LAFCO
South Napa County (2009)
Read the report at Local Agency Formation Commissions ↗
LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION OF NAPA COUNTY
MUNICIPAL SERVICE REVIEW:
SOUTHEAST NAPA COUNTY
Agencies Evaluated:
City of American Canyon
American Canyon Fire Protection District
County Service Area No. 3
Final Report
June 2009
Prepared by:
LAFCO of Napa County
1700 Second Street, Suite 268
Napa, California 94559
http://napa.lafco.ca.gov
Committed to serving the citizens and government agencies of its jurisdiction by
encouraging the preservation of agricultural lands and open-space and coordinating
the efficient delivery of municipal services.
Brian J. Kelly, Chair, Public Member
Juliana Inman, Vice-Chair, City Member
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Brad Wagenknecht, Commissioner, County Member al is
Joan Bennett, Alternate Commissioner, City Member c s
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Mark Luce, Alternate Commissioner, County Member L n
Gregory Rodeno, Alternate Commissioner, Public Member
Keene Simonds, Executive Officer
Jacqueline Gong, Commission Counsel
NapaCounty
Brendon Freeman, Analyst
Kathy Mabry, Commission Secretary
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Local Agency Formation Commissions……………………......... 4
B. Municipal Service Reviews ……...………………………….......... 4
C. Southeast Napa County….…………………………...…………... 5
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Overview…………………………………………………………... 8
B. Determinations…………………………………………………… 9
Present and Planned Capacities of Public Facilities………………… 9
Growth and Population Projections…………………………............ 10
Financial Ability of Agencies to Provide Service……………………. 11
The Status and Opportunities for Shared Facilities…………………. 11
Accountability for Community Service Needs……………………… 11
Relationship with Regional Growth Goals and Policies……................ 12
III. AGENCY REVIEWS
A. City of American Canyon
Overview…………………………………………………………..... 14
Formation and Development…………………………………........... 14
Adopted Commission Boundaries…………………………………... 15
Population and Growth……………………………………………... 15
Organizational Structure……………………………………………. 18
Municipal Services………………………………………………...... 20
Financial……………………………………………………………. 32
B. American Canyon Fire Protection District
Overview…………………………………………………………..... 36
Formation and Development…………………………………........... 36
Adopted Commission Boundaries…………………………………... 37
Population and Growth……………………………………………... 38
Organizational Structure……………………………………………. 40
Municipal Services………………………………………………...... 40
Financial……………………………………………………………. 42
C. County Service Area No. 3
Overview…………………………………………………………..... 46
Formation and Development…………………………………........... 46
Adopted Commission Boundaries…………………………………... 46
Population and Growth……………………………………………... 47
Organizational Structure……………………………………………. 50
Municipal Services………………………………………………...... 51
Financial……………………………………………………………. 53
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
IV. SOURCES
A. American Canyon…………………………………………………. 56
B. ACFPD…………………………………………………………….. 57
C. CSA No. 3………………………………………………………….. 57
D. Other Agencies……………………………………………………. 58
APPENDICES No.
Government Code Section 56430…………………………………... A
Commission Policy on Municipal Service Reviews………………….. B
American Canyon General Plan Land Use Map……………………... C
American Canyon General Plan Urban Limit Line Map…………….. D
County of Napa General Plan Land Use Map………………………. E
County Service Area No. 3 Benefit Zones…………………………... F
FIGURES Page
Map of Southeast Region…………………………………………… 6
Map of American Canyon…………………………………………... 16
Map of American Canyon Fire Protection District………………….. 39
Map of County Service Area No. 3………………………………….. 48
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Local Agency Formation Commissions
Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) are political subdivisions of the State of
California and are responsible for administering a section of Government Code now known as
the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000. LAFCOs are
located in all 58 counties in California and delegated regulatory and planning responsibilities to
coordinate the logical formation and development of local governmental agencies and their
services while protecting agricultural and open space resources. Key regulatory duties include
approving proposals involving the creation, expansion, and dissolution of cities and special
districts. LAFCOs inform their regulatory duties through a range of planning activities. This
includes establishing and updating spheres of influence for all cities and special districts.
Markedly, spheres of influence outline the territory LAFCO believes represents the
appropriate future jurisdictional boundaries and service areas of local agencies. All
jurisdictional changes, such as annexations, must be consistent with the spheres of influence of
the affected local agencies with limited exceptions.
B. Municipal Service Reviews
As part of the aforementioned Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization
Act of 2000, LAFCOs are now required to prepare municipal service reviews in conjunction
with updating each local agency’s sphere of influence every five years as needed. The
legislative intent of municipal service review is to inform LAFCOs with regard to the
availability and sufficiency of governmental services provided within their respective
jurisdictions prior to making sphere of influence determinations. Municipal service reviews
vary in scope and can focus on particular agency, service, or geographic region. Municipal
service reviews may also lead LAFCO to take other actions under its authority, such as
initiating a reorganization involving two or more special districts. All municipal service
reviews, however, must include written statements making determinations with respect to the
following six factors pursuant to Government Code (G.C.) Section 56340.
1. Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services,
including infrastructure needs or deficiencies.
2. Growth and population projections for the affected area.
3. Financial ability of agencies to provide services.
4. Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities.
5. Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and
operational efficiencies.
6. Any other matter related to effective or efficient service delivery, as required by
commission policy.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
C. Southeast Napa County
This report represents LAFCO of Napa County’s (“Commission”) scheduled municipal
service review of the southeast county region. The report examines the level and range of
governmental services provided in the region, which generally encompasses all lands south of
the Soscol Ridge, east of the Napa River, and west and north of Solano County.1 The three
main local agencies operating in the region and evaluated in this report are the City of
American Canyon, American Canyon Fire Protection District (ACFPD), and County Service
Area (CSA) No. 3.2
The report has been prepared in a manner consistent with the Commission’s Policy on Municipal
Service Reviews and is organized into two principal sections. The first section is an executive
summary addressing the overall adequacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of governmental
services provided in the region. This includes making determinations with respect to the
factors the Commission is required to address as part of its municipal service review mandate.
The second section includes individual reviews of the three affected local agencies operating in
the region. Specific issues examined in these individual reviews include formation and
development, population and growth, organizational structure, municipal service provision,
and financial. Standard service indicators as well as regional comparisons are incorporated
into the individual reviews when appropriate to help contextualize and evaluate service levels.
The main objective of the report is to develop and expand the Commission’s knowledge and
understanding of the current and planned provision of local government services in the region.
The Commission will use the report to inform its decision-making as it relates to performing
subsequent sphere of influence updates for all three affected local agencies. The Commission
will also use the report in evaluating future boundary change proposals in the region.
1 A small portion of CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional boundary extends north beyond the historical designation for Soscol Ridge and is
included in the geographic area of this municipal service review.
2 The Napa Sanitation District provides sewer service south of the Soscol Ridge to unincorporated lands associated with the
Napa County Airport and Chardonnay Golf Club. The District’s sewer and reclaimed water services extend as far south as
Fagan Creek. LAFCO is scheduled to review the District as part of its “Central Napa County” municipal service review
calendared for 2010-2011.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Figure One
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A. Overview
Napa County’s southeast region has experienced significant growth over the last 10 years.
This growth is evident in the region’s population, which has increased by more than two-thirds
from an estimated 9,497 to 16,347. Comparatively, the rest of Napa County has experienced a
population increase over the same period of less than one-tenth from an estimated 111,048 to
120,357. The primary factors contributing to the region’s growth have been the continued
development of American Canyon and the Napa County Airport area. The development of
these two distinct communities has not only contributed to the region’s growth in terms of
population and building but also in expanding the level and range of municipal services to
accommodate increasing demands. The relationship is best illustrated by considering the
increase demand for water, which is provided throughout the region by American Canyon.
During the last 10 years, water demands in the region have more than doubled from 1,761 to
3,953 acre-feet. This increase of 2,192 acre-feet in water demands roughly equals the size of
Bell Canyon Reservoir in St. Helena.
This report identifies the three local agencies responsible for directly supporting the region’s
growth, American Canyon, ACFPD, and CSA No. 3, have generally established adequate
administrative controls and service capacities consistent with the needs of their communities.
This includes all three agencies making considerable investments recently in expanding public
infrastructure and facilities to accommodate their growing constituencies. Prominent
examples include American Canyon building a wastewater treatment plant and administrative
center as well as partnering with ACFPD on a new joint-use public safety facility. The
investment in new public infrastructure and facilities in the region has largely been funded by
increasing development-related revenues, such as property taxes, special parcel assessments,
and building fees. Notably, American Canyon and ACFPD’s annual shares of property tax
revenues have increased by 326% and 239%, respectively, during the last 10 years. These
amounts represent the largest percentage increases in property tax revenues for all cities and
special districts in Napa County.
Given American Canyon and ACFPD are largely dependent on development-related revenues,
the current downturn in the economy and its impact in declining property values presents new
and considerable challenges in balancing costs with available funding within their respective
jurisdictions. Effective financial management in the years leading up to the current downturn
has positioned all three agencies in the region to rely on accumulated reserves to absorb
spending shortfalls in the short-term. Further, all three agencies currently have fund balances
representing more than 20% of their operating costs, which exceeds the national standard of
10%. The longer the downturn persists, however, the more likely capital improvements will
need to be deferred and service levels reduced. Additionally, while the downturn has
decreased the volume of activity, it is still expected the region will continue to experience the
largest percentage of growth in Napa County over the next several years as several vested
projects materialize. This includes several non-residential projects that will further diversify
land uses in the region, such as the Town Center and Montalcino Resort. Importantly, this
anticipated growth will continue to generate new demands for municipal services.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
B. Determinations
As mentioned, as part of the municipal service review process, the Commission must prepare
written determinations addressing the service factors enumerated under G.C. Section 56430.
The service factors range in scope from considering infrastructure needs and deficiencies to
relationships with growth management policies. The determinations serve as statements or
conclusions and are based on information collected, analyzed, and presented in the individual
agency reviews.
Present and planned capacity of public facilities and adequacy of public services,
including infrastructure needs or deficiencies.
• American Canyon, ACFPD, and CSA No. 3 have made considerable investments in
their public facilities over the last several years to improve the level and range of their
respective services in the region.
• American Canyon has made a concerted effort to address the service needs of the
unincorporated territory located within its adopted urban limit line. This planning
effort provides reasonable assurances American Canyon is capable of efficiently
extending services to annexed territory within its urban limit line without adversely
affecting existing constituents.
• American Canyon is the only public water service provider in the region and has
contracted adequate supplies to meet the current and future needs under normal
conditions within the timeframe of this review. These contracted supplies, however,
are not sufficient to meet current or future water demands during dry-year conditions
when significant cutbacks are made to the State Water Project.
• American Canyon has been diligent in addressing anticipated shortfalls in water
supplies during dry-years by proactively purchasing additional supplies as needed.
This practice, however, is becoming increasingly expensive and is not recovered by
American Canyon through its water service rates.
• American Canyon requires infrastructure improvements to expand its water treatment
and storage capacities to independently accommodate existing and future peak
demands in the region. In the absence of these improvements, American Canyon’s
water system is subject to pressure losses and service interruptions during high-
demand periods.
• American Canyon is the primary public sewer service provider in the region and has
established adequate collection, treatment, and discharge capacities to meet current and
future service demands within the timeframe of this review.
• American Canyon’s contract with the County of Napa’s Sheriff Department for
staffing resources provides an appropriate and flexible level of police protection
services in the City.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
• ACFPD and CSA No. 3 have established effective fire protection services in their
respective jurisdictions as measured by their current response times, which both
average less than five minutes from dispatch to arrival. These average response times
are within the national standard of six minutes and demonstrate both agencies are
meeting the service demands in their jurisdictions in an efficient and timely manner.
• CSA No. 3 should adopt and incorporate a standard response time into their contract
with the County of Napa for fire protection services. The adoption of a standard
response time will help CSA No. 3 measure and manage fire protection resources
within its jurisdiction.
• The majority of intersections along State Highway 29 in the region are operating at
unacceptable levels of service resulting in significant traffic congestion during peak
commute hours. Addressing these deficiencies is critical to improving quality of life
for affected commuters and residents. Actual solutions will require considerable
funding as well as cooperation between state and local agencies in implementing
coordinated traffic circulation improvements in the region.
Growth and population projections for the affected area.
• The region has experienced an approximate two-thirds increase in population over the
last five years. This increase has made the region one of the fastest growing areas in
terms of percentages in the Bay Area.
• The significant rise in the region’s population over the last five years directly
corresponds with an influx of new residential construction in American Canyon, which
increased its total number of housing units from 3,246 to 5,591. Nearly four-fifths of
the new housing in American Canyon involves single-family residences.
