If you haven’t flown out of Sonoma County recently, consider booking your next flight from Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. You’ll get a chance to experience the airport’s new $40 million terminal, which makes it easier and more enjoyable than ever to connect to 11 destinations including in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona and Texas. In this edition of SoCo Correspondent, we’ve got the latest on these changes at the airport. Plus, we report on several new initiatives by the county to expand the supply of affordable housing and stabilize rents at mobile home parks. We’ve also got updates on upcoming meetings and new resources to help you track trends in the county’s health and economy.

As always, we encourage you to share this newsletter with friends, colleagues and family members or urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on the first and third week of each month.

¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.

Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport celebrated the completion of a $40 million project to upgrade its terminal.

The project added more than 27,000 square feet of space including a renovated ticketing lobby, improved double-lane security lanes, and a large main lobby with four additional boarding gates and dedicated concessionaires. The terminal also received a new baggage claim area equipped with two baggage carousels, outdoor seating and pet relief areas, improvements to car rental and public viewing areas, and local artwork recognizing the airport’s namesake, “Peanuts” cartoonist Charles M. Schulz.

“The investment in a modernized air terminal not only helps meet Sonoma County’s transportation needs, but it also secures our place as a convenient alternative to larger airports to the south,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors.

The final segment features a renovated front entrance of the terminal, which has been transformed by glass paneling. The new terminal officially opened to the public last November, although the glass-paneled front entrance was not completed until August. Officials celebrated with an official ceremony and tours on Aug. 23. Swing by and say hi to Charlie Brown and Linus, whose familiar bronze statues have returned to the front of the terminal to welcome travelers.

Sonoma County is required to build 3,824 housing units in unincorporated areas over the next eight years to meet housing targets set by the state. But where will these homes go?

The answer to that question can be found in the county’s updated Housing Element, which was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 22. The plan identifies pipeline projects and sites in unincorporated areas that can accommodate new housing to meet state mandates.

The Housing Element includes a number of programs that protect low-income residents and renters. If certified by the state, the Housing Element will help the county leverage opportunities for funding affordable housing.

“The state gave us a massive mandate, increasing our housing target sevenfold since our last Housing Element update eight years ago,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “In this update, we needed to strike a balance between providing enough development opportunity to meet housing needs while still adhering to our core land-use-planning principles. That wasn’t always possible under the state’s rules, but with hard work and lots of public input, we got it done.”

Disasters happen - be prepared! September serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work and vacation.

Your actions and emergency preparedness will help you and your family stay safe and be ready for the next disaster. Understand disaster risks in your region and develop a plan to stay safe, have an emergency kit, and receive information as events unfold. Additional tips include:

• Sign up for alerts - The County’s alert and warning systems have grown to notify residents of an emergency in their area early and accurately.
• Know your zone - County of Sonoma and its incorporated cities have established standardized evacuation zones. Learn your zone for home and work and be ready to go when an evacuation order or warning for your zone is issued.
• Have a go-bag ready - Personal Preparedness Go Bags should contain a minimum of 72 hours worth of essential supplies you’ll need, including emergency water, food, blankets, lights, face mask, and copies of important documents that will help you through any situation.

Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management is offering "What's in your go bag" emergency preparedness classes throughout the month of September. Sign up today!

The Veterans Memorial Building in Santa Rosa will be getting $3.5 million in improvements designed to make the community hub and gathering place for our region’s venerated veterans more energy efficient and resilient to power outages and climate change.

The facility will get air conditioning for the first time, allowing it to support veterans during the hot summer months while also serving as a public cooling center during extreme heat events. A new solar-powered microgrid and battery storage system will cut greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring the electricity remains on during blackouts and other emergencies.

The building is used daily by community groups and local veterans, several of whom spoke in favor of the project at the Aug. 22 Board of Supervisors meeting. The building also plays a critical role during disasters, serving as a regional evacuation hub and emergency shelter.

The project will pay for itself by generating more than $4.9 million in energy savings over the useful lifetime of the equipment while qualifying for nearly $600,000 in incentives.

A new interactive website developed by the county Department of Health Services allows the public to explore local trends in the health and well-being of people who live in Sonoma County.

The Community Health Dashboard presents health care and demographic data in ways that are easy to visualize and understand, in English and in Spanish. It will help elected officials, health professionals, community-based organizations and the public recognize emerging health trends and make data-informed decisions about the best ways to address health inequities in the community.

The dashboard reveals ways that local health needs have evolved in the aftermath of wildfires and a pandemic – and where areas of health inequity persist in our community. The data spotlights trends since 2016 in the areas of prevention and resiliency, health access, physical well-being, emotional well-being, and longevity.

