A Message from Supervisor Coursey | | |
Many updates are included this month, including our agenda-setting meeting held in Sonoma Valley, where community members had a chance to provide input on the issues that matter most. It allowed my colleagues and me to hear top priorities for our county and help lay out the goals we want to accomplish this year. Things we heard included consideration of a noise ordinance for unincorporated Sonoma County areas, mobile home park protections, reviewing our ADU permitting processes and supporting our immigrant community, among others.
Other exciting news happening this month is we officially announced our newest CEO, David Guhin — a long-time public servant with broad and diverse experience working in government in Sonoma County. David will take on this role in April. I look forward to working with him again, having served together at the City of Santa Rosa from 2015-2019. You can learn more about him below.
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February is also Black History Month and this month we heard from many of our local leaders during the Gold Resolution honoring and recognizing that Black history here in Sonoma County is all of our history. You can read the Resolution below.
You will also find highlights on the work that the County is doing with Measure O funds, the Registrar of Voters move, SMART transportation updates and updates on Tierra De Rosas, which once complete will provide housing and community spaces in Roseland.
You can also read more about community events and information about how to get involved in our community. As always, I welcome your feedback and look forward to your continued engagement.
Sincerely,
| | What's New at the County of Sonoma? | | |
The Board of Supervisors awarded $12.4 million to support mental health and homelessness services across the county, the latest in a series of investments primarily funded by Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020.
The approved funding includes $10 million from Measure O and $2.4 million from the state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention program. The 26 awards will help stabilize essential programs facing funding uncertainty while preserving the County’s investments in behavioral health care, crisis services, housing and care coordination.
The $2.4 million in state funds will support eight housing and homelessness programs aligned with Measure O priorities, including permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, emergency shelter and safe parking programs.
A list of all 26 projects funded by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is available here.
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David Guhin, an administrator with more than two decades of government leadership experience in the North Bay, has been selected by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to be the next County Executive.
Currently serving as the City Manager for the City of Sonoma, Guhin spent more than 18 years with the City of Santa Rosa, including as Director of Santa Rosa Water, Director of Planning and Economic Development and Assistant City Manager. He later served as Executive Director of Government Operations for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria. Most recently, he has been City Manager at the City of Sonoma.
As County Executive, Guhin will serve as the chief administrative officer for the County, an organization with more than 4,000 employees. He will be responsible for implementing Board policy, overseeing County departments and operations, managing the County’s budget and advancing strategic priorities that support residents across Sonoma County. His first day with the County will be April 20 and his annual base salary will be $377,226.
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The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office has moved to a new location near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. The new office, located at 3880 Brickway Blvd., is available to help people register to vote, check or update your voter registration status, or file papers to run for elected office.
Evelyn Mendez, Sonoma County Registrar of Voters, said that a larger and more modern facility was needed for several reasons, including a growing voting population, an increase in voting by mail, which requires more space and staff time to process, and the changing regulatory landscape that makes administering elections more complicated. For example, in 2021, Sonoma County was designated a bilingual county by the U.S. Department of Justice, meaning all election information must be printed in both English and Spanish.
The Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions, please visit SoCoVotes.com, call (707) 565-6800 (Toll-Free: [800] 750-VOTE [8683]; TDD: [800] 565-6888), or email rov-info@sonomacounty.gov.
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Sonoma County is inviting developers, nonprofits and community partners to help shape the next chapter of Tierra de Rosas, a County-led effort to create housing and community spaces in Roseland.
The Sonoma County Community Development Commission is seeking ideas for the best way to transfer and develop two County-owned parcels at Tierra de Rosas – one designated for civic use, the other for commercial use. The goal of the Request for Information is to gather creative, feasible concepts for owning and operating spaces that serve the public good and meet the needs of the surrounding community.
The RFI is intended to gather ideas and does not commit the County to a specific proposal. Responses are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.
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The Board of Supervisors adopted a Gold Resolution recognizing the centennial of national Black history commemorations, honoring the legacy of Carter G. Woodson and the founders of Black History Month. The resolution also acknowledges the vital contributions of Black families in Sonoma County while reaffirming the County’s commitment to equity and justice.
In 2026, the nation marks 100 years of formally commemorating Black history. The milestone traces back to 1915, when Dr. Woodson and his colleagues founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History to promote the study and preservation of Black history. In 1926, Woodson launched Negro History Week, which later grew into Black History Month, now an enduring national and global observance. The 100th theme, The Founders of Black History Month, honors those who established this legacy and reflects on its impact in advancing understanding and equity.
In Sonoma County, Black families have played an essential role in shaping our communities, economy and civic life.
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Last month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a Gold Resolution recognizing the Elsie Allen High School Varsity Football Team for winning the first North Coast Section (NCS) Championship in school history.
The team’s extraordinary 2025 season secured both the school’s first football league title and its first NCS Section Championship—marking a historic milestone built on years of dedication from student-athletes, coaches, families and supporters. The victory brought pride, positive recognition to the school and created a unifying moment across the community.
