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 programs help thousands of families find and keep housing | | |
Over the past year, Sonoma County helped thousands of residents stay in their homes or move into safe, stable housing. A new annual report from the Community Development Commission highlights progress made across programs that support families facing financial hardship or the risk of homelessness.
One of the most significant accomplishments came through rental assistance programs overseen by the Community Development Commission. More than 3,500 households received help paying rent or securing a new place to live, exceeding the County’s annual goal and giving many families a way to stay in their homes during difficult times.
The County also invested in long-term solutions. Funding awarded to three new developments in Sebastopol and Windsor will create 105 affordable apartment units once construction is complete. Prevention programs made an impact as well, helping 549 people avoid homelessness by connecting them with financial assistance and other support services.
Altogether, the County spent more than $55 million in local and federal funds on housing and homelessness programs during the fiscal year that ended in June, most of it going directly to rental assistance through the federal Section 8 housing voucher program.
“Stable housing is the foundation for health, safety and opportunity. Every number in this report represents a neighbor whose housing situation is more stable today than it was a year ago,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “These accomplishments reflect years of steady work to expand access to housing, reduce barriers and ensure that more residents – especially those with the greatest need – have a fair chance to thrive in Sonoma County.”
| | Try clean commuting without worry, thanks to the Emergency Ride Home program | | |
There’s one more reason to try a greener way of commuting to your job or college class in Sonoma County, whether you bike, carpool, take public transit or walk.
If an emergency comes up, you can be reimbursed for the cost of getting home. That’s right: if your alternative commute is disrupted by a qualifying situation – such as a sick child, a stolen bike, a carpool partner who leaves early or unscheduled mandatory overtime – you can be reimbursed for a taxi, a rideshare like Uber or Lyft, or even a rental car.
The Emergency Ride Home program is designed to give you peace of mind when commuting sustainably. If the unexpected happens, you won’t be stranded. You’ll have a reliable way to get home without added financial stress. Simply submit a reimbursement request after your trip, and it will be reviewed and processed according to the program guidelines.
Each person may be reimbursed for up to four emergency rides home per year, with a maximum of $125 per trip and no more than $500 total in a year. The program is operated by the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, a countywide agency that plans and funds transportation initiatives.
“By making sure commuters have a safety net, the Emergency Ride Home program helps more people choose transportation options that are good for both their wallets and the environment without fearing the occasional curveball life throws their way,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the transportation authority’s board of directors.
| | County invites residents to help shape plan to build new EV charging stations | | |
The green, red and orange icons show the locations of existing charging stations in Sonoma County. The blue stars identify proposed sites.
Where should Sonoma County invest in new charging stations for electric vehicles? The County is asking residents for input.
An online survey and interactive map, available through Jan. 31, allows people to explore proposed EV charging locations and suggest new ones based on their travel patterns, access to charging and anticipated needs. Staff encourage input from both current EV drivers and residents who do not yet own an electric vehicle.
The County’s Equitable Electric Vehicle Charging Plan will evaluate land use and infrastructure readiness to identify priority areas for new charging stations. The goal is to identify where charging infrastructure is most needed and ensure it serves both urban and rural communities, with particular attention to disadvantaged and underserved areas.
This initiative supports Sonoma County’s broader climate and transportation goals by promoting zero-emission options and ensuring all residents benefit from the transition to cleaner technologies. Funded by a grant from the California Department of Transportation, the effort is a partnership between the County of Sonoma, Kittelson & Associates, the Sonoma County Transportation Authority, the Climate Action and Resiliency Division and Latino Service Providers.
To share your feedback, open the interactive map and follow the instructions on the left side of the screen.
| | First installment of property taxes due Dec. 10 | | |
Attention Sonoma County homeowners: the first installment of your annual property tax bill is due by 5 p.m. next Wednesday (Dec. 10). Payments made after the deadline are considered delinquent and will incur a 10 percent penalty.
Property owners can pay online using a credit card or free e-check, by mail, over the phone or in person. The County website also allows taxpayers to view their bill, set up monthly payments, update their mailing address, sign up for email reminders and enroll in E-Billing.
The annual tax bill may be paid in two installments: the first is due Nov. 1 and becomes delinquent Dec. 10, and the second is due Feb. 1 and becomes delinquent April 10. Homeowners may choose to pay the full amount with the first installment. Supplemental tax bills, mailed throughout the year, have their own due dates.
| | Sheriff’s Office hosts Pack the Patrol Car Toy & Food Drive on Sunday | | |
The holiday season can be a difficult time for families facing financial or personal hardships. To support neighbors in need, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is hosting its annual Pack the Patrol Car Toy & Food Drive on Sunday (Dec. 7) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the main parking lot at Cardinal Newman High School.
