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Calistoga council adopts FY 2025–26 budget after discussion on fire staffing and senior management roles
Summary
Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget and fee schedule; councilmembers said they will revisit fire staffing and senior management structure if part‑time firefighter plan does not work.
The Calistoga City Council adopted its fiscal year 2025–26 operating budget, fee schedule and annual appropriations limit during its June 24 meeting after council members discussed public safety staffing and internal management structure.
Mayor Williams moved to adopt the budget as presented; council approved the measure by roll call vote with Council Member Eisenberg, Council Member Cooper, Council Member Gift and Mayor Williams voting aye. Vice Mayor Lopez Ortega was absent.
Council Member Eisenberg said he was not asking the council to delay passage but urged colleagues to revisit two issues if circumstances change: whether the part‑time firefighter staffing plan succeeds in providing sufficient relief to reduce overtime and burnout, and whether the number of senior management (city manager‑level) positions should be revisited in a deliberate process later this year. Several council members echoed those points. Council Member Gift raised concern about response times to Calistoga’s isolated location and the city’s seasonal population increases; she urged the council to schedule a substantive review of fire staffing and to give priority to public safety matters in coming weeks.
Public comment included Jeremy Campbell of Calistoga Professional Firefighters, who said Calistoga’s fire department is among the least‑staffed in Napa County and described operational limits from current staffing. Campbell recommended the council act promptly on a fire chief’s staffing proposal—he said the proposal would reduce the overall department budget by about $34,000 annually, provide a more reliable workforce and reduce employee burnout. The council debate did not change adoption of the budget; members said they intend to monitor staffing outcomes and return to the issue if the part‑time plan does not achieve its goals.
The council had previously approved the consent calendar with the exception of the budget item; the council pulled item 6.8 for discussion prior to final adoption of the FY 2025–26 budget.
The budget adoption gives the city a financial plan that staff said reflects extensive work across departments and multiple public budget meetings. Council members noted the document can be amended in future meetings if council directs changes.
