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Hello neighbors,
As we move into May, the pace is picking up — gardens are blooming, kids are counting down to summer, and there’s a lot happening across the Fifth District. This newsletter is packed with updates, from proposed changes to sewer capacity charges and service rates, to a fascinating look at endangered white abalone research right here on our coast. We’re also spotlighting new harm-reduction vending machines, resources for behavioral health, and local MAC meetings where your voice can help shape the future.
One important highlight: Sheriff Eddie Engram will be joining this Thursday’s Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council meeting to provide an update on the Narcotics Task Force pilot program. This is an issue that impacts many families, and I encourage you to attend — whether in person or remotely — to learn more and share your perspective. If you attend the meeting in person, or any time you visit our West County Services Center - please pick up free Narcan, Fentanyl test strips or Covid tests.
Thank you, as always, for your care, your ideas, and your engagement. I’m proud to represent you, and even prouder of the work we’re doing together.
With gratitude,
Lynda
| | Proposed Sewer Capacity & Service Rate Increases for Russian River County Sanitation District and Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone | | |
On Monday, May 13th, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will review and take action on proposed updates to sewer capacity charge rates proposed by Sonoma Water. This item is scheduled for 10:05 AM in the Board Chambers at 575 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa.
So, what exactly are capacity charges? These are one-time fees applied to new development or significantly changed properties to help cover the costs of expanding or improving sewer infrastructure. And just to clarify: capacity charges are different from your monthly sewer bill — they are separate from customer sewer rates.
In the Russian River County Sanitation District, the proposed new rate is $15,589 per Equivalent Single-Family Dwelling - up from the current $5,969.
In the Sea Ranch Sanitation Zone, the proposed new rate is $20,232 per Equivalent Single-Family Dwelling - up from the current $6,230.
If you want to dive deeper into what this all means, Sonoma Water has put together a full breakdown and a set of FAQs, which you can find at: www.sonomawater.org/capacity-charges.
Also worth noting: sewer service rates are proposed to go up 8.5% in the Russian River area, bringing the annual rate to $2,486 for Fiscal Year 2025–26. Sewer rates are proposed to increase 8.9% in the Sea Ranch area, bringing the annual rate to $1,806. The sanitation rate relief program will remain available for qualifying low-income households and nonprofits that provide housing.
| | Vacation Beach Summer Crossing Update | | |
Sonoma County Public Infrastructure has secured the necessary permits for this year’s installation. Per environmental regulations, construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 16, 2025.
If all goes smoothly, the crossing may be open to traffic by Friday, June 20, 2025. As with any project, timelines can shift due to weather or other unforeseen conditions, but this is the current plan.
| | Sonoma County Behavioral Health Updates | | |
The Behavioral Health Division is making important changes to its services, and they want to hear from you.
In 2024, California passed Proposition 1, transitioning from the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) effective July 1, 2026.
This shift will prioritize housing, enhance mental health services, and it is aiming to provide better support for individuals with serious behavioral health concerns. We value your input! Your responses will help guide Sonoma County in determining how to allocate funding, improve services, and plan for the future. The survey will take you 5-7 minutes to complete.
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Sonoma County Behavioral Health has developed a resource map to help you navigate and connect with a variety of behavioral health services and support options available in our community. While not an exhaustive list of all resources, it serves as a helpful starting point to guide you in finding the assistance you need.
The map is organized into six key categories: Crisis Support, Behavioral Health, Children and Youth Services, Advocacy and Supportive Services, Cultural Aid, and Housing and Basic Needs. Whether you are seeking immediate help or long-term support, this map provides essential tools to begin your journey toward improved well-being.
| | New 'Health To Go' Vending Machines Provide Free Health and Wellness Items | | |
Given the recent tragic deaths of teenagers in our community from fentanyl poisoning, Supervisor Hopkins is pleased that life-saving tools like Narcan and fentanyl strips will be made available through these new Health To Go vending machines, an initiative of Sonoma County Public Health. We urgently need to do whatever we can to prevent more deaths and provide residents in need with access to these vital supplies.
These unique vending machines contain free health and wellness supplies such as fentanyl test strips, the opioid overdose reversal drug Narcan, condoms, pregnancy tests and gun locks.
The project is designed to address gaps in current services by enhancing accessibility, lowering costs, and protecting privacy. The plan includes strategically placing vending machines that offer harm-reduction products, health and hygiene items, and other essential resources to better support those who need these free services most. The selection of products will be refined over time based on actual usage, ensuring the items meet the real needs of the community.
The first two vending machines have been installed in the Bertolini Student Center at Santa Rosa Junior College and at the Russian River Health and Wellness Center in Guerneville. A third is temporarily located at Sonoma County Public Health offices. Up to four additional vending machines will be deployed in other parts of the county.
| The Health To Go vending machine at Russian River Health and Wellness Center in Guerneville. | | Learning About White Abalone | | |
A group of Sonoma Coast MAC members and their guests made a field trip to visit the U.C. Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory on April 25, 2025. The group was hosted by Dr. Kristin Aquilino Associate Director of the Lab.
We toured the lobby filled with aquariums, their research library, auditorium and the White Abalone lab run by Dr. Alyssa Frederick. The white abalone is a critically endangered ESA listed species, which NOAA leads recovery efforts for. Her lab is the world’s largest reserve of white abalone: it has more white abalones than those in the wild! We learned so much about them and got to get up close for photographs. This research has been in progress for over a decade and has achieved a major breakthrough resulting in the spawning of white abalone at scale. The lab has been providing baby abalone to multiple sites within California to help to restore these endangered populations in their native habitats.
Abalone are large gastropod mollusks found on all continents except for Antartica. California has seven species: red, pink, white, green, black, pinto and flat. The white abalone is naturally found at deeper regions of the ocean and is the most tender species favored for eating. Red abalone are occur from Baja to Alaska, not just in Sonoma and Mendocino. In addition to red abalone black, pinto, and flat abalone also occur in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. All California abalone are at the risk of extinction.
To learn more about this important work please visit: https://whiteabalone.org/, BML’s Library website, BML’s webcam, and BML’s Conferences and Events page.
The public is invited for free tours of the Marine Lab by making a reservation.
| | Thank you to Bodega Bay Coast MAC representative Ginny Nichols for arranging the tour and providing this report & photos. | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | |
Learn How to Launch a Fire Safety Project with Measure H
Fire Safe Sonoma has been selected by the Sonoma County Fire Chiefs Association to help identify and prioritize fire safety projects for the Northern Sonoma County Fuels Crews, funded by Measure H.
They’re looking for community-supported projects—like roadside hazard clearing and defensible space work—near homes (within 30–100 feet) that can move forward quickly under a CEQA exemption.
If you have a project in mind, attend this Measure H Fuels Reduction Presentation to learn how to turn your idea into action using Measure H resources.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Zoom
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Community Coffee / Cafecito Comunitario
Monday May 19, 8 - 9 AM
West County Services Center
16390 Main Street, Guerneville
District 5 invites you to drop in to our "Cafecito Comunitario" on the third Monday each month. You don't have to stay; you can just stop by to visit with D5 staff, enjoy a delicious pastry and coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; then go about your day. Everyone is welcome; we look forward to seeing you!
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Fifth District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins | County of Sonoma | 707-565-2241
Lynda.Hopkins@sonoma-county.org
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