Submitted by the City of Healdsburg
Black History Month
At its February 17, 2026 meeting, the Healdsburg City Council issued a proclamation acknowledging Black History Month. After reading the proclamation, Vice Mayor Ron Edwards shared his reflections on the recent death of Civil Rights icon Jesse Jackson, referencing Jackson’s message to Black Americans, to remember that “I Am Somebody!”
March Avenue
The City Council awarded a bid to Argonaut Constructors for the long-awaited March Avenue reconstruction project. The $2.7 million project will completely rebuild March Avenue, from Healdsburg Avenue to University Street. Work will begin next month and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. In addition to new pavement, the work will replace water lines and fire hydrant laterals, upgrade curb ramps, enhance crosswalks at Lupine and Prentice, plus bike lanes and drainage improvements.
Land Use Code Evolves
In recent years, the California state legislature has adopted changes to state law aimed at increasing the supply and diversity of housing throughout California, to incentivize the production of housing. While these laws represent a loss of local control, they also present an opportunity to address the need for working class “missing middle” housing throughout the state.
At the February 17 meeting, the City Council adopted two ordinances that update local codes to comply with state law. The City has been subject all along to these laws; updating the land use code aligns local regulations with state law.
One ordinance will implement Senate Bill 9 (SB9), or the Housing Opportunity and More Efficiency (HOME ACT). The state senate bill requires cities to allow two-unit development and urban lot splits on lots that are zoned for single-family homes. The City’s ordinance limits the size of these units and requires that projects meet City standards in the Healdsburg Municipal Code.
The second ordinance combines two California senate bills that increase densities by allowing up to 10 units to be built on vacant residential parcels and on parcels zoned for multi-family housing. This conforms with Senate Bill (SB) 684 and SB 1123, that aim to streamline small-scale development.
Healdsburg staff do not expect a rush of new projects as a result of these changes.
City Budget
The City of Healdsburg operates on a two-year budget cycle. The next budget will encompass two fiscal years, from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. All City departments are engaged in planning and forecasting their budgets, and the City has just launched a set of interactive tools that allow residents to weigh in on their priorities and take part in a simulated budget balancing exercise.
The budget simulation tool allows anyone to adjust revenues and expenditures, then provide their thoughts and comments on each department’s budget. The priorities tool is a simple and engaging exercise where a user can review a group of City priorities, programs, and services like parks, streets, police and more, and prioritize what matters most. Budget dollars are not unlimited, so choosing to invest more in one priority, triggers spending less on another.
Visit Healdsburg.gov/budget-development to view and use the budget tools.
