To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Regional Parks
Staff Name and Phone Number: Melanie Parker, 707-565-2355
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Parks for All Measure M Report, 2023-2024
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Receive the Sonoma County Regional Parks 2024 Report to Community - including the FY 2023-2024 “Parks for All” Measure M Report.
B) Receive the Findings and Conclusions of the Citizens Oversight Committee for the 2023-2024 “Parks for All” Measure M Report.
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Executive Summary:
Annually, the “Parks for All” Measure M Citizens Oversight Committee conveys its findings to the Board of Supervisors and all City Councils through a Parks for All Measure M Report, fulfilling the requirements of Ordinance #6238, which established the 2018 voter-approved special use tax and its reporting obligations. For 2023-2024, Sonoma County Regional Parks produced the “Sonoma County Regional Parks Report to the Community 2024”, a comprehensive overview of the department’s accomplishments. This report includes the 2023-2024 Parks for All Measure M Report (pages 24-27), which was reviewed and approved by the Measure M Citizens Oversight Committee. This year’s report demonstrates how Sonoma County’s growing parks system benefits from Measure M including park maintenance, new developments, community programs, and natural resource stewardship.
Discussion:
The Parks for All Measure M bond measure was passed in November 2018 authorizing a one-eighth cent special use tax county-wide to support county and city parks. Per Ordinance #6238, the Board of Supervisors established a Citizens Oversight Committee (hereinafter “the Committee”) to monitor the implementation of this measure. Per the ordinance, the Committee shall receive an Annual Report no later than six months after the conclusion of the fiscal year.
The Annual Report was presented to the Committee for review on November 12, 2024, in the form of the Sonoma County Regional Park’s 2024 Comprehensive Report to the Community. The Committee reviewed and presented several edits and suggestions. A revised version of the Report was presented to the Committee on January 27, 2025. On January 27, 2025, the Committee voted and found the 2023-2024 Annual Report to meet the intent of the measure, to convey to the public how funds were spent to support the parks, and to identify remaining fund balances to spend on parks in future years. Their findings are presented in detail in the Findings and Conclusions attachment.
This year’s report highlights how Sonoma County’s growing parks system benefits from Measure M funding including park maintenance, new developments, community programs, and natural resource stewardship. These funds are leveraged, matching every dollar with additional sources to enhance safety, beauty, and large-scale projects like trails, restrooms, and sports fields. Notable achievements include completing phase one of Maxwell Farms Regional Park’s redevelopment in Sonoma, adding 8 miles of trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park in Santa Rosa, and expanding recreation access with the acquisition of Chanslor Ranch near Bodega Bay in partnership with Sonoma County Ag + Open Space.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
On January 9, 2024, the Board of Supervisors received the 2022-2023 Parks for All Measure M Annual Report.
On January 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors received the 2021-2022 Parks for All Measure M Annual Report.
On January 25, 2022, the Board of Supervisors received the 2020-2021 Parks for All Measure M Annual Report.
On January 26, 2021, the Board of Supervisors received the 2019-2020 Parks for All Measure M Annual Report.
On February 4, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved the bylaws of the Citizens Oversight Committee.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Sonoma County Regional Parks Report to Community 2024
Findings and Conclusions
Presentation Slides
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
Presentation Slides - PowerPoint