If snowfall gets heavy, it may take time for the city to plow your street; be prepared to keep your walkways safe and possibly stay in for a few days.

The city of Ashland is making it easier than ever for property owners to add an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, to their residentially zoned property. The city now offers seven free, pre-approved ADU designs that meet all local building code requirements. — Brandon Goldman, Community Development director

The funds collected through the food and beverage tax support essential city projects, such as street repairs, land acquisition and capital improvements.

Ashland Emergency Management Coordinator Kelly Burns: What we learned from the Almeda Fire is that we need each other; no one gets through this alone. Ashland is better prepared today because we faced one of our worst times together. We’re not done learning or preparing, but every step towards preparing together, at any level, makes us more resilient.

Although recent changes to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant may have raised concerns, the project is fully funded through a long-term, low-cost federal loan. Additional grants are still being pursued.

To help maintain services in the face of rising costs, the city of Ashland relies on fees to pay for specific programs. These fees show up on your monthly utility bill. The City Council has voted to increase specific fees this year, recognizing that the programs the fees support have gotten more expensive over the years.

City Corner: It’s more important than ever to be proactive and prepared when it comes to wildfire. We’re excited to present the Better Prepared Wildfire Series, a unique opportunity to gain the skills and strategies to safeguard your home, loved ones and the community.  Through workshops that will include practical tips and collaborative discussions, you’ll gain the knowledge you need to reduce wildfire risks and build resilience.