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County of Sonoma - News and Press Releases

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December 12, 2023 | Permit Sonoma

Sonoma County kicks off General Plan update

Sonoma County today kicked off its General Plan update, a yearslong process to update the foundational planning document that shapes future growth, encourages housing and job development, fosters healthy and resilient communities, guides the protection and management of natural resources, and promotes social and economic equity. Read full story


December 12, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County’s Living Wage increases to $18.10 an hour

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday boosted the county’s Living Wage to $18.10 an hour, up from $17.65 an hour, to prevent inflation from eroding the incomes of low-wage workers covered by the ordinance. Read full story


December 12, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County increases transit discount for low-income adults through Bay Area’s Clipper START program

The Board of Supervisors today approved a continuation of county participation in the Clipper START program, a regional means-based pilot program launched in 2020 by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. Since 2020, Sonoma County Transit has offered a 20 percent discount on single-ride transit fares for eligible adults earning under 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, Sonoma County Transit will increase the discount to 50 percent for eligible adults. Read full story


December 12, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Mobile Crisis Units to expand countywide by year’s end

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today approved plans to expand Mobile Crisis Units, teams of mental health professionals who respond to emergency calls that do not involve law enforcement, throughout the county by the end of the year. Read full story


December 11, 2023 | Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Registrar of Voters

Nomination period extended for select offices up for election in March 2024

Candidate nominations for the following federal, state, and county offices up for election in the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election, have been extended because an incumbent candidate who was eligible to be elected did not file: Read full story


December 06, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Sonoma County outlaws sideshow driving exhibitions

Promoting, watching and participating in street races and reckless driving exhibitions, also known as sideshows, will soon be unlawful in unincorporated areas of Sonoma County following Tuesday’s approval by the Board of Supervisors of Sheriff’s Office recommendations to prohibit and discourage the dangerous events. Read full story


December 06, 2023 | Department of Emergency Management

SBA offers loans to Sonoma County businesses affected by salmon fishery closure

The U.S. Small Business Administration is now offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses economically impacted by the California salmon fishery closure from April 6 to October 31. The SBA on November 29 declared a disaster following a request from the state Office of Emergency Services. Read full story


December 06, 2023 | Department of Health Services

Sonoma County Department of Health Services awarded grant from the Office of Traffic Safety for child safety seat education program

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services has received a $90,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to support the county’s efforts in educating parents and caregivers about the importance of child safety seats and making sure that every child in our community travels safely. Read full story


December 05, 2023 | County Administrator's Office

Board of Supervisors declares emergency following detection of avian influenza at two local poultry farms

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today declared a local emergency following detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza at two commercial poultry farms in southern Sonoma County. The detection of the virus was announced on Friday following an investigation by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, in coordination with the Sonoma County Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories. Read full story


December 05, 2023 | Natural Resources

Sonoma Water, Sonoma County approve formation of Eel-Russian Project Authority

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, who also serve as the Board of Directors for the Sonoma County Water Agency, voted today to approve a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement with Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission to form the Eel-Russian Project Authority. Read full story