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Preliminary 2024 Point-in-Time homeless count numbers rise as COVID-era programs end
After registering a decrease of 22 percent of people experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County in 2023, preliminary results of the Sonoma County Point-in-Time count for 2024 recorded an overall 11 percent increase. The annual one-day snapshot, conducted on January 26 from 5 to 10 a.m. across Sonoma County, located a total of 2,522 people experiencing homelessness, up from 2,266 in 2023 Read full story
Sonoma County declares local emergency in response to Point Fire
Sonoma County Executive M. Christina Rivera has declared a local emergency in response to the Point Fire, a prerequisite for requesting state and federal assistance for response and recovery efforts. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting within the next seven days to consider ratifying the proclamation. Read full story
Board of Supervisors adopts Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today 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. Read full story
Board of Supervisors approves plan to expand access to and participation on boards and commissions
The Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a plan to increase participation in County boards and commissions for underserved communities of color, and communities who have not traditionally had access to join these governing bodies. The Board also approved the Office of Equity’s proposed Community Engagement toolkit, which provides recommendations on culturally sensitive community engagement practices to be implemented by County Departments. Read full story
Help shape the future of Wright Hill Regional Park and Open Space Preserve
Help shape the future development of Wright Hill Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, a park and preserve on the Sonoma Coast not yet open to the public. Sonoma County Regional Parks is seeking public feedback as the department creates a Master Plan to guide the park’s future public access, amenities, educational uses and natural resource stewardship. Read full story
Public hearings on 2024-25 Sonoma County budget to begin Tuesday
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors will hold annual budget hearings beginning Tuesday, June 11 at 8:30 a.m. The hearings will be streamed live with an opportunity for the public to provide input each day regarding the recommended 2024-2025 fiscal year operating plan. At the conclusion of the budget hearings, the board will adopt a final budget to serve as the strategic operating plan for the fiscal year beginning on July 1. Read full story
Sonoma County Announces Call to Artists for Design of Permanent Public Fire Memorial
The County of Sonoma is seeking proposals from qualified artists or artist teams to design, create and install artwork honoring the victims of the devastating 2017 wildfires and commemorating the community’s resilience. Read full story
Russian River inflatable dam being inflated
Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) will begin the multi-day process of inflating its rubber dam located in the Russian River near Forestville on June 10. The rubber dam is a critical component of the Russian River water supply system that provides naturally filtered drinking water to more than 600,000 residents in portions of Sonoma and Marin counties. Read full story
Serial Rapist Sentenced to Life In State Prison
Defendant Ricky Marion Bostic, 55 years old of Sonoma County, was sentenced earlier today by the Honorable Laura Passaglia to serve 15 years to life in state prison after having previously plead “no contest” to charges of felony assault with intent to rape, and rape of an intoxicated person. Read full story
Convicted Child Molester Denied Parole
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation inmate Nathan Stephens, 65 years old of Santa Rosa, was given a five-year denial of parole by the State of California Board of Parole Hearings following a contested hearing held on June 4, 2024, at North Kern State Prison. Read full story