Would you like to see Sonoma County invest more in projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?  Want to see racial equity across our systems and services?  Where would you like to see the County be in terms of housing development five years from now?

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed a suite of actions to slow the spread of coronavirus by providing direct support to those most negatively impacted.

We have some exciting news to share! On October 2, 2020 the Human Resources Department met with union representatives to discuss the addition of a new Staff Development-Wellness benefit category called Ergonomic Office Expenses.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get your free flu vaccine! Sonoma County employees MUST register online to receive a FREE flu shot appointment.

On October 12 we celebrate Indigenous People's Day. Today, we present oral histories of two members of Movimiento Cultural de la Union Indígena.

El 12 de octubre celebramos el Día de los Pueblos Indígenas. Hoy presentamos las historias orales de dos miembras del Movimiento Cultural de la Unión Indígena.

Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the Health and/or Dependent Care FSA Plan for the 2021 plan year! All full-time and part-time employees in an allocated position of.40 full-time equivalent (FTE) or greater are eligible to participate in the FSA Annual Enrollment.

It is unbelievable that we are once again communicating with our employees about how to handle pay and other benefits as the result of another emergency.  I hope you and your families are safe and coping as well as can be given the circumstances.

First, I would like to thank you all for your dedication in providing essential services to our community regardless of our circumstances. In particular, I applaud your response to the Meyers and Walbridge fires amid this coronavirus pandemic.

On August 20, 2020 the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors officially established the Office of Equity. This critical step recognizes the powerful role that local government can play to unseat racial inequities through the intentional development of new policies, programs, and legislation.

On August 21, 2020, the Board of Supervisors ratified a proclamation declaring the LNU Complex Fire emergency and disaster effective August 18, 2020.

Once again we find ourselves battling wildfires in our community. It gives me great pain when I hear that County employees have lost their homes as a result of these latest fires.

I would like to thank you again for all that you have been doing to help our community weather this crisis and to help your departments and colleagues adapt to the changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19. Your commitment and perseverance have made all the difference.

Words are not enough, but they are a start. This morning at the beginning of our meeting, we took a unified stand in condemning the hateful racist and sexist attack on County and local leaders that occurred recently during an online community meeting to address homeless issues.

The Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights has released a groundbreaking report on police violence against protesters over the last weeks. "Human Right Violations in Santa Rosa California - Policing the Black Lives Matter Protests," details the excessive use of force and human rights abuses perpetrated on the public by the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) and other law enforcement agencies during protests following the murder of George Floyd.

Important! Employee Benefits Update

As on-site activities increase, it is extremely important that all employees follow the rules regarding the requirement to wear a face covering.   

On Friday, June 5, 2020 the Public Health Officer issued Public Health Order C19-14 allowing for more opportunities to work and play outside our homes. 

As you all know, the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect on the economy has been significant.  Public entities rely almost entirely on local, state, or federal revenue sources, primarily funded by a variety of taxes. 

Yesterday, George Floyd’s family said goodbye forever to the man they loved.  George died as a police officer planted a knee onto his neck for several minutes cutting off his ability to breathe and ultimately killing him, while he laid face down on the street in handcuffs.

We hope you and your families are well and safe during these continuing challenging times. As we begin a new pay period under a continuation of the health officer’s shelter-in-place order, we are providing you with updated information on the pay coding for this pay period.

After nearly three months since the Public Health Officer declared a local health emergency, the COVID-19 emergency continues to be a very fluid situation.  The County’s emergency response planning and guidance is continually evolving based on key health indicators and new information. I want to take a moment to thank you for your dedication and commitment for keeping the County functioning while caring for family, friends, and neighbors through these challenging times

Now that the County is in the initial stages of the second Phase of the Governor’s four-step plan for gradual reopening, a number of lower risk workplaces identified in the Health Officer’s recent amendment to the Shelter in Place Order are allowed to resume operations.

As we approach the second month of sheltering in place, many of you may be asking how soon we will be able to return to some form of normalcy. Truly getting back to any resemblance of normal will be a slow process and much of it will be guided by the Governor’s Pandemic Resilience Roadmap and key health indicators.

