Strategic Planning Framework
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In 2017, the Town Council partnered with The Novak Consulting Group to establish a Five-Year Strategic Plan. Below are the results of Town Council, Town Staff, and Public input redarding key elements of the Strategic Plan, and how Town departments aim to tie annual initiatives back to these core success factors in Fiscal Year 2021/2022. Click here for more information regarding the process for developing and approving the 2017 - 2022 Strategic Planning Framework.
Exceptional Town Services and Staff
The Town supports its talented staff who deliver high quality municipal programs and services while maintaining public infrastructure for the benefit of the community.
- The Town supports the Parks and Recreation Departments employee growth and development by funding trainings and professional membership opportunities with organizations such as the California Parks and Recreation Society and the National Recreation and Parks Association. We also work hard to remain competitive in our part time salaries to recruit and retain high quality team members.
- The Planning and Building Department is responsible for administering several programs, including the Residential Rental Registration Program and Employee Parking Management Program, among others, that indirectly tie back to the Town Council’s goals of compliance with the municipal code.
- The Town will now become a member of Marin Clean Energy “Deep Green” program. This means that 100% of the energy the Town purchases comes from clean energy and renewable resources. This will also help the Town with meeting goals for the adopted Climate Action Plan.
- With the addition of a full-time Information Technology position, staff will enhance and maintain the Town website with focus on ease of use for the residents, visitors and Town staff.
- The new Code Compliance position will focus on addressing various Planning and Building, Public Works and other Town related situations.
- Providing high quality water and wastewater services that are safe, reliable, and clean. This includes a well-trained staff that operates as a cross functional team when needed.
- Ongoing implementation of Laserfiche Trusted Electronic Records Management System which allows for greater public transparency, staff efficiency and effectiveness in delivery of services, especially in areas involving access to Town records and documents.
- Town Clerk implementation of digital signatures streamlined processes and reduces time spent gathering signatures for numerous documents generated by the Town.
- Staff will continue to implement and provide direction related to the Town Council's FY 2017-22 Strategic Plan and 2021 Planning Retreat as it relates to operating budget and service delivery.
- Town Administration will continue to work with CIRA to implement risk management processes and prevention to limit litigation and Worker's Compensation claims by way of utilizing appropriate policies, procedures and staff training and development, including onling training.
Engaged Residents
The Town embraces our residents’ commitment to community as seen through volunteerism, civic engagement, and public participation that enhances the quality of life in Yountville.
- The Town embraces our residents’ commitment to community as seen through volunteerism, civic engagement, and public participation that enhances the quality of life in Yountville.
- Funding is included for filing vacancies of and operating the Town’s Zoning and Design Review Board (ZDRB), Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission, Arts Commission, Community Foundation and our newly established Measure S Affordable and Workforce Housing Committee which directly involve community residents and provide a basis to seek resident input on issues and initiatives involving our residents.
- The Town also prioritizes the Board, Commission and Volunteer appreciation event each spring as a way to say thank you to all of those who volunteer throughout each year.
- The Finance Department will work with Bartle Wells Associates to conduct public meetings during the 2022 Utility Rate Study to inform community members about the fiscal status of the utility enterprise funds.
- The Online Budget Book and Transparency Portal, designed and built using OpenGov Budgeting software, provides an interactive experience for citizens seeking to learn about the Town’s fiscal status and finanical plan. Staff will continue to promote awareness and utilization of this valuable feature.
- The Parks and Recreation Department lends staff assistance and acts as liaison to the Yountville Arts Commission, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and the Town of Yountville Community Foundation.
- The Parks and Recreation Department also oversees the Town of Yountville volunteer program which has over 60 volunteers each year who assist with our programs and events.
- Town Clerk will manage and monitor [email protected] to ensure public participation in Town Council and other Town meeting bodies.
- Land Use Entitlement Applications are very much part of the public process. When decisions are made regarding residential or commercial development, significant landscape modifications, signs, or any other entitlement, the Planning and Building Department ensures that Town residents are engaged by advertising and posting Notices of Public Hearing and holding those Public Hearings in public settings such as meeting before the Zoning and Design Review Board and the Town Council.
- The Planning and Building Department has been involved in the 6th cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031). This effort involves multiple public meeting, community workshops, hearing before the Zoning and Design Review Board and the Town Council where public participation is sought and encouraged.
- The budget provides funding for contracted software, vendor support and staff allocation to support cable televising and video streaming of the Town Council, Zoning & Design Review Board (ZDRB), and Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission meetings; online agendas, e-comment, e-notifier website content.
- Continue to update information and content on the Town’s GIS centered smart device application MYville which provides up to date information, and access maps such as the “Report It” app, current project list, and public art walk as an example.
- Public Works will provide support and regular updates to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (5 bi-monthly meetings) and other volunteers groups and engaged citizens groups to facilitate and strengthen engagement and involvement.
- Efforts continue to evaluate and implement enhanced citized communications via the website, use of new citizen engagement tools, and increased use of social media to inform residents while expanding the Town's presence on platforms such as FaceBook, Instagram and Twitter.
- The Town will work with residents to encourage participation in the upcoming Parks & Recreation Master Plan as well as the Housing Element Update.
