Healdsburg’s financial fortune seems to have reversed overnight Monday. A new look at the city budget shows a $1 million ending balance in this year’s general fund, instead of an anticipated deficit.

A closed-door session of the Healdsburg City Council that was cancelled at the last minute has generated more questions about the status of Saggio Hills, the planned housing and luxury hotel development at the north edge of town.

Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo has confirmed he is ‘seriously investigating’ a run for the state Assembly seat for the North Coast to be vacated next year by Wes Chesbro.

Carrillo would join two other local candidates, Jim Wood, the Healdsburg city councilman, and John Lowry, the former executive director of Burbank Housing in Santa Rosa, both of whom have said they are running for the Assembly seat. All three are Democrats.

Financing continues to remain elusive for construction of Saggio Hills, the $310 million resort hotel and luxury home development approved on the northern edge of Healdsburg.

For 155 years, Healdsburg has had its own fire department and, despite recent funding struggles, it appears it won’t be going away anytime soon. The City Council this week quickly dismissed the possibility of Cal Fire, the state agency, taking over fire duties in the city.

Continuing complaints about the confusing and ‘counterintuitive’ one-way traffic direction on Foss Creek Circle prompted the Healdsburg City Council on Monday to reconsider reverting back to a two-way street, or even reversing the one-way direction.

Healdsburg City Council members are leaning toward offering a shuttle service to ferry pedestrians and cyclists around the historic Healdsburg Memorial Bridge while it is closed for planned renovations.

Healdsburg’s general fund is doing better than expected thanks to an uptick in sales and property tax revenues as well as plan-check fees, reflecting an improving economy.

Susan Jones, Healdsburg’s retired police chief, was selected mayor Monday night in a unanimous decision by fellow City Council members.

This is in response to the Saturday editorial titled ‘Timing is wrong for local sales tax hikes.’ We strongly disagree. Healdsburg’s Measure V is necessary for the ongoing fiscal health of the city.