The Town’s six-member Revenue division, part of the Administrative Services Department, has a lot on its plate. It processes utility bills for over 9,500 customers each month, tracks and collects Windsor’s transient occupancy tax (TOT), and renews about 2,000 business licenses a year.

This team also works closely with the Public Works’ Water division; it helps to solve customers’ utility issues by generating and updating 300 service requests on average a month. The team, comprised of a revenue manager, accounting technicians and accounting assistants, is also essential when it comes to ensuring community members comply with the water conservation regulations, says Revenue Manager Jenny Alton.

“We are a big part of drought enforcement,” she says. “We track water waste and send letters and make phone calls to check on compliance.”

Besides providing fiscal revenue reports, the division also provides monthly, annual, and historical statistical data on water use, service connections, and more. Consequently, it works hand in hand with every Town department. The Engineering Department, for example, could ask for the history of a property's water or wastewater service connections while the Town’s economic development manager could ask for a report on business licenses. 

As if that’s not enough, the Revenue division staffs the front desks at the Town’s Civic Center; this includes buildings 300 and 400. They also process the Town’s mail and operate as the Town’s call center. So, if you call the Town’s main phone number, you will reach a member from Revenue.

“We answer on average close to 1,300 phone calls a month,” Ms. Alton says. “We answer questions on utility billing, Town events, business licenses, as well as random questions on things like information on upcoming elections or who to call for pretty much anything you can think of.”

The Revenue division recently switched to monthly utility billing instead of billing every other month. This change streamlines the billing process and provides monthly data reports. Monthly billing was requested over the years by many Windsor residents, so this change can help customers track their water usage more efficiently and save money. For those registered on the WaterSmart portal, they also receive tips on saving water, bill forecast notifications, and other helpful information on a more regular basis.

Another improvement coming soon: Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), an integrated system of meters, sensors, and radio-based technology that automates water-meter readings. AMI will provide near real-time feedback on water use, and water leaks, among other information. Customers will be able to view this information in the WaterSmart portal to better track their daily water use. The intention: to cut down on water waste, make utility operations more efficient, and save customers money.

How do Revenue division members manage and juggle so many responsibilities?

“We have a really, really good team,” says Ms. Alton. “We’re able to be as productive as we are because we work well together. We want to help people, and we take pride in our customer service.”

Keiser Park Master Plan Design Workshops

The Town is updating the Keiser Park Master Plan to incorporate three parcels adjacent to the park that were recently purchased, expanding the park by almost 5 acres. The Keiser Park Master Plan is a strategic document that studies the park’s existing facilities and recreation programming to develop a blueprint for future improvements and expansion while protecting prioritized elements. 

The plan will provide both a long-term vision for the park and specific policies and standards to direct day-to-day decisions. It will set forth a framework that allows the Town to respond to new opportunities as they arise and ensures that adequate park facilities and recreation programming successfully meet the needs of Windsor’s present and future residents, employees, and visitors.

The newly acquired parcels located at 625 Wall Street, 450 Duncan Drive and 475 Ginny Drive will add 4.88 acres to Keiser Park. Future usage has not been developed yet and is at the center of the master planning process. Throughout the first half of 2023, community members will have opportunities to provide feedback.  

Here is the first opportunity; these February workshops will lay out building placement and park access:

• In-person workshop: Saturday February 4, from 10 AM – 12 PM, Bluebird Community Center - 25 Bluebird Drive
• Virtual workshop: Wednesday February 8, from 6-8 PM. https://townofwindsor.zoom.us/j/88988671699

The workshops will build on the information gathered during the community survey and outreach events hosted in the spring and summer of 2022. The final Master Plan is expected to be adopted by the Town Council by September 2023. To learn more and see upcoming events, visit the project website: https://www.keiserparkmasterplan.org/ .  

Make Water Conservation a Way of Life

For several weeks, starting in late December, Windsor and much of California was battered by heavy storms and winds. According to the California Nevada River Forecast Center, we received more than 14 inches of rain in January (precipitation gauge at Sonoma County Airport).

While this much needed rainfall has brought our reservoir levels to above average for this time of year, we are not out of the drought yet. The map shows the current drought stages across the state, with Sonoma County continuing to be in a moderate drought. 

Windsor is still under emergency drought restrictions from the State of California, so please continue to conserve and stay up to date on drought conditions. By saving water, using water efficiently, and preparing for the uncertainties of climate change, we will help minimize the harmful effects of drought. 

We encourage you to embrace wise water use as a daily habit whether we are experiencing a year of heavy or meager rain. Visit our water conservation page for more information.

