To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Board Supervisors
Staff Name and Phone Number: Supervisor James Gore, (707) 565-2241
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Sponsorship of National Association of Counties (NACo) Symposium in Sonoma County
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Approve a Sponsorship and utilizing District Four Tourism Impact Funds in the amount of $50,000 for the National Association of Counties (NACo) Symposium to be held in Sonoma County from December 4-7, 2024.
end
Executive Summary:
The County of Sonoma will host the NACo County Crossroads Symposium, which will bring together members from the NACo Board, Large Urban Caucus, and the Rural Action Caucus through a series of countywide mobile tours from December 4-7, 2024. This sponsorship will help cover costs associated with these tours.
Discussion:
County officials throughout the United States will convene for an immersive exploration of Sonoma County during the NACo Symposium. The county serves as a model microcosm of America offering insights from urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. This event will feature five mobile workshops over three days, enabling participants to gain hands-on experience and explore the role of counties and county leaders in building the future. Each supervisorial district will be highlighted, showcasing areas where local government is empowered by engagement, collaboration, and innovation, and fueled by an exceptional county workforce.
District 1: Bridging Care: Exploring Sonoma County’s Services for the Vulnerable
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Health Services (Homelessness/Mental Health), Human Services (Valley of the Moon/Foster Care), and Probation (Juvenile Division/Rehabilitation Programs).
On this bus tour, representatives from Eliza’s Village Homeless Shelter, Sonoma County Juvenile Hall, and Valley of the Moon Children’s Center will highlight how these programs address the mental health needs of vulnerable populations. Through site visits and discussions, participants will gain insight into the collaborative efforts supporting those facing homelessness, juvenile restoration, and involvement in the foster care system.
District 2: Sonoma County Agriculture
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Agriculture, UC Cooperative Extension
The agriculture industry is vital to Sonoma County residents and holds a broader significance for communities across the country who enjoy the region’s many exports. Participants will gain firsthand insights into farming practices, economic impacts, and challenges facing the industry, emphasizing the need for informed policy decisions to support and preserve this critical sector.
District 3: Symposium Base Location: Hyatt Regency/Roseland Village
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Economic Development Collaborative, Community Development Commission
Attendees will visit Mitote Food Park for lunch, where representatives will highlight county/city partnerships for economic development and revitalization efforts in Roseland Village.
District 1 & 4: Following the Fire: Sonoma County Resiliency Tour
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Emergency Management, Sheriff’s Office, Permit Sonoma
Department of Emergency Management officials talk about how the county is continuing to improve disaster resilience. This bus tour will drive through the Tubbs Fire burn zone, including neighborhoods of Fountaingrove, Coffey Park, Mark West Springs Road, and Brush Creek Road. The tour will stop at Coffey Park, where representatives from Sonoma County Fire District, Santa Rosa Fire, Sheriff’s Office, and Permit Sonoma, and fire survivors will speak with attendees during a Q&A session.
District 4: Lunch at the Luther Burbank Center - Resiliency/Lessons Learned
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Emergency Management, Office of Equity, Human Services
A panel composed of the Office of Equity, Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD), and faith-based organizations will discuss the importance of county/community partnerships during times of disaster. Representatives will demonstrate Sonoma County’s Alert and warning system and discuss cost recovery. Participants will have the opportunity to experience a makeshift Local Assistance Center that includes shelter intake and local partners, such as Salvation Army and American Red Cross.
District 4: Lake Sonoma: County Innovations in Water Conservation and Ecosystem Restoration
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Sonoma Water
Representatives will discuss the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), an innovative approach to managing water resources. Participants will also learn about Sonoma County’s collaborations with federal agencies and academic institutions to develop effective water conservation strategies for extreme climate conditions. This program has been adopted by NACo as one of their priority initiatives for the past two years.
District 5: Enhancing Rural Communities through Infrastructure Investments
Departments/Programs Highlighted: Economic Development Collaborative, Regional Parks, Permit Sonoma
Representatives will discuss how the county is developing creative solutions to rural challenges, including wastewater and septic issues, sea level rise, deploying broadband, investing in infrastructure, and improving economic development, and more. Participants will also learn more about the utilization of district offices as resource centers.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY24-25 Adopted |
FY25-26 Projected |
FY26-27 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
|
|
|
|
Fees/Other |
$50,000 |
|
|
|
Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
General Fund Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$50,000 |
|
|
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
This item requests use of District 4 Tourism Impact Funds in the amount of $50,000 for sponsoring the NACo symposium. The appropriations adjustments will be included in the upcoming Q2 Consolidated budget adjustment.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
N/A
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A