Fortuna Council to Hear Measure E Report and Mid-Year Budget Review

Fortuna City Council meets tonight at 6 p.m. to consider the Annual Measure E Report and a FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Review, items listed on the city’s published agenda. Measure E Committee Chair Sue Long is scheduled to present the annual Measure E materials, while Finance Director Aaron Felmlee will present the mid-year budget review; the mid-year item description in the posted agenda was truncated.

The agenda published ahead of the meeting identifies two documents tied to Measure E: “Measure E Report to Council” and “FY 2024-25 Measure E Report.” No substantive report text was included in the agenda posting, so the council will be receiving the committee’s formal presentation in session. The Measure E Committee is also bringing a recommended change to its meeting schedule via Resolution 2026-01; staff recommend the council adopt the resolution on the Consent Agenda, and the agenda text states that “This change will not have any financial impact.”

Also on the Consent Calendar are draft minutes from two January 20, 2026 special meetings and a Report of Disbursements. The disbursements report notes totals of $115,506.12 on January 21, 2026, and $92,195.74 on January 28, 2026, and staff recommend the council receive the report through a Consent Agenda vote. The disbursements document is listed as a Staff Report; specifics about vendors and line items were not included in the agenda excerpt.

The Feb. 2 agenda includes the standard call to order, flag salute, roll call and an opportunity for oral public comments; the agenda excerpt does not list a meeting location or provide details on public speakers. City Clerk Siana L. Emmons is listed as the contact for council materials and records.

Historical minutes archived in the city’s records show past council procedures and votes. Those minutes record procedural motions in full, for example: “Minutes: CITY COUNCIL ACTION: Council Member Conley moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Johnson to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 p.m. MOTION CARRIED 5/0” and “ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Minutes: Mayor Pro Tem Johnson moved, seconded by Council Member Losey to adjourn to closed session at 8:13 p.m. Voice vote. MOTION CARRIED 5/0.” The same archive includes closed-session language about labor negotiators: “CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS, City Negotiator: City Manager Merritt Perry, Employee Organizations: Fortuna Police Employees Association, Fortuna Employees Association, and the Unrepresented/Management group in accordance with Section 54957.6 of the Government Code.” Those entries reflect past council practice of recording motions and direction to staff.

The agenda posting included a promotional note signed by the posting bot: “… or, as a high-energy radio advertisement! [...] So let’s give a round of applause to Mayor and City Council for their dedication to keeping Fortuna thriving. Stay tuned for more updates on how your tax dollars are working for you! Fortuna, let’s keep the energy high and the momentum flowing. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from the City of Fortuna! , LoCOBot”

For residents tracking city finances and local priorities, tonight’s presentations will be a primary opportunity to hear what the Measure E committee reports and to learn how the mid-year budget is shaping departmental spending. To request copies of the full Measure E reports, the FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Review, or the Staff Report on disbursements, contact City Clerk Siana L. Emmons at semmons@ci.fortuna.ca.us or 707-725-1409. After the council meets, follow-up coverage should confirm any actions taken and publish outcomes of the consent votes and presentations.