• American Canyon will continue to develop given its land supply and expanding job
market. However, it is reasonable to project the current downturn in the economy will
reduce American Canyon’s population increase relative to recent years to no more than
2.0% annually over the next several years. This projection will result in American
Canyon’s population reaching an estimated 17,989 by 2013.
• CSA No. 3’s jurisdiction has experienced an approximate one-fifth increase in building
square feet over the last five years. A review of existing entitlements in CSA No. 3
indicate this growth will continue within the timeframe of this review as nearly all
vacant land within its jurisdiction is already tied to an approved or underway project.
• The region has experienced the development of its first four hotels over the last five
years. If fully occupied, these hotels are expected to produce an estimated visitor
serving population of 824 and will produce new impacts on the region’s service
infrastructure.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Financial ability of agencies to provide services.
• American Canyon, ACFPD, and CSA No. 3 have prudently managed their finances
over the last several years allowing the agencies to utilize accumulated reserves to help
absorb cost-increases while maintaining service levels during the current economic
downturn.
• American Canyon, ACFPD, and CSA No. 3 are in relatively good financial standing
given the agencies are expected to finish the current fiscal year with reserves equaling
20% or more of their respective operating costs. Additionally, these agencies have
very low debt-to-equity ratios, indicating healthy capital structures.
• American Canyon and ACFPD are dependent on property taxes to fund significant
portion of their services. This dependency makes these agencies particularly
vulnerable to reducing costs the longer the current economic downturn continues
given its negative impact on new building construction and assessed values in the
region.
• The extent of the current economic downturn’s impact on the region is illustrated by
the estimated 1.8% loss in total assessed values in American Canyon since 2007-2008.
This estimate represents the first decline in overall assessed values in American Canyon
since its incorporation.
Status of, and opportunities for, shared facilities.
• American Canyon, ACFPD, and CSA No. 3 actively partner with other local public
and private entities to share facilities and resources. These efforts strengthen social
and economic ties while expanding and economizing services throughout the region.
Accountability for community service needs, including governmental structure and
operational efficiencies.
• American Canyon and ACFPD’s meetings are conducted together on the first and
third Tuesday of each month and broadcast on local public access television. These
regularly scheduled meetings provide an opportunity for the agencies’ constituents to
ask questions of their representatives and help ensure service information is being
effectively communicated to the public.
• The County of Napa conducts the business of CSA No. 3 as needed. Given the lack
of meetings, CSA No. 3 should consider establishing a website dedicated to agency
business to help inform and engage its constituents.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Relationship with regional growth goals and policies.
• American Canyon and the County of Napa recently negotiated an agreement
regarding the planned development of the City. The agreement includes a revised
urban limit line for American Canyon, which is to remain unchanged through 2030.
Notably, as part of the agreement, the County agrees to support American Canyon’s
request on file with the Commission to amend the City’s sphere of influence to
include certain properties located in the Napa County Airport industrial area. This
agreement represents a collaborative effort by the agencies to establish shared value
and vision with regard to regional growth goals and policies.
• CSA No. 3 serves a key role in facilitating the implementation of the County of Napa’s
Airport Industrial Area Specific Plan with respect to providing organized fire
protection and street maintenance services for the affected community.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
III. AGENCY REVIEWS
A. City of American Canyon
Overview
The City of American Canyon was incorporated in 1992 and provides a full range of municipal
services either directly or through outside contractors with limited exceptions. American
Canyon has a current operating budget of $16.48 million with 75 fulltime employees.
American Canyon is the second largest municipality in Napa County and has been one of the
fastest growing communities in the Bay Area as measured by percentage change with an
average annual population increase of 7.2% over the last 10 years. American Canyon’s current
population is estimated at 16,293 by the California Department of Finance.
Formation and Development
American Canyon’s development began in the early 1900s as the unincorporated community
transitioned from agriculture and cattle grazing to rural residential and industrial land uses. In
the 1950s, after decades of nominal growth, the community’s first residential subdivision was
constructed (Rio Del Mar) and the population reached an estimated 1,000 by 1960. As the
population increased, a collective need for organized community services emerged resulting in
the creation of ACFPD and American Canyon County Water District (ACCWD) in 1959 and
1961, respectively. The creation of these two independent special districts established local
fire protection, water, and sewer services within the community and helped facilitate a
relatively rapid increase in growth and development over the next several years. A third special
district, CSA No. 1, was formed in 1967 by the County Board of Supervisors to provide public
street lighting services in the community. Markedly, the community’s population between
1960 and 1970 more than tripled to 3,800.
In 1980, local residents petitioned the Commission to incorporate American Canyon. This
incorporation attempt was approved by the Commission but subsequently terminated after
receiving only one-fourth support from voters. A second incorporation petition was filed with
the Commission in 1990. This second incorporation attempt was also approved by the
Commission and confirmed by voters after receiving nearly two-thirds support from voters.
The incorporation included dissolving CSA No. 1, merging ACCWD into American Canyon,
and reorganizing ACFPD as a subsidiary of the City.
Since incorporation, American Canyon has been actively expanding the scope and level of its
municipal services to meet the increasing needs of its constituents while becoming more self-
supporting. In 1994, American Canyon sought and obtained the dissolution of a joint-powers
authority with the Napa Sanitation District in order to begin providing its own wastewater
treatment services rather than rely on the District’s facilities. The dissolution agreement
enabled American Canyon to continue to send wastewater to the District for treatment until
construction on the City’s own wastewater treatment facility was completed in 2002. At the
same time, American Canyon restructured its contract with the County Sherriff Department
to establish the City’s own police department. More recently, American Canyon has expanded
recreational services within the City to include a fully developed park system and a new
community center with a public pool.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Adopted Commission Boundaries
American Canyon’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 4.9 square miles or 3,114 acres in
size. The Commission has approved a total of six jurisdictional changes involving American
Canyon since its incorporation in 1992. All six jurisdictional changes have involved
annexations totaling 830.2 acres and are identified below.
Approved Jurisdictional Changes involving American Canyon
(Source: LAFCO)
Proposal Name Type Acres Completion Date
American Canyon Road/ Flosden Road Annexation 244.1 May 4, 1998
Flosden Road Extension Reorganization 157.2 November 17, 1999
American Canyon Road/Flosden Road Reorganization 4.8 April 25, 2003
Green Island Road No. 2 Reorganization 7.5 July 6, 2004
Wastewater Treatment Plant Reorganization 58.5 March 3, 2005
Green Island Road No. 3 Reorganization 358.1 April 6, 2005
* All proposals citied as reorganizations involved concurrent annexations to ACFPD.
American Canyon’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 60% coterminous with its
adopted sphere of influence. The sphere of influence was comprehensively updated by the
Commission in 2004 and includes a total of 302.8 unincorporated acres. These
unincorporated acres are concentrated within four distinct areas and summarized below.
Unincorporated Areas within American Canyon’s Sphere of Influence
(Source: LAFCO)
Location Description Acres Current Land Use
State Highway 29/Watson Lane 76.7 Residential
American Canyon Road/Newell Drive 49.5 Under Construction: School Site
Eucalyptus Drive/Wetlands Edge Drive 106.6 Undeveloped
State Highway 29/Poco Way 70.0 Undeveloped
Population and Growth
Residential
American Canyon’s current resident population is estimated at 16,293. Although one of the
smaller cities in the region, American Canyon has experienced a 72% overall rise in population
over the last 10 years and the fourth highest percentage increase among all 101 cities in the Bay
Area.3 The population increase directly corresponds with an influx of new residential
construction in American Canyon during the period, which increased its total number of
housing units from 3,246 to 5,591. Nearly four-fifths of all new housing units added in
American Canyon during this period were single-family residences. This includes the
construction of nine subdivisions each with 100 or more single-family residential units.
Additionally, within the last two years, American Canyon experienced an increase in multi-
family residences with the construction of Vineyard Crossing and the Lodge at Napa Junction.
These two projects have collectively produced 360 new apartment units.
3 Between 1998 and 2008, only Brentwood (Contra Costa), Rio Vista (Solano), Dublin (Alameda) have experienced a larger
percentage increase in population than American Canyon at 214%, 119%, and 91%, respectively.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Figure Two
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Residential projects approved by American Canyon but awaiting construction include the final
buildout of Vintage Ranch, which will involve the creation of 250 single-family residences.
Other approved projects include the Village at Vintage Ranch and Valley Vista and will involve
the construction of 164 multi-family and 35 single-family residences, respectively. These three
approved projects are expected to produce an overall increase to American Canyon’s
population of approximately 1,302.4
In terms of future residential growth, the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)
requires American Canyon to accommodate 728 new housing units as part of its updated
Housing Element for the 2007-2014 period. This amount represents slightly more than one-
tenth of American Canyon’s existing housing supply and one-fifth of the total number of new
housing units assigned by ABAG among all six land use authorities in Napa County.
American Canyon reports it has recently completed a land survey in anticipation of preparing a
draft update to its Housing Element indicating the City has sufficient supply of residentially-
zoned sites to accommodate its housing unit assignments for the 2007-2014 period.
Although American Canyon will continue to develop given its land supply and increasing job
market, it is reasonable to assume the current downturn in the economy will reduce the City’s
annual population increase relative to recent years. This reduction is already reflected in the
most recent collected data, which estimates American Canyon’s population increased by only
2.3% between 2007 and 2008. This amount represents a sharp decline from the estimated
6.9% increase in American Canyon’s population between 2006 and 2007. Accordingly, for the
purpose of this review, it is reasonable to assume American Canyon’s population will increase
over the next 10 years by no more than 2.0% annually. The following chart provides estimates
for American Canyon’s recent, current, and future population.
Population Projections for American Canyon
25,000
19,861
20,000
17,989
16,293
15,000
12,330
9,435
10,000
5,000
-
1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
4 Population estimates for the three approved residential development projects based on a per unit factor of 2.9.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Non Residential
The majority of non-residential growth and development in American Canyon consists of
commercial and industrial uses located along State Highway 29. This includes an increasing
number of businesses and services supporting the region’s wine industry, such as warehouses
used to bottle, store, and transport local wines. Beginning in 2004 with the opening of the
American Canyon Market Place at State Highway 29 and American Canyon Road, there has
been a measurable diversification in American Canyon’s non-residential uses to include more
retail-oriented commercial sites. Most recently, this includes the opening of Canyon Corners,
Canyon Plaza, and Napa Junction. Napa Junction represents American Canyon’s largest
commercial site and is anchored by a Wal-Mart Supercenter, which has over 500 employees
and is the largest single employer in the City.5 A third phase of Napa Junction representing
an additional 131,000 square feet has also been approved but not yet constructed.
Additionally, within the last five years, American Canyon has experienced the construction of
its first three hotels (Gaia, Fairfield Suites, and Holiday Inn Express) with a combined room
total of 312. If fully occupied, these three hotels will produce an estimated visitor serving
population of 624.6 Overall, it is estimated commercial, industrial and retail related uses in
American Canyon have increased by 23% as measured by the total number of jobs in the City.
Organizational Structure
Governance
American Canyon is a general-law municipality operating under the council-manager system of
government. Decision-making authority under this system is equally distributed among
American Canyon’s five-member City Council, which includes a directly elected mayor.
Elections are conducted by general vote; the mayor serves a two-year term while four
councilmembers serve staggered four-year terms. Key duties of the City Council include
adopting an annual budget, establishing and amending policies and ordinances, making
committee appointments, and hiring the City Manager. Meetings are currently conducted on
the first and third Tuesday of each month and broadcast on local public access television.
The American Canyon City Council has established three advisory bodies to assist the City in
its decision-making processes. All three advisory bodies consist of five members appointed by
the City Council to staggered four-year terms. Appointees must be registered voters residing
in American Canyon. Specific responsibilities of these advisory bodies are summarized below.
Open Space Advisory Committee
The Open Space Advisory Committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month and is
responsible for making recommendations to the City Council on matters involving the
restoration and preservation of open space resources. Current projects assigned to the
Committee include participating in the review and design of several walking trails,
including connecting to the San Francisco Bay Trail.
5 American Canyon’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2006-2007.
6 Calculation assumes two persons per lodging unit.
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Parks and Community Services Commission
The Parks and Community Services Commission meets on the second Thursday of each
month and is responsible for making recommendations to the City Council and
Community Services Director on matters involving parks and recreational resources. The
Commission is also responsible for facilitating community benefit activities as well as
recreation programs and special events. Current projects assigned to the Commission
include overseeing the completion of the Parks and Community Services Master Plan.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month and is
responsible for approving modifications to approved projects, design permits, conditional
use permits, parcel maps, and variances. The Commission also makes recommendations
to the City Council on General Plan amendments, zoning changes, and development
agreements. All actions of the Commission are subject to appeal to the City Council.
