SoCo Correspondent delivers the latest news from the County of Sonoma, twice a month, to your email inbox. Subscribe in English or Spanish and share with your friends and neighbors. | | David Guhin named County Executive | | |
David Guhin, a longtime public servant with more than two decades of local government leadership in Sonoma County, has been selected by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to serve as the County’s next County Executive.
Guhin currently serves as city manager for the City of Sonoma and previously spent more than 18 years with the City of Santa Rosa, where he held several senior leadership positions including director of Santa Rosa Water, director of Planning and Economic Development and assistant city manager. He has also served as executive director of government operations for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.
“David Guhin is a proven leader with deep roots in Sonoma County and a clear understanding of the complex challenges facing our communities,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The Board is confident that his collaborative leadership style, integrity, and commitment to public service will serve our county well as we look to tackle future challenges.”
As County Executive, Guhin will serve as the County’s top administrator, leading an organization of more than 4,000 employees. His responsibilities include implementing Board policy, overseeing County departments and operations, managing the County’s budget and advancing strategic priorities that support residents throughout Sonoma County.
“I’m honored by the Board’s confidence and grateful for the opportunity to serve Sonoma County,” Guhin said. “I’ve had the privilege of working with cities, tribal government, and community partners, and I’m excited to bring that experience to serve at a countywide level and help move the Board of Supervisors’ goals and initiatives forward. I look forward to working with County employees and our community to deliver essential services and advance a shared vision for a healthy, resilient, and inclusive county.”
Guhin holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Sonoma State University. He will begin his new role April 20.
| | Sonoma County airport sets new records in 2025 | | |
Despite losing Avelo Airlines in midyear, Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport welcomed more travelers in 2025 than ever before.
By year’s end, the Santa Rosa airport served a record 780,637 passengers, surpassing the previous year’s total of 772,758. The milestone capped an unpredictable year that included the closure of Avelo’s hub at the airport in May and its decision to end all service to the airport in August.
The airport’s two remaining carriers, Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, both posted their best years ever at the Sonoma County airport.
Alaska Airlines expanded service to several existing destinations and added Palm Springs in the fall. The airline carried more than 572,000 passengers in 2025, an increase of nearly 17 percent over the prior year. American Airlines saw similar growth, serving nearly 118,000 passengers by adding additional flights and larger aircraft on its Phoenix route.
The airport will have even more options for travelers in 2026. Southwest Airlines will begin service at the airport in April, offering nonstop flights to San Diego, Las Vegas, Burbank and Denver. Demand for the Denver route has already exceeded expectations, prompting Southwest to announce it will increase service in August from once weekly to five days a week. Alaska will also launch new flights to Ontario, California, in March, and American plans to resume service to Dallas in May.
“Our goal is to provide dependable air service that people in Sonoma County can count on,” said Jon Stout, airport manager. “Reaching a new passenger record reflects the trust travelers place in this airport and the strength of the service our airline partners continue to offer.”
| | Sonoma County invests opioid settlement funds in housing for people recovering from drug addiction | | |
Rising drug overdose rates and limited access to treatment programs have created a public health emergency in Sonoma County. Addressing addiction requires more than treatment alone – safe, stable housing paired with the right support services can make the difference between recovery and relapse.
To meet that need, the County has finalized an agreement with Buckelew Programs to develop four new sober-living communities. Buckelew’s 68-bed Housing for Hope project will provide structured, substance-free housing alongside wraparound services, expanding recovery options for residents working to rebuild their lives.
The $7.7 million project will be funded jointly by the County and Buckelew, a North Bay nonprofit that provides mental health and substance use treatment services. The County is devoting $3.8 million from its share of the national opioid settlement with drug manufacturers, part of a plan approved by the Board of Supervisors last August to create long-term solutions to the opioid crisis.
“This investment reflects Sonoma County’s commitment to meeting people where they are and expanding access to recovery-oriented housing that saves lives,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By partnering with Buckelew Programs and community partners, we are using opioid settlement funds as they were intended – to build long-term solutions that strengthen families, support recovery, and improve health outcomes across our county.”
The first homes will be built in Santa Rosa on a vacant lot on Doyle Park Drive, put up for sale by Providence. Gallaher Companies and OSL Construction are managing development at cost, and Poppy Bank is providing a matching loan to cover interim expenses.
| | County expanding access to health and homelessness services in Sonoma Valley | | |
Residents in the Sonoma Valley will soon have easier access to a range of County mental health, substance use and homeless services, thanks to a new Department of Health Services office planned in the city of Sonoma.
