As we come to the end of 2025 it is a good time to remember that 2026 is a centennial year and a year of elections. Major elections will take place at the state and local level. In preparation for these elections, it might be a good idea for voters to understand the structure of our state and county government. 

About 43 of the 58 counties in California are structured as General Law Counties. General Law Counties strictly follow state law for structure. About 15 counties are "Charter" counties which grants them more local autonomy. Except for San Francisco County all counties have 5 districts and 5 elected Supervisors. San Francisco has 11 districts and therefore 11 Supervisors. Sonoma County is a General Law County.

Executive Boards often appoint a Chief Administrative Officer who manages daily operations and budgets. Key roles such as Sheriff, District Attorney, Assessor and Treasurer are generally elected. Some can be consolidated or appointed under charter. 

According to the Public Policy Institute of California counties act as arms of the state delivering services such as health, welfare and courts. 

Two supervisorial seats in Sonoma County are up for election in 2026. There will be an election in District 2 (mainly Petaluma area) and District 4 (northern part of the county up to county line).

There are nine cities in Sonoma County. The county seat is Santa Rosa.

The nine cities are Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Windsor, Sonoma, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park, Cotati and Petaluma.

The city of Santa Rosa has a Council-Manager government which means that residents elect a seven member City Council.

The Council has seven members: Mayor Mark Stapp (District 2), Vice Mayor Eddie Alvarez (District 1), Dianna MacDonald (District 3), Victoria Fleming (District 4), Caroline Banuelos (District 5), Jeff Okrepkie (District 6) and Natalie Rogers (District 7).

The Council hires a professional City Manager to oversee daily operations and departments. The Mayor is chosen by the Council to preside. A City Manager handles administration, supported by departments like Public Works, Police and Finance. Citizen input comes through Boards and Commissions. The ten committees in Santa Rosa that are part of city government are:

Planning Commission: Handles land use, zoning and development plans.

Design Review and Preservation Board: Reviews development proposals for aesthetic and preservation standards.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board: Advises on active transportation infrastructure and safety.

Art in Public Places Committee: Oversees the city's public art program.

Board of Community Services: Reviews recreation, parks and cultural programs.

Public Safety Subcommittee: Advises the City Council on police, fire and emergency services.

Economic Development Subcommittee: Focuses on local economic growth.

Waterways Advisory Committee: Advises on water-related issues and projects.

Board of Building Regulation Appeals: Hears appeals on building code interpretations and enforcement.

Downtown Community Benefit District (CBD) Subcommittee: Addresses downtown vitality and improvements.

The city commissions are made up of volunteers. Decisions made by the city council often have significant input from the various committees. The process of getting on a committee is the following: 18 years old and a Santa Rosa resident; fill out application on city website (srcity.org/183/Apply-Online-for-a-Board-or-Commission), get nominated/appointed by the Council or a Councilmember and complete required ethics training after appointment.

Each of the nine cities in Sonoma County will have a process of membership requirements for city committees. 

Sonoma County has approximately 75 boards and commissions. Some of these boards play a significant role in various county decisions.  

* Most roles are appointed by the Supervisors after an application review, sometimes involving subcommittee interviews.

* Many positions require that the applicant live in a specific Supervisorial District.

* Typical terms are four years with limits on consecutive service (e.g. Three terms).

* Ethics: completion of training (ethics, anti-harassment) and file a Statement of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700) after appointment.

Citizen Involvement and Responsibility

Our nation and of course our county are undergoing great changes due to the world situation, the advent of artificial intelligence and the difficulties in our educational system. Being part of the local political scene is one way that citizens can know what is going on and be a part of the process. Our county needs citizens who are involved in managing the routine and sometimes not so routine events in our daily lives. 

The dysfunction in California politics will not be solved until a majority of citizens vote, participate in municipal government and know what is going on in the state.  

Since many of our local and state newspapers are biased and often inaccurate, a list of sources available online is provided so that a variety of opinions can be studied.

• www.Lucianne.com  
• The AmericanThinker.com  
• BennyJohnson.com  
• Babylonbee.com
• FederalistSociety
• Fedsoc.org  
• PragerU.com  
• AmericanSpectator.com  
• Newsmax.com
• Townhall.com  
• HotAir.com 
• RedState.com  
• PJMedia.com  
• HughHewitt.com  
• Dailywire.com
• Frontpagemag.com  
• www.foxnews.com  
• findthatpod.com/bestconservative-podcasts/
• https://wgo.poxbean.com/