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. | | County budget hearings start June 9 | | |
The County is preparing for one of the most challenging budget years in recent memory as new federal requirements, rising costs and delayed disaster reimbursements put pressure on local services.
County budget hearings begin June 9, giving residents an opportunity to share their priorities with the Board of Supervisors before it adopts a final spending plan for the coming year. The baseline proposed budget includes $2.83 billion in spending, a 1.5% increase from the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. It would reduce the County workforce by the equivalent of 109 full-time positions, bringing the total workforce to 4,392 FTE positions.
One of the County’s biggest challenges is matching services and staffing levels to available funding. Rising costs and the loss of some federal and state funding may force several departments to cut jobs or scale back services.
At the same time, County leaders are preparing for the impacts of H.R. 1, a federal law that will tighten eligibility requirements for Medi-Cal and CalFresh. The law adds work requirements for some recipients and requires more frequent eligibility reviews, increasing the County’s administrative workload. The changes could place thousands of residents at risk of losing health care or food assistance while increasing the County’s workload to administer the programs. County leaders are proposing investments to help eligible residents maintain access to Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits and prepare community health centers for an increase in uninsured patients.
The budget is also squeezed by the cost of repairing roads and bridges damaged by years of storms and disasters. Sonoma County is still awaiting more than $30 million in FEMA and state reimbursements for completed work, and future road projects could be delayed without additional funding.
“This year’s budget hearings come at a time of significant financial uncertainty,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “We are balancing the need to maintain critical services with rising costs and changing state and federal policies. I encourage the community to engage and participate in the budget hearing process and share their priorities, as these difficult budget decisions will affect us all.”
The County Executive’s recommendations include restoration of nearly 38 FTE positions as well as the addition of 56 positions, primarily to address impacts of H.R. 1, as well as additional support for roads while deferring many other requests until after the state budget is finalized.
Residents will have an opportunity to comment each day of the hearings. Deliberations may continue June 10, with the board expected to adopt a final budget June 12.
| | County launches action plan to support Sonoma County agriculture | | |
Agriculture has long shaped Sonoma County’s landscape, economy and identity. Now, as farmers and ranchers face growing economic and environmental pressures, the County is taking new steps to help the industry remain strong for generations to come.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved a coordinated action plan to support local agriculture. The plan formally recognizes agriculture and working lands as critical infrastructure essential to the county’s economy, environment and food security.
Agriculture represents 18% of Sonoma County’s economy, supporting nearly 34,000 jobs, 1,930 businesses and more than $10 billion in annual economic activity. Yet the industry is grappling with labor shortages, rising costs, climate pressures and market uncertainty. Since 2018, the county has lost 14 dairies and more than 2,700 acres of vineyard, a significant contraction in two of the county’s leading agricultural sectors. The value of local agricultural products declined 9.3% in 2024 to $857.6 million, according to the most recent Sonoma County Crop Report.
“Agriculture is essential to Sonoma County’s economy, environment and identity,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “The workers, farmers and ranchers who feed our communities and care for our land are facing real challenges right now. This action reflects the County’s commitment to supporting the people behind our agricultural economy and helping agriculture remain viable for future generations.”
The workplan includes updates to agritourism policies, greater flexibility for farmers adapting their operations, reviews of agricultural land-use policies and expanded efforts to support food security and access to affordable agricultural land.
By supporting farmers, ranchers and working lands, County leaders say the plan will help protect local food production, preserve rural jobs, strengthen wildfire resilience and safeguard the landscapes that make Sonoma County home.
| | Summer fun returns to Regional Parks | | |
Heading to the Russian River this summer? Sonoma County Regional Parks is once again offering two popular programs that help rivergoers avoid parking hassles and stay safe on the water.
The River Shuttle runs weekends and holidays through Labor Day between El Molino High School in Forestville and Steelhead and Sunset beaches, helping visitors avoid crowded parking lots at some of the river’s busiest destinations. Riders can float down the river and take the shuttle back to their cars. Parking at the school is free, and shuttle rides cost $5 or are free for ages 18 and younger. Purchase tickets here.
