Citizens for a Safer, Resilient Napa
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As recent events have demonstrated, Napa County faces increasingly severe wildfire seasons and drought conditions that threaten our homes, agriculture and communities. Meanwhile, the organizations that protect us from wildfire and safeguard our open spaces and drinking water need stable, long-term funding. Without reliable resources, wildfire prevention efforts risk falling short just as the need is greatest. Our trails, parks and natural lands require ongoing care to remain safe, accessible and defensible to wildfire, while creeks, lakes and reservoirs must be protected from sedimentation, pollution and wildfire damage, and without stronger wildfire and other natural disaster protections and reducing the risk in our area, insurance companies will cancel more policies or charge significantly more for fire insurance.
A group of local Napa residents are proposing a one-half cent sales tax that would generate approximately $23 million annually for 18 years. The wildfire prevention and open space measure would provide a dedicated source of locally controlled funding to support reducing wildfire risk, protecting water resources and preserving open spaces.
The measure provides funding for three critical goals, all aimed at making Napa County a safer, more resilient community for residents, businesses and visitors:
-
Wildfire Preparedness—Reducing wildfire risk and protecting lives and property by removing dry brush, dead trees and other fire hazards, establishing and maintaining firebreaks, fire-safe evacuation routes and more.
-
Watershed Protection—Protecting the quality and quantity of drinking water by preserving and restoring land around lakes, rivers and streams, safeguarding reservoirs and watersheds from wildfire damage, contamination, restoring creeks and wetlands and more.
-
Open Space Preservation—Maintaining open space for hiking, biking and recreation, managing lands to preserve native species, protect wildlife corridors, reduce wildfire danger and more.
-
The measure will dedicate funding to wildfire prevention efforts like vegetation management, fire breaks and emergency preparedness, helping reduce the ever-growing risk of catastrophic fires that continue to threaten our homes, schools and businesses.
Yes, strict fiscal accountability protections would be required. All funds would remain under local control and could not be taken by the State or Federal Government and only spent on Napa County. Funds could be spent only as outlined in the detailed Expenditure Plan written into the measure. Mandatory citizens’ oversight, annual independent audits and public reporting would hold spending accountable.
This locally driven effort brings Napa County residents together to place this measure on the ballot and invest in protecting our land, water and communities. All funds would be locally controlled, dedicated to reducing wildfire risk, preserving open space and safeguarding water sources, while also helping Napa County qualify for matching funds and strengthen future State and Federal grant opportunities—ensuring every dollar stays in Napa County.
Recent polling shows that Napa County voters strongly support protecting our community from wildfires and safeguarding local water and open spaces. A majority of voters—over 60%—say they would vote yes on a local fire, land and water protection measure, well above the simple majority passage threshold needed for a citizens’ initiative.
Polling shows that voters overwhelmingly agree with the measure’s core goals: reducing wildfire risk, protecting drinking water and preserving open space for future generations. With these trusted priorities, this measure is well-positioned to win, but we still need your help to get this measure on the ballot and get this much needed funding passed.
We cannot rely on the County, State or Federal government to reliably fund these efforts. Currently, there is no dedicated source of funding for these projects and the amount of available grant money is decreasing while competition for those funds is increasing. As the County plans for the future of our community, we need a reliable, durable source of funding. The citizens of Napa County are proposing this measure as a solution. More importantly, establishing this funding source helps Napa County qualify for matching funds from State and Federal grant opportunities, making our tax dollars go further.
There is still work to be done to make Napa a safer, more resilient community. Approximately 5,000 registered voters in Napa County will need to sign a petition to voice support for the measure to appear on the ballot in November 2026. Even after the collection of the signatures, you, the voter, will ultimately decide if the measure passes.
By investing in wildfire prevention and protecting local water and open space, the measure helps make our community safer and more resilient. That stability not only protects property values but also makes it easier for homeowners to maintain affordable insurance coverage, since insurers look closely at fire and other natural disaster risk when setting rates or deciding whether to provide coverage. Passing this measure shows a commitment to wildfire preparedness and reduction.
No, by law, every dollar raised would stay here in Napa County and could be used only for local priorities like continuing funding for wildfire prevention, the preservation of open spaces and protecting our water sources. Neither the State nor the Federal government can divert or reallocate these funds.
The citizens’ initiative would require signatures from more than 5,000 Napa County voters in order to qualify for the ballot. This effort is likely to take considerable time and resources, and the funding will solely come from grassroots efforts from community members across Napa County. We need your help to get this on the ballot.
No, this is an entirely grassroots, citizen-led initiative. It is driven by local residents, requires community signatures to qualify for the ballot, and is funded by community supporters — not a government agency.
If it qualifies for the ballot, the measure needs a 50%+1 majority vote to pass. All registered voters living in the County of Napa would be eligible to vote on the measure.
Napa County faces serious wildfire risks and ongoing threats to its environment and water. Acting now helps secure funding that protects lives, property and natural resources before conditions worsen.
No, this is a distinct local funding option dedicated only to wildfire prevention, open space and water protection. Funds cannot be used for any other purposes.
This is a community-driven effort. If you would like to get involved with the campaign, please fill out this form.