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When they are hired, every employee at the County takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the State of California. In this week’s edition of SoCo Correspondent, learn how the Board of Supervisors is putting that oath into action and working to uphold the civil rights of all Sonoma County residents, including those who were born in another country. You will also find stories about a significant increase in the County’s Living Wage and a major investment in County roads and other infrastructure. Plus, we will hook you up to a series of upcoming opportunities to learn more about the local economy, a threatened species returning to local creeks, and new protections for renters in unincorporated areas.


If you have a friend or family member who lives in the area – or you know of a former Sonoma County resident who might be interested in receiving these updates – urge them to sign up for the SoCo Correspondent so they can receive it directly, normally on the first and third week of each month.

 

¿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.

Board of Supervisors acts to safeguard civil rights of immigrants  

Photo of a Sonoma County Board of Supervisors meeting at the Center for the Arts in Sebastopol in January 2025 with community members and white star lanterns hanging from the ceiling in an auditorium

The Board of Supervisors addresses the public during a special meeting Jan. 10 at the Sebastopol Center for the Arts.

 

At a special Jan. 10 meeting in Sebastopol, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors pledged to protect the civil rights of the county’s immigrants to the fullest extent provided by the law.

 

The Board of Supervisors approved a resolution limiting the use of County funds, personnel and other resources to enforce federal immigration laws. The resolution reaffirms the County’s alignment with state laws adopted by the California Legislature that ensure law enforcement services, schools, health care facilities, courts and other public agencies are accessible to every person in California, regardless of immigration status.

 

“Immigrants are valued and integral members of our community, our social fabric and our local economy,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “This resolution makes it clear that County government will uphold the civil rights of undocumented immigrants like we would for any other member of our community.”

 

The resolution directs County departments and employees to comply with the California Values Act, the 2017 state law that limits state and local government agencies, including law enforcement, from sharing information about an individual’s immigration status with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency that enforces immigration laws. Exceptions in the state law allow law enforcement to provide ICE with information about undocumented immigrants convicted of a serious or violent felony.

 

The resolution also reaffirms that County policy is aligned with the statewide Trust Act of 2013, which limits law enforcement’s role in immigration detentions, and the statewide Truth Act of 2016, which provides transparency and oversight of law enforcement communications with ICE.

 

“The Board of Supervisors wants all residents of Sonoma County to know that interacting with local government – whether to access benefits, report a crime, file a legal document or any of the countless other ways a resident and government come together – should not put any resident at risk, regardless of immigration status,” the resolution states. 

Learn more about the Board of Supervisors’ resolution

Board of Supervisors boosts Living Wage

Graphic in gray and green for living wage with stars and circles

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors last week raised the County’s Living Wage to $23.15 an hour, a 28 percent increase designed to offset the impact of inflation and catch up to pay levels set by other Bay Area counties and cities with similar wage ordinances.

 

The increase, from $18.10 an hour, will take effect July 1. It applies to workers at private companies and nonprofits that contract with the County of Sonoma or operate a business on County property, provided they meet size, revenue and other standards defined in the Living Wage ordinance.

 

“While today’s increase is significant, it is only a step in the right direction when it comes to narrowing income gaps,” said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Employers that generate revenues from the County should ensure their workers earn a wage that allows them to be self-sufficient and meet minimum basic needs. Increasing wages for the lowest-paid workers strengthens the health and resilience of our entire community.”

 

The Board of Supervisors adopted the Living Wage ordinance in 2016 to promote a viable wage for local residents whose jobs are tied to County contracts. It is unrelated to the state minimum wage, which increased to $16.50 an hour on Jan. 1, or state minimum wages for fast food workers and health care employees. 

See who’s covered by the County’s Living Wage ordinance

Join the conversation at SoCo Chat

Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, right, speaks with Matt Brown, supervising county communications specialist, during a recent episode of SoCo Chat.


