Sonoma County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sonoma County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
FY 2026-27 County Budget Adoption
The Board's annual priority-setting session was scheduled to adopt the 2026 Key Items Calendar — the supervisors' roadmap for the year's major policy pushes.
Tom Schopflin Fields soccer complex grant
The Board approved a matching grant for phase 2 of the Schopflin Fields project, which supporters said leverages private fundraising to create youth sports fields serving kids across the county.
Sign ordinance enforcement concerns in Monte Rio/Monterey area
A longtime west county resident said her family was forced to remove signs over a single complaint while non-compliant signs nearby go unenforced, and asked Permit Sonoma for an affordable path forward rather than waiting years for a general plan update.
Community health centers
The Board honored National Health Center Week; center leaders warned of state and federal funding threats and policies affecting immigrant patients, and stressed the safety-net role of the county's eight community health centers.
Breastfeeding support services
WIC and partner organizations celebrated a Breastfeeding Awareness Month resolution, touting a peer counseling program whose breastfeeding rates run more than twice the state average, and First Five's new investments in bilingual lactation support.
Emergency preparedness and alert systems
The county's emergency management team highlighted a new countywide alert platform used in last week's wildfire response, winter storm flooding response, and a tsunami alert, urging residents to sign up for alerts and learn evacuation zones.
Fairgrounds workers' compensation settlement
Campaign contribution limits for sheriff and DA
The Board killed a proposal to raise campaign contribution limits for the sheriff and district attorney, after speakers argued it would benefit an incumbent sheriff criticized for ICE cooperation and would let outside money influence local elections.
Sheriff's ICE collaboration and immigrant community concerns
Multiple speakers said they opposed any increased funding or advantages for the sheriff because of his continued cooperation with ICE, urging the county to invest in education, health, and housing instead.
Veterans Services and Veterans Court
A Roseland resident urged the board to keep the veterans court operating and to make better use of the county's Veterans Memorial Buildings, citing the strain on returning veterans. Justice services are the largest share of the county budget.
Restoration of CAPE Mental Health Crisis Teams
The budget restores both CAPE crisis teams that were on the reduction list, bringing health to a full complement of five teams using Measure O funds, including one serving the South County and Petaluma City Schools. A fifth CAPE team was funded with support from the Measure O committee.
Measure O Renewal on the Horizon
Supervisor Coursey warned the community that Measure O — which funds CAPE and much of the mental health safety net — expires in less than four years and must be renewed. He urged advocates in the room to begin planning for that campaign now.
Wooler Slide and Giovanetti Culvert Road Repairs
Changes to the 2026-2027 repaving list and right-of-way contracts for the Todd Road/Standish Avenue intersection project were on the consent calendar. These determine which county roads get fixed and when.
Crisis Stabilization Unit Funding and Sustainability
The county was scheduled to award a design-build contract for a Youth Crisis Center at Los Guilicos, funded through the state's Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program. It would give young people in Sonoma County a dedicated crisis care facility close to home.
No-parking zones in Hacienda and Bodega Bay
A resolution would restrict parking along Sunset Avenue near the Russian River access and on several Bodega Bay streets — likely aimed at easing congestion around popular river and coastal spots.
IOLERO v. Sheriff's Office litigation
The Board was scheduled to discuss ongoing litigation between the county's sheriff oversight office (IOLERO) and the Sheriff's Office in closed session. The outcome could affect how sheriff oversight works in the county.
Future water revenue bonds, 2026
A reimbursement resolution would let the county pay back itself from proceeds of 2026 water revenue bonds once issued — standard bond-market housekeeping for water and sewer infrastructure spending.
County services for older adults funded through state aging agreement
The Board took up an agreement with the California Department of Aging covering fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, which supports senior services delivered by the county's Human Services Department.
Integrated Justice System technology replacement
Phase 4 of the county's Integrated Justice System replacement project was on the consent calendar — the ongoing modernization of the technology linking courts, jail, and justice agencies.