We are recruiting for volunteers for IRONMAN Santa Rosa, which takes place Saturday, July 29, 2017. Join us in helping thousands of athletes get to the finish line in Santa Rosa!

On the Board of Supervisors Agenda for July 18, 2017:

The proposed Mitigation Policy has been developed for use by Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District staff and the General Manager in the evaluation of environmental mitigation-related proposals for District-protected lands, including conservation easements and District-owned properties.

Estimated plan check response times as of Monday, June 19, 2017.

Election Results for Special Election June 6, 2017.

Be sure to watch your mail (US Postal Service) for the annual bill for septic operational permits. Once it has arrived be sure to follow the instructions on back for paying your bill online. You must use your "OPB17" number listed on your invoice to pay your bill.

The County is seeking a qualified Community Based Organization (CBO) to provide outpatient services at the County’s Day Reporting Center (DRC).

In this issue of our e-newsletter, we cover the County’s cannabis workshop series, junior accessory dwelling Units, and a new online tool for contractors. We report back on Permit Sonoma’s response to the winter flooding. And we’ve got an update on the local response to the statewide Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

To improve visibility of the worsening mental health issue of Maternal Mental Health in Sonoma County, two members of the Perinatal Mental Health Partnership created a Maternal Mental Health infographic to bring awareness to this critical issue affecting mothers in Sonoma County through social media.

The EDB is currently seeking volunteers to serve on a 20 member, limited-term Advisory Group, which will help shape a five-year economic strategy for Sonoma County. Members of this group would work with County staff and consultants to prioritize actions and identify opportunities for Sonoma County’s continued economic strength.

Do you have ideas for ways to infuse creativity into your community? Then apply for a Creative Arts Pop Up Grant. Deadline: May 24, 2017.

On the Board of Supervisors Agenda for May 9, 2017:

Review adjustments to County department and agency user fees and charges included in this agenda, reflecting new or updated user fee and charge schedules to be effective on July 1, 2017, unless otherwise noted.  Applies to Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures, Department of Health Services, Fire and Emergency Services, Permit and Resource Management Department, Probation, Sheriff's Office, and Regional Parks.

With the help of the EDB and Working Solutions, Mercedes Hernandez, owner of Bow N Arrow Clothing was able to secure a business loan to open her bohemian-inspired clothing store in Cotati, CA.

Wet Weather Percolation and Groundwater Testing is CLOSED for the 2016-2017 season. Rainfall totals data and/or testing dates have been updated as of May 1, 2017.

Sonoma County and the nation this year will enjoy continued economic growth, but high housing costs and a lack of available workers threaten future prosperity, an economist told civic and business leaders Friday.

After a long dry spell, Sonoma County builders last year created the largest number of new single-family homes in almost a decade.

Santa Rosa's Courthouse Square will be unveiling its new look this week. The $10.5 million project reunifies the downtown square which has been divided by auto traffic for half a century.

Santa Rosa has been recognized as the best microbrewing culture in the United States, according to a recent ranking by the online journal, The Pudding. 

Although California is a powerhouse of technology and innovation, the digital divide persists for rural communities and low-income neighborhoods. Recently introduced legislation, The Internet For All Now Act, would ensure that  California remains economically competitive and a national leader in closing the digital divide.

The Behavioral Health Division presents a Public Hearing to review the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) 2017-2020 Three-Year Integrated Plan & Annual Update for 2015-2016 on May 16, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

Sonoma County ranks 13th in the nation for solar-related jobs, according to a new report by The Solar Foundation. Employment in the county’s solar sector grew 44 percent from the previous year to 3,476 jobs in 2016.

The Department of Health Services, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), employs several strategies to prevent foodborne illness and promote health and quality of life in Sonoma County. Through education, permitting, inspection protocols, and complaint investigations, EHS collaborates with businesses to prevent diseases that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work, play and eat.

Looking for a six-figure salary in Sonoma County? According to 2015 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in health care, law, public safety and IT make the biggest bucks.

Three Sonoma County libraries will be lending more than books through May 2017.  The Guerneville, Sebastopol and Central Santa Rosa branches will have Do-It-Yourself tool kits that promote water and energy savings.