This year’s event expands beyond toys to include non-perishable food donations. Make the holidays a little brighter for someone less fortunate by bringing in new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, along with canned or boxed foods and items that can be used to make a festive holiday meal. (Please avoid glass containers)
Deputies will be on site to welcome residents, accept donations and share in the holiday spirit. A highlight of the day will be a live demonstration by Henry-1, the Sheriff’s Office helicopter. Families will have the chance to see the aircraft up close, meet the flight crew and learn about the lifesaving missions Henry-1 performs across Sonoma County. Additional displays and activities will also be available for visitors to enjoy. Gifts will be distributed at a later date by local nonprofits.
“This event reflects the core values that guide the Sheriff’s Office: Safety, Integrity and Community. By caring for one another, we strengthen the foundation of a safer, more connected Sonoma County,” Sheriff Eddie Engram said.
| | Give the gift of parks this holiday season | | |
Support the health and happiness of family and friends this holiday season with Regional Parks gift memberships. When you give a parks membership, you give a year of free parking at 60 parks, a night of free camping and endless opportunities to get outside in 2026.
Gift memberships come in the form of a voucher that recipients redeem when they're ready to begin their membership. Memberships are available at the Regional Parks website and many local retailers, including Oliver’s Markets, REI Santa Rosa, Sonoma Outfitters, Sebastopol Hardware, Ace Hardware stores in Healdsburg, Windsor and Santa Rosa, Sports Basement in Santa Rosa and Copperfield’s Books in Petaluma.
A year-long membership costs $69; a membership for seniors (62+ years) is $49.
| | |
Johannes Hoevertsz, director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure, has been elected 2026 president of the County Engineers Association of California, a statewide organization that shapes infrastructure policy and helps counties meet evolving public needs.
“It is a privilege to serve an organization that brings together the expertise and experiences of every California county,” Hoevertsz said. “While each county has unique needs, we share a common purpose: improving quality of life and building resilient, healthy communities. Our greatest progress comes when we join forces and move forward with a shared vision.”
Founded in 1914, the County Engineers Association of California promotes innovation and efficiency in local government through knowledge-sharing, professional development and the exchange of engineering and administrative practices.
Hoevertsz has led Sonoma County Public Infrastructure since its creation in 2022, when the County combined General Services with Transportation and Public Works to increase efficiency, reduce redundancy and strengthen service delivery. Its eight divisions operate the County airport and transit system; procure and maintain buildings, equipment and vehicles; oversee four water systems and several waste disposal sites; and repair and maintain all County-owned roads.
| | |
Emily Betts has been named manager of Sonoma County Transit, which carries 3,200 passengers daily on 19 bus and shuttle routes spanning the county.
Betts has worked across nearly every corner of transit management over the last two decades, including strategic planning, operations, contract management, service planning, finance, marketing and regulatory compliance. For the last five years she served at Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, advancing into leadership as senior planner. She also previously worked at Petaluma Transit and the San Mateo County Transit District.
Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as Sonoma County’s transit system invests in clean technology, improved reliability and expanded access for riders. It is also collaborating with Marin County to improve regional transit planning ahead of significant network changes in 2026.
“Emily joins Sonoma County Transit at an energizing moment. Our division is advancing several major developments aimed at strengthening service now and preparing for significant systemwide changes ahead,” said Johannes Hoevertsz, director of Sonoma County Public Infrastructure.
Betts holds master’s degrees in city planning and transportation engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She replaces Brian Albee, who oversaw the County’s bus system for 28 years before retiring earlier this year.
| | |
Andrea Krout has been named chief operations officer of the Sonoma County Fair, where she will oversee daily operations at the fairgrounds and work to enhance efficiency, guest experience and community engagement.
Krout served as district director for Supervisor David Rabbitt for the last 14 years, playing a key role in policy development and public outreach. A Sonoma County native with deep agricultural roots, she grew up exhibiting livestock at the fair and continues to support her family’s livestock operation. Her longstanding involvement in local education, music, agriculture and equestrian groups will help strengthen the fair’s ties to Sonoma County’s agricultural community and its role as a hub for community gatherings and entertainment.
“Andrea’s unique blend of experience in local government, community relations, and a lifetime passion for agriculture makes her the ideal candidate to drive our operations forward and ensure the fair continues to be a cherished tradition for all of Sonoma County,” said Matthew Daly, the fair's chief executive officer.
Krout holds a degree in agriculture business from Fresno State University and previously worked with California FarmLink, a statewide nonprofit that facilitates lease agreements for beginning or transitioning agriculture businesses.
| | County receives $1 million from state to reduce impaired driving and improve road safety | | |
Sonoma County has been awarded $1 million in state grants to strengthen its response to impaired driving. The two grants, issued by the California Office of Traffic Safety, will support the prosecution of alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers and the supervision of high-risk DUI offenders.
The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office received a $768,000 grant to fund a specialized prosecution team focused on alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers. The team will also help train other prosecutors and investigators and collaborate with law enforcement on best practices for managing DUI cases.
“This funding strengthens our commitment to improving road safety and making sure justice is served effectively and efficiently,” District Attorney Carla Rodriguez said.