Regional Parks is also offering free life jackets to borrow at Steelhead, Sunset, Del Rio Woods, Forestville River Access and Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. Most river parks are not lifeguarded, but the Russian River Patrol – a roving team of Regional Parks lifeguards – is back on duty Fridays through Mondays throughout the summer. By early July, the seasonal dam at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach will again create a calm, lifeguarded swim area for families.
Looking for a place to cool off closer to Santa Rosa? The swimming lagoon and floating Water Park at Spring Lake Regional Park are open for the summer. Part playground and part obstacle course, the inflatable Water Park gives kids and adults plenty of ways to climb, jump and splash. Tickets are $10 to $14 and reservations are recommended. Swimming is free at the lagoon, where lifeguards are on duty and free life jackets are available to borrow. Visitors can also rent kayaks and paddleboards on the lake or grab burgers, tacos and ice cream at the Spring Lake Café after a fun day on the water.
| | Measure H funding expands firefighter staffing and wildfire prevention efforts across Sonoma County | | |
In its first nine months, Measure H helped local fire agencies hire firefighters, improve emergency response and expand wildfire prevention efforts across Sonoma County, according to the first annual report from the Measure H Oversight Committee
The report, presented to the Board of Supervisors this week, shows the half-cent sales tax measure generated $46.2 million during the 2024-25 fiscal year, with about $45.7 million distributed to local fire agencies and countywide emergency programs.
The investments are already producing visible results. Fire agencies across Sonoma County hired 77 firefighters during the reporting period, allowing several districts to expand to three-person staffing – a key benchmark that helps firefighters respond faster to calls and work more safely.
Measure H also funded wildfire prevention projects, safety inspections, emergency equipment and improvements to local fire stations. The funding helped pay crews to clear vegetation along critical roads in fire-prone areas, while multiple districts added firefighter-paramedics, inspectors and emergency response staff.
The independent oversight committee found that agencies used Measure H funds to expand services rather than replace existing funding, fulfilling a central promise made to voters when the measure passed in March 2024. The tax took effect in October 2024.
“Sonoma County voters asked us to strengthen local emergency response and wildfire preparedness, and we are seeing those investments make a significant difference in communities across the county,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Across Sonoma County, Measure H funding is helping fire agencies respond more quickly, operate more safely and prepare more effectively for wildfire season. This progress shows what’s possible when we invest in preparedness and work together to protect our communities.”
| | Delta Air Lines to launch Sonoma County service this fall | | |
Delta Air Lines will begin nonstop service between Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport on Oct. 6, becoming the fourth commercial airline serving Sonoma County.
The airline will offer two daily round-trip flights through its Delta Connection partner, SkyWest Airlines, using Embraer E175 aircraft. Through Delta’s Salt Lake City hub, local travelers will gain expanded access to domestic and international connections while visitors will have another convenient gateway into Wine Country.
The new route is expected to strengthen tourism, support business travel and expand transportation options for North Bay residents.
“Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport plays an important role in connecting our region to economic opportunities and transportation networks across the country,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “We are pleased to welcome Delta and look forward to the additional convenience and connectivity this service will provide for residents and visitors alike.”
Delta joins Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and American Airlines at the airport, which recorded its busiest year ever in 2025. Known for its shorter lines and easy-to-navigate terminal, Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport offers a convenient alternative to larger Bay Area airports, helping local travelers avoid the longer drives and crowds often associated with the larger regional hubs.
| | New report highlights challenges facing older women in Sonoma County | | |
For many women, growing older comes with a difficult balancing act: caring for loved ones, navigating complex support systems and trying to maintain independence and social connection later in life.
Many struggle to access services that can help them age safely and independently, according to a new report by the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women, which advises the Board of Supervisors and works to ensure issues impacting women and girls receive visibility in public policy discussions.
The report, Women, Longevity and Equity: A Community Conversation, examines the unique challenges older women face as the county’s population ages. By 2030, roughly one in three Sonoma County residents will be over age 60, making questions about housing, caregiving, transportation and financial security increasingly urgent.
“Systems intended to support aging populations remain difficult to navigate, underfunded, and fragmented,” the report stated. “Barriers such as transportation limitations, digital access challenges, housing pressures, and stigma around seeking help prevent many older women from accessing services until they reach crisis points.”
