To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Department of Health Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Nolan Sullivan, 707-565-4774; Gabriel Kaplan, 707-565-6622
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Approve the Appointment of Colleen O’Neal to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee as the business community representative for a term beginning June 3, 2025 through December 7, 2027. (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
In November 2020, Sonoma County voters approved Measure Ordinance No. 6316, which created a special quarter-cent sales tax to fund mental health, addiction, and homeless services for 10 years. As part of this measure, on December 7, 2021, the County Board set up a seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee. This committee was created to make sure the public can see how the money is being used and to ensure it’s being spent responsibly, following a set of official rules.
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. All Committee Member appointments expire December 7, 2027.
The previously appointed business community representative resigned January 20, 2025, leaving an unscheduled vacancy on the Citizens’ Oversight Committee. The Department of Health Services (hereinafter “DHS” or “the Department”) conducted all associated due diligence and outreach throughout the business community to fill this vacancy and now brings the Department’s recommendation of Colleen O’Neal to fill the business community representative position and serve out the remainder of the term through December 7, 2027.
Discussion:
On November 3, 2020, Measure O was approved by 67 percent of voters in order to support behavioral health and homeless services. Pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code 7285.5, the new quarter-cent sales tax became operative as of April 1, 2021 and was put in place for a ten-year period.
Implementation of Measure O required the formation of an independent seven-member Citizens’ Oversight Committee (hereinafter “the Committee”) to provide public transparency and ensure fiscal accountability. The Board adopted a resolution creating the Committee on December 7, 2021, appointing the original Committee members, and adopting the governing bylaws for the Committee.
The role of the Committee is to review 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 your Board.
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 Oversight Committee was appointed on December 7, 2024 for a 3-year term expiring on December 7, 2027. The Oversight Committee recently received a resignation from Betzy Chavez, who filled the business community representative seat, effective January 20, 2025. The Department of Health Services conducted outreach through business associations and received three applications. A group of three DHS staff (representative from Behavioral Health Division, Homelessness Services Division, and the Equity Team) as well as a business community representative, reviewed applications based on a set of established criteria (connection with the business community, experience with fiscal oversight and accountability, expertise in Behavioral Health and/or Homelessness, and demonstrated experience working as a part of a team or in a collaborative). Based on this application review process, DHS recommends the appointment of Colleen O’Neal.
Colleen O’Neal is the business owner of the Law Office of Colleen S. O’Neal. She is an attorney in Sonoma County. Her focus is on civil rights litigation. Colleen has expertise in both homelessness and mental health. Colleen was a hearing officer and held hearings on 5150 holds. Colleen has also acted as an attorney (pro bono) for individuals experiencing homelessness in Federal Court. Colleen is active in Sonoma County and had served on many Boards and Commissions, including American Civil Liberties Union; Common Woman’s Health Project; Sonoma County Commission on the Status of women; and many others.
DHS is recommending the Board appoint Colleen O’Neal to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee as the business community representative to fulfil the remainder of the current term, through December 7, 2027.
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 November 5, 2024, the Board approved the Re-appointments of Edward Sheffield, Betzy Chavez, Shannon McEntee, Gregory Fearon, Shirlee Zane, Ben Ford and Kevin McDonnell to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a term beginning December 7, 2024 and ending December 7, 2027.
On October 3, 2023, the Board approved the appointment of Ed Sheffield to the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee for a term beginning October 3, 2023 and ending December 7, 2024.
On December 7, 2021, the Board adopted a resolution creating the Measure O Citizens’ Oversight Committee, appointing the original seven members, and adopting the Committee governing bylaws.
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 election 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
Attachment 2 - Recommended Application
Attachment 3 - Applications not recommended
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None