The Sonoma County Probation Department received a $261,500 grant to expand intensive supervision for individuals with multiple DUI convictions. The program includes close monitoring, alcohol testing, warrant operations to locate individuals who miss court or violate probation, and distribution of DUI “Be On the Lookout” alerts that notify officers to watch for high-risk drivers. The funding also supports collaboration with courts and prosecutors to establish probation terms.
“This grant funding will allow us to address the complex issues surrounding individuals who have multiple DUIs by providing vital resources and guidance to break the cycle of alcohol-related offenses,” said Wardell Anderson, the County’s deputy chief probation officer.
One in three traffic fatalities in California involves a drunk driver, and individuals with more than one DUI are significantly more likely to reoffend. Together, these grant-funded programs aim to reduce repeat offenses, strengthen accountability and improve roadway safety in Sonoma County.
| | County shuts down dangerous cannabis processing facility west of Santa Rosa | | |
The scene inside the Occidental Road warehouse represented a level of danger Sonoma County officials had never encountered before. Highly flammable and explosive chemicals were present in quantities not previously seen in the county, posing a threat to workers inside the building and to people living in homes several hundred feet away.
A joint team from Permit Sonoma, the Sheriff’s Office and the County’s Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures discovered the perilous conditions Nov. 19 after obtaining a court order to inspect the warehouse in the 4000 block of Occidental Road. Inside, they found an illegal cannabis extraction operation, which uses volatile chemicals to concentrate the plant’s active compounds such as THC and CBD. The extracted material can be used to make oils, vape cartridges, edibles, tinctures and other products.
Cannabis processing is legal in Sonoma County, but only when operators follow the rigorous safety, building, environmental and zoning standards designed to protect people and property. In this case, the building’s tenant was using an extremely dangerous type of butane extraction process that is not permitted in unincorporated Sonoma County. Extraction operations of any type are not permitted in areas zoned for Diverse Agriculture, like this parcel. Inspectors also documented a lack of required fire protections, illegal construction and unpermitted electrical and mechanical systems.
Permit Sonoma’s Fire Prevention and Hazardous Materials Response teams worked with the Department of Toxic Substances Control, its cleanup contractor, the business owner, Code Enforcement and the Sonoma County Fire District to remove the hazardous materials. Several million dollars’ worth of cannabis extract was taken to a waste facility for disposal.
| | Join the conversation at SoCo Chat | | |
County Communications Manager Paul Gullixson, left, speaks with Emma Diemert, supervisor at the Sonoma County Animal Shelter, and Marlow, an absolutely adorable pit bull terrier who happens to be blind, while recording a new episode of SoCo Chat.
Need a puppy? The Sonoma County Animal Shelter has lots of them – and would love to send one home with you. Shelter Supervisor Emma Diemert stops by SoCo Chat to share some practical tips for adopting and offer guidance on how you can keep your animals safe over winter. Plus, learn how fostering a pet can make a big difference without a full-time commitment.
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:
- Thousands of Sonoma County families rely on CalFresh to put food on the table, but the recent federal government shutdown temporarily eliminated that safety net. When federal funding stops, hunger doesn’t. Allison Goodwin, CEO of Redwood Empire Food Bank, shares how her team is stepping up to meet the surge in need – and what each of us can do to help make sure no one in our community goes hungry.
- Federal budget cuts could have significant impacts in Sonoma County, affecting everything from housing and health care to infrastructure and social services. Deputy County Administrator Peter Bruland explains what’s at stake – and why the County may face some tough choices in the future.
- Open Doors is a new initiative that will make it easier than ever for people to get help with food, housing, child care and much more. It’s based on a simple concept: It shouldn’t matter which door you knock on first, whether it’s a County agency or one of the hundreds of local nonprofits that are joining in this effort. Every door should be open, and every door should take you to the services you need. Angela Struckmann, director of the Sonoma County Human Services Department, explains how Open Doors works and why it could transform the way people connect with services in our community.
-
Sonoma County’s Family Justice Center empowers victims to live free from domestic violence and abuse. It is a model of collaboration, uniting government, law enforcement agencies and nonprofits to deliver comprehensive services to victims through a single point of access. Marsha Lucien, its executive director, explains how the Santa Rosa agency protects the vulnerable, stops violence and restores hope.
| | Find room to grow with a County job | | |
The County currently has more than 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 Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.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@sonoma-county.org to register for the Jan. 8 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.
| | Adopt the pet of the week | | |
My name is Freddie. I’m a 3-year-old, 50-pound Alaskan husky with stunning white fluffy fur and a sweet, gentle nature. I’m currently living with a foster family, but I’ve been waiting for my forever home since June, when I was dropped off at the shelter. Will you bring me into your family?
Freddie is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
| | Volunteer and employment opportunities | | |
(stories may require subscriptions)
| | Upcoming meetings and events | | Upcoming meetings and events | | Getting outside and enjoying the county | | Follow us online or contact us via email | | | | |