These problems are particularly acute for women. Lower wages and time out of the workforce for caregiving often leave women entering older adulthood with fewer financial resources, while longer life expectancy can further increase financial strain and vulnerability later in life.
The report outlines six recommendations, including expanded affordable housing, stronger caregiver support systems and improved access to services so older residents can remain healthy, connected and secure in the communities they helped build.
| | New state law shifts Sonoma County behavioral health funding toward housing | | |
A major overhaul of California’s behavioral health system is forcing difficult tradeoffs in Sonoma County, where millions of dollars once used for addiction prevention and mental health programs will soon be redirected toward housing, crisis response and treatment services.
The changes stem from Proposition 1, a statewide measure approved by voters in 2024. Under this law, Sonoma County must dedicate 30% of its Behavioral Health Services Act funding – funding previously used for mental health services – to provide housing for people with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. While stable housing is critical to recovery, Prop. 1 did not provide any additional funding for the expanded services that counties are required to offer.
“We are being asked to implement one of the biggest changes to California’s behavioral health system in decades using the same limited funding counties have relied on for years,” said Nolan Sullivan, director of the Sonoma County Department of Health Services. “At the same time, counties are facing additional state mandates and reductions in federal support for behavioral health programs. Those combined pressures will make it more difficult to maintain existing services while responding to growing community needs.”
Among the local programs expected to lose funding are counseling and support services for seniors, student mental health programs at Santa Rosa Junior College, youth wellness initiatives and community-based support programs. Together, the eight programs receive about $745,000 annually. The County is seeking other funding sources to preserve services where possible.
At the same time, the County plans to expand short-term bridge housing, rental assistance, housing navigation support and mobile crisis services for people experiencing serious behavioral health challenges. The new investments are intended to help people avoid chronic homelessness, repeated psychiatric crises, emergency room visits and incarceration.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved a $52.4 million plan to implement the new state law. The plan will create a more integrated behavioral health system that connects housing, mental health care, substance use treatment and crisis response services.
“People struggling with severe mental illness or addiction are far less likely to stabilize or stay in treatment if they are unhoused,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “While Prop. 1 recognizes the connection between housing and behavioral health, counties are being asked to shift existing funding toward these new requirements without the resources we need. That means local governments will face difficult choices as we work to maintain essential services while expanding housing and crisis response programs.”
| | County modernizes rules for cell towers and wireless networks | | |
Sonoma County’s rules for cell towers and wireless networks were written in 1996, long before smartphones, 5G service and modern emergency alert systems transformed how residents connect and receive information. To address those changes, the Board of Supervisors on May 19 approved new rules designed to support reliable wireless service while improving public oversight of new cell tower projects in unincorporated areas.
The updated ordinance modernizes standards for cell towers and other wireless equipment to reflect changes in technology, federal law and local emergency communication needs. The changes will make the permitting process clearer and more predictable while maintaining protections for neighborhoods, scenic resources and the environment.
Under the new rules, applicants must evaluate alternative locations and designs, provide photo simulations showing how projects would look, and document efforts to use existing facilities before building new infrastructure. The ordinance also strengthens requirements for removing abandoned equipment and restoring sites after facilities are no longer in use.
Public notification requirements will also expand significantly. Residents living within 1,000 feet of a proposed cell tower project will receive advance notice before an application is submitted, up from 300 feet under the old rules.
The ordinance also addresses environmental concerns about the materials used to camouflage cell towers designed to look like trees. Applicants proposing those designs will be required to demonstrate the materials can withstand long-term outdoor exposure without creating litter or microplastic pollution.
“Technology has changed dramatically since the County adopted its telecommunications ordinance 30 years ago,” said Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Residents expect dependable wireless service, but they also want thoughtful oversight when new wireless facilities are proposed in their neighborhoods. These updates are designed to balance emergency communication needs, environmental stewardship and community input in a transparent and predictable way.”
| | County employees train for emergencies ahead of wildfire season | | |
Long before the next wildfire, earthquake or public health emergency occurs, Sonoma County employees spend hours training for the challenges they may face.
Last week, the County’s Department of Emergency Management led its annual disaster exercise, bringing 115 County employees into the Emergency Operations Center and other sites around the county for two days of hands-on training. This year's scenario challenged participants to respond to a simulated earthquake with major structural damage, followed by a measles outbreak in an emergency shelter.
