December is here and, as always, there’s much to do and celebrate this holiday season in Sonoma County. We wish you much joy and encourage everyone to shop local – and give back when you have a chance. One of the best ways to do so is through the United Way of the Wine Country, which supports more than 50 local nonprofits as well as other programs and causes. A big thank you to all of those within the County of Sonoma who joined in contributing nearly $200,000 to the United Way’s United We Rise campaign this year. Together we are making a difference!

Meanwhile, in today’s edition of SoCo Correspondent you will learn more about what is going on in the county. You will also find information about how to keep yourself and your family healthy over the holidays given the recent increases in COVID, flu and RSV cases. Also in this edition, read about an exciting expansion at the Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport, a plan to transform one of the crown jewels of the Sonoma Valley, and the latest on the drought. On top of that, this issue provides a new resource to help you navigate the civil justice system and local efforts to keep drunk drivers off the road.

As always, we encourage you to share this newsletter with friends, colleagues and family members so they can sign up for the SoCo Correspondent and receive it directly.

¿Está interesado en leer sobre lo que hace el Condado de Sonoma dos veces al mes? Este boletín estará disponible en español. Regístrese aquí para suscribirse a nuestro boletín, el SoCo Correspondent.

The newly renovated terminal building at Charles M. Schulz – Sonoma County Airport (STS) made its debut last month, part of a $40 million project to modernize the airport.

The building now offers more than 27,000 additional square feet of space including a revamped ticketing lobby, improved double-lane security lanes, a large main lobby with four additional boarding gates and dedicated concessionaires, an outdoor seating area, a new baggage claim area equipped with two baggage carousels, improved public viewing areas and car rental areas, and local artwork recognizing the airport’s namesake, cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. Phase III of the project, which includes a more modern and accessible entrance to the terminal, will be completed in spring 2023.

“This state-of-the-art airport terminal is the culmination of years of hard work and will complement an already exceptional air travel experience to and from Sonoma County,” said James Gore, chair of the Board of Supervisors.

The airport’s Capital Improvement Plan is projected to support an average of 164 jobs annually, generate $100.9 million in total payroll, $31.2 million in tax revenue and $231.7 million in economic output in Sonoma County. 

The Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on Friday, Dec. 16 to consider approving a detailed plan to guide the redevelopment of the historic Sonoma Developmental Center campus.

The board is scheduled to consider adopting a Specific Plan for the 945-acre property in the heart of the Sonoma Valley and certifying a Environmental Impact Report on the proposed development. If enacted, the plan would be a transformative effort that charts the future of the Sonoma Valley. It would create 1,000 housing units on the site while protecting 700 acres of open space and preserving Sonoma Creek. The development would feature a walkable core with transit, pedestrian and bike paths to provide alternatives to automobile use. Institutional uses would focus on research and education.

The county Planning Commission voted 4-1 last month to advance the development plan for the site.

“I applaud the efforts of the Planning Commission in continuing to move this project forward,” said Supervisor Susan Gorin, whose district encompasses SDC. “I look forward to continuing this work with my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors in service of meeting our housing needs, creating good jobs and making progress on climate adaptation and wildlife preservation in a way that will benefit both the Sonoma Valley and the County as a whole.” 

An ongoing feature series highlighting public servants across

a variety of departments at the County of Sonoma. 

Name: Jorge Rodriguez

Title: Deputy Emergency Services Coordinator, Department of Emergency Management

Years with County: 2.5 years

Personal side: I live in Rohnert Park with my wife of five years, Larissa, and two sons Javier (4) and Samuel (9 months). I was born and raised in Fresno, starting my professional career as a 911 dispatcher before moving to San Luis Obispo County and working in their Office of Emergency Services.

One of my favorite activities is country line dancing, the El Paso being one of my favorites. I have yet to share my moves with my Sonoma County community since having a newborn and coming out of the pandemic, but I look forward to getting back into my groove soon.

Education and/or certifications: I earned my bachelor's in Emergency Services Management and have obtained the Certified Emergency Manager credential from the International Association of Emergency Managers. Additionally, I have a certification from FEMA in Continuity Operations, and Emergency Management Specialist and Public Information Specialist certificates from the California Specialized Training Institute. I also have my HAM radio license and would highly recommend everyone get one.

What do you do? My specific position is assigned to the alert and warning division within the Department of Emergency Management. I primarily work to ensure our alert systems (WEA, EAS, SoCoAlert) are operational and ready to be used at a moment’s notice. *Shameless plug* I want to encourage folks to sign up for SoCoAlert, which is one of our primary alerting systems to communicate critical life-safety warnings.

Our team is continually working with regional, state and national partners to expand and improve alert and warning systems. The NOAA weather radio system is one that we have been actively working with the National Weather Service to test and improve capabilities, especially in the more remote portions of the county.