Additional data will be added to highlight social, economic and other non-medical factors that shape the health of communities. The dashboard will continue to be updated and refined based on community feedback and as new data sources become available.

This profile is part of an ongoing series highlighting public servants

across a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma.

Name: Valerie Schlafke

Title: Inspector/Housing Navigator/Landlord Negotiator with the Sonoma County Community Development Commission

Years with County: 2+

Personal side: I live on the west side of Santa Rosa with my wife of 28 years in a beautiful mobile home park. We have every fruit tree that can grow in our park.

Education and/or certifications: I have gone through the Neighborhood Emergency Response Team training program in San Francisco, and I’m certified as a High-Rise Fire Safety Director. I worked over 30 years in property management in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties. Most of this work was with affordable properties, although I also managed high-rise condos and high-income sites.

What do you do? I help people with housing vouchers find a safe, decent and affordable place to rent. The Section 8 voucher program allows people to pay about 30 percent of their income toward rent, and the Community Development Commission pays the balance, within reasonable limits, directly to the landlord. Most of my clients are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, so much of what I do is counsel folks to address credit issues, establish residence history and gather all important documents. Many times this can take months to accomplish. Over that time I get to know people better and really discover the true barriers they are facing. Unfortunately discrimination exists in many different forms. I’m often sharing information with landlords about state and federal fair housing laws, which prohibit discrimination in housing because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), family status or disability. But there are other ways that landlords discriminate against the poor without violating the law. Some rank the person with the most money as the “most qualified” applicant, and some even require applicants to have no debt at all. One company prevented a senior from moving in because he had a charge-off in 1996 when he still owed $91 to Montgomery Ward. Charge-offs cannot be paid. Some days this can be pretty disheartening.

What are some of the misconceptions you encounter around your work? There are many myths about our homeless population, and one of them is that they are not from here. I can tell you that 99.5 percent of the people I help were born and raised in Sonoma County. There are also a lot of misconceptions about housing vouchers. We have roughly 300 people in this county who hold housing vouchers but can’t find a place to rent. Landlords and property managers are missing out on a great source of guaranteed income if they don’t embrace renters with vouchers. Everyone deserves to be housed and everyone also has responsibilities in order to maintain that housing.

What gives you fulfillment? I am most satisfied when we help people into permanent housing and break the cycle of homelessness by helping them gain the information and skills to succeed. We are very fortunate in this county to have so many resources. The Community Development Commission is a positive work environment full of people who really do want to make a difference and help others. After spending more than 30 years in property management, this job is a perfect fit for me because I understand and respect both the landlord and the applicant. No business agreement works unless it is good for both parties. Having been a renter for many years I can empathize with people struggling to find stable housing in the county – a place they can come to every night and call home.



Passions outside of work? During warm weather I swim every day and, when I have time, I hike – I live next to some of the best creekside paths we have here in Santa Rosa. I also kayak and Boogie board. We have so much great music in this county so I also go out and dance when I have the energy.

Are you looking for a new job? Thinking about career options for the future? Learn how you can take the next step in your professional life and join the County of Sonoma family!

Start Here! is a virtual class on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon that provides an overview of the county’s job application, examination and selection processes. The two-hour session provides information on how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more. If you have any questions or are unable to attend this class and would like to be notified when future classes are held, email us at careers@sonoma-county.org and we will add you to the mailing list. Let us help guide you through the county’s selection process.

There were hugs and even a few tears Aug. 22 when directors of Sonoma County Ag + Open Space approved $7.2 million in matching grants to preserve Petaluma’s first urban farm, develop a new trail south of Sonoma and create three community parks in Roseland, Mark West and Geyserville.

Since 1994, the matching grant program has provided nearly $40 million toward projects in all nine incorporated cities and in multiple unincorporated areas. The five newest projects reflect the mission of the program – to build local partnerships that create and enhance open space so people can get outside and experience the joy, solace, and wellness benefits of nature and agriculture. They include:

• Bounty Community Farm: The $2 million grant will help Petaluma People Services purchase land it has used for more than 15 years to grow healthy food in the center of Petaluma and educate the community about sustainable agriculture.
• Sonoma Schellville Trail: The $1 million grant will allow Sonoma County Regional Parks to buy railroad right-of-way in Schellville and build a trail that connects with local and regional trails.
• Geyserville Community Plaza: The $1 million grant will enable the county Public Infrastructure Department and Geyserville Municipal Advisory Council to create the community’s first public park.
• Tierra de Rosas: The $2 million grant will allow the county’s Community Development Commission to create open green space in the heart of its mixed-use development in Roseland.
• Mark West Community Park: The $1.2 million grant will help Sonoma Land Trust purchase one acre of land burned in the 2017 wildfires and turn it into a community park.