This month, District 5 Supervisor Lynda Hopkins was sworn into her third term as the representative for west Sonoma County and then immediately elected to serve as 2025 chair of the Board of Supervisors. On a new episode of SoCo Chat, Supervisor Hopkins discusses her priorities for the upcoming year, including her mission to make government work better for every member of our community. 


Subscribe to SoCo Chat on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and YouTube, and check out our growing library of episodes in both English and Spanish (Descubre nuestra creciente selección de episodios en inglés y español). Recent guests and topics of discussion have included:

 

SoCo Chat podcast logo with since 2024 and a retro microphone in the middle
Join the conversation at SoCo Chat

County invests $75 million in infrastructure improvements in 2024

Green and white infographic for 2024 public infrastructure upgrades and improvements in Sonoma County highlighting roadwork and more

No other County government in the state of California spends more of its own discretionary funds on road repairs than Sonoma County.

 

There’s a reason why: Sonoma County Public Infrastructure is responsible for maintaining 1,358 miles of roads and 328 bridges in unincorporated areas, the largest road network in the Bay Area. But state funding for roads is doled out based on the number of vehicles in a county, not the size of its road network. As a result, rural counties like Sonoma receive disproportionately less road funding from the state than densely populated urban counties.

 

To fill the gap, the Board of Supervisors annually contributes more than $12 million in discretionary funds to care for County-owned roads in unincorporated areas.

 

“The Board of Supervisors proactively contributes more discretionary dollars to road repairs than any other California county,” said District 2 Supervisor David Rabbitt, who served as board chair for 2024. “Each season, through disasters and emergencies, we build on gains made the year before. The return on investment is resilient infrastructure that improves service to residents and visitors and protects against increasingly extreme weather events.”  

 

Last year, the Sonoma County Public Infrastructure resurfaced more than 38 miles of pavement, installed 53 culverts and repaired 1,266 potholes. It replaced 1,600 road signs and 56 guardrails, striped and stenciled 475 miles of roadway, and responded to more than 565 requests to remove vegetation and hazardous trees. In addition, it completed the Crocker Road pedestrian bridge in Cloverdale, started a project to renovate the Wohler Bridge, broke ground on a project to build a new Public Health Lab and Coroner’s Office, and much more.

 

The total cost: approximately $75 million, including a combination of federal, state and County funds from a variety of sources.

See how Public Infrastructure puts your tax dollars to work

Help shape the future of Sonoma County

How can we make Sonoma County better for everyone? Share your ideas – and your priorities – at a series of community visioning workshops starting tonight and continuing over the next four weeks.


Feedback from the community will help the County update its General Plan, the foundation for all zoning and land use decisions in Sonoma County. Adopted in 2008, this central policy document articulates a vision for the future of the county and sets policies to guide development, foster healthy communities, protect natural resources, and promote social and economic equity.


Each two-hour workshop will offer the same basic content and opportunities for input. Attendees will engage in interactive activities, small group discussions, and collective visioning exercises to provide feedback on key topics such as housing, transportation, economic development, open spaces, and more. Food, Spanish translation, and family-friendly activities will be available.


Attend one of four in-person events (registration is not required):


  • Sonoma Valley High School Library (20000 Broadway, Sonoma): Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.
  • Forestville Community Library (7050 Covey Road, Forestville): Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.
  • Healdsburg Community Center (1557 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg): Feb. 3 at 6 p.m.
  • Penngrove Elementary Multipurpose Room (365 Adobe Road, Penngrove): Feb. 4 at 6 p.m.


The public is also invited to attend one of two virtual workshops on Zoom, which will be held tonight (Jan. 23) at 6 p.m. and Feb. 19 at noon. Advance registration is required; click here to reserve your spot.

Participate in the General Plan Update

County to host town halls for tenants next week in Santa Rosa and Monte Rio

Photo of a for rent sign in front of a home curbside landscape

If you rent a home or apartment in an unincorporated area of Sonoma County, learn more about your rights at a pair of town halls on Jan. 29 and 30 in Santa Rosa and Monte Rio.

