Yolo County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Yolo County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
How to spend $1.1 million in behavioral health housing funds
The county gathered resident input in August on how to use $1.1 million in state Behavioral Health Services Act money for housing interventions. Supervisors will hear findings, receive the Local Behavioral Health Board's recommendations, and steer staff on funding priorities.
Kratom public health risk and enforcement
The county's public health branch will present options — regulatory or enforcement-based — for addressing the sale of kratom, an herbal stimulant sold over the counter. The Board will choose a preferred approach and set next steps.
Invasive golden mussels approaching the region
The Board would affirm the ongoing local emergency over the invasive golden mussel in the Delta, keeping boat inspection and prevention programs active.
Knights Landing Flood Mitigation Project easements
Two agreements totaling $23,100 would buy permanent and temporary easements from local landowners so the Knights Landing flood mitigation project can move forward.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan implementation
The county would formally adopt its ZEV Action Plan, laying out how Yolo County transitions toward zero-emission vehicles — think charging infrastructure and fleet conversion.
Leinberger jail facility and state compliance risk
The Probation Department wants to add two custody programs at the county's Juvenile Detention Facility, including a Secure Track treatment track. A resolution would authorize the Chief of Probation to create them. Residents may want to know how this changes options for young people in the justice system.
Animal Shelter Clinic in a Can
The shelter is busy and its buildings are old; the Clinic-in-a-Can surgical unit is delayed by electrical and drainage issues, and the renovated 2A building will go out for an RFP. Supervisors and advocates pushed for faster progress and possible spay-neuter requirements.
Yolo 80 Express Lanes Tolling
CARTA presented on the new express lanes under construction on I-80: tolls begin in 2028 with dynamic pricing, carpools of three-plus ride free, and toll revenue must stay in the corridor. Phase 2 extension would cost roughly $250 million more.
Freeport Bridge Closure Impacts Clarksburg
The Freeport Bridge connecting Clarksburg to Freeport closes November 2 for a month of daytime repairs (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily), forcing commuters and three schools to detour via West Sacramento or Courtland. A resident asked the Board to push for nighttime work, but Supervisor Villegas explained Sacramento County runs the project and the Coast Guard required daytime work.
Farm Worker Housing Efforts
The county is applying for $300,000 in state CDBG funds to study migrant farmworker housing needs and sites in unincorporated Yolo County, a first step toward affordable housing for farmworkers.
Federal Cuts Hit CalFresh Nutrition Education
The federal bill shifts costs to counties and tightens eligibility. Keeping CalFresh at current levels costs Yolo County about $950,000 more a year; doing nothing could drop 8,400 residents from food assistance and cut the program budget by $4.2 million.
Groundwater Management and Ag Well Moratorium
Speakers urged the county to keep the well-drilling moratorium in western Yolo County's focus areas, warning that unregulated orchard development and 1,600-foot wells threaten household wells and the aquifer.
Measure X transient occupancy tax increase on November ballot
The county wants to raise the hotel/short-term rental tax in unincorporated areas from 8% to 12%, matching nearby cities — worth about $250,000 a year, mostly from the UC Davis hotel. Ordinance language comes back May 26; voters would decide in November.
Yolo Active Transportation Corridors Plan adopted
The county officially adopted the YATC Plan as its bicycle transportation plan after two years of planning — laying the groundwork for connected trails between Yolo communities.
2025 Agricultural Economy and Crop Report
Yolo County agriculture hit nearly $912 million in gross value, up 11%, driven by almond prices — but wine grapes keep sliding and tariffs are cutting exports to China. Supervisors asked for future reports to show ag's jobs, local spending, and Williamson Act footprint so residents understand the industry's full value.
North Davis Meadows water consolidation
A $1.64 million budget amendment pays water connection fees to consolidate North Davis Meadows' water system — no hit to the general fund.
Yolo County homelessness response and 2026-2029 plan
The latest count found 912 people experiencing homelessness in Yolo County, up sharply in chronic homelessness, with a new 2026-2029 regional plan now in place. The Board asked for a full update at a future meeting.