“While all of our work is focused on conserving natural and working lands for the benefit of all who call Sonoma County home, this program was created by our community to make sure we clearly prioritize open space projects that are responsive to the needs of our more urban communities,” said Misti Arias, general manager of Ag + Open Space.

Tolay Lake Regional Park, approximately eight miles southeast of downtown Petaluma. 

A partnership between the Cloverdale and Northern Sonoma County fire protection districts has been awarded $7.4 million in state and federal grants for fire prevention and vegetation management work in the wider Cloverdale area.

The work will include removing understory vegetation and creating shaded fuel breaks that help prevent wildfires from spreading into the tops of trees. The Northern Sonoma County Community Emergency Response Team, which has a strong history of public-private partnerships for community benefit, played a critical role in obtaining the grant for North County Fire, a joint power authority.

“I’m excited and inspired by the joint efforts of CERT and other community groups, fire districts, and city and county governments on an array of initiatives,” said Supervisor James Gore, who represents the Cloverdale area. “Our community coming together has always been the most productive way to forge progress in enhancing resiliency.”

The Board of Supervisors is considering whether to update an ordinance that limits how much rents can rise in mobile parks in unincorporated areas of the county. To protect renters while they explore potential changes, supervisors temporarily prohibited rent increases in mobile home parks last month.

“We are placing a pause on rent increases in mobile home parks while we have a discussion about the best way to regulate these rents,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. In the end, our goal is to protect renters and this critical source of affordable housing for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

The moratorium, which took effect Aug. 22, will expire at the end of February 2024 or sooner if the board amends existing regulations. It does not apply to mobile home parks in the county’s nine cities.

The county’s existing ordinance caps rent increases at 100 percent of the Consumer Price Index or 6 percent annually, whichever is less. There are nearly 70 mobile home parks with more than 2,800 spaces in unincorporated areas of the county. Many are occupied by people who own their mobile home but rent the land it sits on and live on a fixed income.

Raising money to create affordable housing can be a bit like building a puzzle. It takes a lot of pieces. Last month, the Board of Supervisors provided an important one by approving $1.4 million in loans for four housing projects in Santa Rosa, Windsor and Guerneville.

The four projects will create 159 new housing units. All will be set aside for extremely-low, very-low and low-income households except for three units designated for on-site managers. The loans will be funded by the Permanent Local Housing Allocation program, which is administered by the county’s Community Development Commission.

“This is a pivotal step in increasing the affordable housing stock in Sonoma County,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Each one of these homes will play a critical role in providing stability, peace of mind and comfort to the most vulnerable members of our community.”

The Sonoma County economy is continuing to evolve. Three new reports from the county Economic Development Board reveal the latest trends. The reports include:

Financial Services Industry: Hiring in the county’s financial services sector is responsible for about 5 percent of net new jobs in Sonoma County over the past year. See how it is faring in the wake of rising interest rates and the Silicon Valley Bank failure.

Q2 Job Market Tracker: Local employers posted 17,604 unique jobs in the second quarter of 2023. Find out what types of jobs are being created in Sonoma County and where they are located.

Q1 Transient Occupancy Tax: Revenues from county and local taxes on overnight visitors fell to $11.4 million in the first quarter of 2023, a decline of 12.7 percent from a year ago. See where the money is going. 

Did you suffer losses during the storms that battered Sonoma County last winter? Consider applying for a low-interest federal disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed during storms from Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 31, 2023. Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

Businesses can apply for economic injury assistance, regardless of whether they suffered any property damage. Additional funds are available to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize future disaster damage.

Applications and information are available at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov

Sonoma Water is expanding its efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change, which is leading to more frequent and severe droughts, fewer but more intense storms and increased risk of wildfires.

Members of the Board of Supervisors, who also serve as directors of the county water agency, approved a new Energy and Climate Resiliency Policy on Aug. 15 that will guide Sonoma Water’s work to proactively prepare for the effects of climate change.

“The policy reflects Sonoma Water’s leadership in advancing science-based, partner-driven solutions to prepare regional water systems for climate impacts,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins. “It also requires us to look more rigorously at who will be impacted by the changing climate and to collaborate with low-income and communities of color to ensure that we develop equitable policies and programs.”

The updated policy focuses on tracking and completion of projects listed in Sonoma Water’s 2021 Climate Action Plan, which identified 77 actions needed to prepare for and adapt to climate challenges in the agency’s water, sanitation and flood-risk reduction systems. More than half of these projects are already in progress. Another 10 percent of those actions will require additional investments to ensure the county has reliable access to water and sanitation services.