Administration
The City Manager is responsible for administering American Canyon’s governmental
operations. The City Manager serves at-will to the City Council and is delegated authority to
appoint and remove all employees with limited exceptions. The City Manager’s key duties
include preparing an annual budget and faithfully enforcing all ordinances and policies enacted
by the City Council. The City Manager is also responsible for overseeing American Canyon’s
six municipal departments with their combined 75.4 budgeted full-time employees.7 The
composition and duties of the six municipal departments are summarized below.
Administration Department
The Administration Department includes divisions for the City Manager, City Clerk, City
Attorney, and Human Resources. These divisions collectively direct all municipal
activities, maintain official records, provide legal notices, and oversee labor and risk
management. The Department currently budgets for 7.25 full-time employees.
Community Development Department
The Community Development Department includes divisions for Planning, Building,
Engineering, Economic Development, and Housing. These divisions are responsible for
implementing land use policies and procedures adopted by the City Council. Specific tasks
include reviewing parcel and subdivision maps, issuing building permits, enforcing codes,
updating the zoning code, facilitating local economic growth, maintaining the General
Plan, and serving as the liaison with other local and regional planning agencies.8 The
Department currently budgets for 12.2 full-time employees.
7 Does not include the 23 sworn officers assigned by the County to the American Canyon Police Department.
8 Current projects in the Community Development Department include facilitating a citywide effort to streamline the
development review process, reviewing traffic impact fees, establishing a plan to update the image and function of State
Highway 29, and updating the sign ordinance.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Finance Department
The Finance Department includes divisions for Finance, Information Technology, Utility
Billing, and Debt Service. These divisions are responsible for providing financial
management and related administrative services, including accounting, auditing, budget
monitoring, cash investments, and utility invoicing. The Department currently budgets for
8.3 full-time employees.
Parks and Recreation Department
The Parks and Recreation Department includes divisions for Recreation, Sports, Aquatics,
Parks, Building Maintenance, and Public Transit. These divisions are responsible for
managing all public parks and recreational services and serve as the City’s liaison with the
Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency on matters pertaining to public
transportation. The Department currently budgets for 12 full-time employees.
Police Department
The Police Department includes sworn and non-sworn personnel and is responsible for
maintaining law and order within American Canyon. This includes providing patrol, traffic
enforcement, vehicle abatement, criminal investigation, and community outreach services.
The Department currently budgets for 25.7 full-time employees, which includes 23 sworn
officers contracted from County Sheriff.
Public Works Department
The Public Works Department includes divisions for Administration, Capital
Improvement Plan, Engineering, Curb and Sidewalk, Street Maintenance, Storm Drainage,
Fleet, and the Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds. These divisions are responsible for
managing all public facilities and infrastructure owned and operated by American Canyon.9
The Department currently budgets for 33.9 full-time employees.
Municipal Services
American Canyon provides a full range of municipal services either directly or through outside
contractors to support urban uses within and adjacent to its jurisdictional boundary. American
Canyon’s municipal services are classified in this review into five broad categories: 1)
community development; 2) culture and leisure; 3) public safety; 4) public works; and 5) other.
An overview of the municipal services provided by American Canyon within each of these
categories in terms of organization, demands, and capacities follows.
Community Development
Planning, Building, Engineering, and Economic Development
American Canyon provides planning, building, engineering, and economic development
services to support and direct community development within the City. Planning services
include approving parcel and subdivision maps while building services focus on issuing
permits and code enforcement. Engineering supports planning and is intended to provide
9 The Public Works Department recently updated the City’s water conservation program and is currently working on funding
and completing water, sewer, and circulation infrastructure improvements.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
a “one-stop-shop” by streamlining the application review process. Economic
development services involve partnering with for-profit entities to attract and retain
businesses within American Canyon to enhance municipal revenues while creating jobs
and supporting residential uses. All four services are provided in conjunction with the
policies, goals, and objectives outlined in the American Canyon General Plan, which was
adopted in 1994. The General Plan includes four broad community development goals:
(a) serve as a bedroom community for the greater region; (b) create a sufficient commercial
base for residents; (c) become a subregion employment center; and (d) emerge as a
destination for visitors to the Napa Valley.
The General Plan also includes an urban limit line (ULL) that was negotiated with the
County Board of Supervisors and recently amended through a citizen’s initiative. The
ULL directs American Canyon’s future growth to extend north towards the Napa County
Airport and east towards the foothills of Sulpher Mountain.10 All lands within the ULL are
assigned land use designations. These designations orient American Canyon’s
development to emphasize predominately residential uses in the east, south, and west while
a mix of commercial and industrial uses are planned in the central and north, respectively,
along State Highway 29.
Measuring the number of issued building permits is a standard benchmark in assessing
overall community development activity within a municipality. In addition, in contrast to
other Napa County cities, American Canyon does not have an adopted policy limiting the
number of permits it will issue in a given year providing a more direct and unfiltered
assessment of activity. With this context in mind, between 1998 and 2008, the number of
annual building permits issued by American Canyon has increased from three to 364. The
largest single year issuance occurred in 2001 and totaled 542. More recently, the number
of building permits issued by American Canyon has averaged approximately 300 over the
last five years as reflected in the following chart.
Building Permits Issued by American Canyon
500
440
450
400
364
350
300 273
250 226
208
200
150
100
50
-
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
* Chart reflects permit activity for new structures, building alterations, re-roofing,
electrical systems, and water heaters.
10 The ULL contemplates American Canyon’s boundary extending as far north to include the “Headwaters,” “Atkins,”
and “Panattoni” properties and as far east to the 15% slope line of the Sulpher Mountain range.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
The provision of planning, building, engineering, and economic development services in
American Canyon is the principal responsibility of the Community Development
Department. The Department has a current budget of $2.1 million and primarily
supported by the General Fund with additional funding drawn from developer deposits
and permit fees.11 This amount currently accounts for 12.7% of American Canyon’s total
operating budget and represents an individual resident expense of $129.
* American Canyon General Plan Land Use Map is depicted in Appendix C.
* American Canyon’s adopted ULL is depicted in Appendix D.
Culture and Leisure
Parks and Recreation
American Canyon owns and operates 23 public parks collectively comprising 86.3
developed acres. The most recent public park developed by American Canyon is Veterans
Memorial, which opened in late 2008. The current ratio of parkland acres for every 1,000
residents in American Canyon is 5.3. This amount exceeds the minimum standard of 5.0
acres of public parkland for every 1,000 residents under the American Canyon General
Plan. This amount also equals the average ratio of public parkland acres for every 1,000
residents among the other four cities in Napa County.
Recreational services provided by American Canyon have measurably expanded over the
last several years and now includes a community gymnasium, which is operated jointly with
the Napa Valley Unified School District. American Canyon has also recently begun
developing a walking trail along its western border with the goal of connecting to trails
with the Cities of Napa and Vallejo. Additionally, American Canyon owns 640 acres
immediately northeast of the City known as the “Newell Reserve” for the purpose of
preserving the undeveloped area for open-space and passive recreational uses.
American Canyon’s Parks and Recreation Department is currently working on developing
a master plan to direct future park development and recreation services in American
Canyon. The Department has a current budget of $2.6 million and is supported through
the General Fund.12 This amount accounts for 15.8% of American Canyon’s total
operating budget for the fiscal year and represents an individual resident expense of $160.
Library
American Canyon contracts with the County to provide public library services within the
City. The contract specifies the County will operate a public library branch in American
Canyon no less than three days a week at its own costs. The contract states the public
library shall include a minimum of 7,000 reading and visual material items. American
Canyon may request additional service hours at its own cost and must reimburse the
County for its annual lease, which is currently $81,501 at Canyon Plaza. This amount
11 A small portion of this budget amount is dedicated to funding housing services in American Canyon. Planning fees, such as
use permits, are deposited directly into the General Fund.
12 A small portion of this budget amount is dedicated to funding a shuttle system in American Canyon.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
represents 0.5% of American Canyon’s total operating budget for the fiscal year and
represents an individual resident expense of $5.
Public Safety
Police Protection
American Canyon contracts with the County to provide police protection services within
the City. The contract outlines terms and conditions for County Sheriff to provide sworn
officers to staff American Canyon’s Police Department (ACPD). Services provided
through this contract include regular patrol, traffic enforcement, vehicle abatement, and
criminal investigations. A lieutenant or captain with County Sheriff is mutually selected by
the Sheriff-Coroner and City Council to serve as ACPD’s Police Chief. 13 The annual cost
to American Canyon for the staffing services provided under the contract is determined
prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. The current contract cost to American Canyon
is $3.8 million.
ACPD currently budgets 23 sworn officers. This amount provides American Canyon with
approximately 1.4 sworn officers for every 1,000 residents in the City. This ratio is slightly
less than the combined average of 1.8 sworn officers for every 1,000 residents for the
other three Napa County cities with their own police departments.14 American Canyon
does not have an adopted policy identifying a specific goal with respect to staffing levels
for sworn officers.
ACPD estimates its current average response time for high-priority service calls from
dispatch to arrival throughout the City is approximately two minutes and is well within its
operating standard of five minutes. Additionally, while the population has increased, there
has been a measurable decline in the total number of service calls in each of the last five
years from 19,204 to 16,883. Reported crimes in American Canyon have also slightly
declined over the last five years from 2,352 to 2,013.
Police Projection Service Demands in American Canyon
(Source: American Canyon)
Fiscal Year 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
Service Calls 19,204 15,511 19,047 17,544 16,883
Reported Crimes 2,352 1,825 2,058 1,952 2,013
Calls to Crimes Ratio 12.2% 11.7% 10.8% 11.1% 11.9%
The current total budget for ACPD is $4.4 million and is supported through the General
Fund. This amount represents 26.7% of American Canyon’s total operating budget for the
fiscal year and represents an individual resident expense of $270.
13 ACPD’s Police Chief reports to the City Manager and City Council. All related law enforcement equipment, such as patrol
vehicles, is furnished by American Canyon.
14 The combined average ratio was calculated by LAFCO and reflects the number of budgeted sworn officers for every 1,000
residents within Calistoga (2.07), Napa (0.96), and St. Helena (2.36).
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Animal Control
American Canyon contracts with the County to provide animal control services within the
City. The contract specifies the County will make available at least one of its animal
control officers to respond to service calls within American Canyon during all regular work
hours and on-call during non-regular work hours. Service calls covered under the contract
include pickup of stray dogs, animal bite investigations, injured animal pickup and
treatment, and removal of dead cats and dogs on public property. The contract also
provides American Canyon access to services provided at the County Animal Shelter. The
annual cost for these services to American Canyon is determined prior to the beginning of
each fiscal year based on an agreed upon formula. The current cost to American Canyon
is budgeted at $33,000 and supported through the General Fund. This amount represents
0.2% of American Canyon’s total general operating budget for the fiscal year and
represents an individual resident expense of $2.
Public Works
Water
American Canyon currently provides water service to 5,147 connections. Nearly all of
these water connections are located within American Canyon with the exception of
approximately 200 that generally serve unincorporated commercial and industrial
customers in and around the Napa County Airport.15 American Canyon has experienced a
20% overall increase in the number of its water connections in the last five years as
reflected in the following chart.
Water Connections for American Canyon
5,400
5,200 5,147
5,000
4,914
4,800 4,759
4,600
4,515
4,400
4,294
4,200
4,000
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
15 American Canyon provides water service to unincorporated lands north of its jurisdiction as a result of serving as successor
agency to ACCWD. The Commission recognizes American Canyon’s outside service responsibilities associated with its role
as a successor agency and recently established an extraterritorial water service area for the City. The extraterritorial water
service area includes all unincorporated lands extending north of American Canyon to the Soscol Ridge that are designated
for an urban use under the County General Plan. American Canyon must receive Commission approval, however, before
providing new or extended service within the extraterritorial water service area with the key exception of lands located
within the County’s Airport Industrial Area Specific Plan.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
American Canyon’s annual water supplies are secured through contracts with the Napa
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (“Flood District”) and City of
Vallejo. These contracts currently provide American Canyon with annual water
entitlements totaling 6,751 acre-feet. Almost three-fourths of the annual entitlements are
drawn from the State Water Project (SWP) and secured through American Canyon’s
contract with the Flood District. The remaining one-fourth of the entitlements are
contracted from Vallejo and divided between “baseline” and “permit” water. Vallejo’s
baseline water is pretreated and drawn from local sources, such as Lake Berryessa (Napa
County) and Lake Frey (Solano County). Vallejo’s permit water is untreated and drawn
from Lindsey Slough in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The following table
summarizes American Canyon’s contracted annual water entitlements through 2018.
