Dear Novato Community,

As we approach 2024, it’s a fitting moment to reflect on the journey we’ve shared as a community over the last year — a journey filled with many accomplishments, celebrations and, inevitably, some challenges. But first, I’d like to extend my appreciation to the Novato City Council for recently appointing me as Interim City Manager. It’s been my pleasure to have served this community over the last four years, and I look forward to continuing to serve you as we step into the new year.

We’ve ended 2023 on a high note with the long-awaited reopening of your beloved Pioneer Park, Marin County’s first adaptive playground. Our community has always been a place for Novato Fun, and now we can proudly say that we’re also a place where children of all abilities can play together. This incredible accomplishment would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of our amazing community and dedicated staff. We appreciate your patience as we navigated some unforeseen challenges, but having had the pleasure of visiting the newly-renovated park, it more than exceeds our expectations. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, watch this video to learn more or visit Pioneer Park at 1007 Simmons Lane to experience it yourself. 

While Pioneer Park may be our most fun highlight of the year, it was not the sole accomplishment of our community. Thanks to your active involvement and valuable input, we also achieved the following milestones:

• Adoption of the Strategic Plan 2023-2025, serving as a tool to prioritize our community needs and goals. Available to review at novato.org/strategicplan.
• Adoption of the City Budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, including our four-page Budget in Brief which offers a snapshot of the annual budget process, total budgeted revenue and expenditures, distribution of property tax and other highlights. Learn more at novato.org/budget.
• Launch of our Parks Master Plan process including an interactive website, survey, workshops and other opportunities for community input. This valuable strategic guide will serve as a “roadmap” for both current and future parks planning and recreation development in our community. Learn more at novato.org/parksplan.
• Staff and Council are continuing work to create new uses for City-owned properties including the Simmons and Hanen Houses located on Sherman Avenue, recognizing the potential for these properties to generate positive social, economic and environmental impacts for the City and its residents. We’re looking forward to continuing to engage you in this process in the new year. 
• Appointment of our new Chief of Police, Jim Naugle, and Community Development Director, Clare Hartman, both dedicated public servants that we are extremely fortunate to have serving our community.
• Successful community events, including our Special Needs Safety Event, Pride Flag Raising Ceremony, Concerts on the Green and Hot Amphitheater Nights, Movie at Pocket Park, our first ever Floating Pumpkin Patch at Hamilton Pool, Holiday Tree and Menorah Lightings and so much more!

In the new year, we will initiate our annual budget process for 2024/25. As you may already know, Novato continues to experience a growing budget deficit, exceeding $2 million this year. Per Council’s Strategic Plan, the City began exploring revenue-generating opportunities earlier this year including the future of City-owned properties like the Simmons and Hanen Houses mentioned above. To protect services that you, our community values, staff is continuing to evaluate our options for ensuring that more of the funding generated in Novato, stays in Novato.

I convey not only my sentiments, but those of our dedicated City staff, when I say that we are proud to serve this vibrant community. Preserving your quality of life here in Novato is our top priority. We look forward to many more shared accomplishments and opportunities to engage with you in 2024.

Sincerely,
Amy Cunningham
Interim City Manager