Celebrating civic progress, fiscal milestones, and the collaborative spirit of the City of Trees
On Thursday, June 18th, the Woodland Chamber of Commerce was honored to host our annual State of the City Luncheon at the Woodland Community and Senior Center. This premier gathering brought together local business owners, civic leaders, and residents to celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community and look ahead at the opportunities shaping Woodland.
A Legacy of Support and Collaboration The afternoon kicked off with a warm welcome from Chamber Board Member Clay Merrill, who served as the event's MC. Merrill emphasized that our community's strength lies in the "power of collaboration" and the importance of "nurturing relationships that drive growth and prosperity."
Merrill also shared a heartening update on the Twyla Jane Thompson scholarship fund, noting that the Chamber is currently on track to exceed 2025 contribution levels to support local students pursuing careers in agriculture and business.
Efficiency and Strategic Investment City Manager Ken Hiatt provided a detailed update on Woodland’s municipal health, following the recent unanimous adoption of a $250 million annual budget. Hiatt highlighted that Woodland is operating with incredible efficiency, providing more services than neighboring cities while maintaining 30-40% lower staffing levels.
Key highlights from his presentation included:
- Fiscal Prudence: The city continues to make strategic investments by writing down debt during prosperous times. A major milestone announced was that the Woodland Community and Senior Center is now completely paid off, with no remaining mortgage.
- Debt-Free Amenities: Following a "pay as you go" philosophy, projects like the $15 million Aquatic Center were built entirely with cash, leaving the city with no debt for these vital amenities.
- Public Safety Excellence: Our Fire Department is achieving a 75% cardiac survival rate, far exceeding state and county averages.
- Infrastructure Progress: The city's water system now delivers 3.67 billion gallons of cleaner, more reliable river water to residents and businesses annually.
A Vision for a Growing Community Mayor Tom Stallard reflected on Woodland’s evolution over the last five decades. While Woodland has grown into a mid-size city of 62,000 residents, the Mayor expressed pride in our ability to maintain the "small town feel" that makes our community unique. He discussed the integration of the southeast area and the exciting potential of the Woodland Research and Technology Park (WRTP) to serve as a future hub for agricultural innovation.
A Symbolic Celebration of Progress In a standout moment at the conclusion of his remarks, Mayor Stallard invited his colleagues from the City Council to join him on stage. Together, they celebrated the city's financial independence by tearing up the mortgage papers for the Community and Senior Center. This symbolic gesture underscored the Mayor's belief that while "everything's not perfect," the city's responsible management is "proof in the pudding" of a bright future.
With Sincere Gratitude We extend a sincere thank you to our Leading Sponsor, Dignity Health, and all our diamond and emerald sponsors for making this inspiring event possible. We would also like to give a special thank you to Charles Vincent McDonald Photography for serving as our official photographer and to Yolo Eats for the wonderful catering.
Finally, we wish to express our deep appreciation to Woodland TV for their professional recording and publishing of this event. For those who could not attend or wish to relive the afternoon's highlights, you can watch the full program below.
Stay engaged with our community's progress! [View the Community Calendar] to see upcoming events in Woodland from the Chamber of Commerce and our members.