American Canyon’s Contracted Annual Water Entitlements
(Source: American Canyon)
Fiscal Year SWP Vallejo: Baseline Vallejo: Permit Total
2009 4,900 1,351.5 500 6,751.5
2010 4,950 1,351.5 500 6,801.5
2011 5,000 1,351.5 500 6,851.5
2012 5,050 1,351.5 500 6,901.5
2013 5,100 1,351.5 500 6,951.5
2014 5,150 1,351.5 500 7,001.5
2015 5,200 1,351.5 500 7,051.5
2016 5,200 1,351.5 500 7,051.5
2017 5,200 1,351.5 500 7,051.5
2018 5,200 1,351.5 500 7,051.5
* Measurements are in acre-feet.
The reliability of American Canyon’s contracted annual water entitlements is affected by
several outside factors. Most importantly, the amount of water American Canyon receives
from its annual entitlement to the SWP is dependent on available supplies generated
through snow fall in the Sierra Mountains. SWP entitlements are also impacted by levee
maintenance and environmental regulations within the Delta. To help manage these
outside factors, the State of California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR) issues
monthly allocation assignments to all SWP users estimating the percentage of water
entitlements it expects to actually deliver during the year. Over the last five years, actual
SWP allocations have averaged 70% of each contractor’s annual entitlement. In 2007-
2008, due to low snow fall during the year, the final SWP allocation was only 35% of each
contractor’s annual entitlement. This cutback resulted in American Canyon receiving just
1,697.5 of its 4,850 acre-feet of its annual entitlement to SWP in the prior year.
Given the increasing outside constraints associated with the SWP, American Canyon
recently exercised its right under its agreement with Vallejo and purchased additional
entitlements to baseline water. This purchase was completed in 2006 and more than
doubled American Canyon’s annual entitlement to baseline water from 628.6 to 1,351.5
acre-feet.16 Baseline water from Vallejo is considered relatively reliable given it is drawn
16 American Canyon’s contract specifies it may purchase additional baseline water entitlements from Vallejo over the course of
three specific planning periods: 2007-2011 (722 acre-feet); 2012-2016 (566 acre-feet); and 2017-2021 (566 acre-feet).
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
from all local sources. The cost of baseline water, however, is significantly more expensive
for American Canyon at $1,568 per acre-foot compared to $314 for an equivalent amount
of water from the SWP.17
American Canyon’s water treatment facility processes all SWP and Vallejo permit water
before entering the distribution system. (Vallejo baseline water is pretreated and enters
American Canyon’s distribution system through an interconnection between the two
agencies’ water systems.) The treatment facility was recently upgraded and is capable of
processing up to 16.8 acre-feet of water daily. Treated water enters and pressurizes
American Canyon’s distribution system by collecting within one of four reservoir tanks
that have a combined storage capacity of 14.4 acre-feet.
In 2007-2008, American Canyon’s total water demand equaled approximately 3,953 acre-
feet resulting in an average daily demand of nearly 11 acre-feet. This total demand amount
exceeded American Canyon’s available contracted entitlements given the reduction in SWP
deliveries and required the City to purchase additional supplies through various
supplemental water supply programs administered by DWR. The total demand amount
also represents an approximate 40% total increase in water demand over the last five years.
The peak-day water demand was recorded on July 9th and equaled 16.8 acre-feet. An
overview of American Canyon’s water system’s capacities and demands follows.
American Canyon’ s Water System Demands and Capacities
(Source: American Canyon)
Demands Gallons Acre-Feet
Current Total Water Demand 1.3 billion 3,953
Current Average Day Water Demand 3.5 million 10.8
Current Peak-Day Water Demand 5.5 million 16.8
Capacities
Current Water Supply * 2.2 billion 5,281
Current Water Treatment Plant Daily Capacity 5.5 million 16.8
Current Water Storage Capacity 4.7 million 14.4
* Total water supply assumes American Canyon will receive 70% of its contracted
annual entitlement to the SWP, which represents the average amount delivered over
the last five years.
American Canyon recently prepared an update to its Urban Water Management Plan
(UWMP) evaluating the relationship between water supplies and demands through 2025.
The UWMP considers current and planned land uses within American Canyon’s historic
water service area and projects demands will increase on average by 8.0% annually
through 2015 before settling at 2.0% annually through 2025. The UWMP concludes
American Canyon has sufficient supplies to meet projected demands under normal
conditions through 2025. However, the UWMP states American Canyon’s supplies are
not sufficient to meet projected demands under single-dry and multiple-dry years. The
UWMP includes a contingency plan outlining specific actions to help meet demands
17 Calculation for SWP water was calculated with the assistance of the NCFCWCD.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
during water shortages. These actions include American Canyon exercising all of its
options to purchase additional baseline water from Vallejo, expanding its reclaimed water
system, and, if needed, developing municipal groundwater wells.18 A summary of the
UWMP’s projected water demands in American Canyon through 2025 follows.
American Canyon’s Projected Annual Water Demands
(Source: American Canyon)
Year 2010 2015 2020 2025
Annual Water Demand 5,455 6,688 6,855 7,026
* Measurements are in acre-feet.
American Canyon’s water system is managed by the City’s Public Works Department and
operates as an enterprise. The water rate schedule was last updated in January 2009. The
schedule includes bimonthly usage charges and fixed availability charges. Both charges
distinguish between inside and outside as well as residential and non-residential customers.
It is estimated the average bimonthly water service charge for a single-family residence in
American Canyon totals $81.94.19 This amount represents close to a one-quarter increase
compared to American Canyon’s water rate schedule five years ago. This amount is also
slightly above the average rate of $80.66 for single-family residences among the other four
Napa County cities for an equivalent amount of water.20 A listing of American Canyon’s
current water rate schedule follows.
American Canyon’s Water Service Charges
(Source: American Canyon)
Category 10,000 Gallons 20,000 Gallons 30,000 Gallons 40,000 Gallons
Single-Family Residential $39.08 $81.94 $128.09 $174.24
Multi-Family Residential $40.93 $77.46 $113.99 $150.52
Commercial $51.20 $87.73 $124.26 $160.79
* Calculations are for inside City customers and assume a 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 inch meters for
single-family, multi-family, and commercial users, respectively.
18 American Canyon currently produces approximately 107 acre-feet per year of tertiary reclaimed water, which is sold under a
user agreement to Green Island Vineyards. American Canyon anticipates increasing its annual production of tertiary
reclaimed water to 858 acre-feet by 2010 for purchase by other users in the region.
19 Estimate reflects the usage of 20,000 gallons of water over the affected two month period.
20 The current estimated bimonthly water rates for a single-family residence using 20,000 gallons in Calistoga, Napa, St.
Helena, and Yountville are $125.46, $80.80, $67.61, and $48.76, respectively.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Sewer
American Canyon currently provides sewer service to 4,667 connections. Nearly all of
these sewer connections are located within American Canyon with the exception of
approximately 25 that are located north of the City up to Fagan Creek and serve mostly
unincorporated commercial and industrial customers.21 American Canyon has experienced
an overall increase of 18% in the number of its sewer connections in the last five years as
reflected in the following chart.
Sewer Connections for American Canyon
4,800
4,667
4,600 4,562
4,386
4,400
4,217
4,200
4,000 3,941
3,800
3,600
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
American Canyon’s sewer system includes the collection, treatment, and discharge of
wastewater. The collection system is divided between three distinct basins covering the
central, west, and northern portions of American Canyon’s historical service area.
Wastewater collected in the central basin is primarily generated from residential users and
represents approximately four-fifths of the total average demand. The remaining amount
is generated by commercial and industrial users in the western and northern basins. Each
basin includes its own pump station and conveys raw wastewater to American Canyon’s
wastewater treatment facility located at the western terminus of Eucalyptus Drive. The
facility was recently upgraded and now provides tertiary treatment to wastewater before it
is discharged into the Napa River between November and April or reclaimed for irrigation
use between May and October.
21 American Canyon provides sewer service to unincorporated lands north of its jurisdictional boundary as a result of serving
as successor agency to the American Canyon County Water District. The Commission recognizes American Canyon’s
outside service responsibilities associated with its role as a successor agency and recently established an extraterritorial sewer
service area for the City. The extraterritorial sewer service area includes all unincorporated lands extending north of
American Canyon to Fagan Creek that are designated for an urban use under the County General Plan. American Canyon
must receive Commission approval, however, before providing new or extended service within the extraterritorial sewer
service area with the exception of lands located within the County’s Airport Industrial Area Specific Plan.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
The treatment facility is designed with daily capacities to accommodate average dry
weather flows of 2.5 million gallons and peak wet weather flows of 5.0 million gallons. 22
The current average dry and peak wet weather flows are estimated to be 1.5 and 3.8 million
gallons, respectively. These current amounts represent 60% and 76% of the treatment
plant’s design capacities. Notably, these current amounts also represent an approximate
15% increase in wastewater flows over the last five years. An overview of American
Canyon’s sewer system’s capacities and demands follows.
American Canyon’s Sewer System Demands and Capacities
(Source: American Canyon)
Demands Gallons
Average Day Dry Weather Flow (07-08) 1.5 million
Peak Day Wet Weather Flow (07-08) 3.8 million
Capacities
Average Day Dry Weather Design 2.5 million
Peak Day Wet Weather Design 5.0 million
American Canyon’s sewer system is managed by the City’s Public Works Department and
operates as an enterprise. The sewer rate schedule was last updated in January 2009. The
schedule includes a monthly usage charge that distinguishes between inside and outside as
well as residential and non-residential customers. It is estimated the average single-family
residence in American Canyon is currently charged $40.29 per month for sewer service.23
This amount is slightly less than the average rate for single-family residential sewer service
within the remaining four Napa County municipalities based on an equivalent amount of
sewer usage.24 The following table identifies American Canyon’s current sewer rates for
residential and commercial customers.
American Canyon’s Sewer Service Charges
(Source: American Canyon)
Category <10,000 Gallons >10,000 Gallons
Single-Family Residential $40.29 $41.73
Multi-Family Residential $30.21 $30.21
Commercial $40.29 $40.29
22 The facility includes a 4.99 million gallon earthen basin to store wastewater during peak inflow/infiltration periods when
treatment capacities are insufficient.
23 Amount based on average winter water use.
24 The current estimated monthly sewer rates for a single-family residence for 10,000 gallons in Calistoga, Napa (NSD), St.
Helena, and Yountville are $43.41, $34.67, $43.74, and $41.77, respectively.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Storm Drainage
American Canyon provides storm drainage service within its jurisdictional boundary to
capture, control, and direct runoff to protect existing development from flooding. These
drainage services are guided by American Canyon’s Storm Drainage Master Plan (SDMP)
dated December 1996. The SDMP states drainage within and around American Canyon
flows in a westerly direction towards the Napa River by way of five major tributaries;
Walsh Creek, American Canyon Creek, Rio Del Mar Creek, North Slough, and Fagan
Creek. The SDMP concludes the development of American Canyon will not significantly
increase peak drainage flows within the five major tributaries given the watersheds
primarily lie upstream from planned urban uses under the General Plan. The SDMP
includes a capital improvement program that directs American Canyon to perform regular
clearing of the major tributaries. The SDMP also identifies improvements to be made by
private developers in conjunction with future development projects, ranging from channel
improvements to onsite detention ponds.
American Canyon’s Public Works Department is responsible for operating, maintaining,
and improving storm drainage services within the City. The Department has a current
budget of $0.71 million for storm drainage services which is supported through the
General Fund. This amount accounts for 4.3% of American Canyon’s total operating
budget for the fiscal year representing an individual resident expense of $44.
Street Maintenance and Traffic Circulation
American Canyon provides a range of services relating to street maintenance and traffic
circulation with the City. This includes the operation and maintenance of roadways,
sidewalks, streetlights, signs, and traffic signals. These services are primarily guided by
policies and objectives outlined in the American Canyon General Plan’s Circulation
Element. In all, it is estimated American Canyon currently maintains and operates 53
street miles, 1,233 streetlights, and 4 traffic signals.
Roadway conditions in American Canyon are considered good as measured by the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). MTC’s most recent evaluation of
pavement conditions rated American Canyon’s roadways 20th out of 109 for all local
jurisdictions within the Bay Area. Further, American Canyon’s roadway rating was best
among all other jurisdictions in Napa County. American Canyon performs minor on-
going roadway rehabilitation to maintain the current street system. Typical roadway
rehabilitation includes overlaying new asphalt on streets, pothole patching, and crack
sealing. American Canyon also regularly repairs and replaces damaged concrete sidewalks,
curbs, and gutters as a need. American Canyon contracts out major roadway rehabilitation
and improvement projects to outside contractors.
