Message from Novato City Manager Amy Cunningham

Dear Novato Community,

As we countdown the days to 2026, the holiday season fills our streets with bright lights, festive décor and the simple joy of time spent with friends and loved ones. Everywhere you look, Novato is glowing with cheer, pride and a deep sense of connection.

I want to sincerely thank you for your engagement, partnership and support throughout the past year. Our journey together has included meaningful milestones as well as moments of profound loss as we remember our dear friend and community leader, Councilmember Mark Milberg. Even in the hardest moments, I have been inspired by Novato's resilience and how our community comes together with empathy and unity to support and uplift one another.

As we step into the new year, we do so with a renewed sense of appreciation for where we've been and optimism for where we're going. In 2025, we adopted the City's first balanced budget in more than five years, made possible through your support of Measure M. This achievement gives us a strong financial foundation to better address your priorities and to continue to provide the high level of service you deserve. While Measure M plays a key role in our financial strategy, it's only one part of a broader approach. The City Council's Strategic Plan emphasizes a wider focus on long-term fiscal sustainability through thoughtful planning, responsible spending, and efforts to grow and diversify City revenues. We're committed to maintaining essential services while planning responsibly for the future.

Thanks to your continued feedback, we've already made progress - and there's much more ahead. Here are just a few highlights from 2025:

• Measure M: With funding from Measure M, we have been able to maintain (and improve) our services to you. The City Council's approval of six full-time positions, including two maintenance workers, has enabled us to restore essential staff and services to support community-identified priorities. Measure M has also strengthened our ability to retain and recruit highly skilled professionals across all departments, including police to enhance public safety and emergency response, improving workforce stability following years of employee turnover. Our Public Works crews were able to provide extra attention toward road and park maintenance and weed abatement throughout town. This work goes beyond keeping Novato safe, clean and beautiful - it plays a vital role in protecting our community, especially during fire season. Keep an eye out for more projects supported by Measure M funding in the new year. The City Council strategically allocated funds to address the ongoing systemic deficit, invest in deferred maintenance, reduce long-term liabilities, support innovation and replenish reserves. With an eye to the future, Measure M funds have been intentionally allocated to preserve services.
• Novato Permits: Our new online permit portal recently launched, bringing permitting, planning, engineering and code enforcement services together in one streamlined, user-friendly platform. Building on the success of our express permit services and our all-agency permit advice center, we've created a customer-centered permitting experience that is informed, accessible, efficient and easier than ever before. Improvements continue based on your feedback, with more enhancements on the way. Learn more at novato.gov/permits.
• NovatoFun for All: Renovations at Josef Hoog Community Park are now complete, featuring a brand-new, fully fenced playground, newly paved pathways, parking lot improvements, restroom enhancements and water fountain replacement. Your feedback helped shape a more inclusive playground for families of all abilities to enjoy. Stay tuned for improvements at Hamilton Amphitheater Park next year.
• Small Business Support: We've brought back our Tenant Improvement Grant Program to support Downtown business and property owners in making permanent improvements to their commercial buildings. These matching grant reimbursements are paired with guidance from the Marin Small Business Development Center, ensuring that investments not only improve a property's appearance, but also strengthen the underlying business. Learn more about this program at novato.gov/tenantimprovement. We continue to shine a spotlight on the small businesses that bring heart and character to our community. Our refreshed Shop Local Novato initiative encourages our community to think local first and explore all that Novato's business community has to offer. If you haven't checked it out yet, I encourage you to follow Shop Local Novato on Facebook and Instagram, visit shoplocalnovato.com and take a stroll down Grant Avenue to see the new lamppost banners celebrating Novato's entrepreneurial spirit - locally loved, Novato grown.
• SAFE Team: We proudly launched a partnership with Petaluma People Services Center to bring the SAFE Program to Novato. This alternative response pilot provides a compassionate and specialized approach to crisis response, prevention and intervention. The mobile response team of civilian first responders have already made an impact working with police and fire to deliver comprehensive services while building connections with community members. This partnership enables the City to leverage existing behavioral health programs and ensure seamless referral to an established continuum of care. Learn more at novato.gov/SAFE.
• Street Improvements: To our Novato Boulevard neighbors and commuters, thank you for your patience as PG&E continues their utility undergrounding project. While construction can be challenging, this critical work is laying the foundation for a safer, improved roadway that will benefit our community for years to come. Additional details about the next phase of this project are available at novato.gov/novatoblvd.
• Community Celebrations: From National Night Out to Día de los Muertos and the Spectrum Safety event to lunches at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, we came together to celebrate our community, play in parks, dance at concerts and chat at the Farmers' Market. These gatherings are about you, and we look forward to even more opportunities to connect in the year ahead.

Novato remains a growing hub for arts & culture. The Novato Historical Guild is nearing its fundraising goals to relocate the Novato History Museum to the Scott House and renovate the space into a vibrant community space within our Civic Center. Earlier this year, the Eames Institute announced plans to relocate its world-class museum to the iconic Birkenstock campus - bringing dynamic art and design programming, educational opportunities and immersive experiences to our community. We're also continuing our utility box art project-transforming everyday infrastructure into colorful public art-led by our Parks & Recreation team and inspired by the success of Leadership Novato's community service project. Local artists are encouraged to apply at novato.gov/utilityboxart.

In 2026, the City Council will begin developing a new Strategic Plan to ensure City priorities continue to reflect community needs. We will also be shaping strategic plans for our Police Department and Economic Development efforts - and your voice matters. Stay engaged by following us on social media and signing up for our newsletter at novato.gov/newsletter.

My hope for the new year is that we continue to support and encourage one another. The spirit of Novato is reflected every day in the work of our dedicated staff, who play a vital role in our shared successes. They serve with professionalism, care and a deep commitment to you. Their passion for public service, often behind the scenes, turns community values into action and ensures Novato remains a place you are proud to call home.

It is truly a privilege to serve this community, and I am grateful for your trust and collaboration. Wishing you and your loved ones health, happiness and peace in 2026.

Warm regards,

Amy Cunningham
City Manager