In addition to the alert prep work, you can also find me at public safety community events talking about general emergency preparedness, explaining how the different alerting systems work and why they are all uniquely important. I am also a member of the equity core team and am eager to help build on what the Office of Equity is creating.

What first brought you to Sonoma County? In October 2019 I was out celebrating a wedding anniversary when my manager called and said that Sonoma County was looking for a bilingual PIO as mutual aid support for the Kincade Fire and asked if it was interested. I put my name in the hat for the request and was on the road a few hours later for what would become an almost two-week deployment. It was a tremendous experience to be embedded in the Sonoma County Emergency Operations Center, learn how Sonoma County ran an operation of such magnitude and also be able to support Spanish and English-speaking fire survivors at the Local Assistance Center in Healdsburg.

I went back to San Luis Obispo, and life continued for a few weeks. Sometime in February 2020, I saw Sonoma County had an opening in community alert and warning, so I applied and within six months I was moving my family up to the North Bay. I don’t know that I would be where I am today had I not done the mutual aid assignment.

Emergency management as a whole is really my passion. I am grateful that I have been able to wear so many different hats when it comes to emergencies including public information, being a duty officer in the EOC, setting up trailers for deployment, working with radiological detection equipment, and planning for future events. Alert and warning is such a unique skill set that has been truly fascinating to learn. The work really fulfills me professionally. The icing on top of it all is to be working with an amazing team and to be seen across the state and country for the work we are doing here is an incredible accomplishment.

What gives you fulfillment? Doing the work that I do is not something I take lightly. The work impacts first and foremost the community. It’s humbling to see the benefits and impact your work has when the emergency strikes. Having the know-how and skillset to be able to be really put anywhere within an EOC or emergency response and get the job done has allowed me the experience of so many different roles.

My work also impacts my family, and we have some great neighbors I know I can count on to help us if we ever need it. Having that immediate community eases my worries to be able to do a difficult job and know my family is safe.

Passions outside of work? My passion outside of work is my family. My kids are growing up so fast, and I love to be able to do things with them. Sonoma Train Town is a favorite and California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento is another. My wife and I look forward to exploring the wineries, sans kiddos, yet I also enjoy exploring more of Sonoma County with them.

Zach Powers, a property owner in Sebastopol, has been named the county’s Housing Hero for November as part of an ongoing campaign to promote the benefits that housing vouchers offer landlords and tenants.

Powers, who has been renting out properties in Sebastopol for eight years, started renting to housing voucher holders three to four years ago. He was unaware of the program until he got information from a local housing nonprofit, SHARE. Now, he calls SHARE or the Housing Authority whenever he has open units because, he says, the process for filling the units is easier than going through normal means.

“It feels good to provide housing to people who really need it and provide housing that is safe, secure and stable,” said Powers.

The County of Sonoma and City of Santa Rosa launched the Housing Heroes campaign in September to encourage greater participation in housing rental assistance and home-sharing programs. Vouchers help low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled afford decent, safe and clean housing.

Some of the benefits that Powers said he has experienced from renting to Section 8 Housing Voucher recipients include always receiving the rent on time, not having to charge below market rate for his rentals and often ending up with long-term renters.

We know you’ve heard of 911, but do you know about all that 211 has to offer? Every day – and especially during a disaster – 911 and 211 play important roles in helping the community.

Need help with a civil law issue? The Sonoma County Superior Court has opened a new office to help people without an attorney navigate through the civil justice system.

The Civil Self Help Center will provide individualized assistance with civil law issues, including evictions, small claims lawsuits and restraining orders for civil harassment and elder abuse. While the center does not represent people in court, it offers free information on legal processes and provides assistance with filling out court forms. People who need more extensive legal help will be guided to other resources.

“It is vital that self-represented individuals in our community have a place to receive the legal assistance they need,” said Presiding Judge Shelly Averill. “Expanding our legal support services and opening a space where anyone can obtain information and instruction on how to navigate the civil legal system is another step in the right direction for justice equity in our county.”

Located in the Hall of Justice at 600 Administration Drive in Santa Rosa, the center is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information or to make an appointment, visit the center’s website, email questions to selfhelp@sonomacourt.org, or call (707) 521-6534. Interpreters are available.

Sonoma County doctors are seeing a sharp increase in flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases. As of today, we have 55 patients in the hospital with flu and 34 in the hospital with COVID, including five in the ICU with flu and one in the ICU with COVID. These airborne diseases are spread in similar ways, and there are simple steps residents can take to lessen their impact. Measures such as washing our hands frequently, wearing masks and staying home when sick will increase chances of keeping ourselves and our families healthy. But the best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and the flu.

