Moraga Mayor Steve Woehleke basically went door-to-door by presenting his State of the Town to various organizations within the community.  Moraga Citizens Network hosted his Nov. 15 meeting at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church’s Fireside Room. 

    The objective of the gatherings was to summarize the status of mission critical functions and to receive input from stakeholders.  Woehleke prefaced, “We are a lean organization with dedicated employees.” 
  
    The mayor wasted no time in discussing the Town’s finances by explaining that “fiscal responsibility is Job 1, and balanced budgets are a Moraga requirement.”     For the fiscal year 2025/26 the budget stands at $27.2 million, and the town has received notable recognition with a Standard & Poor’s AAA Credit Rating, as well as another in a long line of Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.  The bulk of the Town’s revenues (45%) comes from property taxes, followed by 23% total department revenues, 11% sales tax, 9% franchise fees, 6% transfers in, 3% interest, and 3% other.  The General Fund appropriations by department are:  Approximately $4 million to the police department, just over $2 million to public works and parks and rec, nearly $2 million for non-departmental, just over $1 million for general government, and nearly $1 million to administrative services and planning.

    While discussing Town safety, Woehleke noted that “Moraga takes community policing very seriously.”  There has been an overall 70% drop in crime during 2025.  Besides keeping Moraga safe, MPD has been involved in emergency operations/evacuation planning, Toys for Tots, National Night Out, drug/needle disposal, school campus liaison efforts, and Coffee with a Cop.

    Moraga-Orinda Fire District continues to provide full-service support through fire prevention, fire suppression, and paramedics.  “MOFD provides high quality emergency fire and medical support to Moraga and Orinda,” stated the mayor.  “We collectively need to address wildfire risks such as MOFD foliage regulations and the use of free mesh on gutters and vents.”  He noted that there are impending new requirements from the Department of Forestry at year-end (Zone Zero).   

    “The Planning Department has been a significant focus for the last 6 to 7 years,” explained Woehleke, “much of it under the Comprehensive Advanced Planning Initiative.  The key priorities were to modernize, follow state regulations, consider community priorities and values, and potential future growth.  By the beginning of 2021, planning was underway to develop Moraga’s 6th Cycle Housing Element per state requirements which included zoning 1,118 new housing units.  It was approved by the Town Council at the beginning of 2023, and approved by the state later that year.”  Planning Department projects also included the Bollinger Canyon Rezoning, Rheem Objective Design Standards, and a General Plan Update which earned the Daniel Burnham Award of Merit.  Current projects under development are the 1600 School St. Apartments, Grocery Outlet, Affordable Senior Apartments in Rheem, and Moraga Center Specific Plan Area 15 Housing (pending).

    The Town has seen the Public Works Department’s efforts toward safety improvements, roadway paving and maintenance, and intersection and crosswalk upgrades.  The Measure K one cent sales tax was approved in 2012, and provides significant funding for street maintenance.  “Stormwater drains are another priority area for Moraga,” explained Woehleke.  “Moraga has experienced failures.  Despite the citizens defeating the 2018 sales tax measure to effect repairs, we are making progress.”  Public Works has also been more than busy with regards to Town-owned properties (Hacienda de las Flores, Moraga Library, Town Hall, and the Town Council Chambers).  Repairs to roofs, stairways, HVAC systems, retaining walls, paving, flooding protection, and emergency power have all been on their agenda.

    Woehleke described the Parks and Recreation Department as “a shining star of Moraga, facilitating fun and health” with 46 miles of mapped trails, over 1,200 youths attending summer camp, 608 kids enrolled in the After School Enrichment Program, over 200 active Parks and Rec programs in one year, and an Open Space Master Plan Development Project.

    When it comes to education, the Town’s schools are a stand-out.  “Every Moraga elementary, middle, and high school ranks in the top 5% in California for academic achievement,” said Woehleke.  Not forgetting Saint Mary’s College, the presentation listed several national accolades that sang the school’s praises.  Also noted were the men’s and women’s Division 1 athletics, the new accredited nursing program, and the addition of competitive water sports.