 

Under an ordinance approved last September by the Board of Supervisors, landlords seeking to evict a tenant must have a “just cause,” such as nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. Tenants in unincorporated areas are now protected by just-cause requirements as soon as they begin renting, eliminating the one-year waiting period under the state law. Evictions, in most cases, are prohibited during a declared emergency, like a wildfire or flood. Landlords are prohibited from evicting tenants for nonpayment unless more than one month of rent is overdue; tenants can use this protection up to two times per year. When a landlord asks a tenant to vacate a property, they must provide the tenant with information – in English and Spanish – about their rights. As of Jan. 1, landlords must report evictions to the County using a new web portal.

 

The tenant rights town halls will be held Jan. 29 in southwest Santa Rosa at Bellevue Elementary School, 3223 Primrose Ave., and Jan. 30 in Monte Rio at the Monte Rio Community Center, 20488 Highway 116.

 

The informational sessions, which will include Spanish interpretation, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and feature representatives from Legal Aid of Sonoma County and the Sonoma County Counsel’s office.

Learn more about new tenant protections in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County

Ag + Open Space funds to help open Cloverdale’s Soda Springs Preserve

To the west of Cloverdale sits the Soda Springs Ranch Open Space Preserve, a mountainous land laced with oaks, fir trees, redwood groves, grasslands and creeks.

 

Thanks to nearly $1 million in funding from Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, this undeveloped property will soon receive a slate of improvements. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, which serves as the board of directors for Ag + Open Space, voted on Jan. 7 to fund development of trails, parking and other improvements that will allow for initial public access.

 

Ag + Open Space purchased the property in 2023 and immediately transferred it to the City of Cloverdale. The open space district holds a conservation easement and recreational covenant on the 209-acre property, ensuring it will be a natural and recreational resource for generations to come.

 

“We are happy to provide support to the City of Cloverdale and their efforts to open the preserve to the public,” said District 4 Supervisor James Gore, who represents the Cloverdale area. “Together with Porterfield Creek Trails Open Space Preserve immediately to the south, we are creating new spaces for residents to reconnect with nature while preserving the scenic beauty of our county.”

Learn more about Soda Springs Ranch Open Space Preserve

Economic Perspective conference will explore local efforts to adapt to climate change

Strengthening our community’s ability to thrive in the face of climate change is the focus of the County’s annual Economic Perspective conference on Jan. 30 at Sonoma State University.

 

The breakfast event will bring local leaders and changemakers together to explore strategies to address economic challenges and foster inclusive growth in 2025 and beyond. Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, will open the conference. The keynote speaker, SSU economist Merlin Hanauer, will provide insights on socioeconomic and environmental impacts of environmental policies. A panel of experts will examine the impacts of disasters on marginalized communities and highlight ideas to support homeowners, small businesses and entrepreneurs through climate challenges.

 

The annual conference is hosted by the Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative, a County agency that provides confidential, no-cost consulting services to businesses seeking to start, relocate, and grow in Sonoma County. Tickets cost $55, plus Eventbrite fees, and are available through Sunday.

Attend the 2025 Economic Perspective

On the Move

Andrew Sturmfels joined the County’s executive leadership team this week as assistant county administrator, the No. 2 position in the County Administrator’s Office.


“Andrew brings a deep commitment to enhancing government services, as well as experience leading and developing diverse teams, implementing organizational improvements, and engaging with communities to achieve meaningful outcomes,” County Executive Maria Christina Rivera said. “I am confident that his background and expertise will contribute significantly to our County’s continued pursuit of enriching the quality of life in Sonoma County through superior public services.”

 

Marrying careers in the hospitality industry, state and local government, and higher education, Sturmfels has a track record of modernizing government while creating a culture of caring and service. Previously, he served as assistant city manager in Healdsburg and deputy director of two state agencies, the California Department of General Services and the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. He also taught public policy and administration in the masters programs at Sonoma State University and Cal State Sacramento.

