👋 Welcome Inside

Every day, hundreds of County employees are working to serve our community: maintaining roads, protecting public health, responding to wildfires and other emergencies, preserving our agricultural heritage, caring for vulnerable animals, planning for the future, and providing services that improve quality of life throughout Napa County. Much of that work happens behind the scenes, and many residents never have the opportunity to see it firsthand.

That’s why we created Inside Napa County.

Each month, we’ll introduce you to the people behind County government, highlight projects that shape our community and explain how the work we do connects to everyday life. Along the way, we’ll share opportunities to get involved, spotlight the people who make a difference and offer a closer look at the services that help keep Napa County safe, healthy and thriving.

Thank you for reading. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Napa County from the inside.

Ryan Alsop
Chief Executive Officer

📍 Guiding Our Work

The Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives help guide County decisions, services, and investments through 2030.

Every story in Inside Napa County connects to a larger vision for our community. Adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2025 following extensive community input, the County’s 2025–2030 Strategic Initiatives provide the framework that guides our work every day.

The four strategic goals are:

❤️ Build Healthy, Connected Communities

🌿 Champion Environmental Sustainability and Resiliency

🍇 Preserve Napa County’s Agricultural Legacy

🤝 Elevate County Service and Workforce Excellence

Learn more about the County’s Strategic Initiatives.

❤️ Meet Your County

The people behind the public service.

Luis Ambriz

Animal Shelter Supervisor

If you’ve watched a Napa County Board of Supervisors meeting, you’ve probably met Luis Ambriz, even if you didn’t realize it.

Most Tuesdays, Luis brings the Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week to the Board of Supervisors meeting, introducing a furry ambassador with enthusiasm, humor, and the hope of finding that animal a forever home. His presentations have become a favorite tradition for many who regularly attend or watch Board meetings.

Luis started working with animals while still in high school, volunteering and later working at the Humane Society of the North Bay. A mentor encouraged him to apply for an extra-help position at the Napa County Animal Shelter, and he quickly discovered he had found his calling.

Having worked in nearly every role at the shelter, Luis brings a unique perspective to his work and understands both the challenges and the rewards of caring for animals. “It’s beautiful and chaotic all at the same time,” he says with a laugh.

A typical day includes feeding animals, administering medication, cleaning kennels, coordinating veterinary care, helping lost pets find their families, working with volunteers and foster families, supporting adopters, and making sure every animal receives the care it deserves.

“The most rewarding part of my job is helping rehabilitate and rehome animals that have been given up on.”

One of the biggest misconceptions, Luis says, is that shelter staff spend their days playing with puppies and kittens.

“The cuddles are just an added bonus.”

Behind every adoption is a tremendous amount of work, from vaccinations and behavioral assessments to enrichment, training, and helping animals recover physically and emotionally before they’re ready for a new family.

Then Came Oogi...

In nearly a decade of working with shelter animals, Luis has adopted just one.

Oogi, a 10-year-old dog, arrived at the Napa County Animal Shelter overweight, with several medical issues, after being abandoned at a Napa gas station when her owner entered hospice care.

“From the moment she arrived, she followed me everywhere,” Luis recalls. “After two weeks — and several dreams about her — I realized she had already chosen her home.”

Today, Oogi spends most of her time sleeping, unless Luis is home. Then she’s never far from his side.

“Some of the best companions simply need someone willing to look past those first few moments and give them a chance.”

Quick Five

Years with Napa County: 4
Favorite place in Napa County: Fuller Park
Favorite restaurant: Winston’s
Current pets: Oogi and “a lot of guppies”
Best stress reliever: Fitness

Want to Help?

Adoption isn’t the only way to support the Napa County Animal Shelter.

Luis encourages residents to volunteer, foster animals, share adoptable pets on social media, or simply tell friends and neighbors about animals looking for homes.

Learn more about adopting, volunteering, or fostering.

💡 Have a Story Idea?

Is there a County employee you’d like us to feature? A County service you’ve always wondered about? Or a project you’d like to learn more about?

We’re always looking for story ideas that help residents better understand Napa County and the people who serve our community.

We’d love to hear from you. Send your story ideas to pio@countyofnapa.org

🌟 One Place to Connect with Napa County

Whether you’re interested in transportation, climate action, land use, or other community issues, staying informed about County projects has never been easier.

Connect Napa County is the County’s online engagement hub, bringing projects together in one place where residents can learn what’s happening, review documents, share feedback, and subscribe for updates.

Current projects include the Airport Approach Evaluation and the Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP). The County’s General Plan will be added soon, with more projects will continue to follow.

Visit Connect Napa County to explore projects and subscribe for updates.

📰 Around the County

A quick look at what's happening across Napa County.

