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One of the reasons governments exist is to protect the people they serve. In this edition of SoCo Correspondent, you will learn how the county conducts inspections to ensure the public is not overcharged at the checkout counter at local stores and what the county does when overcharges are found. You will also discover a new tool to help residents understand the threat of wildfires in their neighborhoods and take action to reduce those risks. In addition, there’s an update on a county program that sends crisis intervention specialists, instead of law enforcement officers, to help people who are experiencing a mental health breakdown. Plus, we want you to know about plans to celebrate the 50th birthday of Spring Lake Regional Park, one of the county’s most popular parks.
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, 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.
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Consumer Alert: Check your receipt | |
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Are you overpaying at the checkout stand? Unfortunately, there’s a good chance you are.
Nearly 36 percent of local grocery stores and retail shops with electronic price scanners failed inspections conducted by the county Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures to ensure consumers are charged the correct price. Over the last 13 months, county staff discovered pricing errors that resulted in violations at 232 local retail businesses. Of those, 170 remained out of compliance following a second inspection and were fined a total of $102,000.
“In Sonoma County and throughout California, it is illegal for a retailer to charge a price higher than what is posted, advertised, or presented as the true price offered for sale,” said Andrew Smith, who serves as the county’s Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. “Customers rely on accurate prices so they can make good decisions on how to spend their money. Thanks to the county’s price verification program, businesses are being held accountable.”
The businesses that were found to be overcharging were of all types and sizes. They ranged from big box retail chain stores to pharmacies and grocery stores to mom and pop merchants. The range of overpricing on a single sales receipt was from less than 50 cents to more than $125.
The best way to protect yourself is to always check your receipts. If you are overcharged, talk to the manager of the business, explain what you experienced and give them the opportunity to make it right. If they refuse to honor their sales price or you believe they are guilty of repeated overcharging, file a complaint with the Department of Agriculture/Weights & Measures. It can be reached at (707) 565-2371 or SonomaAg@Sonoma-County.org.
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County updates wildfire planning tool
to assist communities
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The county has learned a lot about wildfires over the last six years. Now, that information has been aggregated into an online hub that allows the public to better understand the threat of a wildfire in their neighborhood and ways to reduce those risks.
Last week, the Board of Supervisors approved the first update to the county’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan since 2016. The update provides statistical data about wildfire risks, vulnerable populations, and strategies to help government, nonprofits and community groups protect people.
“By incorporating this plan into our broader hazard mitigation strategies, we are prioritizing the safety of our residents and the preservation of our environment,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors.
The online hub features an interactive map displaying local wildfire risks, a list of wildfire protection projects, information about risk reduction strategies and grant opportunities, and links to local community wildfire protection plans.
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County leaders honor public servants at lunch event | |
Jeff DuVall, left, interim head of the Department of Emergency Management, was among county leaders who served lunch at the county's Public Employee Appreciation event on May 10. | |
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County leaders dished up lunch for more than 2,000 county workers last week to thank them for their service during Public Service Recognition Week.
Members of the Board of Supervisors and department heads served heaping plates of tri-tip steak, chicken, portobello mushrooms and sides during the lunch hosted by County Administrator Christina Rivera at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building.
“Thank you so much for all you do,” Rivera told the crowd of lunchtime guests. “You all have decided to make a professional career here with us. Personally, I can tell you it works out pretty well. I’ve been here for 26 years, and now I have the privilege of being your county administrator.”
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Board approves new contract with county’s largest union | |
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The county achieved a milestone last week in its efforts to negotiate new labor agreements with 11 unions that represent county workers.
The Board of Supervisors approved a three-year contract agreement with Service Employees International Union Local 1021, which represents more than half of the county government’s 4,200 full-time workers. This week, the board approved new contracts with two other unions that represent 74 prosecutors and public defenders.
The agreement with SEIU contains a 13.5 percent cost-of-living pay increase over three years and a one-time salary increase averaging 4 percent for two-thirds of SEIU members who were earning below-market wages. It also boosts county contributions for health care benefits and raises pay for bilingual workers.
The changes will bolster the county’s efforts to retain existing employees and recruit new workers while meeting its obligation to act as a responsible steward of public tax dollars.
“There is no public service without public servants,” said Supervisor Chris Coursey, chair of the Board of Supervisors. “Their work is essential and makes our county better in so many ways. The pay increases in this contract will help offset the impacts of inflation that have eroded employee salaries over the last two years. They will also improve our ability to compete for top talent by matching increases in pay and benefits offered by other counties in our region.”
The county continues to negotiate with eight other unions that represent 1,500 employees.
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Bolstering mobile mental health support | |
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When someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, often they need a behavioral health specialist who understands their situation rather than a law enforcement officer with little to no background in crisis support.
