To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Executive’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin and Yvonne Shu, 707-565-2431
Vote Requirement: Informational Only
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Quarterly Ad Hoc Update - Third Quarter 2026
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Receive Third Quarter 2026 update on Board Ad Hoc Committee activities
end
Executive Summary:
On January 13, 2026, the Board of Supervisors approved Board Ad Hoc assignments, including department liaison responsibilities, for the 2026 calendar year. Each committee has a specific focus and is unique in its charter and expected outcomes; new Board Ad Hoc assignments are established each calendar year. Staff provides quarterly updates on Ad Hoc activities to keep the Board and the public informed about the progress of each committee.
Discussion:
Information on each Ad Hoc committee active during July to September 2026 is as follows:
Business Improvement Assessment (BIA) Ad Hoc Committee
Supervisors Rabbitt (District 2) and Hopkins (District 5)
Scope: Evaluate potential modifications to the BIA and develop a recommendation for Board consideration, with the goal of decreasing Sonoma County Tourism’s dependency on the County’s General Funds. The Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), including the Community Investment Fund Policy and allocations, is not in the scope of the BIA Ad Hoc Committee.
§ Assigned Staff: Ethan Brown, Economic Development Collaborative; Andrew Sturmfels and McCall Miller, County Executive’s Office; Erick Roeser and Brooke Koop, Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector; Kristin Horrell, County Counsel.
§ 8/20/26 Meeting Agenda:
o Sonoma County tourism staff in attendance.
o Review BIA Collections Data including payees.
Direction to Staff:
o Collect additional BIA collections data, review possible updates to BIA ordinance language.
§ Next meeting scheduled for 10/15/26
Fairgrounds Land Use Ad Hoc Committee
Supervisors Hermosillo (District 1) and Coursey (District 3)
Scope: Originally established as the United Soccer League (USL) Ad Hoc in October 2025, the Board of Supervisors updated the charter and ad hoc name on August 25, 2026, to acknowledge other Fairgrounds land use opportunities, in addition to the potential for a soccer stadium development.
§ Assigned Staff: Ethan Brown, Economic Development Collaborative; Andrew Sturmfels and Maggie Luce, County Executive’s Office; Adam Brand, County Counsel.
§ 8/19/26 Joint County and Fair Ad Hoc Meeting Agenda:
o USL update, Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP)/Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) update, and update on other opportunities.
Direction to Staff:
o Continue conversations with USL, including gauging interest in a temporary stadium approach.
o Continue conversations with IBP and PBL to explore a short-term licensing agreement for a temporary baseball stadium.
§ 9/10/26 Joint County and Fair Ad Hoc Meeting Agenda:
o Temporary stadium site area, Innovation Baseball Partners (IBP)/Pioneer Baseball League (PBL) update, USL update, update on other opportunities, and next steps on horse-racing track.
Direction to Staff:
o Advance conversations about a temporary stadium site while continuing exploration of longer-term planning for horse-track area.
o Continue conversations about potential licensing agreement with IBP/PBL for temporary stadium.
o Continue conversations with USL about a temporary stadium, including the option to enter into a new Letter of Intent for these discussions.
§ Next meeting not yet scheduled.
Russian River Ad Hoc Committee
Supervisors Gore (District 4) and Hopkins (District 5)
Scope: Explore a framework for improving collaboration across County departments / agencies working on infrastructure and ecosystem enhancements in the Russian River. The Ad Hoc focuses on breaking down internal County silos, promoting healthy working relationships with other entities engaged in watershed issues, and establishing a clear and unified vision for the County’s role in supporting a healthy Russian River Watershed.
§ Assigned Staff: Jennifer Solito and Todd Hunsdorfer, County Executive’s Office; Brad Sherwood, Sonoma Water; Cory O’Donnell, County Counsel.
§ 7/8/26 Meeting Agenda:
o Update on discussions with watershed partners; update on discussions with County Departments and Agencies; draft Ad Hoc recommendations
Direction to Staff:
o Finalize Ad Hoc recommendations and present to the Board, tentatively scheduled for 10/27/26
§ Next meeting scheduled for 10/5/26
The following Ad Hoc Committees have concluded:
§ Agriculture in Sonoma County of Sonoma
§ Measure O - Direction to staff regarding Measure O 2028 ballot renewal has been completed. Staff will proceed with renewal efforts.
§ South Santa Rosa Annexation
o Supervisor Coursey and Chair Hermosillo confirm that the South Santa Rosa Ad Hoc Committee has concluded. The County and City of Santa Rosa have renewed discussions to share information regarding planned projects and respective interests in South Santa Rosa in advance of completion of the South Santa Rosa Specific Plan. Depending on the outcome of these discussions and identified next steps, staff may recommend that the Board Chair establish a new ad hoc committee in the future.
§ Supporting Immigrant Communities - Ad Hoc provided final direction to staff regarding the Immigrant Service Providers $1,500,000 NOFA process and Emergency Financial Assistance program, in the event of a large-scale immigration enforcement event in the County. NOFA recommendations are tentatively planned for Board consideration on October 27, 2026.
§ Unincorporated Governance
o Supervisor Hopkins and Chair Hermosillo agree that the Unincorporated Ad Hoc Committee work has concluded.
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
2026 Quarterly Ad Hoc Updates: May 12 and August 4, 2026
2025 Quarterly Ad Hoc Updates: May 6, August 12, October 28, 2025, and March 3, 2026.
2024 Quarterly Ad Hoc Updates: August 13, October 2, 2024, and January 28, 2025.
2023 Quarterly Ad Hoc Updates: April 18, September 19, December 5, 2023, and March 26, 2024.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
None.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.