Sonoma County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sonoma County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Legislative Platform and state advocacy
The county's annual wishlist for Sacramento: flexibility to reuse the fairgrounds racetrack property, safeguards against abusive remote public comment, and state funding to fix aging veterans memorial buildings. The platform also adds a new principle opposing state mandates without reimbursement and responds to federal HR 1 changes to Medi-Cal and CalFresh.
Reorganization of county advisory boards
Item 7 dissolves the EDC Advisory Board and transitions Creative Sonoma's advisory board — both boards themselves recommended the change to avoid duplicative oversight. Supervisor Hermosillo checked before voting that the boards supported it.
Palm Drive Health Care District tax rates and budget
The board set the health care district's property and parcel tax rates and adopted its FY 2026-27 budget, which funds local health care services.
Tamayo Madarieta claim settlement
The county settled an employment claim for $225,000 in closed session, with Hermosillo recused.
West Sonoma County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
Supervisors were set to act on the financing plan for a West Sonoma County EIFD — a tool that channels a slice of property tax growth into local infrastructure — and hear how EIFDs affect the county's general fund.
FY 2026-27 County Budget Adoption
If the budget requires it, departments would be authorized to conduct layoffs under Civil Service Rule 11, while human resources works to avoid cutting jobs where possible.
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.
Fairgrounds workers' compensation settlement
Appropriations Limits for County and Special Districts
The Board was set to establish the legal ceiling on how much the county, its special districts, county service areas, and the agricultural preservation and open space district can spend under state law.
County labor negotiations
The Board met privately with its bargaining team to discuss negotiations covering all employee organizations and unrepresented county employees, including retirees. No action was taken publicly, and any direction to staff stays confidential until reported out.
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.
Community Investment Fund Grant Awards
The Board was scheduled to disburse community grant awards in the First and Fourth Districts for fiscal year 2025-26. These funds go to local projects and organizations in those districts.