FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: July 10, 2025
Sonoma County Cities Propose Joint Committee to Advance Shared Priorities
Rohnert Park, CA—The Sonoma County Mayors’ and Councilmembers’ Association (SCMCA) has proposed forming an ad hoc committee with the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors to strengthen collaboration on key countywide issues.
In a letter sent June 24, 2025, SCMCA Chair Gerard Giudice, Mayor of Rohnert Park, and Vice-Chair Mark Stapp, Mayor of Santa Rosa, outlined recommendations developed through recent meetings of city leaders. The proposal emphasizes the need for coordinated strategies to address challenges impacting communities across the County.
Three priorities were identified:
· Mental Health and Homelessness Services—Recognized as inseparable issues requiring a unified approach for lasting solutions.
· Emergency Preparedness—To improve planning, readiness, and response to increasingly frequent disasters.
· Shared Facilities and Resources—To expand services and improve efficiency through collaboration.
This committee would provide a focused forum to explore shared goals in greater depth, enhance mutual understanding, and identify actionable strategies to address the priorities outlined above.
“We want to take this opportunity to thank the City Mayors—Todd Lands of Cloverdale, Ben Ford of Cotati, Evelyn Mitchell of Healdsburg, Mark Stapp of Santa Rosa, Patricia Farrar-Rivas of Sonoma, Kevin McDonnell of Petaluma, Stephen Zollman of Sebastopol, and Rosa Reynoza of Windsor—along with Chair Hopkins and the Board of Supervisors for this historic step at collaboration,” said Mayor Giudice, Mayor of Rohnert Park.
The proposed ad hoc committee would include two members of the Board of Supervisors and two representatives appointed by the SCMCA Board. The group would serve as a forum to explore strategies and identify actionable solutions.
SCMCA has invited the Board to consider the proposal and provide guidance on next steps.
For more information, contact:
Name: Lauren Berges, MCA Clerk
C: (707) 292-4479
W: www.sonomacountylocalleaders.org
About the SCMCA: The Association represents elected leaders from Sonoma County’s cities, working together to address regional challenges and strengthen communities.