"title","Board adopts Measure U five‑year roads project list; long-range bond plan outlined","audioSeconds",2229,"startMs",11999000,"endMs",14228000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026&start=11999&end=14228","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026/thumbnail_11999000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579225/Napa-County/California/Board-adopts-Measure-U-fiveyear-roads-project-list-long-range-bond-plan-outlined","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579225-0e0f6bca2a3e9c3e963f1445c4a6b8e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006808&Signature=jSmtn75tmCZTxSSzlMdvbLKBGdLdJXYdYjlQqwISq6RET9GYpTh1TpAOiylhdAq-Y1FYZpmmMeGWWj1wqVp0TZQ~GagCCqvRZXNxqGxa4JicSOrzc12mT26Sf6G43FjoqFFSSuVPrXMZBAA4yvW-m1yr9pwnBvgMND6nN2ohZCK8nGqS4fXInYzOl3uZXOPjVndyNvLrN9nbnhVWkdlLPEKjO9osZu4rwleubPtJ1Ws2u-XaJ21dUXdbWIeJs~bnNG85ROtgmOQRJAeDycdnRbarbhna4B1UUl8z~hGtSj~41n2xcb3YIZRGhbDi7kARdLVisgBjWc7NKlby5hDP0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-23T17:03:50.73Z","article","The Napa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 22 to adopt a required five‑year project list for Measure U, the county's sales-tax program for roads and capital improvements, and received an update on near‑term and longer-term road projects and funding approaches.

Public works director Steve Lederer summarized how the county prioritizes projects using a biennial pavement management plan and the StreetSaver algorithm, which balances repairs to maintain roads in fair condition against more expensive rebuilds of failed pavement. Lederer noted the county’s pavement condition index had improved from roughly 45 to about 55 in recent years after substantial investments, but emphasized deferred maintenance remains large due to years of limited state and federal gas-tax increases.

Near-term projects: Lederer reviewed work completed and planned through Measure T/U and other funding sources. Completed projects included resurfacing and repairs in Yountville, sections of Silverado Trail, Berryessa Estates (SB1 funds) and several county crossroads. Planned 2025 work includes additional segments of Silverado Trail, Bale Lane, Cuttings Wharf Road in Carneros and a package of road improvements across Gordon Valley and Wooden Valley.

Funding and longer-term plan: Lederer described multiple funding streams — Measure U (formerly Measure T), SB1, federal bridge programs (HBP), FEMA reimbursements, STIP and other grants — and said some programs require upfront cash flow. He outlined a tentative plan to sell up to $70 million in revenue bonds around 2027 through the Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) to accelerate projects, subject to market conditions and execution capacity.

Board members and members of the public asked about traffic mitigation funding for the Devlin/Saskal Ferry roundabout, coordination with utilities (PG&E) and cities on joint projects, and opportunities for localized community funding or community facilities districts for high‑cost mountain‑road repairs. Lederer said staff maintains a detailed, frequently updated spreadsheet of planned projects and would return with additional details as projects are refined.

Action taken: The board adopted the Measure U five‑year project list by resolution. Lederer said the county will continue project design and seek grants and interjurisdictional coordination to limit costs and improve project timing.

Ending: The county’s public-works office will publish updates and return with design and funding details as specific projects near construction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","County of Napa - Board of Supervisors April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of Supervisors adopted a five‑year Measure U project list, received an overview of roads projects and an outline of a potential $70 million bond issuance in 2027 to accelerate countywide capital work.","taxTitle","Napa County, California","taxId",5735,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6579229,"County reports vacancy data under AB 2561; HR outlines recruitment and retention efforts",1933,9457000,11390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026&start=9457&end=11390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026/thumbnail_9457000.jpg","/articles/6579229/Napa-County/California/County-reports-vacancy-data-under-AB-2561-HR-outlines-recruitment-and-retention-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579229-29b7c8b86719b31d63cb763a15a684be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006808&Signature=MZbrfdaUIZsK7cNuysRamMQMA9VJQ9fj6Zkj-60dHJTWRw8YZWsPnW06Cr~lBaDnF2lXD-CbQ79uhbdV9a34rFrJ1rXJ0P470-efW5q01m8qJZL3dnGaYUVWPBuFiAuCalDQq0UJlzBaCxre9gHB70EHJMoTfVfQlS5arUl0caR865FmxwOux9d75HspBZW8Zh2eUYvft5lcaXWsTIasasg6tnjdpwLfYS5tbM-vURImi7GF3bDSgexaMJMuf9wbLwUC9V0b6fhFSoqZ4iXr8a62ufCVEI9jvRrVHaQUPXqZJPy3Dz-cjMoij7pZqUJbxOdcIrVnD-hfOoztaVpeHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Napa County human resources presented the annual vacancy hearing required by California Assembly Bill 2561 on April 22, reporting a countywide vacancy rate near 9% and detailing recruitment and retention measures taken in 2024.

Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Briseno told the board the agency’s point-in-time vacancy rate was 9.8% for calendar-year 2024 and 8.57% as of the first quarter of 2025. Briseno and HR staff described hire volume (81 recruitments in 2024), online engagement (more than 300,000 clicks on job bulletins) and 5,741 applications received. HR reported an average 28-day time from opening a recruitment to referral, and department-level efforts including job fairs, advertising and a revamped hiring incentives program.

Vacancy breakdown and public safety impact: The report disaggregated vacancies across recognized bargaining groups. The Deputy Sheriffs Association (DSA) non‑supervisory group had declined from roughly 16% earlier in 2024 to about 11.6% by year-end; HR said that figure had improved further to roughly 8.2% by the following Friday. Napa County Probation Professionals Association (NCPPA) and SEIU (Napa Association of Public Employees) also showed improved vacancy rates over the year. HR flagged Behavioral Health Division staffing as a division with higher vacancies (around 18% at the time of reporting) and said it remained a recruitment focus.

Speakers from law enforcement and the Deputy Sheriffs Association described operational impacts that exceed the headline vacancy numbers. Sgt. Nick DiJulio and Deputy Justin Monroe told the board that when trainees, officers on field training, and deputies on injury leave are counted alongside vacant positions the effective shortfall in available sworn staff can approach 20–30% in practical terms, leading to overtime, denied vacations and difficulty covering special events and mutual-aid obligations. The sheriff’s office said it is working closely with HR on lateral recruitment incentives and a revised signing bonus to attract experienced officers.

HR actions and training: Briseno described new and expanded measures including a “Hiring Heroes” partnership with the U.S. Army PACE program to recruit veterans, limited‑term bridge positions for departments handling long-term leaves, quarterly HR partner sessions to improve departmental HR coordination, tuition reimbursement, a wellness program and expanded professional development academy offerings. HR reported a 100% satisfaction rate among respondents asked about recruiter service during 2024 recruitments.

Why it matters: Supervisors noted vacancies in public safety, behavioral health and other frontline services raise service‑delivery and burnout risks. Several board members asked HR for follow‑up data showing employees on long‑term leave and figures that combine vacancies with unavailable staff (trainees, FTO status, long‑term leave) for a clearer operational picture ahead of labor negotiations and the budget process.

Next steps: HR said it will continue recruitment outreach, refine incentive programs and provide supervisors with more frequent operational snapshots as requested by the board. The presentation fulfilled the AB 2561 annual reporting requirement.","Napa County human resources presented required AB 2561 vacancy data for calendar year 2024 and described recruitment, training and retention measures; supervisors and law‑enforcement speakers emphasized injuries, academy and overtime as contributors to operational strain.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6579234,"Napa Valley GSA presents hybrid fee proposal for groundwater sustainability; public and ag stakeholders press for data and protections",1801,5555000,7356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026&start=5555&end=7356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026/thumbnail_5555000.jpg","/articles/6579234/Napa-County/California/Napa-Valley-GSA-presents-hybrid-fee-proposal-for-groundwater-sustainability-public-and-ag-stakeholders-press-for-data-and-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579234-a786f82ce5301187e71ccb145a796642/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006808&Signature=GwO4UET7MX4IiPyeFEugPC7Iczua3Xs0gaJhzyNoG~JjBA6TCDgfQk0tX7KFCZNO8cs6DxV1EcDm-3oepdV1-R6v~HD-Gp6M02tbEA3xdW7NHLc1vkYGUmMBqZFSMX3lrq3FXFEg~3ajoFip3RQ57Ol4nmZbPaz3MASmnnioa5X9HvvigiKfJ4rkJQkMSp4MEVWl5hwh00m94G0BXYucDqeKyAc6E4TJifQo1zcugxqwqk-gyzA-J3-W4QqPzt7p~CLK4fKhiWmHfJRxibpqj3MRPVhhi2lvhUqivLPSqhjYXAy9dw-avKP8P0ipzWU3q0lWOFGvAYvwEzv0WQt9SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Napa Valley Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) on April 22 received staff recommendations to pursue a hybrid fee structure to fund implementation of the basin’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). Staff presented three draft rate scenarios and asked the GSA for direction on next steps, outreach and whether to seek placement of fees on the 2025 tax roll.

