To: Board of Supervisors, Board of Directors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board of Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisor James Gore, (707) 565-2241
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Fourth District
Title:
Title
Use of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve the use of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds totaling $450,000 for the following County projects:
i.) Economic Development Collaborative - Creative Sonoma; Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Project ($200,000);
ii.) Sonoma Water - Alexander Valley Floodplain Restoration Initiatives ($50,000).
B) Authorize the County Executive or designee to execute community grant funding agreements totaling $200,000 in a form approved by County Counsel and for the term from October 13, 2026, through December 31, 2030, with the following entities:
i.) City of Healdsburg ($50,000);
ii.) Community Foundation of Sonoma County ($100,000); and
iii.) Corazon Healdsburg ($50,000).
C) Make a finding that the proposed expenditures are necessary to meet the social needs of the population of the County pursuant to California Government Code section 26227.
D) Adopt a Concurrent Resolution authorizing budgetary adjustments to the FY 2026-27 adopted budget to increase expenditure appropriations in the Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Fund to program a total amount of $450,000, including $200,000 for three community-based project grants, and $200,000 for the Economic Development Collaborative to initiate a Creative Sonoma project at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach, plus a reimbursement of $50,000 to Sonoma Water for Alexander Valley Floodplain Restoration Initiatives. (4/5 Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
This item seeks Board authorization to use $450,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds for County department projects and community-based project grants as follows: $200,000 will be utilized by Creative Sonoma and the Economic Development Collaborative for the development of a permanent veteran memorial in Healdsburg, CA; $50,000 will be utilized by Sonoma Water for the Alexander Valley Floodplain Feasibility Study and Restoration Initiatives; $100,000 will be utilized by the Community Foundation of Sonoma County’s ‘Fitch Mountain Fund’ for wildfire prevention and ecological restoration on Fitch Mountain, in Healdsburg, CA; $50,000 will be utilized by the City of Healdsburg for necessary repairs and improvements to the Healdsburg Future Farmers of America (FFA) Fairgrounds; and $50,000 will be utilized by Corazon Healdsburg for cultural events and community engagement initiatives in Geyserville, CA.
Discussion:
Background:
The County of Sonoma executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians in 2008 and amended the agreement in 2018 and 2023. The agreement (MOA attached) describes payments totaling $28,209,549.00 to the County between 2008 to 2019, and $750,000 annually until 2043, to address potential offsite casino development impacts, emergency response impacts, environmental impacts, and quality of life in the Alexander Valley region. The tribal contributions are allocated to the Dry Creek Mitigation Fund for future mitigation needs and may be used at the County’s sole discretion. The current unallocated and available Dry Creek Fund balance is $460,000. The County has adopted the following financial policy with regard to mitigation funds: “Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds shall be accounted for separately, so that when budgeting, only those monies received in the current year shall be relied upon for financing costs in the coming budget. The Board of Supervisors shall make a determination, as new tribal developments occur, on the best uses of these funds to mitigate impacts and maintain the high quality of life in surrounding or affected communities.”
Recommendations:
Consistent with the Dry Creek MOA, District Four recommends the following allocations from the Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Fund:
Creative Sonoma: Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Project ($200,000)
Creative Sonoma will utilize $200,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds to develop a permanent public artwork in the form of a memorial honoring Veterans at Healdsburg Veterans Memorial Beach. The purpose of the memorial artwork is to honor the service, sacrifice, and contributions of veterans while creating a meaningful and welcoming place for reflection, remembrance, and community connection. The project will be informed by local veterans groups, veteran and active duty families, community members, and other key stakeholders. This project will coordinate with Sonoma County Regional Parks to complement the character and recreational use of the park. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving public facilities and improving the overall quality of life for Sonoma County residents in the Alexander Valley region.
Sonoma Water: Alexander Valley Floodplain Restoration partnerships ($50,000)
Sonoma Water will utilize $50,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds to partner with the Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD) on its Alexander Valley Feasibility Study and future restoration opportunities. Sonoma Water is assessing the existing conditions and identifying flood reduction and enhancement opportunities in the Alexander Valley through hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, geomorphic analysis, ecological assessment, and engagement with communities and partners. The project has two primary objectives. First, it will support future updates to the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Russian River Channel Improvement Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual. Second, it will include a feasibility study to evaluate potential management and restoration actions beyond the scope of the O&M Manual update. In partnership with Sonoma Water, Sonoma RCD will assist in landowner and stakeholder engagement, partner coordination, and leading workshops focused on education and participation in floodplain restoration opportunities. Sonoma Water and Sonoma RCD will conduct outreach to landowners, stakeholders, and tribes within the Alexander Valley Feasibility Study area. Additionally, this project will connect with Napa River partners to study examples of Napa River/Rutherford Reach project successes to inform future Russian River restoration opportunities and priorities. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving flood protection and watershed health, supporting ecological restoration, and improving quality of life in the Alexander Valley region and for all Sonoma County residents.