American Canyon recently retained an outside consultant to prepare a multi-phase traffic
model report to assess current flow patterns and forecast future demands within and
adjacent to the City for purposes of informing capital improvements. The most recently
prepared report notes there are 11 intersections currently operating at unacceptable levels
of service (LOS) during peak commute hours, the majority of which are located along
State Highway 29 between State Highway 12 and Kimberly Drive:
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
• State Highway 29/State Highway 12 • State Highway 29/Napa Junction
• State Highway 29/Rio Del Mar • State Highway 29/ Poco Way
• State Highway 29/American Canyon Rd • State Highway29/Donaldson Way
• American Canyon Road/Broadway • State Highway 29/ Crawford Way
• State Highway 29/Tower Road • State Highway 29/Kimberly Drive
• State Highway 29/Green Island Road
The report assesses traffic demands within and adjacent to American Canyon through
2030 based on the land use assumptions in the City General Plan and the buildout of the
ULL. Several planned improvements are incorporated into the buildout traffic model.
These improvements include: 1) extending Newell Drive from American Canyon Road to
South Kelly Road; 2) extending Commerce Boulevard from Green Island Road to Airport
Boulevard; 3) extending Devlin Road from Green Island Road to Airport Boulevard; and
4) widening State Highway 29 from four to six lanes from Green Island Road to State
Highway 37. The report concludes these improvements will reduce intersections operating
at unacceptable LOS in the region to the following four:
• State Highway 29/State Highway 12 • State Highway 29/American Canyon Rd
• State Highway 29/Green Island Road • State Highway 29/Mini Drive
American Canyon’s Public Works Department is responsible for providing and managing
street maintenance and traffic circulation services within the City. The Department has a
current budget of $1.26 million for street maintenance and traffic circulation services
which is supported through the General Fund. This amount accounts for 7.6% of
American Canyon’s total operating budget for the fiscal year representing an individual
resident expense of $77.
Other Services
Garbage Service
American Canyon contracts with Vallejo Garbage Service, Inc. (VGS) to provide garbage
service within the City. The contact was established in 2003 and assigns exclusive rights to
VGS to collect and dispose of all residential, commercial, and industrial garbage generated
in American Canyon.25 The contract specifies VGS is responsible for all labor and
equipment necessary to fulfill its duties, and in return, the company bills and collects a
monthly service charge. VGS is allowed to increase its monthly service charge up to 1%
annually to adjust to the consumer price index. Only garbage collection is subject to
monthly service charge; yard waste and recyclables are collected by VGS at no cost to
customers. American Canyon receives a monthly franchise service fee equal to 6.0% of
VGS’ total revenue collected within the City.
25 The contract was originally entered into by American Canyon and USA Waste of California, Inc. The contract was
amended in 2005 to allow VGS to assume solid waste duties from USA Waste of California.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
VGS divides its monthly service charges between residential and commercial users.
American Canyon recently approved a request from VGS to increase its monthly service
charges by 2.5% beginning January 1, 2009. This increase accounts for the annual
consumer price index adjustment along with covering the cost increases to VGS depositing
collected garbage at a local landfill. Markedly, even with the pending increase, residential
garbage rates in American Canyon will remain nearly 50% less then the combined average
rate among the other four Napa County cities.26 A list of monthly garbage rates in
American Canyon as of January 1, 2009 follows.
American Canyon’s Monthly Garbage Rates
(Source: Vallejo Garbage Services, Inc.)
Category 32 Gallon Bin 64 Gallon Bin 96 Gallon Bin
Residential $13.02 $19.79 $28.75
Commercial * $15.19 $26.84 $36.88
* Commercial rates reflect one scheduled pick-up per week.
Public Transit
American Canyon recently transferred operation of American Canyon Transit (ACT) to
the Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency (NCTPA). ACT consists of a bus
service known as the “Duck” that operates Monday through Friday between 7:30 A.M.
and 6:00 P.M. The Duck runs every 90 minutes and extends north to south from Napa
Junction to the Sereno Transfer Station in Vallejo. On request, the Duck will also provide
door-to-door transit service for seniors and disabled persons. NCTPA also provides
funding for American Canyon to offer a taxi-scrip program for senior and disabled
persons. NCTPA’s Vine Bus No. 10 also serves American Canyon by way of having stops
within the City on its way north to Calistoga and south to the Vallejo Ferry Terminal. An
evaluation of public transit services throughout Napa County will be the subject of a
separate municipal service review scheduled for 2010-2011.
Financial
Assets, Liabilities, and Equity
American Canyon prepares an annual report following the end of each fiscal year summarizing
its overall financial standing. The most recent report was prepared for the 2006-2007 fiscal
year and includes audited financial statements identifying American Canyon’s assets, liabilities,
and equity as of June 30, 2007.27 These audited financial statements provide quantitative
measurements in assessing American Canyon’s short and long term fiscal health and are
summarized below.
26 The currently monthly garbage rate for single-family customers with a 64 gallon bin is as follows: Calistoga at $41.70: Napa
at $29.96; St. Helena at $40.28; and Yountville at $41.68.
27 The government-wide financial statements include assets, liabilities, and equity associated with the American Canyon Fire
Protection District given the City is financially accountable for the District.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Assets
American Canyon’s assets at the end of the fiscal year totaled $396.5 million. Assets
classified as current, with the expectation they could be liquidated into currency within a
year, represented less than one-tenth of the total amount and were generally tied to cash,
investments, and receivables. Assets classified as non-current represented the remaining
nine-tenths of the total amount with the majority attached to capital holdings, such as
American Canyon’s water and sewer infrastructure systems.
Liabilities
American Canyon’s liabilities at the end of the fiscal year totaled $61.1 million. Current
liabilities representing obligations owed within a year accounted for less than one-fifth of
the total amount and primarily consisted of accounts payable and short-term debt
payments. Non-current liabilities accounted for the remaining four-fifths of the total
amount and generally consisted of long-term debt payments.
Equity
American Canyon’s equity at the end of the fiscal year totaled $335.4 million. This amount
represents the difference between American Canyon’s total assets and total liabilities and
confirms the City’s overall profit since its incorporation.
American Canyon’s financial statements for 2006-2007 2006-2007 Financial Statements
reflect the City experienced a positive change in its Assets $396.5 million
fiscal standing as its overall equity or net worth Liabilities $61.1 million
increased by 2.7% or $8.8 million. American Canyon Equity $335.4 million
also finished the fiscal year with strong liquidity given
its total current assets more than doubled its current liabilities.28 Further, American Canyon
finished the fiscal year holding a low amount of debt relative to its equity indicating a healthy
capital structure.29 American Canyon did experience a slight negative change in equity within
its General Fund with an ending balance of $7.9 million, which is $0.2 million less than the
amount existing at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Annual Budget
American Canyon’s adopted budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year totals $28.53 million. This
amount represents American Canyon’s total approved expenses or appropriations for the fiscal
year and reflects an approximate 14.4% increase from the prior year budget. American
Canyon’s estimates total revenues for the fiscal year will exceed expenses by $2.5 million and
total $31.05 million. Revenues overall are expected to decrease by 8.8% from the prior year
due to the downturn in the economy. An expanded review of expenses and revenues within
each of American Canyon’s five governmental funds for the fiscal year follows.
28 American Canyon’s current ratio at the end of 2006-2007 was 2.7.
29 American Canyon’s debt-to-equity ratio at the end of 2006-2007 was 15%.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
General Fund
American Canyon’s General Fund supports basic municipal services and supported
through taxes and service fees. Approved expenses are estimated at $16.48 million with
the largest apportionment dedicated to police protection at 27%. Estimated revenues are
projected at $14.73 million with the majority of the proceeds expected to be generated
from property (50%) and sales taxes (15%). After inter-transfers it is anticipated the
General Fund will experience a decrease in its overall unreserved balance during the fiscal
year from $5.15 to $4.33 million.
Special Revenue Funds
American Canyon’s Special Revenue Funds accounts for the receipt and expense of
monies earmarked for specific activities. Approved expenses are estimated at $0.84 million
while revenues are projected at $1.32 million. The largest expense and revenue source is
associated with an assessment district which assesses all new development in American
Canyon for purposes of funding landscaping and lighting services. After inter-transfers it
is anticipated the Special Revenue Funds will experience a decrease in its overall balance
during the fiscal year from $3.72 to $3.23 million.
Governmental Capital Project Funds
American Canyon’s Governmental Capital Project Funds accounts for the receipt and
expense of acquiring or constructing major infrastructure commonly through bonds,
grants, impact fees, or transfers. Approved expenses are estimated at $0.18 million while
revenues are projected at $3.94 million. Nearly one-half of projected revenues are
expected from traffic impact fees associated with development projects. Additionally, as
part of the budget, American Canyon has approved approximately $11.36 million in
general capital improvement projects. All of these projects have been carried-forward
from the previous fiscal year budget with the largest amount dedicated to completing the
purchase and associated improvements to American Canyon’s new City Hall ($2.36
million). If impact fees and grants are not generated in sufficient amounts to fund a
particular project, it will be deferred to a later year which reflects the American Canyon’s
practice to build projects on a “pay-as-you-go” basis. After inter-transfers as well as capital
improvement apportionments it is anticipated the Capital Project Fund will experience a
decrease in its overall balance during the fiscal year from $10.92 to $5.06 million.
Debt Service Funds
American Canyon’s Debt Service Funds accounts for paying the principal and interest on
general long-term debt. Approved operating expenses are estimated at $2.46 million while
revenues are projected at $1.43 million. The largest expense and revenue source is
associated with a bond to make improvements to American Canyon East Road. After
inter-transfers it is anticipated the Debt Service Funds will experience a decrease in their
overall balance during the fiscal year from $3.66 to $3.06 million.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Enterprise Funds
American Canyon’s Enterprise Funds accounts for specific municipal services that are
intended to be self-supporting through the collection of user fees and charges. Enterprises
in American Canyon include water and sewer services. Approved expenses are estimated
at $8.01 while revenues are projected at $9.41 million. Nearly all estimated revenues are
expected to be drawn from user charges and impact fees. American Canyon has also
approved approximately $5.44 million in capital improvement projects to the water and
sewer systems. All approved projects have been carried-forward from the previous fiscal
year with nearly three-fourths dedicated to the sewer system. Approved sewer system
projects include making electrical repairs to the treatment plant ($1.88 million) and
replacing a main line at State Highway 29 and American Canyon Road ($1.18 million).
Notable water system projects include purchasing land for a future water storage tank
($0.44 million). After inter-transfers and capital improvement apportionments it is
anticipated the Enterprise Funds will experience a decrease in its overall balance during the
fiscal year from $10.27 to $4.87 million.
The 2008-2009 budget marks a transitional period for
2008-2009 Adopted Budget
American Canyon as the downturn in the economy is
Total Expenses: $28.53 million
expected to curb its principal revenue sources after
Total Revenues: $31.05 million
several consecutive years of increases. Nonetheless,
Difference: $2.52 million
American Canyon is expected to achieve a budget
surplus. Prudent financial management in the years leading up to the present economic
downturn has advantageously positioned American Canyon to utilize accumulated reserves to
help absorb cost-increases and fund capital improvements while maintaining current service
levels. Additionally, while an overall decrease is anticipated, the projected General Fund
balance of $4.33 million by the end of the current fiscal year equals 25% of American
Canyon’s current operating costs and exceeds the 20% reserve policy adopted by the City.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
B. American Canyon Fire Protection District
Overview
ACFPD was formed in 1957 and later reorganized into a subsidiary district to American
Canyon. ACFPD provides a range of municipal services relating to the protection of life
and property, including fire protection, emergency medical, and rescue. ACFPD’s
jurisdictional boundary is approximately 6.0 square miles in size and includes all of American
Canyon as well as surrounding unincorporated lands extending as far north as Fagan Creek.
ACFPD has a current operating budget of $3.79 million with an estimated resident
population of 16,334.
Formation and Development
ACFPD’s formation was engendered by local landowners to provide an elevated level of fire
protection and related emergency services for the community of American Canyon. Prior to
ACFPD’s formation, the community received a basic level of fire protection service from
the County with their closest station located at the intersection of Jefferson and Trancas
Streets in the City of Napa. This basic level of fire protection service, however, was deemed
insufficient for the community as it began developing and transitioning from rural to urban
land uses beginning in the early 1950s.
ACFPD’s was formed as an independent special district governed by an elected five-member
board of directors and funded through an apportionment of property tax proceeds. At the
time of its formation, ACFPD was structured as an all-volunteer agency and completely
dependent on local landowners, residents, and workers to organize and respond to service
calls as needed. In 1959, ACFPD was restructured into a combination paid/volunteer
agency with the hiring of fulltime firefighters.
