Willows holds first Finance and Measure I oversight meeting; officials outline revenue timing, budget gaps and a surprise $143,000 county charge

Willows — The newly formed Willows City Finance and Measure I Oversight Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Jan. 21, hearing staff outline when the city typically receives major revenues, how the current budget is tracking against expenditures, and the timetable for Measure I sales-tax receipts.

The committee, created by a council vote in October 2024 to oversee city finances and the voter-approved Measure I 1.5% sales tax, heard that the city has received $1,565,958 so far this fiscal year against an adopted roughly $5.8 million general-fund budget, leaving about $4,281,000 expected in the second half of the fiscal year. Committee members and staff warned that large revenue inflows cluster in January and May, which creates recurring cash-flow pressure for the city.

The meeting also updated the public on Measure I: the new 1.5% sales tax takes effect April 1, 2025, and Willows will not receive its first state remittance until July. Staff said the committee’s July meeting will be the first opportunity to review actual Measure I collections; earlier monthly or quarterly estimates will be projections from HDL, the city’s forecasting firm, which projects a range of $1.8 million to $2.3 million in annual Measure I revenue.

Public commenter Meredith Bridal expressed concern…