Natural Resources Conservation Manager Jamieson Crosby and consultant Ryan Aston (SCI) described a revised approach that would charge different user classes by different measures: domestic and commercial parcels could be charged per parcel (with a surcharge for parcels larger than one acre), municipal and small public water systems would be charged on reported extraction (acre-feet), and agricultural irrigators could be charged per planted acre and a higher rate for groundwater-irrigated acres. The hybrid approach aims to address concerns about data consistency and year‑to‑year variability in applied water estimates.

Aston showed three scenarios based on a roughly $3 million annual budget: (1) irrigated-acre charges for agriculture with parcel charges for domestic/commercial and extraction-based charges for public systems; (2) a two‑bucket approach splitting “common costs” from applied groundwater‑use costs with the latter applied only to groundwater‑irrigated acreage; and (3) scenario 2 with a hypothetical $800,000 annual county contribution that would substantially lower per‑acre and per‑parcel rates.

Stakeholder reaction and data concerns: Agricultural stakeholders, the Farm Bureau and Napa Valley Vintners told the GSA they are willing to continue collaborating but emphasized the need for better data, appeals and adjustment processes, and incentives for conservation. Several speakers urged the GSA to prioritize metering and measured extraction—“meter what you can measure, and the rest is guesswork,” said one supervisor during board discussion—and to avoid penalizing dry‑farmers or small food producers. The consultants acknowledged uncertainty in estimating applied water on a parcel scale and proposed using irrigated acreage as a pragmatic interim denominator while collecting better extraction data.

Timing and funding choices: Staff recommended the board consider whether to implement charges in time for the 2025/26 tax roll or defer to a later year to allow further refinement and outreach. Several supervisors and stakeholders urged delaying implementation (staff indicated a likely adoption schedule that would meet a July public meeting requirement under Water Code section 10730 and an auditor deadline of August 8 for tax-roll placement) to allow more time for data collection and to consider a county contribution to stabilize rates. Staff said the fee study justifies a maximum rate but that the board can choose to set lower budgets or contributions in any given year.

Next steps: Staff will refine irrigated‑acre and extraction estimates, analyze dry‑farmed and alternative‑source acreage, define a final budget, and prepare a draft fee study and further outreach. The board requested additional detail on implementation timing, options for disadvantaged communities, and whether a county contribution could be defined as revenue for targeted mitigation rather than a fee reduction mechanism.

