A Message from Supervisor Coursey | |
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As fire season sends us its wake-up call by way of the Point Fire, we’re actively working to inform the public of the ongoing updates to current fires in our county. The good news is that the Point Fire is now under control with crews maintaining containment lines and conducting heavy mop-up operations. In this edition, were providing you with valuable information and links to stay informed during this fire season.
Although it feels so long ago, last week the Board of Supervisors adopted a $2.5 billion budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year, dedicating funds for maintaining core county services, supporting emergency planning, preparedness and response and adding numerous county positions to help support the District Attorney’s Office, the Office of Equity and the Department of Emergency Management, among others.
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Other priorities include funding for community initiatives through Community Organizations Active in Disaster to bolster emergency response and engagement with underserved communities, funding NAACP/Health Action Together’s community hub, and Legal Aid of Sonoma County’s housing program. We also allocated funding to our reserves to ensure we’re in a firm position for future disasters.
As I noted in last week’s budget hearings, this budget reveals the Board’s priorities by where the money goes. I’m proud of what we’re doing here. This budget reflects a commitment to good governance and ensuring we utilize public dollars responsibly. On another positive note, I sat down with our County communications team in the latest episode of the SoCo Chat podcast. I encourage you to listen in to my interview and other interesting episodes.
Read on for more about the County budget and information on wildfire safety. As always, thank you for your ongoing engagement and readership.
Sincerely,
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The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 balanced budget, representing approximately $2.5 billion in total expenditures, a 10 percent increase from the prior fiscal year. The final budget adds 43 full-time County positions for a total of 4,502 employees. The adopted budget is largely consistent with the prior fiscal year budget but adjusted for increased cost of operations and avoids any reductions to core county services. | |
Emergency Readiness Information | |
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With the fire season officially starting June 3, the County of Sonoma strongly recommends subscribing to SoCoAlert and Nixle warning systems to receive alerts through landline calls, telephone devices for the deaf, cell phone text messages or pre-recorded verbal messages and email.
Sign up here: https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/sign-up/
- Plus, make sure you know your official evacuation zone:
https://socoemergency.org/get-ready/evacuation-map/
- Learn how to prevent equipment-sparked fires due to lawn mowing, trailer chains, or driving on dry grass or brush, or with low tire pressure:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/equipment-use/
- Defensible space is an essential buffer between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. Learn more:
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-ready/defensible-space/
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Download the WatchDuty App on your phone to get real-time information about wildfire maps and alerts.
Watch a video on how it works.
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Community Engagement Opportunities | |
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The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management invites you to participate in one of a series of community engagement activities to support the County in the development of a Recovery Operations Plan. These workshops are designed to gather your feedback and your experience on how the County effectively recovers from disasters. The findings will help strengthen Sonoma County’s recovery response to future disasters affecting your communities.
The workshops will take place at the following dates, times, and locations.
Community & Resident Workshop #1
Date: Thursday, June 27
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Zoom
Registration Link
Community & Resident Workshop #2
Date: Wednesday, July 17
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Finley Community Center, Santa Rosa, CA.
Registration Link
Community & Resident Workshop #3
Date: Thursday, July 18
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: TBD, in Sonoma County (we will send an update but please still register)
Registration Link
Community & Resident Workshop #4
Date: Saturday, August 3
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Zoom
Registration Link
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SMART News and Transportation | |
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SMART held a groundbreaking ceremony last week at Andy’s Unity Park for the construction of a bike and pedestrian pathway connecting the predominantly Hispanic community of Moorland to central Santa Rosa and south to Rohnert Park. Once complete, the pathway will offer a safe route to travel along the rail corridor and to neighboring schools for that community.
This segment of the pathway is part of the Sonoma-Marin Rail Transit multiuse path. The entire pathway will connect the Bay Area with the Great Redwood Trail, a 231-mile regional trail connecting multiple counties.
Watch a video of the Groundbreaking:
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The new SMART Connect on-demand shuttle offers a convenient transportation option serving the SMART Larkspur Station, the Golden Gate Larkspur Ferry Terminal, and the surrounding Larkspur Landing area. This service is especially convenient for passengers who find the walk challenging. Due to vehicle capacity limits, priority is given to those with mobility difficulties or those who feel they may not be able to walk from the train station to the ferry terminal.
Hours of operation:
Thursday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 12:30 - 7:30 PM
The shuttle follows the same holiday schedule as the SMART train. All trips must start and end within the service area. Weekday and weekend service areas are different.
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SMART shuttle services have returned this summer. Visitors can take the SMART train to the Sonoma County Airport station, 1130 Airport Blvd., in Santa Rosa and then use the SMART Connect shuttle to connect to Steelhead Beach Regional Park.
Hours of operation:
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There will be one SMART Connect Shuttle to Steelhead Beach in the morning, meeting the 10:47 a.m. Northbound arrival and departing the SMART station at approximately 10:50 a.m.
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Return trips will use the Regional Parks Shuttle from Steelhead or Sunset beaches to return to El Molino High School, where SMART Connect will offer one pickup at 5:15 p.m., to meet the 6 p.m. Southbound SMART train.
Although transfer is free, trips require advanced reservations by calling C3 Transportation at 1-800-727-0279 (Ext. 5 for SMART Connect). Reservations at least 24 hours in advance are encouraged, but same-day reservations may be accommodated. The SMART Connect Transit is free with transfer from SMART, and SMART fares are free for senior and youth riders.
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Recently selected as the 2024 California Nonprofit of the Year by Assemblymember Damon Connolly, LSP serves as a bridge across generations in the Latinx community by advancing the development of young leaders, building awareness about health and wellness, culture, social issues and advocating for equity.
Join us for a Block Party and Car Show Fundraiser. Enjoy awesome cars, tasty food and great music.
Saturday June 29 1-4pm
1000 Apollo Way Santa Rosa, CA 95407
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Sonoma County Library officially kicks off the Summer Reading Challenge—a celebration of reading, learning, and fun.
From June 1 to August 10, children and families who read 20 minutes a day get a chance to earn books and win prizes.
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