 

“I am looking forward to lending my skills to help tackle the County’s toughest challenges and improve the lives of Sonoma County residents,” Sturmfels said. “I believe that government can make a positive impact on our community, and I’m driven by a passion to improve government services by enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness.”

 

Sturmfels lives in Healdsburg with his wife and three children.

Connect with the County Administrator’s Office

Join the Sheriff's Office Community Spanish Academy

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the Spanish version of its annual Community Academy.

 

The free education program, which is taught entirely in Spanish, is an opportunity to get an inside look at the Sheriff’s Office and engage directly with its staff. Participants will learn about police ethics, communications, drug enforcement, criminal law, the correctional system, and specialized investigations, such as the Coroner Bureau and Violent Crimes Investigations.

 

The academy will take place over four Saturdays this spring at the Sheriff’s Office headquarters in Santa Rosa. It is open to people over the age of 18 who live or work in Sonoma County and speak Spanish. A full list of requirements is available here.

 

Applications are due by Jan. 31. Next month, the Sheriff’s Office will begin accepting applications for the English-language version of the Community Academy.

Apply for the Sheriff’s Office Spanish-language Community Academy

Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival returns Feb. 8

Every winter, threatened Steelhead trout return to the Sonoma County creeks where they were hatched and make their way upstream to spawn the next generation of fish.

 

This yearly ritual of renewal will be celebrated on Feb. 8 at the 16th annual Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival. The family-friendly event, held rain or shine at the Milt Brandt Visitor Center, draws thousands of people each year for fun, food and entertainment. It features tours of the hatchery, hands-on demonstrations, live music, a bubble show, arts and crafts, food and drink, and activities like archery and casting lessons.

 

The free event is hosted by Sonoma Water, Friends of Lake Sonoma, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Attend the Lake Sonoma Steelhead Festival

Find room to grow with a County job

The County has more than 50 job openings posted on its website. How can you improve your chances of landing one?

 

Sign up for the next Start Here! class, which provides an overview of the County of Sonoma’s job application, examination and selection processes. The two-hour virtual class will be held Feb. 4 at 10 a.m.

 

The free class is intended for the public, whether you are looking for a new position now or planning for a future employment opportunity. Participants will learn how to submit a thorough application, best practices for the interview and examination, and much more.

 

Contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org to register for the Feb. 4 class or sign up for our mailing list to be notified of future classes.

Explore current job openings

Adopt the pet of the week

My name is Augie. I’m a 22-month-old pit bull terrier who was brought to the shelter in July. I’m a charming short stack who weighs 41 pounds and will leave you laughing with my bouts of energetic zoomies. I love going for walks and getting pet. Will you bring me into your family?

 

Augie is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.

View animals available for adoption

Support your community by getting involved

Get involved with local government


Make a difference in Sonoma County! Local government thrives when passionate individuals like you step up to serve. There are countless opportunities for you to get involved and play a crucial role in shaping the future of our beloved Sonoma County. Check out the current vacancies:




Your involvement can make a significant impact. Take the first step and explore how you can contribute to a brighter future for Sonoma County.

Find out more and apply online

Volunteer and employment opportunities

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.

In the news

(stories may require subscriptions)

Upcoming events

Upcoming events

Jan. 28           Human Rights Commission

Jan. 30           2025 Economic Perspective conference

Feb. 5             Measure O Citizen’s Oversight Committee

Feb. 5             IOLERO Community Advisory Council

Feb. 6             Planning Commission

Feb. 11           Aging & Disability Commission Executive Committee

Feb. 12           Lincoln’s Birthday (most County offices closed)

Getting outside and enjoying the county

Jan. 25           Rainbow Hike for LGBTQIA2S+ people – Spring Lake Regional Park

Jan. 29           Winging It Wednesday – Tolay Lake Regional Park

Feb. 4             Senior Saunters – Taylor Mountain Regional Park

Follow us online or contact us via email

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Sign up for the SoCo Correspondent here.


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

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