Get involved with local government

Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve. There are many ways you can become involved in local government by serving on local boards, commissions and committees.

Current vacancies include:

• Child Care Planning Council of Sonoma County: To develop ongoing comprehensive planning for child care needs in the county and to provide greater coordination of and advocacy for child care services.

• Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County: To partner with low-income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social stability.

• Green Valley Cemetery District: To oversee care of the grounds, sell plots and maintain records of burials, secure liability insurance, provide annual audit materials and submit an annual report to the State Controller’s Office.

• Independent Citizens’ Pension Committee: To ensure a more fair, equitable, and sustainable county pension system.

• Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: To promote the physical, social and emotional health of families, children and adolescents in Sonoma County.

• Sonoma County Local Task Force on Integrated Waste Management: To develop goals, policies and procedures around waste management, waste reduction and recycling.

• Sonoma Mendocino Economic Development District: To launch a comprehensive economic development strategy built around economic diversification, human capital, innovation and entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

• Workforce Investment Board: To lead an integrated workforce development system to ensure the county’s economic vitality and quality of life.

Check out the list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.

My name is Rosa. I’m an 8-year-old female German Shepherd who’s been at the shelter since March 13. I weigh 89 pounds and love to play fetch, but have some dental issues that may need to be addressed. Did you know tennis balls can damage a dog’s teeth? My caretakers recommend that I play with hard rubber balls instead. I would thrive in an adult home with people willing to work with me (I sometimes display bad manners when taking the ball from my handler during fetch).

Rosa is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.

Volunteer opportunities

Make a difference in your community. Find out how you can give back here.

Employment opportunities

Take your next career step with the County of Sonoma. Explore employment opportunities here.

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• Long-awaited repairs underway on Moscow Road in Monte Rio (Aug. 31)
• Sonoma County’s affordable housing voucher waitlist opens next month. Here’s what to know (Aug. 31)
• Mark West Mark West Area Community Fund holds open house to raise money for new community park (Aug. 26)
• Caltrans scraps plan to replace aging Bohemian Highway Bridge in Monte Rio, leaving Sonoma County officials scrambling (Aug. 24)
• Sonoma County airport celebrates completion of terminal, announces new additions to airport experience (Aug. 24)
• Overall rate of homelessness in Sonoma County drops, but worrying trends persist (Aug. 23)
• Public Health officials launch investigation into infections after Tough Mudder endurance race (Aug. 23)
• Sonoma County ‘blindsided’ as Sonoma Developmental Center developer seeks to add hundreds more housing units (Aug. 23)
• Supervisors approve housing blueprint (Aug. 22)
• Sonoma County takes a step toward updating mobile home rent control for unincorporated county (Aug. 22)
• Sonoma County Board of Supervisors poised to vote on new housing blueprint (Aug. 21)
• Sonoma County airport puts finishing touches on yearslong construction project (Aug. 21)
• Sonoma County urged to bolster Animal Services division after horse death (Aug. 16)
• Creative Sonoma seeking applicants for Arts and Schools grants (Aug. 16)
• Embrace the seasons safely: Fire and water safety tips this August (Aug. 15)
• Sonoma County’s beloved K9 search-and-rescue hero now a firehouse dog (Aug. 13)
• Sonoma County Fair’s 2023 season was a hit, official says (Aug. 13)
• Video: Emergency managers from more than a dozen countries visit county’s Emergency Operations Center (video starts at 13:45 mark) (Aug. 10)

Upcoming events

Sept. 7 -- Planning Commission

Sept. 12 -- Board of Supervisors

Sept. 13 -- Springs Municipal Advisory Council

Sept. 14 -- Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council

Sept. 14 -- Commission on the Status of Women

Sept. 19 -- Board of Supervisors

Sept. 19 -- North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Council

Sept. 19 -- Mental Health Board

Sept. 20 -- Fire Memorial Task Force

Sept. 20 -- Community Development Committee

Sept. 21 -- Planning Commission

Sept. 21 -- Coast Municipal Advisory Council

Sept. 21 -- Dry Creek Valley Citizens Advisory Council

Sept. 26 -- Board of Supervisors

Sept. 26 -- Human Rights Commission

Sept. 27 -- Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission

Sept. 27 -- Economic Development Board

Sept. 27 -- Continuum of Care Board

Sept. 28 -- Ag + Open Space District Advisory Committee

Oct. 3 -- Board of Supervisors

Oct. 4 -- Measure O Citizens Oversight Committee

Oct. 4 -- IOLERO Community Advisory Council

Oct. 5 -- Planning Commission

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A publication of the County Administrator’s Office – Communications Staff