In 1961, ACFPD entered into an agreement with the County to provide first-response
services for all unincorporated lands located south of the Soscol Ridge and east of the Napa
River in exchange for an annual fee. ACFPD continued to serve as first-responder within
this contracted service area until the County terminated the agreement in 1978. Notably, the
termination of its agreement with the County coupled with the concurrent loss in property
tax proceeds associated with Proposition 13 threatened ACFPD’s financial solvency until
voters approved a fire assessment fee on all properties in 1980.
In 1992, the Commission reorganized ACFPD into a subsidiary district of American Canyon
as part of the City’s incorporation. The reorganization transitioned ACFPD’s governance
from an independent board consisting of locally elected residents to the American Canyon
City Council. More recently, ACFPD has expanded its service area through automatic aid
agreements with the County and Vallejo. These agreements establish an approximate 20
square mile outside service area for ACFPD extending north to Jameson Canyon, west to
the Napa River, east to Solano County, and south to State Highway 37. In return, the
County and Vallejo automatically respond to service calls within ACFPD south and north to
Green Island Road, respectively.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Adopted Commission Boundaries
ACFPD’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 6.0 square miles or 3,623 acres in size. The
Commission has approved a total of 28 jurisdictional changes involving ACFPD since 1963.
All of these jurisdictional changes have involved annexations totaling 1,097 acres and are
identified below.
Jurisdictional Changes Involving ACFPD
(Source: LAFCO)
Proposal Name Type Acres Completion Date
Green Island Road No. 3 Reorganization 256.4 April 6, 2005
American Canyon Wastewater Treatment Plant Reorganization 58.5 March 3, 2005
Green Island Road No. 2 Reorganization 7.5 July 6, 2004
American Canyon Road/Flosden Road Reorganization 4.8 April 25, 2003
Green Island Road Annexation 13.0 June 13, 2002
South Kelly/Devlin Road Annexation 12.8 September 27, 2001
Flosden Road Extension Reorganization 71.3 November 17, 1999
American Canyon Road/Flosden Road Reorganization 230.6 January 29, 1999
Green Island Road/State Highway 29 Annexation 130.6 November 3, 1988
Napa Junction Road/Lombard Road Annexation 6.0 October 28, 1988
Green Island Road Annexation 10.0 September 8, 1988
Eucalyptus Drive Reorganization 0.4 September 1, 1987
Tower Road/State Highway 29 Annexation 12.2 October 23, 1986
Tower Road Annexation 10.0 November 29, 1984
Green Island Road No. 2 Annexation 5.0 November 30, 1983
Paoli Loop Road/State Highway 29 Annexation 3.4 July 19, 1983
American Canyon Rd/Flosden Rd/Broadway Annexation 70.2 November 30, 1982
Gardner – Pacific Corporation Annexation 8.0 November 24, 1981
ACFPD Annexation 1-81 Annexation 91.1 November 24, 1981
Hognestad Property Annexation 2.6 November 24, 1981
Stocco Stone Property Annexation 12.6 November 24, 1981
ACFPD Annexation 2-78 Annexation 15.5 August 7, 1980
ACFPD Annexation 6-78 Annexation 4.0 August 7, 1980
ACFPD Annexation 1-78 Annexation 22.0 January 2, 1979
ACFPD Annexation 4-78 Annexation 11.9 January 2, 1979
ACFPD Annexation 3-78 Annexation 17.0 January 2, 1979
ACFPD Annexation 2-76-A Annexation 2.2 December 30, 1977
ACFPD Annexation 6-77 Annexation 7.7 December 30, 1977
ACFPD’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 71.2% coterminous with its adopted sphere
of influence. The sphere of influence was comprehensively updated by the Commission in
2007 and includes 430.9 total non-jurisdictional acres. These non-jurisdictional acres are
concentrated within six distinct areas and identified below.
37
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Non-Jurisdictional Areas in ACFPD’s Sphere of Influence
(Source: LAFCO)
Location Description Acres Current Land Use
Tower Road 30 11.15 Undeveloped
American Canyon/Newell Drive 48.74 Under Construction: School Site
North Town Center 37.03 Undeveloped
West Green Island Road 80.86 Undeveloped
West Eucalyptus Road 106.57 Undeveloped
East American Canyon Road 146.51 Undeveloped
Population and Growth
Residential
Nearly all of ACFPD’s residential growth and development is concentrated within American
Canyon. As previously noted, American Canyon has been one of the fastest growing cities in
the Bay Area averaging an annual population increase of 7.2% over the last 10 years. This
increase is primarily attributed to the significant rise in single-family residential construction
and has contributed to American Canyon’s population increasing over the period from 9,435
to 16,293. The remaining portion of ACFPD’ residential growth and development is limited
to approximately 16 unincorporated single-family residences principally located along
American Canyon Road and Watson Lane. It is estimated these unincorporated residences
have a total population of 41.
It is expected new residential growth and development in ACFPD will be generally limited to
American Canyon given the use restrictions on unincorporated lands within and adjacent to
the District under the County General Plan. The concentration of ACFPD’s new residential
growth and development within American Canyon is anticipated to produce an average annual
increase to the District’s population of nearly 2.0% over the next ten years. The following
chart estimates ACFPD’s past, current, and future population.
Population Projections for ACFPD
25,000
19,902
20,000
18,030
16,334
15,000
12,371
9,476
10,000
5,000
-
1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
30 The Tower Road area is also located within CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional boundary and sphere of influence. The area was included in CSA No.
3 at the time of its formation in 1979 when it was anticipated it would only provide water and sewer services. In 1994, CSA No. 3 was
restructured to provide only street maintenance and fire protection services. The Board of Supervisors excluded all areas within ACFPD’s
sphere of influence from the corresponding CSA No. 3 assessment zone to fund the District’s fire protection services to address the
overlap between the two agencies’ spheres.
38
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Figure Three
39
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Non-Residential
Non-residential growth and development in ACFPD is concentrated within its north and
northwest jurisdiction and generally tied to commercial and industrial uses. The majority of
non-residential development in ACFPD is located within American Canyon. The current
amount of non-residential development within the unincorporated portion of ACFPD is not
readily quantifiable. However, the County has approved two non-residential development
projects within ACFPD that will total 5,550 in new building square feet. There are also two
project applications on file with the County that collectively propose to construct 13,640 in
new building square feet in ACFPD within the Tower Road area.
Organizational Structure
Governance
ACFPD operates under California Health and Safety Code Sections 13800 et seq., which is
known as the Fire Protection District Law.31 The law was enacted in the 1920s and
comprehensively updated in 1987. The legislative intent of this law is to empower residents
and landowners to organize, fund, and provide fire protection and related services consistent
with local needs and resources. To this end, the law provides broad authority for ACPFD to
protect life and property by providing (a) fire protection, (b) rescue, (c) emergency medical, (d)
hazardous emergency response, and (e) ambulance services.
As mentioned, ACFPD is unique given it was reorganized in 1992 as a subsidiary special
district of American Canyon and as a result the City Council serves ex officio as the District
Board. Key tasks of the District Board include adopting an annual budget, establishing and
amending policies, and hiring the Fire Chief. The District Board meets separately during each
regular meeting of the City Council, which is generally scheduled on the first and third
Tuesdays of the month and broadcast on local public access television.
Administration
ACFPD’s administration is the principal responsibility of the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief serves
at-will to the ACFPD Board is responsible for directing all field operations, performing policy
reviews, and preparing and monitoring an annual budget. The Fire Chief is also responsible
for hiring all employees and managing labor negotiations. ACFPD is currently staffed with
18.5 fulltime equivalent employees, which includes 17 career firefighters. ACFPD also has a
current reserve force of 20 volunteer firefighters.
Municipal Services
ACFPD provides a range of municipal services relating to the protection of life and property.
These municipal services are classified in this review into three broad and interrelated
categories: 1) fire protection, 2) emergency medical, and 3) rescue. An evaluation of these
municipal services in terms of organization, capacities, and demands follows.
31 As of January 2002, there were 386 fire protection districts in California.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Fire Protection, Emergency Medical, and Rescue
ACFPD organizes the provision of fire protection, emergency medical, and rescue services by
dividing 15 of its career firefighters into three field shifts identified as “A,” “B,” and “C.”
Each field shift consists of five career firefighters and is responsible for staffing an engine and
truck company. Each field shift is on duty for 48 consecutive hours before going off duty for
96 consecutive hours. Volunteer firefighters report to the station as needed to backfill staffing
when one of the field shift companies is out responding to a service call.32
ACFPD’s field shifts are all deployed directly from the District’s fire station located on
Donaldson Drive east of its intersection with State Highway 29. Dispatch services are
provided by the County by way of CalFire without charge and processed at a central command
center located outside of St. Helena. ACFPD’s total service area is approximately 26 square
miles and extends west to the Napa River, north to Jameson Canyon, east to Solano County,
and south to State Highway 37 based on automatic aid agreements with the County and
Vallejo.33 ACFPD’s principal field equipment supporting its fire protection, emergency
medical, and rescue services is listed below.
• Engine 11 • Command 211 Pickup
• Engine 211 • Boat 211
• Truck 11 • Boat 11
• Reserve Engine 311 • Cargo Trailer 1
• Engine 411 (Wildland) • Cargo Trailer 2
• Attack 11 (Wildland) • Water Tender 11
• Sports Utility Vehicle 11 • Interstate Trailer
• Sports Utility Vehicle 211 • Van 11
• Command C11 Pickup
In terms of demands, ACFPD has experienced an approximate 10% increase in total service
calls over the last five years from 1,237 to 1,365. Almost three-fourths of all service calls
received during this period have related to emergency medical.34 The remaining one-fourth of
ACFPD’s service calls over the last five years have related to fire protection and rescue as well
as miscellaneous. A complete listing of the type and volume of service calls received by
ACFPD over the last five years follows. 35
32 Volunteer firefighters generally do not respond to service calls without the supervision of at least one career firefighter. All
volunteers participate in basic life support activities under the supervision of a career firefighter. Volunteers do not have a
specific work schedule but are assigned to a shift. Volunteers are paid a stipend based on the percentage of their time spent
1) responding to calls, 2) training, and 3) participating in public educational activities. The current stipend formula allows
for a maximum total bi-annual payment of $2,000.
33 These automatic aid agreements commit the County and Vallejo to respond to service calls within ACFPD’s northern and
southern jurisdictional boundary, respectively.
34 ACFPD’s emergency medical services are regulated by regional joint-powers authority known as the Coastal Valley Regional
Medical Services Authority (CVRMSA). This joint-powers authority licenses ACFPD to administer basic life support,
which consists of providing emergency first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures, or CPR. ACFPD
coordinates its emergency medical services with Piner Ambulance Service, which is contracted by the County to provide
ambulatory transport throughout the south county region. ACFPD is currently evaluating the merits of expanding the level
of its emergency medical services to include advance life support which would require approval from CVRMSA.
35 Fire protection services generally involve responding to structural, vehicle, and vegetation fires. ACFPD also provides
preventive fire protection services, such as performing building plan reviews and conducting community educational
programs.. Rescue services typically involve extricating people from vehicles that have been damaged in accidents. ACFPD
41
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
ACFPD’s Service Calls
(Source: ACFPD)
Incident Type 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
Fire 76 56 69 67 92
Rescue 3 15 5 9 6
Medical 871 928 913 856 907
Miscellaneous 287 250 243 305 360
Total 1,237 1,249 1,230 1,237 1,365
Increase From Prior Year *** 1.0% (1.5%) 0.6% 10.3%
In 2007-2008, ACFPD reported 1,269 of the 1,365 total calls the District received involved an
emergency incident relating to fire protection, medical, or rescue within its combined
jurisdictional and contracted service area. ACFPD’s overall response times for these calls as
measured from dispatch to arrival averaged four minutes and twenty seconds. ACFPD was
also able to respond to 81% of these calls within five minutes, which represents the Districts
adopted response standard. ACFPD’s average response times to emergency incidents within
its contracted service area with the County, however, did exceed five minutes and is largely
attributed to traffic. A complete listing of ACFPD’s response times during the year is
summarized below.
ACFPD’s Response Times in 2007-2008
(Source: ACFPD)
Average Response within
Location Incidents Response Five Minutes
Incidents in ACFPD 1,159 4:10 84%
Incidents in County Auto-Aid Service Area 76 6:20 45%
Incidents in Vallejo Auto-Aid Service Area 34 4:00 76%
Total 1,269 4:10 81%
Financial
Assets, Liabilities, and Equity
ACFPD’s financial statements are prepared by American Canyon and included in the City’s
annual report issued at the conclusion of each fiscal year. The most recent issued report was
prepared for the 2006-2007 fiscal year and includes audited financial statements identifying
ACFPD’s total assets and liabilities, and equity as of June 30, 2007. These audited financial
statements provide quantitative measurements in assessing ACFPD’s short and long term
fiscal standing and are summarized below.
is also recognized by the California Office of Emergency Services to conduct search and rescue services within collapsed
and confined spaces. Calls classified as miscellaneous generally involve non-emergency incidents.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Assets
ACFPD’s assets at the end of the fiscal year totaled $9.05 million. Assets classified as
current with the expectation they could be liquidated into currency within a year
represented approximately one-third of the total amount with the majority tied to cash and
investments.36 Assets classified as non-current represented the remaining two-thirds of the
total amount and primarily associated with ACFPD’s new fire station building.