Many providers will give a flu and COVID shot in the same visit. They are available at your primary health care provider or most pharmacies. You can also find an appointment through MyTurn.ca.gov or socoemergency.org/emergency/coronavirus. You can also get COVID vaccinations at the vaccine clinic in Roseland and at the Rohnert Park Community Center. The COVID vaccine is available for anyone 6 months and older, and the bivalent booster is available for anyone 5 years and older who is at least two months past their last COVID shot.

Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County’s health officer, strongly recommends that everyone continue wearing masks in indoor public settings with large groups of people gathered close together. This is especially important to protect those who are elderly and who are immunocompromised. High-quality surgical or N-95 masks work best.

Just over 79 percent of the eligible residents in Sonoma County have been vaccinated for COVID-19 and nearly 24.5 percent have received the new bivalent booster. While both numbers are above the state average, nearly four out of five eligible Sonoma County residents have still not received the updated booster, which contains components of the original virus strain and the omicron variant to provide broad protection against COVID-19.

Visit the county’s YouTube page to view a video of the Nov. 15 community health update in English and Spanish and learn more about local trends in respiratory illnesses.

Join the County of Sonoma where there is room to move and room to grow! Build your future with us: Apply Now!

Here in the County of Sonoma, every road leads to a new adventure. Live here, and find new opportunities to explore. Work here, and you’ll find the same for your career. At the County of Sonoma, your career isn’t a path as much as a trailhead. With more than 800 different job classifications, we offer you a depth and breadth of career choices that few companies can rival; giving you the chance to follow your dreams, no matter where they go, or how many times they change.

Would you like to learn more about the County of Sonoma’s application process?

Sign up to be added to our Start Here! Training class mailing list. Please send an email to careers@sonoma-county.org, and we will invite you to future class opportunities. Let us help guide you through the county’s selection process. Take the next step in your professional life and join the County of Sonoma family!

Start Here! is a virtual class which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination, and selection processes. The class is intended for the public – whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. The two-hour session provides information on how to submit a thorough application, interview and examination best practices, and much more.

It was wonderful to see the rain return in recent days, although, as we all know, we need a lot more of it. As of today, we’ve received only 5.48 inches since the new water year began Oct. 1. Normally, we would have gotten more than 10 inches by now.

Just how bad is this drought? In a typical year, the Russian River watershed will get about 45 inches of rain. But over the last three years, we’ve only received about 26 inches each year, on average. That’s almost 42 percent below the historical norm. And with back-to-back-to-back dry years, our rain deficit has compounded over time. Over the course of this three-year drought, we have missed out on 56 inches of rain that we normally would have received. That’s the equivalent of more than a year’s worth of rain.

“Over the last three years, more than one full year of rain just never showed up,” Supervisor David Rabbitt said at a Nov. 10 town hall on the drought. “That’s why our forests are so dry and we face an elevated risk of wildfires. It’s why wells in some areas of the county are producing less water or running dry entirely. It’s why our largest reservoir, Lake Sonoma, has dropped to its lowest level since we began filling it with water 40 years ago. And it’s the reason why we need to take action now – both to conserve the water we have and to invest in creating the infrastructure we will need to thrive in a drier future.” 

The County of Sonoma would face a $13 million deficit in its General Fund during the 2024-25 fiscal year if it fails to adjust current spending or revenues, according to a new forecast. Without any changes to the budget, the deficit would swell to $16 million by fiscal 2027-28.

The projection, which was presented to the Board of Supervisors on Nov. 9, is based on an expected decrease in property tax growth, reductions in one-time funding, and an increase in pension costs due to investment declines in pension funds.

By law, the Board of Supervisors must adopt a balanced budget each year. The projections set the basis for budget decisions in the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1.

“By estimating how much general-purpose revenue will be available, county departments that depend on the General Fund to deliver services and programs to our community can be more informed and better prepared to weather uncertainty,” said County Administrator Sheryl Bratton.

While the General Fund accounts for only a quarter of the total budget, it supports most of the county’s discretionary funding and a majority of its staffing costs. The current General Fund budget contains a $7.4 million surplus.

Two county initiatives working to keep drunk drivers off our roads have won more than $680,000 in state grants to support their work.

The Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office has received a $464,132 grant to continue a specialized prosecution team that handles alcohol and drug-impaired driving. Last year, the prosecution team filed 856 DUI cases, including 342 DUI drug cases and 50 DUI combined alcohol and drug cases.

“Impaired driving is a growing problem, particularly with drivers suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of both alcohol and drugs,” District Attorney Jill Ravitch said. “This program allows us to focus on holding those who decide to drive impaired accountable for their dangerous actions.”

The Sonoma County Probation Department received a $220,000 grant for a program that places high-risk DUI offenders with multiple DUI convictions under intensive supervision to ensure they follow court-ordered terms of their probation.

“We share the OTS and Sonoma County Court’s interest in ensuring a safe community by providing prevention, opportunity, and accountability for high-risk probation clients,” Sonoma County Deputy Chief Probation Officer Wardell Anderson said.

