Sonoma County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sonoma County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Aircraft noise at Charles M. Schulz Airport
Residents in Windsor, Forestville, Sebastopol and west county have filed more than 46,000 noise complaints this year — up 329% — since the FAA implemented the Redhead departure route in 2024. The county can't force changes because the FAA controls airspace, so it's pursuing voluntary measures and new procedure designs. The 3-2 vote shows even the board is split on whether this spending will actually help.
Surveillance technology and Flock cameras
Supervisor Coursey flagged that a Homeland Security grant funds a video wall for Santa Rosa PD's real-time crime center, and Flock camera images could appear on it during active cases. The County Executive agreed to flag future surveillance-tech items.
$2 Million Immigrant-serving Providers Funding
The Board's consent agenda included a $2 million agreement funding legal aid, rapid response, and mental health services for immigrant families, led by VIDAS with a broad coalition. Speakers credited it with reuniting detained residents with families.
Guerneville interim homeless shelter
The count stayed flat at 1,952 — great by California standards — but the population is older, sicker, and includes twice as many kids. COVID-era and Measure O money is spent, and federal HUD changes threaten ~100 permanent supportive housing units.
Domestic violence response and the high-risk team
The DA and YWCA marked Domestic Violence Awareness Month; the county's domestic violence high-risk team has reviewed 284 cases in two years with zero domestic violence homicides among them.
Mosquito district cuts rural representation
The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District unilaterally cut Sonoma County's unincorporated at-large seats from two to one — one seat has sat vacant since 2015. Supervisors, especially Hopkins, were angry the district never reached out, and the board continued the item and ordered a letter demanding reconsideration.
Ambulance rate increase
The maximum allowable ambulance rates under the fire district's exclusive operating agreement rose 9%, with the fire district citing costs; the full contract comes back in December.
Extended storm emergency proclamations
The local emergency proclamations from the November 2024 and February 2025 atmospheric rivers stay in effect, keeping recovery aid flowing.
Schmitz et al. v. Permit Sonoma settlement
The county paid $150,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by three people with ACLU backing over Permit Sonoma practices, plus dismissal of the case. Terms will be public once executed.
Restoration of CAPE Mental Health Crisis Teams
A regional look at mobile crisis response — the program that sends trained teams instead of police to some mental health and behavioral emergencies. The update shows how the system is performing across the region.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.