Future of Yolo County's membership in Area 4 Agency on Aging
The county pays $56,588 a year into the seven-county aging agency and gets back about $1.1 million in services — Meals on Wheels, ombudsman visits, caregiver support. Starting in 2027, counties can split off and run their own agency, and the county's Aging Ad Hoc is studying whether to do just that, with a letter of intent due in January.
Williamson Act Contract Terms (AB 1265)
The Board renewed the program that shortens Williamson Act contracts to nine years, bringing the county about $1.87 million a year in extra property tax revenue while keeping most farmers' tax savings intact. Supervisors want the state to restore the subvention funding it cut years ago.
2026-27 Master Fee Schedule Increases
Most county fees go up July 1 to reach full cost recovery, generating roughly $725,000 a year. Four steep building permit hikes — windows, HVAC, new homes, re-roofs — were pulled back for more study after concerns about hits to rural homeowners.
El Niño Emergency Preparedness
Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency ahead of a potentially historic El Niño season. County emergency officials are prepping infrastructure, flood-fighting resources, and pushing residents to sign up for emergency alerts.
Housing Assistance Complaint (HSP)
A resident told the Board she faced possible retaliation and loss of rental assistance after filing a complaint with the county's housing program, and asked the Board to investigate. The County Administrator's office said it is already in touch with HHSA leadership about her case.
County Vacancies Under AB 2561
HR reported the county's vacancy rate is about 9% and no bargaining unit exceeds the 20% reporting threshold. Hiring takes about 12 weeks due to extra budget reviews, and supervisors discussed how cautious hiring is affecting services and workforce morale.
FY 2026-27 budget deficit and proposed layoffs
The county's budget gap jumped from $23.5 million to $35.2 million because HHSA needs $11.7 million in general fund help to keep services running amid federal HR 1 cuts. Layoffs, vacant position eliminations, and contract cuts are all on the table, with details coming April 28 and final decisions in June.
Board of Supervisors 3rd District election race
Yolo County’s 3rd District is electing a representative to the Board of Supervisors, the county’s top governing board. The Sacramento Bee is breaking down who’s running and what the race means for how that district gets represented. If you live in the 3rd District, this is your chance to shape who makes county-level calls.
In-Home Supportive Services under federal and state funding pressure
The IHSS Advisory Committee warned that federal HR 1 Medicaid cuts and repeated recertification requirements threaten services for nearly 4,000 county consumers, and asked the Board to keep advocating at state and federal levels, including for the Be Home Soon California proposal.
Behavioral health services and crisis continuum
The county's $19.4 million behavioral health plan (plus $3 million in fund balance) must split funding between housing interventions, full-service partnerships, and services, with a draft due to the state by March 30 and final approval in June.
HHSA budget cuts and Medi-Cal coverage risks
Supervisor Allen raised concerns about losing a communicable disease position as disease rates rise, comparing the risk to pre-pandemic staffing levels. HHSA said it will seek state assistance if risks increase.
Yolo Bypass and Delta water projects
The Army Corps' Yolo Bypass Comprehensive Study has narrowed to a Fremont Weir expansion and setback levee in the Upper Elkhorn Basin — a $564 million project whose construction impacts fall mostly on Yolo County farmland while flood benefits go elsewhere. The Board directed comment letters but delayed updating its Position Statement until conservation and economic-impact language is strengthened.
River Road bicycle and traffic safety
A resident described a near-collision on River Road between Clarksburg-bound cyclists and passing cars, urging county action on safety awareness as traffic grows with new development. Supervisor Villegas agreed to follow up directly.
Cache Creek Area Plan third 10-year review
The county launched the three-year review of the plan governing gravel mining and reclamation along Cache Creek, with adoption targeted for 2029. Supervisors signaled interest in weighing whether habitat restoration and groundwater recharge should rank higher than returning mined land to agriculture.
Police Surveillance Cameras Privacy
Woodland is keeping its Flock license plate cameras on the streets even after residents raised privacy concerns. That means the city’s automated surveillance program continues, and the debate over how much tracking is acceptable isn’t going away.