The Board of Supervisors last week approved a three-year lease for office space at 19080 Lomita Ave., creating a centralized location for several DHS programs that operate countywide. DHS will consolidate staff in behavioral health, youth and family services, crisis response and homelessness outreach under one roof, expanding the role of the Lomitas campus as a hub for County services in Sonoma Valley.
The site already houses the office of District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo and her staff. Several County departments use the facility to help residents access Medi-Cal, CalFresh, child support services and the WIC nutrition program for pregnant women, new mothers and their children. When additional Health Services teams move in this summer, the expanded office will make it easier for Sonoma Valley residents to connect with DHS services locally, rather than traveling to other parts of the county.
“This new Sonoma Valley office will help constituents get the support and resources they need, close to home,” Hermosillo said. “With this lease, we’re advancing our County’s strategic goal of building neighborhood-based service centers that improve public access to government services, especially in communities like Sonoma Valley that have long needed more support.”
| | Health Services improves payment timelines, strengthens nonprofit partnerships | | |
The team of workers at the Department of Health Services who improved contract and payment times.
Getting paid on time isn’t just an accounting issue for nonprofits that contract with the County to deliver safety net services. It can determine whether organizations can make payroll, retain staff and continue programs residents rely on for their physical and mental health.
Over the last two years, the Department of Health Services has made significant progress in executing contracts and processing invoices more efficiently. By streamlining internal workflows, filling key administrative vacancies and improving the use of technology, the department has reduced delays that previously slowed payments to community-based organizations.
Health Services is now on track to fully execute approximately 160 new, amended or renewed contracts with local nonprofits before the new fiscal year starts July 1. By realigning the department’s procurement, contracting and budgeting schedules, nonprofit partners will be able to submit invoices and receive payments without disruption.
The department has also shortened the time it takes to file Medi-Cal reimbursement claims to under 60 days. Health Services delivers mental health and other services to residents covered by Medi-Cal and must submit claims to be reimbursed by the state. Filing claims more quickly improves the County’s cash flow, strengthens documentation and reduces costly errors.
“Health Services is delivering on its promise to promptly pay our nonprofit partners for the vital services they provide,” said Nolan Sullivan, director of the County’s Department of Health Services. “When contracts and payments move on time, nonprofits stay financially stable, staff can stay focused on care, and residents continue receiving the health care and mental health services they depend on without disruption. I am incredibly proud of the billing and finance staff at DHS who have put in tremendous effort that is really paying off for those in need in Sonoma County.”
| | Board of Supervisors approves funding to plan Lakeville Highway improvements | | |
The County is working to improve Lakeville Highway, using funds intended to mitigate traffic impacts from the Graton Resort and Casino outside Rohnert Park.
The Board of Supervisors approved an agreement on Jan. 27 with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority to spend up to $9.2 million developing concepts and alternatives for improving the Lakeville Highway corridor southeast of Petaluma.
The money comes from long-standing agreements with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to help pay for transportation improvements that offset traffic associated with the casino. Under earlier agreements, a portion of casino revenues passed through the County to SCTA, supporting the widening of Highway 101 through the Novato Narrows. After that project was completed, remaining mitigation funds were held while the County, SCTA and their partners identified the most effective next use.
County and SCTA staff agreed that improvements to Lakeville Highway between Highway 37 and the area near Cougar Mountain Drive represent the best opportunity to further reduce transportation impacts from the casino resort. The agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors allows SCTA to use the $9.2 million already in its possession to fund planning and environmental review for future construction work.
“These mitigation funds exist to address real impacts on our communities, and it’s important that we use them responsibly,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “By investing in planning now, we can develop solutions that improve safety on Lakeville Highway and make daily travel more reliable for the people who depend on this corridor.”
| | Savor the best of Sonoma County during Restaurant Week | | |
Each winter, Sonoma County’s restaurants open their doors for a weeklong celebration of the local dining scene.
Sonoma County Restaurant Week returns Feb. 23-March 1, offering diners a chance to experience special menus and limited-time offerings from restaurants across the county. From casual neighborhood spots to destination dining rooms, the event highlights the creativity and range of Sonoma County’s restaurant community.