In Sonoma County, mobile crisis support teams – which typically include a trained crisis intervention worker or licensed mental health professional, an EMT or paramedic, and an outreach worker from a nonprofit partner – act as first responders to service calls that do not require law enforcement. They provide mobile interventions and assessments to individuals experiencing a mental health breakdown.
Because of Measure O, the quarter-cent sales tax voters approved by Sonoma County voters in 2020 to fund mental health and homelessness services, mobile crisis support teams will be expanding to cover all of Sonoma County by the end of the year.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved $1.5 million to fund existing mobile crisis support teams in Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Cotati, and directed Department of Health Services staff to expand the program countywide. The board’s approval includes $500,000 for Santa Rosa’s inRESPONSE team, $500,000 for Petaluma’s SAFE program, and an additional $500,000 for the SAFE program in Rohnert Park and Cotati. Sonoma County Behavioral Health’s Mobile Support Team operates in unincorporated areas.
The county has been working to expand the Mobile Support Team and create a regional model for the past several years. Collaboration with SAFE and inRESPONSE continues to evolve as the teams refine their services and protocols, and develop deeper relationships with law enforcement, hospitals, and community based organizations. With Tuesday’s board direction, behavioral health staff will continue the work of building a regional collaboration.
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Spring Lake Regional Park turns 50 this year | |
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Spring Lake Regional Park, one of the crown jewels of the county’s park system, is getting a facelift this year as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Over the course of the year, visitors will see improvements to much of the park’s paved trail, the boat launch area, Shady Oaks picnic area and Environmental Discovery Center. New tables, BBQs and food lockers will be installed at group picnic areas and all campsites by the end of summer. A new concessionaire will be taking over the revamped cafe (stay tuned for details).
The 320-acre east Santa Rosa park was developed in 1973, nine years after Sonoma Water built a flood-control reservoir that now sits at its center. Floodwaters from Spring Creek and Santa Rosa Creek are diverted into the reservoir, alleviating seasonal flooding in neighborhoods around the park and downtown Santa Rosa. The reservoir has overflowed only once, in 1986.
Generations of Santa Rosa residents and visitors have made lasting memories at Spring Lake Regional Park over the past five decades. Add to them by participating in one of the upcoming events at the park.
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Main Street Bridge in Monte Rio temporarily closed | |
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Above: Map of detour route during temporary closure of Main Street bridge
Below: The Main Street bridge
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A 70-year-old west Sonoma County bridge that connects Villa Grande to Bohemian Highway is scheduled to reopen to motorists this fall after the county Department of Public Infrastructure installs a traffic signal.
The Main Street bridge, which spans Dutch Bill Creek in Monte Rio, suffered critical damage earlier this year during the winter storms. The Department of Public Infrastructure initially closed a single lane on March 29 to ease stress on the bridge while evaluating the storm damage. It was closed to all traffic on May 1 following confrontations between drivers trying to cross the bridge.
A sidewalk on the bridge remains open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Motorists can use Fir Road as an alternative route from Main Street to Bohemian Highway and the Monte Rio bridge that spans the Russian River.
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Shining a spotlight on open space:
Paula Lane Open Space Preserve
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Paula Lane Open Space Preserve, an 11-acre grassland in northwestern Petaluma, is one of several community open space preserves protected by the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District through its Matching Grant Program.
In 2012, Ag + Open Space partnered with the City of Petaluma, which was working with the Paula Lane Action Network, to help the city purchase and own the land for preservation of important wildlife habitat, organic agriculture and community gardens, public access and outdoor education programs.
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Did you take your bike to work today? | |
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Today is Bike to Work Day when cyclists throughout the Bay Area rode their bikes to work. Take the Pledge to ride your bike this month.
If you’ve already left for work today, you can still participate in the May Bike Month Challenge. Get fit, save money, have fun, and maybe even win some prizes!
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Find room to grow with a county job | |
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Registrations are now being accepted 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 Zoom class will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 23.
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.
Click here to register for the May 23 class. To be notified of future classes, contact us at careers@sonoma-county.org and we will add you to our mailing list.
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Support your community by getting involved | |
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:
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Fire Memorial Task Force - To create and install a memorial artwork recognizing the impact of the Sonoma Complex Fires on the County’s residents and specifically honoring the memories of those whose lives were lost.
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Workforce Investment Board - To lead an integrated workforce development system to ensure the County’s economic vitality and quality of life.
Check out the list of current vacancies and discover how you can help shape the future of Sonoma County.
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Adopt the pet of the month | |
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My name is Bonnie. I’m a female pit bull terrier who’s been at the shelter since January. I’m a little over 2 years old and weigh about 63 pounds. I am gentle and enjoy being scratched. My caretakers recommend that I live in a home with children who are 12 or older. My adoption fee is sponsored, which means you can adopt me for free!
Bonnie is one of dozens of cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals at Sonoma County Animal Services in need of adoption.
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Volunteer and employment opportunities | |
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