Community Foundation of Sonoma County: Fitch Mountain Fund ($100,000)
The Community Foundation of Sonoma County will accept $100,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds into an existing committee advised fund, the “Fitch Mountain Fund,” for the purpose of wildfire prevention, fuels reduction, and ecological restoration work in the area of Fitch Mountain, in Healdsburg, and in the adjacent County unincorporated lands and right-of-way. The Fitch Mountain Fund was created in 2017 as a partnership between the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, the City of Healdsburg, and local residents, to accept and administer funds for land stewardship and protection of 173 acres on Fitch Mountain, in the area of Healdsburg CA. Priorities for the use of Fitch Mountain Funds include: wildfire protection and preparedness, habitat enhancement, invasive species eradication, and erosion control. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving public safety, disaster preparedness, and ecological restoration in the Alexander Valley region.
City of Healdsburg: FFA Fairgrounds Roof Replacement ($50,000)
The City of Healdsburg, CA, will utilize $50,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds for necessary repairs and improvements to the Healdsburg FFA Fairgrounds. Improvements include but are not limited to: roofing repairs and replacement, modernization of electrical connections and equipment, painting, and aesthetic improvements. This project aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving public facilities and community amenities for Sonoma County residents in the Alexander Valley region.
Corazon Healdsburg: Geyserville Comite’ ($50,000)
Corazon Healdsburg will utilize $50,000 in Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds to support the establishment of the Geyserville Comité "Committee": a resident-led leadership initiative designed to strengthen civic engagement, build local leadership, and increase participation among historically underrepresented residents. The Geyserville Comité will serve as a welcoming initiative where residents will help identify community priorities, engage directly with County departments and local partners, and receive timely information on initiatives affecting the unincorporated town of Geyserville. This funding will also support bilingual community outreach, language access, interpretation, and translation services to ensure all residents can fully participate in discussions and decision-making, creating meaningful, bidirectional engagement between the community and local government. Additionally, grant funds will be utilized by Corazón Healdsburg for cultural events, including its role as the fiscal sponsor and organization responsible for the community-led Geyserville Día de Muertos celebration. In this capacity, Corazón will administer funds, manage vendor payments, provide insurance and fiscal oversight, and coordinate logistical support while empowering residents to lead the planning and vision for cultural events in the Alexander Valley region. These initiatives seek to establish a sustainable model for community leadership, cultural celebration, and civic participation that advances long-term resident engagement and improves the quality of life for all residents of Geyserville and the region. This use of funds aligns with the Board’s adopted policy on use of Tribal development mitigation funds by improving community engagement, cultural programs, and the overall quality of life for Sonoma County residents in the Alexander Valley Region.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
- 1/27/2026 Item #10: Board authorized the use of $100,000 of Tribal Roads Casino Mitigation funds.
- 4/18/2023 Item #13: Board authorized the use of $570,500 of Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds.
- 11/16/2021 Item #4A: Board authorized the use of $135,000 of Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds and $30,000 from the TPW Roads Casino Mitigation Subsidiary Funds.
- 3/23/2021 Item #2: Board authorized the use of $380,000 of Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds.
- 10/20/2020 Item #4: Board authorized the use of $105,577 of Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Funds.
- 12/11/2018 Item #16: Board established the Geyserville Municipal Advisory Council.
- 2/27/2018 Item #11: Board approved a budget resolution appropriating $60,000 from the Tribal Development Impact Mitigation Fund balance, set-aside for outreach, planning, and projects in the Geyserville area.
- 6/15/17 Item #1: Board approved set-aside of $1,086,743 to fund outreach efforts, planning, and infrastructure projects in the Geyserville Area to mitigate the impacts of the casino and general associated changes.
- 11/10/09 Item #20: Board authorized the allocation of $1,200,000 of Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Funds to TPW in the Roads Casino Impact Subsidiary Fund.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY26-27 Projected |
FY27-28 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$450,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$450,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
|
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
$450,000 |
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$450,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item will utilize $450,000 of available fund balance from the Dry Creek Tribal Mitigation Fund for work that will occur in FY 26-27 and FY 27-28.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
1. Concurrent Budget Resolution
2. Community Foundation Grant Agreement
3. City of Healdsburg Fairgrounds Grant Agreement
4. Corazon Healdsburg Grant Agreement
5. Dry Creek Rancheria Memorandum of Understanding
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A