Restaurant Week is designed to do more than celebrate good food. Organized by the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative, the annual event helps support local restaurants during a typically quieter season while encouraging residents to discover new places – and rediscover familiar ones. Last year, the event drew 67,000 customers and generated $1.1 million in economic activity, according to the Economic Development Collaborative, which provides confidential, no-cost consulting services to businesses seeking to start, relocate and grow in Sonoma County.
This year, more than 75 restaurants have created prix fixe menus or special deals that make it easy to try something new, whether that’s a cuisine you haven’t explored before or a restaurant you’ve been meaning to visit. Many locations offer options for lunch, dinner or takeout, making it simple to fit Restaurant Week into your schedule.
Menus and participating restaurants can be found at socorestaurantweek.org, where you can search by location, cuisine, amenities and price range. No tickets are required – just make a reservation or place an order and enjoy.
| | Need an apostille? State brings one-day pop-up back to Santa Rosa on Feb. 26 | | |
Skip the road trip. You don’t need to travel to Sacramento or Los Angeles to get an apostille, a certificate that authenticates documents for use in other countries.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Sonoma County Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s Office will host the California Secretary of State’s office for a one-day Apostille Pop-Up Shop in Santa Rosa. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 435 Fiscal Dr., just down the block from the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor’s office.
This marks the third time Sonoma County has hosted the traveling service, part of a statewide effort to make apostilles more accessible by bringing them directly to local communities.
An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature and seal of a California public official or notary on a document intended for use in another country. Apostilles are commonly required for birth or marriage certificates, school records and legal or business documents so foreign governments can verify the documents are legitimate.
To receive an apostille, residents should bring their original signed document and a completed request form. The cost is $20 per apostille, plus a $6 handling fee for each different public official signature. Visa, Mastercard, checks and money orders payable to the “Secretary of State” will be accepted; cash will not. Forms and details are available on the Secretary of State’s apostille website.
| | The Human Services Department: Building bridges to opportunity | | |
When people fall on hard times, the Sonoma County Human Services Department helps them get back on their feet. Its Employment & Training Division serves people who need extra help finding work and meeting their basic needs, including families with very low incomes, people experiencing homelessness, young adults starting their careers, and individuals facing barriers such as disability or limited work experience.
Through more than 20 programs, the division provides cash assistance, housing support, job training, education and connections to employment, helping people move from crisis toward stability.
Last year, the division aided more than 2,300 households through SonomaWORKS, delivering $19.8 million to families with young children. It helped nearly 900 people through its General Assistance program, which provides temporary cash assistance to people in need. More than 500 individuals received housing support and 300 households received assistance with child care.
For many participants, the support is life-changing. “Without you guys I would not have been able to think about going to school… it’s a dream,” shared one SonomaWORKS participant.
“The Employment & Training Division works with individuals and families during some of the most challenging times in their lives,” said Angela Struckmann, director of the Human Services Department. “By providing financial support and pathways to employment, our caring and dedicated staff help people regain stability and build a stronger, more secure future.”
| | County seeks ideas for civic and commercial spaces at Tierra de Rosas | | |
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.
Tierra de Rosas is a major investment in Roseland, a historically underserved southwest Santa Rosa neighborhood that has long lacked an established community hub and access to services and gathering spaces. The RFI calls for concepts to develop the two parcels in ways that emphasize inclusive design, economic opportunity, long-term sustainability and cultural relevance for Roseland’s predominantly Latine community.
The two parcels will sit alongside new public parking, affordable housing and the Plaza Permanente public park, creating an opportunity to anchor community-serving uses in the heart of Roseland as the neighborhood continues to grow.
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.
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County currently has nearly 40 job openings posted on its website. How can you improve your chances of landing one?
Sign up for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The next two-hour class will be held March 5 at noon on Zoom.
The free class is intended for the public, whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.
Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the March 5 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Nala. I’m a 4-year-old female Queensland Heeler mix who was brought to the shelter last August. I’m playful, snuggly, and ready to bring endless smiles your way. Will you take me into your family?
Nala is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
Animal Services helps match pets and families through an adoption process designed to support your lifestyle and the animal’s needs. Shelter staff are ready to assist with applications, answer questions and share details about each animal’s health, temperament and care. All animals adopted through the shelter go home spayed or neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccinations, giving your new companion the healthiest start possible in your forever home.
| | Get involved with County government | | |
Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve. There are many opportunities available now to support the community by serving on County boards, commissions and committees. Here are just three examples:
Check out the full list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
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