Ending note: The GSA did not adopt a fee at the meeting; staff will return with further analysis, a draft fee study and additional outreach material for the GSA to consider before a possible fee adoption hearing.","Napa County Groundwater Sustainability Agency staff presented a revised hybrid approach to fund groundwater sustainability—combining parcel, irrigated‑acre and extraction-based charges—with preliminary rate scenarios; agricultural groups urged more data, conservation incentives and phased implementation.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6579239,"Napa County approves $150,000 forgivable loan to Le Petit Elephant to preserve affordable child care",2244,2594000,4838000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026&start=2594&end=4838","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3096515-daffe47294a572cb63785166907a4026/thumbnail_2594000.jpg","/articles/6579239/Napa-County/California/Napa-County-approves-150000-forgivable-loan-to-Le-Petit-Elephant-to-preserve-affordable-child-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579239-9b4fe72764d9527ae3127bf1b25c501a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771006808&Signature=SNzeL-fLvoQm-DqxKlWRGf7q6qwpggjJpn0PdZOTVsI11OQ7GiGa1R1lWCdrWJHr2zmE7VytV3gMlPCviVR4TZ9hnEEtuShLR12htWLQBGoknvrIN3LNrZfNMmBvqw~PktqgHiQuzkbhMFvKuWoaJRthZsIZBbtKiQMS23hcfDYT7C8OXDXXBN4iqc9mPIW4NApDQzzzASuBqfgV2VYnpzyJP~bkYW4HD~rylApGVrOKCiHqjJng6aLp4OcIvzrpcPAWxYYUhlVL3A8fJcjhai2~0ITr~P3XjHnu627enkzhDQkcq4coL7a3dM4Ypj2DbkvU1LMJYo4zWPMkJJMhhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Napa County Board of Supervisors on April 22 approved an additional $150,000 forgivable loan to Le Petit Elephant Nursery and Preschool (LPE) to support the provider's purchase and renovation of a nearly 20,000-square-foot building in the City of Napa and preserve planned affordable infant and child-care spaces.

County Chief Executive Ryan Alsop told the board LPE previously received $1.2 million in county ARPA funds and that the new request is meant to cover pre-construction expenses, permit fees and unplanned legal costs tied to a lawsuit that delayed the project. “LPE has requested an additional $150,000 in a forgivable loan … to cover pre construction expenses,” Alsop said during the board presentation.

The board approved the loan with a motion amended to direct staff to first use any unspent ARPA dollars to repay the county’s MSA corpus if those ARPA funds become available. Supervisors voted unanimously; the motion was made and amended during the meeting and recorded as approved by the full board.

Why it matters: County officials said expanding infant and affordable child-care slots is a local economic and workforce priority. Alsop said the county’s original ARPA commitment to child care totaled about $3.8 million, with $1.2 million previously awarded to LPE to expand roughly 100 affordable spaces. Supervisors and community speakers framed the request as a one-time, targeted step to protect the county’s prior investment and avoid raising tuition for families.

What the board debated: Board members and speakers discussed funding sources and conditions. County staff confirmed the requested MSA funds would be a one-time infusion from the MSA corpus and that interest earnings had been committed to other MSA grant programs; staff said roughly $9 million of prior interest earnings were in the corpus and being drawn down for multi‑year programs. Supervisor Ramos asked the county to prioritize ARPA funds to replace any MSA corpus drawdown if ARPA money becomes available, and the board adopted that amendment.

Public comment and providers: LPE founder Neli Pentacci described financial setbacks she said were caused by a lawsuit that delayed the project and generated unexpected costs. Several community members — including local employers and nonprofit leaders — testified that LPE provides essential, flexible care that enables agricultural and hospitality workers to remain employed. The City of Napa submitted a letter urging caution about waiving fees but offered to discuss payment plans and other relief.

Conditions and accountability: The county will make the additional funds a forgivable loan and included a condition that the provider maintain a minimum number of child-care spots for an agreed period (staff described a proportional additional 15 months of spot-maintenance coupled to the original 10-year requirement attached to the earlier funding). The board also requested that county staff coordinate with the City of Napa to pursue possible city fee relief to reduce the financial burden on the project.

What happens next: County staff will finalize loan documents and coordinate with the city. Supervisors also asked the CEO’s office to continue work identifying incentives and partnerships to expand affordable infant and child-care capacity in unincorporated areas.

Ending note: Supervisors emphasized the request was a one-time, targeted intervention to secure previously allocated county investment and preserve planned affordable child-care capacity for working families.","The Board of Supervisors approved a $150,000 forgivable loan from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) corpus to help Le Petit Elephant complete a move and open additional infant and child-care slots in the City of Napa, with the board adding an amendment to seek ARPA funds first if they become available.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts Measure U five‑year roads project list; long-range bond plan outlined

County reports vacancy data under AB 2561; HR outlines recruitment and retention efforts

Napa Valley GSA presents hybrid fee proposal for groundwater sustainability; public and ag stakeholders press for data and protections

Napa County approves $150,000 forgivable loan to Le Petit Elephant to preserve affordable child care