Liabilities
ACFPD’s liabilities at the end of the fiscal year totaled $2.67 million. Current liabilities
representing obligations owed within a year accounted for nearly four-fifths of the total
amount with the largest item tied to an interagency transfer associated with funding
ACFPD’s new fire station. Liabilities deemed non-current accounted for the remaining
one-fifth of the total amount with the majority attached to ACFPD’s outstanding
financing payments associated with purchasing two new engines in 2005.
Equity
ACFPD’s equity at the end of the fiscal year totaled $6.38 million. This amount represents
the difference between ACFPD’s total assets and liabilities and reflects the District’s
overall profit since its formation.
ACFPD’s financial statements for 2006-2007 reflect the 2006-2007 Financial Statements
District experienced a positive change in its fiscal Assets $9.05 million
standing as its equity or net worth increased by nearly Liabilities $2.67 million
one-tenth or $0.51 million over the 12 month period. Equity $6.38 million
Notably, ACFPD’s ability to fund the new fire station with accumulated cash reserves allowed
the District to finish the fiscal year with an exceptional low amount of long-term indebtedness
relative to its equity.37 ACFPD also finished the fiscal year with an adequate level of liquidity
given its current assets exceeded its current liabilities by almost one-half.38
Annual Budget
ACFPD’s adopted budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year totals $3.88 million. This amount
represents ACFPD’s total approved expenses or appropriations for the fiscal year and reflects
an approximate 6% decrease from the prior year budget. ACFPD estimates total revenues for
the fiscal year will exceed expenses by $0.51 million and total $4.40 million. Revenues overall
are expected to decrease by 8% from the prior year budget due to anticipated reductions in
development-related service charges and earned interest. An expanded review of expenses and
revenues within each of ACFPD’s five governmental funds for the fiscal year follows.
36 ACFPD finished 2006-2007 with $1.56 million in cash and investments.
37 ACFPD’s debt-to-net assets ratio at the end of 2006-2007 was 0.7%.
38 ACFPD’s current ratio at the end of 2006-2007 was 1.46.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
General Fund
ACFPD’s General Fund supports basic District operations. Approved expenses are
estimated at $3.79 million with the largest apportionments dedicated to salaries and
benefits (83%) and service supplies (11%). Estimated revenues are projected at $3.99
million with the majority of proceeds expected to be generated from property taxes (82%)
and an annual service fee assessment (15%). After interdepartmental transfers it is
anticipated the General Fund will experience a decrease in its overall balance during the
fiscal year from $2.45 to $1.01 million.39
Retiree Health Care Fund
ACFPD’s Retiree Health Care Fund was established in 2006-2007 and serves as a
repository for cash dedicated to covering the District’s retiree benefit costs. Approved
expenses are estimated at $0.05 million and dedicated entirely to services and supported by
a matching transfer from the General Fund. The budgeted expense is considered a
placeholder until a more thorough analysis of ACFPD’s long term costs for retiree benefits
is completed by an outside consultant. No change is anticipated in the Retiree Health Care
Fund’s overall balance during the fiscal year which currently totals $0.15 million.
Fire Mitigation Fund
ACFPD’s Fire Mitigation Fund serves as a repository for revenue collected through a
voter-approved special parcel assessment within the District for the purpose of purchasing
new equipment and facilities. No expenses were approved for the fiscal year. Estimated
revenues are projected at $0.38 million. After interdepartmental transfers it is anticipated
the Fire Mitigation Fund will experience an increase in its overall balance during the fiscal
year from ($1.48) to $0.34 million.
Fire Equipment Replacement Fund
ACFPD’s Fire Equipment Replacement Fund serves as a repository for cash dedicated to
replacing existing equipment. Approved expenses are estimated at $0.04 million along
with an additional $0.18 million dedicated to debt service. Estimated revenues are
projected at $0.01 million. After interdepartmental transfers it is anticipated the Fire
Equipment Replacement Fund will experience a decrease in its overall balance during the
fiscal year from $0.09 to $0.04 million.
State and Federal Grants Fund
ACFPD’s State and Federal Grants Fund serves as a repository for governmental
subventions received by the District. No expenses or revenues are budgeted for the fiscal
year which will leave the current balance of $0.003 intact.
39 The majority of this balance decline is attributed to a $1.46 million loan to the Fire Mitigation Fund.
44
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
ACFPD’s adopted budget in 2008-2009 marks the first
2008-2009 Adopted Budget
decrease in overall approved expenditures in several
Total Expenses: $3.88 million
years. The decrease in expenses is primarily attributed
Total Revenues: $4.40 million
to completing the construction and outfitting of
Difference: $0.52 million
ACFPD’s new fire station in the prior year. It is
expected the reduction in expenses will help offset anticipated declines in revenues and
thereby allow ACFPD to maintain existing service levels. Additionally, the projected decline in
ACFPD’s General Fund balance from $2.45 to $1.01 million is drawn from an
interdepartmental loan and does not preclude the District from meeting its 20% adopted
reserve policy relative to annual operating expenses.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
C. County Service Area No. 3
Overview
County Service Area (CSA) No. 3 was formed in 1979 and is a dependent special district
governed by the County Board of Supervisors. CSA No. 3 provides fire protection and
miscellaneous street maintenance services through contracts with other public and private
entities. These municipal services are entirely funded through two voter-approved special
taxes. CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 2.7 square miles in size and
comprises mostly commercial and industrial land uses along with a small number of
preexisting single-family residences. The jurisdictional boundary is anchored by the Napa
County Airport. CSA No. 3 has a current operating budget of $0.37 million with an estimated
5.1 million in total building square feet and approximately 13 residents.
Formation and Development
CSA No. 3’s formation was originally sought by the Board of Supervisors to help facilitate the
development of commercial and industrial uses in the Napa County Airport area. At the time
of formation, CSA No. 3 was authorized to provide water and sewer services with the
expectation it would eventually provide additional municipal services as the area developed. It
was also expected CSA No. 3 would not exercise its powers directly, but would instead
contract for services from willing providers. This expectation included entering into contracts
with ACCWD and NSD, which were already providing a limited number of properties in the
area with water and sewer services, respectively.40 However, such contracts did not emerge,
and these outside agencies continued to provide new and extended water and sewer services
directly to the area following CSA No. 3’s formation.
CSA No. 3 remained dormant until 1994 when the Board of Supervisors restructured the
District and authorized it to provide fire protection and miscellaneous street maintenance
services, the latter including street sweeping, street lighting, and streetside landscaping. The
Board of Supervisors also formally deactivated CSA No. 3’s authority to provide water and
sewer services.41 After its restructuring, CSA No. 3 established an assessment district to
sponsor two separate voter-approved special taxes to fund its fire protection and
miscellaneous street maintenance services. The assessment district is divided between three
overlapping benefit zones representing separate and distinct service areas within CSA No. 3.
Each zone is assigned a different special tax rate which is set at the beginning each of fiscal
year based on the benefit the properties will receive from the subject service.
Adopted Commission Boundaries
CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional boundary is approximately 2.7 square miles or 1,742 acres in size.
The Commission has approved one jurisdictional change involving CSA No. 3 since its
formation in 1979. This jurisdictional change involved an annexation totaling 291 acres and is
identified below.
40 See Footnote No. 2 for a description of the sewer and reclaimed water services provided by the Napa Sanitation District.
41 State law has been subsequently amended to require Commission approval for special districts to either activate a latent power or
eliminate an established service.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Approved Jurisdictional Changes Involving CSA No. 3
(Source: LAFCO)
Proposal Name Type Acres Completion Date
North Area Annexation 291 July 29, 2005
CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional boundary is coterminous with its adopted sphere of influence. The
sphere of influence was comprehensively updated with no changes in 2007.
Population and Growth
Residential
Residential uses within CSA No. 3 are limited. A review of the parcel database maintained by
the County Assessor’s Office indicates there are currently five occupied residences within CSA
No. 3. This includes four single-family residences built several decades earlier relative to the
more recent commercial and industrial development of the area. There is also one residential
unit in CSA No. 3 associated with a commercial storage facility. Three additional single-family
residences are also located within CSA No. 3, but they appear vacant and are owned by
commercial developers. These factors collectively indicate CSA No. 3’s current resident
population is 13 with no expectation of a future increase given the current land use policies of
the County.42 The following chart reflects these assumptions in projecting CSA No. 3’s
recent, current, and future population.
Population Projections for CSA No. 3
25
21 21
20
15
13 13 13
10
5
-
1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
42 Population estimate calculated by the staff based on California Department of Finance’s projection that there are
approximately 2.571 persons for every residential unit in unincorporated Napa County.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Figure Four
48
Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Non-Residential
The majority of growth in CSA No. 3 is associated with commercial and industrial land uses.
CSA No. 3 tracks the amount of non-residential growth within its jurisdiction as measured by
the total number of building square feet for purposes of annually calculating the rate for its
two special taxes. This information indentifies an approximate 21.7% overall increase in the
amount of new non-residential growth over the last five years. Nearly half of this new non-
residential growth has occurred over the last two years and highlighted by the construction of
100-room hotel located along the corner of State Highway 12 and Airport Road. The
following chart identifies the total number of building square feet in CSA No. 3 between July
2004 and July 2008.
Building Square Feet in CSA No. 3
5,500,000
5,160,216
5,000,000
4,752,857
4,556,765
4,500,000
4,321,287
4,238,902
4,000,000
3,500,000
2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
In terms of future non-residential growth, the County has approved 15 projects that are either
pending or under construction within CSA No. 3. These projects will collectively increase the
total building square feet by one-fourth or 1.3 million. The largest of these approved but
pending projects involves the Montalcino Resort. This project was approved by the County in
2004 to include the construction of a 379-room hotel covering 0.4 million square feet and an
adjacent 18-hole golf course.43 There also seven project applications on file with the County
that collectively proposed to construct 0.28 million in new building square feet in CSA No. 3.
Markedly, if all approved and filed applications materialize, CSA No. 3’s jurisdictional
boundary will be considered generally built-out.
* A map of the County of Napa General Plan Land Use Map is provided in Appendix E.
43 Although there has been no substantive activity on either of the two phases, the use permits for the Montalcino Resort has
been “used” and therefore remain valid in perpetuity or until replaced by a subsequent approval.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Organizational Structure
Governance
CSA No. 3 operates under California Government Code Sections 25210.1-25217.4 which is
known as County Service Area Law.44 The law was enacted in 1953 and comprehensively
updated in 2008. The legislative intent of CSAs is to provide counties with alternative
organizations and methods to finance and provide needed public facilities and services to
residents and landowners of unincorporated areas as appropriate. Towards this end, CSAs are
eligible to provide a broad range of municipal services within contiguous and non-contiguous
unincorporated territory as summarized below.
• Police Protection • Animal Control
• Fire Protection • Transportation
• Recreation • Cemetery
• Library • Emergency Medical
• Television Translator Stations • Airport
• Water • Flood Control
• Sewer • Community Facilities
• Pest/Vector Abatement • Open-Space/Habitat Conservation
• Street Maintenance • Weed Abatement
• Solid Waste • Graffiti Abatement
• Soil Conservation
CSA No. 3 provides only fire protection and street maintenance services with the latter
involving landscaping, cleaning, and lighting. All other services are considered latent powers
and would require Commission approval to activate.
CSA No. 3 business is conducted by the Board of Supervisors as needed during its regular
meetings scheduled every Tuesday at the County Administration Building. A review of recent
agendas indicates the Board of Supervisor’s review of CSA No. 3 items over the last several
years have been limited to annually setting the special tax rates for fire protection and street
maintenance services and adopting an annual budget.
Administration
CSA No. 3’s administration is the principal responsibility of the County Public Works
Department. The Public Works Director manages the day-to-day activities of CSA No. 3 and
assigns staff to provide administrative services for the District as needed. Key administrative
tasks performed by Public Works include preparing and monitoring the annual budget and
overseeing CSA No. 3’s contracts with outside service providers.
