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The County government is the largest employer in Sonoma County with more than 4,200 full- and part-time workers. This week’s issue of SoCo Correspondent has the latest information about the County’s efforts to modernize its aging campus in north Santa Rosa where many of them work and possibly expand its presence near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport. You will also find stories about initiatives to increase mental health and homeless services, improve student safety, boost affordable housing, and fortify two key bridges across the Russian River.
If you have a friend or family member who lives in the area – or you know of a former Sonoma County resident who might be interested in receiving these updates – 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.
| | Board of Supervisors moves forward with intent to purchase office buildings near airport | | |
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last week signaled its intent to purchase two modern office buildings near the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, the next step in a larger plan for re-envisioning the County Government Center.
The board authorized staff to publish a notice of intent to purchase the properties located at 3850 and 3880 Brickway Boulevard in Santa Rosa. The $32 million purchase price is supported by an independent appraisal. An additional $15 million is expected to be required in improvements.
The new office space could potentially house up to 525 County employees, who would relocate from aging buildings on the main county campus on and near Administration Drive in Santa Rosa. Once vacated, those buildings could then be demolished to make room for a new County Government Center along with housing and commercial space.
“This project represents the County’s commitment to creating functional, collaborative spaces that serve both our community and our employees efficiently," said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “It is a long-term investment in both the community and our workforce.”
Staff will study the purchase of the two buildings and is scheduled to seek board approval for the purchase on May 6.
For comments about the County Government Center plan, please contact bos@sonoma-county.org. If you have ideas about other properties to be considered as part of this modernization plan, please contact Warren.Sattler@sonoma-county.org.
| | Sonoma Hawks soar, with an assist from the Department of Health Services | | |
The Sonoma Hawks practice at Rincon Valley Middle School. (Photos by Department of Health Services Communications Specialist Sheri Cardo)
It’s not easy playing basketball from a wheelchair. But the Sonoma Hawks race up and down the court every week in an inspiring display of grace and grit.
The team of girls and boys, ages 7 to 19, was introduced to the sport in 2018 by staff in the Sonoma County Department of Health Services, which administers the local California Children’s Services program for kids with physical disabilities. Three years later, the Sonoma Hawks team was born.
It’s been nothing short of life-changing. “These kids thrive on the court. It’s created a big, supportive community of the kids, their families, the therapists, team followers, donors to the team, and more,” says Mary Miller, who leads the County’s CCS Medical Therapy Program. “The game has generated an amazingly positive environment in which the team members, who are of varying ages and capabilities, help each other out. It’s all about their abilities, not disabilities.”
The team has sparked a passion in many of their players. Braulio Noriega, who had his leg amputated above the knee due to cancer at age 6 and became one of the team’s original members, developed a love for the sport and moved on to join the regional Junior Road Warriors team. In 2023, he caught the attention of then-Golden State Warrior star Klay Thompson, who presented Braulio with a wheelchair customized for basketball.
Last weekend, the Sonoma Hawks traveled to Berkeley for a tournament and left undefeated after winning two games. “It’s powerful for these kids to be in an environment of kids and adults with disabilities all having fun, engaged in such a dynamic sport,” says Carly Rieber, who serves as the team’s program director.
| | Video: Sonoma Hawks Wheelchair Basketball – ‘Wherever You Are, You Can Do It’ | | Board of Supervisors approves $5.6 million in grants for mental health, homelessness services | | |
The Board of Supervisors awarded $4.2 million last month to local nonprofits working to address homelessness, mental health and substance use, using proceeds from Measure O to support 13 community-based projects.
The County received 60 proposals for funding from Measure O, a quarter-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020 to sustain and expand services for people experiencing homelessness or struggling with their mental health. Thirteen projects received funding from the Board, including substance use prevention services for adolescents at six Sonoma County high schools, expanded mental health programming countywide, increased housing accessibility for families experiencing homelessness, and specialized counseling services for youth who have been victims of abuse and trauma.
“When voters approved Measure O, they recognized that behavioral health and homelessness were among the community’s most pressing challenges,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “With these awards of funding, the County is partnering with trusted community organizations that are on the frontlines of addressing these challenges.
Still, though, we continue to see tremendous need from community-based organizations, need that surpasses available funding, particularly as nonprofits face unprecedented funding challenges due to federal cutbacks,” she said. “We value the critical work of all applicants and remain committed to seeking additional resources to support our community partners.”
