To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Tina Rivera, 707-565-4774
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Appointment of Shannon McEntee to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a term beginning April 30, 2024 and ending December 7, 2024. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
Per Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance No. 6316 passed by voters in November 2020, the Board adopted a resolution regarding the appointment of a seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee (hereinafter “Committee”). Two of the Committee members are selected by the Sonoma County City Selection Committee. Additional members must include a Hospital Representative or first responder, a business community representative, and a community member with lived experience of mental health needs or homelessness. Committee Members serve a three-year term and are eligible to be reappointed by their appointing body. The appointed lived experience representative resigned January 2, 2024 leaving an unscheduled vacancy on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The Department of Health Services recommends Shannon McEntee to fill the lived experience position vacancy and serve out the remainder of the term through December 7, 2024.
Discussion:
On November 3, 2020 Measure O was approved by 67 percent of voters. Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code 7285.5, the new quarter-cent sales tax became operative as of April 1, 2021.
Implementation of Measure O required the formation of an independent seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee to provide transparency and ensure fiscal accountability. The Board formed the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee on December 7, 2021.
The Committee reviews the receipt and expenditures of revenue from the Measure O transaction and use tax, including results from the County’s annual independent audit, in conjunction with the County’s budget process. The Committee also produces an annual oral or written report on its review, that is considered by the Board at a public meeting.
The Oversight Committee has been meeting since February of 2022 and recently received a resignation from the individual filling the lived experience seat effective January 2, 2024. The Department of Health Services (hereinafter “DHS”) conducted outreach through mental health and homelessness services partner organizations and received one qualified applicant. DHS recommends the appointment of Shannon McEntee, Rohnert Park community member with lived experience of homelessness and mental illness.
Shannon McEntee is currently enrolled at Sonoma State University for Psychology and Biology, with an expected graduation date of 2025. She currently works for West County Community Services "Transitions" as a Peer Support Specialist, supporting individuals struggling with homelessness and/or mental illness and/or substance abuse during their transition into housing.
DHS is recommending the Board appoint Shannon McEntee to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee as the lived experience representative to fulfil the remainder of the current term, through December 7, 2024.
Reference: Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance <https://library.municode.com/ca/sonoma_county/ordinances/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=1037940>
Prior Board Actions:
On December 7, 2021 the Board adopted a resolution creating the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee.
On August 4, 2020 the Board A) adopted an Ordinance entitled the Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance imposing a countywide ¼ cent special transactions and use tax (sales tax) in Sonoma County for Sonoma County behavioral health and homeless services pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code section 7285.5; B) authorized the Department of Health Services to coordinate with the County Administrator to contract with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to administer the tax, if approved by voters; and C) adopted a resolution calling a special election to submit to the voters of Sonoma County a one-quarter of one percent (0.25%) sales tax measure entitled “the Sonoma County Local Mental Health, Addiction and Homeless Services Measure Transaction and Use Tax Ordinance” and ordering that the special be consolidated with the statewide general election to be conducted on November 3, 2020.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
N/A
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Measure O Oversight Committee Membership Composition - April 2024
Attachment 2 - Measure O Oversight Committee Membership Application - Recommended
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None