Investing in Napa County’s Future

The Napa County Board of Supervisors has adopted the Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Budget, a financial plan that invests in the services residents rely on every day while maintaining the County’s long-term fiscal stability.

The nearly $1 billion budget continues the County’s investment in priorities that help keep Napa County safe, healthy, and thriving, including:

• $37 million for roads and infrastructure maintenance and improvements

• $34 million for fire services and wildfire resilience

• $66 million for public safety, including recruitment and retention

• $24 million for affordable housing, homelessness response, and housing stability programs

• Advancing construction of a new state-of-the-art Behavioral Health Treatment Center and continued investment in workforce excellence

See where your tax dollars go in the Budget in Brief.

Planning for a More Resilient Future

The Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) is a collaborative effort between Napa County, the cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, and St. Helena, and the Town of Yountville to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while helping communities prepare for wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, and drought.

The environmental review documents are open for public comment through August 31 — your chance to weigh in before the plan comes up for adoption.

Review the plan and submit a comment before August 31.

Growing Healthy Communities

When federal funding for California’s CalFresh Healthy Living program ended earlier this year, Napa County’s Public Health Outreach team didn’t let the program disappear. They reinvented it.

Nourish to Flourish builds on that foundation by offering nutrition education, cooking demonstrations, and healthy eating resources throughout Napa County. Working with community partners like the Napa County Seed Library, the team recently grew and distributed more than 150 vegetable plants, along with recipes and practical tips to help residents grow fresh food and prepare healthy meals at home.

Additional workshops, community events, and resources will be announced in the coming weeks as the program continues to grow.

It’s one example of how County employees continue finding creative ways to serve the community.

Learn more about Nourish to Flourish.

Paying Property Taxes Just Got Easier

The Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office has launched InvoiceCloud, a secure online platform for paperless billing, payment reminders by text or email, AutoPay, and digital wallet payments like Apple Pay and PayPal.

Set up InvoiceCloud before your next bill is due.

A Snapshot of Napa County Agriculture

Each year, the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner publishes the Agricultural Crop Report, offering a snapshot of the crops, commodities, and agricultural trends that help define our community.

The 2025 report found that the total value of Napa County’s agricultural production was $974 million. While overall production declined slightly from the previous year, the report highlights the continued strength and resilience of Napa County’s winegrape industry.

This year’s report also features artwork by local students. The cover showcases “Fall Vineyards,” an acrylic painting by Napa High School sophomore Victoria Mosconi Carrión, winner of the 2025 Crop Report Cover Artwork Contest.

Explore the 2025 Agricultural Crop Report.

👥 Leadership Updates

Welcoming the leaders helping shape Napa County's future.

Congratulations, A.J. Alarcón

Napa County has appointed Alexander (A.J.) Alarcón as Director of Corrections. After serving as Interim Director since September 2025, Alarcón now leads the Department of Corrections and its 332-bed Corrections and Rehabilitation Center.

Read more about A.J. Alarcón.

Welcome to Napa County

Scott Wagner has been appointed Napa County’s new Director of Housing and Community Services. Wagner brings more than 15 years of experience in affordable housing, homelessness services, and housing stability programs.
Read more about Scott Wagner.

📅 Coming Up

Mark your calendar with upcoming meetings and opportunities to participate.

August 11
Board of Supervisors Meeting
🕘 9:00 a.m.

August 25
Board of Supervisors Meeting
🕘 9:00 a.m.

August 28
Climate Action Committee
🕤 9:30 a.m.

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held in the Board Chambers at 1195 Third Street in Napa and are open to the public. Most meetings are also available to watch online.

View County meetings and agendas.

🚨 Be Ready, Napa County

Simple steps today can make a big difference tomorrow.

When wildfires, floods or other emergencies occur, timely information can make all the difference.

ALERT Napa County is the County’s emergency notification system, delivering important alerts by phone, text, or email based on the locations you choose. Whether it’s an evacuation warning, road closure, or other emergency, signing up helps ensure you receive critical information when you need it most.

If you haven’t already registered, now is a great time.

Sign up for ALERT Napa County today.

🤝 Get Involved

There are many ways to make a difference in Napa County.

Whether you’re looking for a meaningful career or want to share your expertise by serving on a board, commission, or committee, we’d love to have you join us.

Explore current job opportunities.

Apply to serve on a board, commission or committee.

Current openings include:

• Monticello Public Cemetery District Advisory Committee

• Napa County Drought and Water Shortage Task Force (DWSTF)

• Napa County In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Advisory Committee

🌿 Until Next Time

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us.

Behind every County service are dedicated employees working to keep Napa County safe, healthy, and thriving. We look forward to bringing you more of those stories each month.

Until then, follow Napa County on social media, explore current projects on Connect Napa County, and subscribe to receive future issues of Inside Napa County.