Jan. 29: Deadline to take Survey on Strategic Plan

The Town of Windsor is working on a 3–5-year strategic plan and would love your input. Time is running out -- please take our community survey by Sunday, January 29. The Town Council will use the survey results as they outline the Town’s strategic direction and to better allocate resources. 

Strategic planning charts a vision for the future, establishes a clear mission, defines a set of organizational values, and prioritizes goals and strategies. This strategic plan will help guide how your tax dollars are spent on public infrastructure projects, Town staffing, and Town goals and priorities. 

You should allow 15 minutes to complete the survey. Individual responses will be confidential and anonymous. The results will be consolidated and summarized to inform the creation of the strategic plan at a future date. 

The Town has engaged Baker Tilly, a national consulting firm, to facilitate our strategic plan development. Baker Tilly brings familiar resources to assist in local government consulting with the recent acquisition of Management Partners.

Apply to Be a Public Art Advisory Commissioner

Do you want to help make Windsor an art destination that raises the potential for education, innovation, collaborative community engagement, and cultural exploration? Apply to become a Town commissioner: The Town seeks applicants to fill three seats on the Public Art  Advisory Commission. The terms expire in December 2024.

Commission applicants must be at least 18 years of age and reside in Sonoma County. Completed applications for the vacancies will be accepted until filled. However, if you apply by February 2, you'll be in the first round of applications that the Town Council will review at its February 15 Town meeting. 

If you have any questions, call (707) 838-5315 or email townclerk@townofwindsor.com. To apply, please visit: https://www.townofwindsor.com/64/Committees-and-Commissions

Sponsor the 2023 Summer Nights on the Green 
Concert Series

Market your business or organization at the award-winning Summer Nights on the Green concert series. The concert series will be held on the picturesque Windsor Town Green for 14 weeks, from June 1 through August 31, with a special Sunday concert in the fall.

Join us in commemorating 21 years of healthy, quality family entertainment, great food and access to Windsor shops and restaurants. Go here to learn about the marketing benefits of the concert series and how to become a sponsor. You may also email Nelle Herman, Recreation Division Manager, at nherman@townofwindsor.com.

Join Our Team!

The Town of Windsor is looking for talented people. For information on open positions, click here for the full list. If you have questions about working for the Town, please reach out to our Human Resources team at hr@townofwindsor.com.

Join our team! Go here to apply.

Calling Local Non-Profits

The Town of Windsor will begin accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Non-Profit Grant Program on Wednesday, February 1. This program is intended to provide direct support to projects within the areas of housing and shelter, food distribution and human support services. The requesting organization must be a current 501(c)(3).

This non-profit grant program was established by the Windsor Town Council in 1995 to support local non-profit organizations that directly serve the community and/or benefit Windsor. Go here for information on how to apply or email Nelle Herman, Recreation  Division Manager, at nherman@townofwindsor.com.

Kids: Become a Creek Protector

Do you want to learn about your local creeks and watershed? Become a Creek Protector! Our exciting series of Creek Protector activities will help you better explore Windsor's creekside trails. Discover local mammals, birds, and plants all while gaining an understanding of how your storm drains connect to Windsor's creeks. 

Pick up activity books from the Windsor Public Works office (8400 Windsor Road), download a PDF of the books, or take your smartphone to your local creek and complete the mobile versions of the activity books. Earn an embroidered "Creek Protector" badge for each book you complete. Go to StreetsToCreeks.org/get-involved/youth-creek-stewardship/ to learn more.

Take Part and Have Your Say

Here are some public Town meetings and workshops coming up in the next two weeks – we’d love to see you, either in person or virtually. You can always find Town Council and Commission meeting information on the calendar on the Town website homepage and in the agenda packets for each meeting.

• Feb. 1, 6 PM: Town Council Meeting
• Feb. 4, 10 AM – 12 PM: Keiser Park Master Plan Design Charette Workshop, Bluebird Community Center, 25 Bluebird Drive
• Feb. 8, 6 PM: Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting
• Feb. 8, 6-8 PM: Keiser Park Master Plan Design Workshop – virtual on  Zoom

We Look Forward to Serving You in 2023

A message from the Sonoma County Fire District: Our 2022 Incident Call Stats are in! It’s been a busy year for the Sonoma County Fire District.  

We added Bodega Bay Fire District, helicopter Sonoma County 1, additional ambulances and six new paramedic firefighters into the SCFD family.  

In the Town of Windsor alone, our two stations responded to 3,286 incidents last year. As call volume across our District continues to increase, our emergency responders are committed to maintain the highest level of service, with honesty, respect, and integrity, to our communities of Bellevue, Bennett Valley, Bodega Bay, Forestville, Guerneville, Larkfield, Mountain, Rincon Valley, Windsor and surrounding areas. 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest from the Sonoma County Fire District.