Since passed by voters, Measure O has generated roughly $30 million annually. The latest Measure O annual report is available in English and Spanish here.
In addition to the Measure O funding, the Board of Supervisors allocated $1.4 million in state Homelessness Housing Assistance and Prevention funds to support permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and other programs to address homelessness. It includes $700,000 for programs that support young people experiencing homelessness, a critical investment after the closure of Santa Rosa nonprofit Social Advocates for Youth in 2024.
| | Teaming up to protect students | | |
When schools need help keeping students safe, they now have a new resource they can turn to.
Last month, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with the Sonoma County Office of Education to improve the safety and welfare of local youth. The agreement calls for creation of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team to assess students who may be a danger to themselves or others, with the aim of connecting them to services before the situation becomes a campus emergency.
The Student Threat Assessment Team, modeled after a long-running program in San Mateo County, will focus on safety planning and early intervention to prevent violence. The new agreement provides a structure for members of the team to share information about potential threats to student safety, as allowed by law.
Under the model, local school districts can request a threat assessment from the Office of Education if they are unable to appropriately address the needs of youth and their families. The threat assessment team includes representatives from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Probation Department, Department of Health Services and the Human Services Department along with experts in education, juvenile justice, behavioral health and welfare from the Sonoma County Office of Education.
As it seeks to scale up this program countywide, the Office of Education is exploring individual agreements with a growing roster of cities, police departments, and school districts.
| | Faces of Sonoma County: Meet Jonathon Thompson | | This is part of an ongoing series of profiles highlighting public servants across a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma. | |
Name: Jonathon Thompson
Title: Data Center Operations Team Lead, Information Systems Department
Years with County: 8
Personal side: I’m a Santa Rosa native, but much of my family is spread across Southern California where I spent a lot of time as a kid. Growing up I knew I was going to spend my days working on something I was passionate about. That meant becoming a pilot or finding a way to work with technology. In the last eight years I’ve worked my way from student intern to team lead here at the County. I even managed to sneak in a few years teaching at Sonoma State. As a hobby, I’m a student pilot working toward my license.
Education and/or certifications: I received a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics from Sonoma State University.
What do you do? Information Systems has a broad scope of responsibilities focused on supporting the IT needs of our customers – the County’s 4,200 employees and the departments they work for. Our services include, but are not limited to, IT project management, hardware procurement, software development, GIS services, web hosting and infrastructure management, just to name a few. My team, Data Center Operations, falls into the realm of infrastructure management; at our core we manage data, servers, and enterprise systems across on-premises and cloud infrastructure. Our customers work with the technology that we support every time they login, send an email, save a file, or join a virtual meeting.
At present, I have the privilege of serving as the Data Center Operations Team Lead. It’s my responsibility to make sure our data center and the systems we support stay online while continuing to progress toward a more secure and resilient future. In practice, that really comes down to making sure that my team has what they need and that everyone is on the same page. My time is usually split between meetings, project work, and operational support. In the last few years, I’ve spent a lot of time on our move to Microsoft 365, including MFA and the migration to Exchange Online, Teams, OneDrive, and more recently SharePoint, a project I’m sure many of you are still coming to terms with! I am also heavily involved in the development of our cloud infrastructure, focusing on the overall design and its automated management.
What gives you fulfillment? I love this job because of the people, opportunities for creativity, and constant learning. There are few things I like more than starting my workday with a cup of coffee and a technical article. The constantly evolving IT landscape keeps me engaged and excited to come to work every day. It’s hard to say what gives me the most fulfillment though. I feel a great deal of pride seeing the people I work with come together to find a solution. There’s also something to be said for the feeling I get after working through a challenging problem or bit of code and seeing a solution come to life!
Passions outside of work? My passions outside of work are flying, camping, kayaking and biking. Pretty much anything that gets me outside and away from a computer screen. In the last few years, I’ve managed to cobble together a nice setup with a rooftop tent for extended road trips off the beaten path. It’s not a full overlanding rig yet, but it’s allowed me to explore with some of the creature comforts of home.
| | Construction starts on affordable housing project in Sonoma Valley | | |
An architectural rendering of the Summer Oaks apartment complex.
Construction workers broke ground last week on a County-backed affordable housing project that will create 71 rental units in the El Verano West area on the northwest edge of Sonoma.
