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.
Active Transportation Plan adoption
A 16-year-old bike/ped plan gets replaced with a modern blueprint of ~367 prioritized projects, aligned with a countywide plan to win bigger grants. Debate centered on Sonoma Valley's Burnvale/121 crossing and whether rural roads should carry bike designations.
Transit system overhaul (MASCOT Phase 2)
Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, and Petaluma Transit are coordinating as one system to connect riders to SMART, cutting duplicated routes. The Windsor Route 62 gets suspended and some SRJC trips will now cost $3 via SMART instead of a free but 100-minute bus.
$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.
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.
Extended storm emergency proclamations
The local emergency proclamations from the November 2024 and February 2025 atmospheric rivers stay in effect, keeping recovery aid flowing.
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.
Sonoma County Government Center Draft Environmental Impact Report
The Board held a public hearing on the draft EIR for the county government center — the environmental review that has to happen before major changes to the civic campus move forward. Public input at this stage shapes what gets studied further.
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.
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.
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.
Measure O Renewal on the Horizon
The Board was scheduled to hold a public hearing on renewing the county's parks sales tax measure, which funds parks, trails and open space. Renewal affects what residents pay at the register and how local parks are maintained for years to come.
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.
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.
Sonoma Valley Sanitation District Pipeline Break
A consent resolution would find an emergency need to stabilize hazardous conditions from a pipeline break in the Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District's reclamation system.