The Sonoma County economy is gaining national attention for its strength in job growth and business vitality. 

The Santa Rosa Junior College is expanding its career and technical training programs to help local firms find qualified workers.

The EDB's Al Lerma discusses the importance of immigrant businesses and consumer spending in Sonoma County.

Event Date: March 22, 2017 from 5:00 – 6:00 PM. Learn how to use online and mobile device tools for handling your permitting needs: Apply for permits, find out the status of a permit, schedule inspections, find out inspection results, pay permit fees, and more!

The specialty food and beverage manufacturing sector continues to grow at a rapid clip, in terms of both profits and employment, according to a December 2016 industry report from the Sonoma County Economic Development Board.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was deactivated at 6:00pm on February 9, 2017. County officials  continue to monitor weather conditions and assess any storm related impacts.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was activated at 5:00pm on February 9, 2017, due to the latest forecast from the California Nevada River Forecast Center indicating the Russian River reaching minor flood stages.

Accessory Unit regulations changed on January 24, 2017. New regulations allowing Junior Units were also adopted.

More Information

The eighth annual Sonoma County Restaurant Week will continue the tradition of celebrating the finest Sonoma County food. From March 6-12, 2017, participating restaurants will present fantastic food at fantastic prices. No tickets or passes required. For more details, visit Sonoma County Restaurant Week.

This year's "Discovered: Emerging Artists from Sonoma County" features the work of five local artists. The show has been co-produced by the Petaluma Arts Center and Creative Sonoma, a division of Sonoma County’s Economic Development Board. The exhibit runs from January 24, 2017 - March 18, 2017.

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB) is seeking a dedicated professional to serve as the next Conference & Communications Coordinator. This position is part-time (30 hours/week). For a complete job description or to apply, visit the County of Sonoma Human Resources page.

Sonoma Magazine - On Friday, February 3rd, 2017, Pliny the Younger is making its 14th annual debut at Russian River Brewing Company (RRBC) in Santa Rosa. Pliny the Younger is one of the most anticipated seasonal beer releases around the globe. Find out what the hype is all about!

To help storm-impacted residents of the Russian River area, Sonoma County’s Permit and Resource Management Department (Permit Sonoma) has opened a temporary permit center January 17, 2017 through and including January 24, 2017 at the Veterans War Memorial building located at 16255 1st Street (at Church Street) in Guerneville. This permit center will process and issue permits for non-structural storm damage repairs. Applicants must be the property owner of record, their authorized agent, or their contractor. Permit processing fees are waived for storm–related damage repair permits.

Permit Center Hours, Location, & Phone Number

Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works Department will provide disposal sites for residents and businesses affected by Russian River flooding to dispose of debris and trash, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Friday, January 20, 2017 and Saturday, January 21, 2017.

Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works Department will provide disposal sites for residents and businesses affected by Russian River flooding to dispose of debris and trash, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Friday, January 20, 2017 and Saturday, January 21, 2017.

At the annual State of the County event on January 12th, 2017, Jerry Nickelsburg of the UCLA Anderson Forecast assured Sonoma County leaders that the North Coast's economic outlook will be positive in 2017 due to steady growth and a jobless rate of less than 4 percent. 

Beginning Friday, January 13, 2017, Sonoma County Transportation and Public Works Department will provide disposal sites for residents and businesses affected by Russian River flooding.

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services (Department) is pleased to invite you to respond to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Management Services of the Community Dental Health Workforce.

If you have structural safety concerns regarding your home or business due to damages from the recent storm, please use the SoCo Report It app.

Treat all low hanging and downed power lines as if they are energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from them. Be aware of trees, pools of water and other objects that may be in contact with power lines.

Vacation Rentals: All property managers must be certified by January 1, 2018 or the Vacation Rental Permit for the property will be expired. If you serve as the property manager or the 24-hour contact for one or more Vacation Rentals within unincorporated Sonoma County, you are required to take this course and pass the test. (Managers of hotels, motels, campgrounds, or hosted rentals do not need to take this certification course.)

More Information & Course Materials