44 There are currently 883 CSAs operating in California.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Municipal Services
As mentioned, CSA No. 3 provides fire protection and miscellaneous street maintenance
services. These services are provided within three distinct and overlapping zones. An
evaluation of these services in terms of organization, capacities, and demands follows.
Fire Protection
CSA No. 3 provides fire protection services within “Zone Two” of its jurisdictional boundary
by way of funding approximately one-third of the annual operational costs of the County’s
Greenwood Ranch Station. Zone Two includes all of CSA No. 3 with the exception of
approximately 160 acres located along Tower Road which is within and served by ACFPD.45
A total of 13 career firefighters are assigned to Greenwood Ranch and are responsible for
operating one engine company. The engine company has a minimum staffing level of four at
all times, which generally includes one captain and three engineers. All personnel assigned to
Greenwood Ranch work a 72 hour shift.
The Greenwood Ranch Station is located within along Airport Boulevard west of its
intersection with State Highway 29 in CSA No. 3. Dispatch services are provided by CalFire
without charge and processed at a central command center located outside of St. Helena.
Greenwood Ranch’s entire service area is approximately 61 square miles in size and generally
extends west to Sonoma County, south to American Canyon, east to Solano County, and
north to Napa.46 The principal field equipment assigned to Greenwood Ranch is listed below.
• Engine 27 • Hazardous Materials Support Trailer
• Reserve Engine 27 • Engine 1470 (Assigned to CalFire)
• Utility Pick-Up Truck • Engine 210 (Assigned to Carneros)
Over the last four years, Greenwood Ranch has experienced an approximate 16% increase in
the total number of services calls within CSA No. 3 from 115 to 134. Close to one-half of
these service calls have related to emergency medical with the remainder dedicated to fire and
rescue.47 A complete listing of the type and volume of service calls received by Greenwood
Ranch within CSA No. 3 over the last four years follows.
CSA No. 3’s Service Calls
(Source: County)
Incident Type 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008
Fire 39 33 47 45
Rescue 10 17 21 22
Medical 66 76 63 67
Total 115 126 131 134
Increase From Prior Year *** 9.5% 4.0% 2.3%
* On average, the number of service calls within CSA No. 3 represents 23.4% of the total amount of
calls received by Greenwood Ranch.
45 See Footnote No. 30 for a summary on the background involving the rationale behind overlapping spheres of influence for
CSA No. 3 and ACFPD with respect to the Tower Road area.
46 Greenwood’s service area to the north includes the unincorporated islands located north of Imola Avenue to Sousa Lane.
47 See Footnote No. 34 for a summary on the regional joint-power authority overseeing ambulatory services in the region.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
The County does not have an adopted response time standard. However, beginning in 2004-
2005, the County has been recording its response times as measured from dispatch to arrival in
anticipation of eventually adopting a standard. A review of the data collected by the County
over the last four years identifies Greenwood Ranch’s average response time for service calls
within CSA No. 3 has been 4:35, which is considered sufficient relative to national standards.
The Greenwood Ranch’s average response times for service calls outside of CSA No. 3 are not
available at this time.
CSA No. 3 is responsible for funding one-third of Greenwood Ranch’s annual operational costs,
which includes personnel expenses. CSA No. 3 is also responsible for debt service to cover its
outstanding one-third portion of the capital costs for constructing Greenwood Ranch. These
annual operational and debt service costs to CSA No. 3 collectively totals $0.37 million in 2008-
2009.48 CSA No. 3’s anticipated revenue from its fire service assessment, however, is not
expected to raise more than $0.29 million given the annual increase cannot exceed the change to
the consumer price index. This restriction results in an anticipated funding shortfall of $0.08
million for the current fiscal year. The County will cover the expected shortfall through its
countywide fire fund. Notably, the County has subsidized CSA No. 3’s annual operational and
debt service costs for Greenwood Ranch since its construction and has resulted in an
accumulated balance of $1.26 million. Overall, fire protection services represents nearly four-
fifths of CSA No. 3’s current operating budget.
Street Maintenance
CSA No. 3’s street maintenance services include (a) streetside landscaping, (b), street lighting,
and (c) street sweeping and are summarized below.
Streetside Landscaping
CSA No. 3 provides streetside landscaping services within “Zone One” which includes the
west-central portion of its jurisdictional boundary. Services currently include landscaping
the medians located along Airport Boulevard, Devlin Road, and Gateway Road West.
These services are provided by an outside contractor on a biweekly basis and includes on-
going maintenance and irrigation of planted vegetation. These services are expected to
cost $29,000 and represents 7.7% of CSA No. 3’s current operating budget.
Street Lighting
CSA No. 3 provides street lighting services within “Zone Three” which includes its entire
jurisdictional boundary. Services currently include installing and maintaining mid-block
lights located throughout CSA No. 3.49 These services are provided by an outside
contactor as needed. CSA No. 3 also is responsible for the electrical costs associated with
operating the mid-block lights provided by Pacific Gas and Electric. These services are
expected to cost $14,000 and represents 3.7% of CSA No. 3’s current operating budget.
48 CSA No. 3’s apportioned operational and debt service costs in 2008-2009 incorporates a reduction of $206,074, which
represents the amount of expected revenue generated in the District for the County’s Structural Fire Tax.
49 The County maintains responsibility for operating intersection lights.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Street Sweeping
CSA No. 3 provides street sweeping services within “Zone Three” which includes its
entire jurisdictional boundary. These services are provided by an outside contractor on a
monthly basis with additional sweeping provided as needed. These services are expected
to cost $10,000 and represents 2.7% of CSA No. 3’s current operating budget.
* Maps depicting all three zones within CSA No. 3 are provided in Appendix F.
Financial
Assets, Liabilities, and Equity
CSA No. 3’s financial statements are prepared by the County and included in its annual report
issued at the conclusion of each fiscal year. The most recent issued report was prepared for
the 2006-2007 fiscal year and includes audited financial statements identifying CSA No. 3’s
total assets and liabilities, and equity as of June 30, 2007. These audited financial statements
provide quantitative measurements in assessing CSA No. 3’s short and long term fiscal
standing and are summarized below.
Assets
CSA No. 3’s assets at the end of the fiscal year totaled $0.113 million. All assets are
classified as current with the expectation they could be liquidated into currency within a
year with over four-fifths directly tied to cash and investments.50
Liabilities
CSA No. 3’s liabilities at the end of the fiscal year totaled $0.01 million. Current liabilities
representing obligations owed within a year accounted for the entire amount and involved
outstanding accounts payable.
Equity
CSA No. 3’s equity at the end of the fiscal year totaled $0.112 million. This amount
represents the difference between CSA No. 3s total assets and total liabilities and confirms
the District’s overall profit since its formation.
CSA No. 3’s financial statements for 2006-2007 reflect the 2006-2007 Financial Statements
District experienced a negative change in its fiscal standing Assets $113,879
as its equity or net worth decreased by nearly two-fifths or Liabilities $1,003
$0.81 million over the 12 month period. This decline is Equity $112,876
attributed to operating expenses outpacing revenues during the fiscal year.
50 CSA No. 3 finished 2006-2007 with $98,125 in cash and investments.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
Annual Budget
CSA No. 3’s adopted budget for the 2008-2009 fiscal year totals $0.376 million. This amount
represents CSA No. 3’s total approved expenses or appropriations for the fiscal year and
reflects an approximate 10.2% decrease from the prior year budget. Nearly four-fifths of all
expenses are associated with funding fire protection services while less than one-tenth are tied
to street maintenance services. (Remaining expenses are tied to general administration.) CSA
No. 3 estimates revenues will match expenses and includes collecting $0.369 million from the
District’s fire ($0.295 million) and street maintenance ($0.074 million) special assessments.
The remaining revenue amount is expected to be drawn from earned interest ($0.006 million).
Revenues overall are projected to increase by 12.6% from the prior fiscal year as result of
raising both annual assessments consistent with the consumer price index.
CSA No. 3’s adopted budget in 2008-2009 marks the 2008-2009 Adopted Budget
second consecutive year in which the District has Total Expenses: $0.376 million
decreased its operating expenses. These budgeted Total Revenues: $0.376 million
declines in expenditures are primarily the result of CSA Difference: $0.00 million
No. 3 decreasing its annual contribution to funding the operation and maintenance of the
Greenwood Ranch Station. CSA No. 3’s fund balance at the beginning of the fiscal year was
$143,032, which represents 38% of its current budgeted operating expenses. No change to the
fund balance is expected at end of the fiscal year.
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
IV. SOURCES
A. American Canyon
Contacts
Richard Ramirez, City Manager
Brent Cooper, Planning Director
Barry Whitley, Finance Director
Randy Davis, Community Resources Director
Brian Banducci, Chief of Police
Cheryl Braulik, Senior Engineer
Tonya Hennessey, Permit Technician, Community Development
Documents/Materials
City of American Canyon (Omni-Means), “Traffic Circulation Study,” April 2007
City of American Canyon, “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,” July 2007
City of American Canyon (West Yost & Associates), “Wastewater Collection System Master
Plan,” December 1996
City of American Canyon (West Yost & Associates), “Water Distribution System Master
Plan,” December 1996
City of American Canyon (West Yost & Associates), “Storm Drainage Master Plan,”
December 1996
City of American Canyon (City of American Canyon), “Water Management Plan for
American Canyon County Water District,” May 1986
City of American Canyon (Dames & Moore), “Wastewater Treatment and Reclamation
Project,” November 1997
City of American Canyon (HydroScience Engineers), “Recycled Water Facilities Plan,”
December 2003
City of American Canyon, “Water Service Agreement Between the City of Vallejo and the
City of American Canyon,” May 1996
City of American Canyon, “Agreement for Provision of Public Library Services in the City
of American Canyon,” 2001
City of American Canyon, “Agreement for Animal and Licensing Services Between the
County of Napa and the City of American Canyon,” 2003
City of American Canyon, “Agreement for Solid Waste and Recyclables Collection,
Processing, and Disposal Services,” May 2003
City of American Canyon, “Agreement for Law Enforcement Services Between the County
of Napa and the City of American Canyon,” July 2006
City of American Canyon, “Planning Commission Staff Report,” December 2008
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
B. ACFPD
Contacts
Glen Weeks, Fire Chief
Martha Banuelos, Administrative Assistant
Documents/Materials
American Canyon Fire Protection District, “2007/2008 Mid Year Report,” 2008
American Canyon Fire Protection District, “State Controller’s Report: Fiscal Years
1998/1999 through 2005/2006,” 2008
C. CSA No. 3
Contacts
Michael Stoltz, Deputy Public Works Director, County
Martin Pehl, Airport Manager, County
Kathy Dubrin, Analyst, County
Kristin Lowell Schubert, President, Kristin Lowell Inc.
Documents/Materials
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Amended Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2002/2003,” June
2002
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2004/2005,” June 2004
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2005/2006,” May 2005
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2006/2007,” June 2006
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2007/2008,” June 2007
County of Napa, CSA 3 Fire Protection and Street Maintenance Assessment District
(Terrance Lowell & Associates), “Engineer’s Report Fiscal Year 2008/2009,” May 2008
County Service Area No. 3, “State Controller’s Report: Fiscal Years 1998/1999 through
2005/2006,” 2008
County Service Area No. 3, “State Controller Budget Unit Revenue Detail 2004/2005
through 2008/2009,” 2009
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Municipal Service Review: Southeast Napa County LAFCO of Napa County
D. Other Agencies
Contacts
Felix Riesenberg, Principal Water Resources Engineer, Flood District
Deborah Brunner, Planner, Napa County Transportation and Planning Agency
Gabrielle Avina, Former Fire Marshal, County
Sean Trippi, Principal Planner, County
John Crawford, Sergeant, County
Danis Kreimeier, Library Director, County
Peter Munoa, Fire Marshal, County
Tracy Schulze, Auditor, County
Bob Minahen, Accounting Manager, County
Judi Perry, Chief Deputy Assessor-Recorder-Co Clerk-Registrar, County
Documents/Materials
County of Napa, “General Plan,” adopted June 3, 2008
Department of Water Resources, “The State Water Project Deliver Reliability Report 2007,”
August 2008
Metropolitan Transportation Commission, “Pavement Condition Index,” 2007
California Regional Water Quality Control Board, “American Canyon Wastewater Treatment
Facility Discharge Permit,” June 2006
LAFCO of Napa County, “County Service Area No. 3 Sphere of Influence Review,” October
2007
LAFCO of Napa County, “Comprehensive Study of American Canyon: Service Review,” April
2003
LAFCO of Napa County, “Comprehensive Water Service Study,” October 2004
LAFCO of Napa County (P&D Consultants), “Comprehensive Study of Sanitation and
Wastewater Treatment Providers,” September 2005
LAFCO of Napa County, “Comprehensive Study of Fire Protection Services,” December 2006
58