When completed in the summer of 2026, the Summer Oaks development will feature six three-story apartment buildings with a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The apartments will be set aside for renters who earn between 30 and 60 percent of the area's median income. To qualify for a unit at 60 percent of the area’s median income, a family of four would have to make $82,980 or less per year.
“My colleagues and I are thrilled to be bringing much-needed affordable housing to Sonoma Valley,” said District 1 Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, who represents the El Verano West area. “This project represents a critical step in addressing the housing needs of our community, and we are grateful for the collaboration of all our partners, including MidPen Housing, as well as the state and federal funds that made it all possible.”
The project, developed by MidPen Housing Corp., is located at 175 W. Verano Ave. The Sonoma County Community Development Commission provided funding through the HOME Investment Partnerships and federal Community Development Block Grant programs. The project also obtained funding through multiple state programs, including the Joe Serna, Jr. Farmworker Housing Grant program and the Infill Infrastructure Grant program from the California Department of Housing and Community Development.
| | County seeks to expand Housing Choice voucher impact | | |
Housing subsidies have emerged as one of the best ways to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for people who struggle to pay rent. One type, known as Housing Choice Vouchers, helps people rent from private landlords at fair market rates.
The Sonoma County Housing Authority, which administers several federally-funded rental assistance programs, outlined a five-year plan last week to expand the supply of subsidized housing and increase the number of choices for renters enrolled in the programs. The plan highlights significant achievements by the Housing Authority as it worked to stabilize local housing over the last five years, including its success obtaining permanent housing for 345 people experiencing homelessness and securing 458 new rental assistance vouchers for people at risk of losing their housing.
“These advancements represent a critical step forward in addressing Sonoma County's housing challenges,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “These voucher plans enhance stability for residents in need and provide much-needed support for the most vulnerable members of the community.”
The Housing Authority, overseen by the Sonoma County Community Development Commission, helps approximately 3,200 households monthly through various rental assistance programs. Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approved a critical appeal by the commission, increasing funding available to provide federal housing subsidies to low-income households in Sonoma County. The increase in funding will allow the Housing Authority to resume offering Housing Choice vouchers to households selected through the Section 8 waitlist lottery, which closed on Oct. 31, 2023.
| | Help shape the future of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park | | |
Dutch Bill Creek Trail (Sonoma County Regional Parks)
What would you like to see added to the County’s newest park near Monte Rio? Take a brief online survey to have your input included in a plan that will guide development of Monte Rio Redwoods Regional Park and Open Space Preserve.
The 515-acre park and preserve in west Sonoma County was acquired in 2020 and currently provides several miles of trails winding through redwood and Douglas fir forests and a trail along Dutch Bill Creek. Sonoma County Regional Parks is developing a master plan for future trails, picnic spaces, recreational and educational uses and natural resource stewardship.
“This park is a treasure for our region, and as we look ahead to its stewardship, it is essential we gather input from local residents,” said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who represents west Sonoma County. “Your feedback will play a critical role in shaping the decisions that impact this incredible space for generations to come.”
The survey closes April 11. The development plan will not include an adjacent 1,517 acres that Save the Redwoods League plans to purchase and transfer to Regional Parks this summer. Similar master planning and public input for that property will happen at a later date.
| | Wohler Road Bridge closed until October for seismic retrofit work | | |
The historic Wohler Road Bridge over the Russian River closed Tuesday for up to six months, allowing construction workers to make critical safety upgrades that will strengthen the 103-year-old bridge against earthquakes.
The bridge is expected to reopen by Oct. 15, at the latest, although the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure Department is working with the contractor to complete the project as quickly as possible. During construction, drivers who need to access Wohler Road will be diverted on Eastside Road, Highway 101 and Westside Road.
Last year, the Board of Supervisors awarded an $18 million contract to Ghilotti Construction Co. to perform the seismic retrofit. County officials designed the project to meet state requirements while preserving the architectural appeal of the iconic one-lane bridge, which will receive a new lightweight concrete deck, seismic isolation bearings and joints, steel truss reinforcement and foundation reinforcement.
On April 15, the Board of Supervisors will consider authorizing funding for repairs to a nearby stretch of Westside Road, which has been closed since February following a mudslide near the Hacienda Bridge.