Both programs were funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

Get involved with local government

Government is only as good as the people who step forward to serve. There are many opportunities available now to support the community by serving on local boards, commissions and committees.

Current vacancies include:

• Assessment Appeals Board: To make determinations about property values for Sonoma County property owners. Learn more: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/board-of-supervisors/services-and-information/assessment-appeals

• Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County: To partner with low income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social stability. Learn more: https://www.capsonoma.org/



• Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Advisory Board: To promote the physical, social, and emotional health of childbearing women, children and adolescents in Sonoma County. Learn more: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/health-and-human-services/health-services/boards-commissions-and-committees/maternal-child-and-adolescent-health-advisory-board



• Sonoma County Local Task Force on Integrated Waste Management: To develop goals, policies, and procedures around waste management, waste reduction and recycling issues. Learn more: https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/development-services/transportation-and-public-works/divisions/integrated-waste

Check out the list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.

My name is Nina. I’m a female white and blue pit bull terrier. I’m about 8 years old and weigh 63 pounds. I’ve been at the shelter since Nov. 18 while I wait for my forever home, perhaps with children 10 and older. My caretakers say I’m an attentive dog who will look to my handler for direction. I like seeking attention from people and I’m very tolerant and playful with other dogs. I would benefit from continued training and daily walks.

I’m one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.

Volunteer opportunities

Make a difference in your community. Find out how you can give back here.

Employment opportunities

Take your next career step with the County of Sonoma. Explore employment opportunities here.

(stories may require subscriptions)

COVID-19

• Virus experts see silver lining: Outlook is better for those who had illness and booster (Dec. 2)
• Petaluma Valley Hospital ER docs and nurses report high volume of respiratory patients (Dec. 1)
• 40 days without a COVID-19 death: Sonoma County marks longest pandemic reprieve (Nov. 25)
• Sonoma County experts brace for surge of holiday-related RSV, flu and COVID-19 infections (Nov. 22)
• Sonoma County doctors concerned about spike in local flu, RSV rates (Nov. 15)

Drought

• The Bennett Valley water story (Nov. 15)
• Lake Sonoma at lowest level in history, though still enough to get the region through another year (Nov. 7)
• Drought challenging fish survival in Russian River watershed (Nov. 3)

Other topics

• Sonoma County receives $5.7 million installment of FEMA wildfire resiliency grant (Dec. 1)
• Sonoma County spent $40 million on road repairs in 2022 (Nov. 29)
• Sonoma County poised to name new County Administrator in December (Nov. 27)
• Sonoma County seeks new ambulance operator (Nov. 21)
• Sonoma Valley crowd discusses future of Springs (Nov. 16)
• Passengers react to Sonoma County airport’s new boarding area and baggage claim renovations (Nov. 16)
• New terminal, baggage claim area to open at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport (Nov. 15)
• Sonoma County airport trends toward record passenger year (Nov. 17)
• Decision close on controversial logging plan near Guerneville (Nov. 13)
• Sonoma County leaders travel to Egypt to represent North Bay at UN climate conference (Nov. 10)
• Sonoma County joins Operation Green Light to show support for veterans (Nov. 10)
• County launches fentanyl awareness campaign (Nov. 6)
• Close to Home: ‘Housing Heroes’ can foster affordability (Nov. 6)
• Sonoma County foster parents get statewide honor (Nov. 4)
• County says homeless plan on track despite temporary halt on state funding (Nov. 3)

Dec. 8 - Ag + Open Space District Advisory Committee

Dec. 8 - Historical Records Commission

Dec. 8 - Funding and Evaluation Committee

Dec. 12 - Homeless Management Information Systems Data Committee

Dec. 13 - Board of Supervisors

Dec. 14 - Springs Municipal Advisory Council

Dec. 15 - Lower Russian River Municipal Advisory Council

Dec. 15 - Civil Service Commission

Dec. 15 - Continuum of Care - CoC Board Elections

Dec. 16 - Special Board of Supervisors meeting (Sonoma Developmental Center Specific Plan)

Dec. 16 - Continuum of Care Strategic Planning Committee

Dec. 21 - North Sonoma Valley Municipal Advisory Council

Dec. 21 - Coordinated Entry Advisory Committee

Dec. 21 - Community Development Committee

Dec. 26 - Christmas Holiday (most government offices closed)

Jan. 2 - New Year’s Day Holiday (most government offices closed)

Jan. 10 - Board of Supervisors

Getting outside and enjoying the county

Dec. 10 - December Fun Fest at Rancho Mark West

Dec. 10 - Reunión Decembrina en el Rancho Mark West

Dec. 17 - Posada En El Parque

Dec. 17 - Mark West Park Preview

Interested in what's going on at the County of Sonoma?

Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent here.

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A publication of the County Administrator’s Office – Communications Staff