Public Service Recognition Week is celebrated annually during the first week of May. This national recognition week encourages government at all levels to promote government employees and careers, educate the public about the value of public servants and the services they provide, recognize excellence in public service, and promote the spirit of public service

I want to take this opportunity to update you on the new Shelter-in-Place Health Order, which takes effect on May 4, 2020, and will reduce restrictions in a number of important employment and consumer business areas. 

Two new resources available to support emotional resiliency during a crisis: Online General Staff and Managerial Covid-19-Related Program Offerings and Free App and Online Resource for Managing Emotional Well-being.

I want to take this opportunity to update you on the new Shelter-in-Place Health Order, which takes effect on May 4, 2020, and will reduce restrictions in a number of important employment and consumer business areas. 

We made it through a month of sheltering in place, and while challenging, it is clear that our social distancing efforts have had noticeable success in slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our County.

This message is to inform you about changes to the County Deferred Compensation Program as a result of the recent passage of the CARES Act. The Act contained 3 provisions that modify the Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan/OBRA – Extra Help Plan) which is administered by Nationwide.

With the continued temporary suspension of non-essential County operations, I want to begin this week by sharing an innovative service delivery story from the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor for the issuance of marriage licenses.

Over the last few weeks the County has taken a series of preventative steps in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, including issuing a Shelter in Place Order, closure of all parks in the County, and reinforcing important health reminders such as practicing social distancing and good hygiene, and staying home from school or work when sick.

I hope this email finds you and loved one’s doing well. It is unusual to send a Sunday email, but as you know the COVID-19 emergency has been very fluid.  I wanted to let all County employees know that this afternoon the Public Health Officer Guidance on Face Coverings for General Public in All Age Groups was published.

It is hard to believe that we are embarking on Day 13 of the County’s Shelter in Place Order.  This Health Order requires that most people stay home unless they are engaged in certain “Essential Activities.”   This is a critical intervention to reduce harm from the spread of the coronavirus in our community. 

Updates from Human Resources for HRLs, Payroll Clerks, and COOP Coordinators: Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) Mid-Year Change Due to COVID-19; Deadline to Submit 2019 Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Claims Extended; AB1825: Preventing Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation; All-Employee Communication

With the recent developments regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic and in anticipation of some of the County facility closures the 2020-2021, the Annual Enrollment period will be extended through April 10, 2020. All scheduled Annual Enrollment onsite and WebEx Information Sessions have been cancelled.

The flu clinic scheduled for Tuesday, March 17th has been cancelled due to the evolving circumstances surrounding COVID-19.  Flu vaccines may still be available through local pharmacies and health care providers.

As the COVID-19 pandemic quickly evolves, I wanted to provide you with an update based on the most current developments. 

I would like to take this opportunity to reach out to our County family and extend my gratitude for the tremendous work you are doing for our community. I truly appreciate everyone’s efforts in maintaining essential core services during these stressful and trying times.  

As you have very likely heard, the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread both in the United States and globally. 

As you have very likely heard, the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread both in the United States and globally. 

A big thank you to everyone that participated in our Employee Commute Survey.  Your input is extremely valuable, and will be used to help us develop recommendations to improve the County’s Clean Commute Program in the coming months.  I am pleased to announce the winners of both the survey contest and the monthly Clean Commute raffle.  Congratulations!!

Recipients of the 2019 Employee Service Awards

We are seeking County employees who are interested in joining existing Schools of Hope tutors in this tutoring program. County employees can volunteer to tutor 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students at the participating school of their choice.

The County of Sonoma is pleased to announce that WCE and the County signed a comprehensive Tentative Agreement on November 12, 2019. Learn more…..

Seasonal Flu Vaccinations and Health Screenings will be offered on a variety of dates and at various County locations. Non-fasting screening package includes: Blood Pressure, Total Cholesterol, HDL, Glucose, Height, Weight, BMI, and Body Fat (screenings are confidential)

The County of Sonoma and WCE met for their thirteenth bargaining session on October 7, 2019.  The parties have exchanged conceptual comprehensive packages in an effort to reach agreement at the table. Learn more.....

The County of Sonoma and WCE met for their eleventh bargaining session on September 23, 2019.  The parties have exchanged conceptual frameworks for potential contract changes. Learn more.....