Responsible Fiscal Policy
The Town maintains its fiscal health through policies designed to mazimize economic opportunities, manage expenses, and ensure prudent reserves.
- Implementation of a new Committee Manager Application.
- Use the additional available tax funds such Measure T, SB1, and Gas Tax, to offset the prior use of General Funds for streets infrastructure capital improvements projects.
- Entitlement applications, such as design review or development applications, are funded via a deposit rather than a set fee. This ensures that the true cost of processing applications are paid for by the project applicant.
- Building Permits and Plan review checks are paid for by building permit fees which aids the Town in cost recovery efforts.
- The Parks and Recreation Department continues to analyze budgets and forecasts to maximize cost recovery where feasible and control costs.
- The Parks and Recreation Department continues to analyze and reposition staffing and budget allocations based on community needs, challenges and changes.
- $20,000 is budgeted to complete Transient Occupancy Tax administration and sales tax auditing to comply with our Town ordinance and ensure proper remittance from businesses.
- $70,000 is budgeted to conduct an Impact Fee Study to evaluate the current impact fee structure.
- $26,500 is budgeted to complete the annual Town Audit to evaluate processes and comply with Government Accounting Standards Board requirements.
- The Town Manager, Finance Department and Parks and Recreation Department will work to support and administer the Town of Yountville Community Foundation.
- Continue management of operating departments to maintain and deliver core services at Council directed level within available revenue - budget to support the Town's mission, control costs and restore funding to support capital infrastructure projects. Produce and deliver a balanced budget.
- Maintain Liability Claim Reserve at $50,000 which is $20,000 more than the $30,000 minimum funding level required.
- Public Works is engaged in a robust multi-year Annual Streets Paving program. The program does not utilize any General Fund Monies for the paving portion of the program. The paving program receives funding from Measure T, SB1, and Gas Tax.
- Staff is working with California Consulting Inc. to aggresively seek and apply for grant funding that may be used to support Capital Improvement projects.
Quality of Life
The Town enhances the livability of Yountville by providing well-maintained public facilities, parks,and trails, and quality programs and events.
- The Parks and Recreation Department strives to provide high quality programs, events and facilities for our residents. We use analysis on participation levels, surveys and ongoing feedback from users and nonusers to make prudent decisions on how to best serve our residents.
- A strict design ordinance is followed for all development projects in Town. This ensures that all developments, and all uses, comply with the goals and policies set forth by the Town Council and maintains Yountville’s quality of life.
- The budget includes an allocation of $50,000 for New Vineyard Park Path Construction, and $34,000 to install additonal EV Charging Stations.
- $10,000 budgeted to assist residents and local businesses in transitioning to the use of battery powered leaf blowers to reduce carbon footprint, and noise pollution.
- Town Manager will continue to work on regional water supply issues.
Premier Destination
The Town values its residents, rich history, natural environment, culinary excellence, arts, and distinguished businesses that make our home a place people love.
- The Parks and Recreation Departments continues to support the Yountville Arts Commission and assists in furthering their efforts to bring high quality art and art events to Yountville.
- The Parks and Recreation Department works closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center to link residents, businesses and community service opportunities.
- The Planning & Building Department is working to complete the 6th cylce Housing Element Update by January 2023.
- The Town Council adopted the Washington Street Activation Ordinance which furthers the goal for Washington Street to be inviting, lively, and exciting.
- The budget includes funding for parks, urban forest, and streets maintenance services; these include trimming, pruning, planting, and arborist’s services. These services and our urban forest care and aesthetics are recognized and valued by residents and visitors alike.
- The Parks and Recreation Department works closely with the Public Works Department to design and maintain beautiful, accessible and sustainable parks, paths and spaces for our Community to enjoy.
Visionary Leadership
The Town’s leadership maintains an open- minded, forward-thinking decision-making process. We value engagement and participation from all members of the community as we work together to create policies and plan for the future.
- Adapted Council Meetings to be held and viewed via remote teleconference which included new [email protected] email to ensure public participation in Town Council and other Town meeting bodies in conformance with the Governor and County Health Official safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Continue to schedule and program Emergency Preparedness training and materials for staff and residents. This includes annual training an information programs, website content, on-site, and off-site training.
- $2,866,075 remains assigned for possible purchase of Yountville Elementary School site should it become available to the town for purchase and future use.
- The Yountville Town Council is updating the Zoning and Design Ordinances to align with the goals, policies, and programs of the General Plan adopted on May 7, 2019, the result of which is to influence Town decisions for years to come.
- The Parks and Recreation Department prides itself on being nimble to adapt to the changing needs of our whole community. By participating in regional boards and meetings as well as state and nationwide trainings and seminars, we are preparing for the future.
- The Pension Rate Stabilization (PRSP) trust holds a balance of $2,664,189 as of April 30, 2022.
- The Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) irrevocable trust holds a balance of $5,431,553 as of April 30, 2022 which will help to ensure that Other Post Employment Benefits remain funded in the future.
- The Finance Department continues to streamline manual processes by using technoloy such as Laserfiche Workflows to enhance its efforts to automate and move towards paperless recordkeeping.
- The proposed budget meets or exceeds Town Council established targets for the Emergency Reserve Fund. This reserve fund, along with the Revenue Stabilization Reserve Fund, are the core reserve funds for the Town.