This area has historically faced underinvestment and inequitable access to public resources, yet its strong community spirit, grassroots leadership, and collaboration among residents, community partners and the County of Sonoma have expanded opportunities and strengthened the well-being of families and this championship victory reflects not only a major milestone for the school and community, but also the strength of its youth and families who live here.
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FeBREWary is here and SMART is your ticket to a month-long celebration of craft beer. Enjoy tastings, brewery tours, tap takeovers and special limited-edition releases throughout Sonoma and Marin counties.
Dozens of local craft breweries are just steps from a SMART station and even more are easy to reach with SMART Connect, the free LumaGo shuttle from Petaluma Transit, or the free Santa Rosa Craft Beer Shuttle.
Explore Santa Rosa’s vibrant beer scene with the Santa Rosa Beer Passport, or head to Downtown San Rafael during FeBREWary to expand your beer IQ and hoist a pint with friends.
Drink responsibly and leave the driving to SMART.
More details, including routes, events and ride tips are available at https://sonomamarintrain.org/trackstotaps
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SMART is extending its regional passenger rail service northward from Windsor to Healdsburg, reconnecting the city to rail transit. The project will add roughly nine miles of track, construct a new SMART station in Healdsburg and extend the SMART multi-use pathway for walking and biking alongside the rail corridor.
Critical infrastructure upgrades including improved grade crossings, bridge rehabilitation, modern signaling and safety systems are part of the project.
A design-build contract was awarded in 2025 and passenger service is anticipated to start by late 2028. The extension is funded through a combination of federal, state, regional, and local grants, reflecting strong support for expanding sustainable transportation, reducing congestion and enhancing regional connectivity.
Sign up to receive periodic email updates about the Healdsburg Extension Project and construction activities: https://sonomamarintrain.org/healdsburg
| | Public Service Announcements | | |
The Civil Grand Jury is a historic institution that serves as the community’s independent watchdog. Operating under the authority of the Sonoma County Superior Court, it functions as part of the judicial branch to review local government operations and promote accountability.
To qualify as a grand juror, applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and a Sonoma County resident for at least one year. Additional legal requirements apply, including not currently serving as a trial juror or elected official and having no felony convictions. Grand Jurors should also be prepared to commit the necessary time, work collaboratively, take an interest in community issues and have strong investigative and writing skills.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Sonoma County Civil Grand Jury are now open and available. To apply, please complete this online application form.
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The Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s Office is hosting the California Secretary of State for a third Apostille Pop-Up Shop on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 435 Fiscal Dr., Santa Rosa, CA 95403.
Apostilles historically were obtained only at the state office in Sacramento or Los Angeles. Throughout the year, the Secretary of State team will partner with local county offices to bring in-person Apostille services to a location near you.
An Apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature of a California public official or notary public on a document for use in another country.
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Nothing is more important than maintaining Rohnert Park as a desirable place to live, do business and raise a family. Maintaining safe, clean streets and neighborhoods also helps strengthen local property values—priority for all of us.
That's why the City of Rohnert Park is conducting a community survey to solicit input on the services important to you. This, along with additional community outreach, is planned to give you a voice in the future of our City. We will keep you informed of what we're hearing from your neighbors and our ongoing efforts to maintain the services you deserve.
Take the survey here: https://www.rpcity.org/FormCenter/Communications-10/Our-Safety-Our-Parks-Our-Neighborhoods-81
Deadline to complete the survey is June 30.
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A fun community bike ride through the heart of Santa Rosa, every Tuesday, through the JC and McDonald Avenue neighborhoods, a stop in Courthouse Square, then on to the taco trucks at Mitote Food Park in Roseland. Rides canceled for rain and holidays. All riders welcome.
Meet at the SRJC parking lot at 550 Silva Ave. Taco Tuesday riders can park in the lot for free from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Meet at 5:30 p.m.; pedals up at 6 p.m.
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Each year, Sonoma County restaurants showcase their talents and local ingredients in their Restaurant Week dishes. Don’t miss your chance to try the cuisine of some of the area’s top eateries, as you sample their best on specially curated tasting menus all for an amazing price. Participating restaurants offer both a la carte and prix fixe options that run the gamut from house-made pasta and freshly caught seafood to Latine fare and classic California-style cuisine.
The annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will take place on Feb. 23 through March 1.
| | Dia de Nino Spring Event at Andy Lopez Unity Park | | |
Join the neighbors of Moorland as they celebrate a Spring Dia de Nino’s Event. Bring the entire family and enjoy music, art, games and fun for all.
April 25 | Noon - 4 p.m.
Andy Unity Park, 3399 Moorland Avenue, Santa Rosa CA 95407
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Sonoma State University will close out its month of celebrations with a closing ceremony focused on the topic of Black pride. Black-identified organizations on campus, along with other members of the student body and community, will highlight more of the achievements and successes of the Black community. The event will take place in SSU’s Student Center in Ballroom A on Feb. 25 from 7 - 8 p.m. The event will also be livestreamed here.
Feb. 25 from 7 - 8 p.m.
Sonoma State University, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, 707-664-4246
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