For questions or updates on the Wohler Road Bridge project, contact the contractor at 707-787-4681 or the Public Infrastructure Department at 707-565-2533.
| | The Board of Supervisors joins members of the local transgender community and their allies outside the County Administration Center on March 25 | | |
The Board of Supervisors joins members of the local transgender community and their allies outside the County Administration Center on March 25.
Fifteen years ago, a Michigan psychotherapist founded the first Transgender Day of Visibility. It is a moment to celebrate the lives and contributions of transgender people while acknowledging that many trans people don’t want to be visible, due to stereotypes, discrimination and threats of violence.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors directed County staff to raise the pink, blue and white Transgender Pride flag over the County Administration Center for the first time and honored three local nonprofits working to advance the rights and well-being of transgender and nonbinary individuals. At their March 25 meeting, supervisors approved a gold resolution recognizing Positive Images, LGBTQ Connection and Amor Para Todos for providing essential services that address the unique challenges of transgender people.
“Transgender rights are human rights,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “It’s more important than ever to stand up for the trans community. Across the country and here in California, trans people are being attacked — whether it’s through harmful legislation or attempts to erase their very existence. Today, with the passage of this gold resolution, we are saying loud and clear: We stand with the trans community and are not just celebrating them today. We're also committed to standing up for their dignity every day.”
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | |
Matt Brown, left, the County’s deputy communications manager, speaks with Emma Diemert, supervising animal control officer, and Pinky, a Siberian husky, while recording a new episode of SoCo Chat.
Sonoma County’s Animal Shelter is getting crowded. It has lots of adorable animals in need of a loving companion, including Pinky, a white Siberian husky who recently dropped by the SoCo Chat studio with some of her furry friends. Emma Diemert, the County’s supervising animal control officer, explains how you can take one home.
Subscribe to SoCo Chat on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube, and check out our growing library of episodes in both English and Spanish (Descubre nuestra creciente selección de episodios en inglés y español). Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:
| | County moves forward with upgrades to Monte Rio bridge over Russian River | | |
Two years after Caltrans scrapped plans to replace the aging Monte Rio bridge over the Russian River, the County is advancing an alternative plan to retrofit the span and bring it up to modern earthquake safety standards.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved $1.8 million for engineering and environmental work needed to prepare for a seismic retrofit of the Bohemian Highway Bridge.
“This bridge is a critical connection for West County and I’m glad the seismic upgrade project is finally moving forward after eight years of planning and changes from the state,” said District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, who represents the Monte Rio area. “While we were hoping for a replacement, this project will extend the life of the bridge and address key safety concerns.”
In 2012, Caltrans identified multiple concerns with the bridge, including potential seismic vulnerability, degrading foundations, and inadequate bicycle and pedestrian access. An analysis initially showed a replacement bridge would cost less than retrofitting the span, which was built in 1934. But the cost of replacing the bridge rose – from $25 million to $88 million – during the community engagement, environmental study and design process, prompting Caltrans to reevaluate the project in 2023.
| | Join us for our inaugural Charla Comunitaria on April 17 | | |
Save the date: Don’t miss our first Charla Comunitaria, a live, all-Spanish community conversation at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17, on Zoom and Facebook.
The hour-long event will connect viewers with resources available to support immigrants living in our community. Members of the audience will have the opportunity to pose live questions to a panel of experts, including attorneys and representatives from Sonoma Immigrant Services, Secure Families Collaborative, and the Sonoma County Departments of Health Services and Human Services.
Watch Charla Communitaria live on Facebook or Zoom. The program will be rebroadcast on Estrella TV Channel 50 at 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26.
Charla Comunitaria is hosted by former Spanish news anchor and television personality Juan Barragán and our very own Bilingual Communications Specialist Karina Garcia. It marks an expansion of the County’s efforts to ensure Spanish-speaking residents receive timely, accurate, and accessible information about government actions and services.
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County has 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 virtual class will be held April 25 at 5:30 p.m.
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 April 25 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Tyson. I’m a 3-year-old pit bull terrier mix who weighs 69 pounds and was brought to the shelter in November. I love attention, and I’m eager to engage, whether I am greeting people with a wagging tail or picking up toys and playing tug. I would thrive in a home with continued training and socialization to help me build confidence and further develop my social skills. Will you bring me into your family?
Tyson is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
| | Support your community by getting involved | |
Get involved with local government
Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies:
Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
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