The goal of the two-day exercise was to test different aspects of the County’s disaster response system and identify improvements before a real emergency strikes.
Inside the Emergency Operations Center, employees practiced how they would share information and make decisions during an emergency. They also trained on the County's new emergency management platform, which helps agencies share information and coordinate response activities in real time.
As part of the exercise, the Human Services Department set up an emergency shelter at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, complete with Department of Health Services medical staff and a testing lab for infectious diseases. Nine mock trauma patients were sent to three Santa Rosa hospitals to test hospital surge capacity and isolation protocols for patients exposed to measles. Health Services also activated its internal operations center, which coordinates medical and health services during an emergency.
The cities of Petaluma, Sebastopol and Cloverdale also participated in the exercise, allowing city and County staff to test communication and coordination across jurisdictions during a large-scale emergency.
Although this year's scenario centered on an earthquake and measles outbreak, the exercise tested emergency management skills that are critical during many types of disasters, including the wildfires that regularly threaten Sonoma County. Lessons from the exercise will be incorporated into planning for future disasters.
“This annual exercise gives our disaster service workers a chance to practice before lives and property are at risk,” said Jeff DuVall, director of the Department of Emergency Management. “Every exercise helps us strengthen coordination, identify areas for improvement and prepare for the next emergency. Whether it's a wildfire, earthquake or public health threat, that preparation helps us serve residents more effectively when they need us most.”
| | Help shape the future of transit in Sonoma County | | |
Sonoma County Transit is developing a strategic plan to evaluate current services and identify opportunities to better meet the transportation needs of residents, businesses, students and visitors.
Community input will help guide future transit priorities, including service reliability, accessibility, safety and connections throughout Sonoma County. Whether you ride transit regularly, occasionally, or not at all, your feedback can help shape recommendations for the future of local transportation.
The project website includes information about the plan, upcoming workshops and engagement opportunities, project updates, and a link to the survey. Community and Passenger surveys are available in both English and Spanish. Visit sctransit.com/sct-strategic-transit-plan to learn more about the Strategic Transit Plan and share your feedback.
Sonoma County Transit carries over 2,700 passengers a day on 19 routes that cross the county and provides door-to-door van service for riders with disabilities who cannot use fixed-route buses. All local SCT routes are fare-free. Youth 18 and under, college students with valid identification, and veterans also ride free on intercity services.
| | State audit finds no deficiencies in Sonoma County property tax administration | | |
The County’s property tax accounting team.
Managing property taxes for more than 180,000 parcels is a complex job. A recent state audit found Sonoma County is doing it well.
The California State Controller’s Office recently completed an independent review of Sonoma County’s property tax system. It found no deficiencies in how the County levies, collects and distributes more than $1.5 billion in property tax revenues each year to the County, schools, cities, fire districts, water systems and other local agencies.
“This is a significant accomplishment and a strong reflection of the quality and dedication of our Property Tax Accounting Team,” said Erick Roeser, Sonoma County’s Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector. “The property tax apportionment process is complex and highly technical. Earning a clean audit opinion from the State Controller’s Office demonstrates the team’s mastery of that complexity and their commitment to accuracy and reliability.”
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County currently has nearly 30 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 June 11 at 10 a.m. 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@sonomacounty.gov to register for the June 11 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Lindsay. I’m a 2 ½-year-old female Queensland Heeler mix who was brought to the shelter in December. I’m an athletic but sweet doggie who loves belly rubs (and will flop over to get plenty of them). I did very well in the shelter’s Dog Day Out program – I didn’t pull on my leash, and I was very friendly when meeting new people. Why don’t you come meet me and see if I would be a good fit in your family?
Lindsay 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:
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Child Care Planning Council – Works to improve access to quality child care and early education services throughout Sonoma County by identifying community needs, supporting families, and advising on child care policy and planning efforts.
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Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board – Advises the County on programs and services that support the health and well-being of mothers, children, teens, and families, with a focus on improving health outcomes and access to care.
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Marina Advisory Committee – Provides input and recommendations related to the operation, maintenance, and future planning of County marina facilities and waterfront recreational areas.
Check out the full list of vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
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