Permit Exempt Agricultural Buildings
Fire officials and staff examined the loophole allowing ag buildings without permits or inspections, raising firefighter safety concerns. The Board gave preliminary feedback and will get recommendations within six months.
Clark Pacific Facility Expansion
The county's biggest land-use decision of the day converts 76 acres of prime farmland next to Clark Pacific's Woodland plant to heavy industrial use, adding up to 500,000 square feet of buildings and about 180 jobs. Farmland loss and traffic impacts are officially unavoidable, but 3-to-1 conservation easements and green conditions were added.
Delinquent solid waste accounts
122 households with a year or more of unpaid trash bills will see the debt — totaling $73,523 — placed on their property tax bills, after two property owners caught up and were removed.
Election certification contest
Speakers again contested the certification of the June 2 primary election, alleging lack of transparency and threatening prosecution claims. The Board accepted the certified results on the consent agenda.
El Macero CSA road and landscaping assessment
El Macero property owners voted to nearly triple their special assessment — from $180 to $467.62 per single-family home — to pay for a faster five-year road maintenance cycle and landscaping. The measure passed with 77.47% weighted support and now goes on the FY 2026-27 property tax roll.
Oakdale Fire Litigation
In closed session the Board unanimously authorized County Counsel to file a lawsuit; the county also approved its response to the Grand Jury's Oakdale Fire report on consent.
Sites Reservoir Development Agreement and Dunnigan pipeline
The county finalized its development agreement with the Sites Project Authority after meeting with the Dunnigan community, adding requirements that the Authority negotiate with the fire district and Sheriff over construction-period impacts.
District Attorney appointment process
The Board picked the county's top prosecutor to finish Jeff Reisig's term through January 2029. Community speakers split between continuity candidate Melinda Aiello and calls for change behind Cynthia Rodriguez, with sharp criticism of the prior administration.
HHSA staffing cuts and child welfare impacts
Employees warned that eliminating child welfare and social services positions will overload social workers and could put children at risk. Speakers also criticized growth in management positions while frontline jobs are cut.
Winters service center reduction
The draft budget would close the Winters family services office, saving roughly $77,000 a year. Workers and residents said the office is a lifeline for elderly and low-income residents with no transportation, especially as new federal HR 1 rules make benefits harder to navigate.
YoloWorks employment services positions
The Workforce Innovation Board chair and a YoloWorks employee asked the county to delay cutting four employment services positions until pending grants are decided, noting a recent job fair drew 500 job seekers and WIOA funding increased slightly.
County Supervisor Election
A Yolo County supervisor race that will represent parts of Woodland is heating up, and Pritchard is currently out front. The winner will help decide county budgets, roads, and services—so it’s not just local political trivia.
El Macero Country Club residential conversion
Three new home lots will be carved from the golf course — about one acre rezoned from Parks and Recreation to Residential Low. The rest of the 170-acre course keeps its designation, and the club stays a golf course.
Cannabis program messaging
Supervisor Villegas flagged an awkward clash: a state-funded public health billboard warning about cannabis risks on I-5, while the county was about to send an 'open for business' cannabis press release. Staff paused the release and will brief supervisors individually.
Prop 47 case management contract reduction
A $1 million cut to the CommuniCare Prop 47 contract passed on consent, but Supervisor Villegas flagged a recurring problem: the county wins competitive state funds it then struggles to spend, risking clawbacks.
Smoking protections in multi-unit residences
A new ordinance would ban smoking in and around apartments and other multiunit residences to protect residents from secondhand smoke. It was introduced with a public hearing and comes back May 26 for adoption.
Wild Wings pump station repairs
A Wild Wings resident warned that with only one working pump at the golf community, a failure could leave the community without sewage service and cost about $100,000 in trucking. The consent item funding construction management for the pump projects was approved.
211 Yolo Care Coordination HUB Pilot
A proposed $325,000, two-year pilot would add care coordinators to 211 Yolo so vulnerable residents get hands-on help connecting to food, housing, health and benefits services. The Board postponed a decision to study scope and long-term funding.