Yolo County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Yolo County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Landfill renewable natural gas project
The county's 35-year-old gas-to-electricity plant has become a money loser, so the county is handing landfill gas to Yolo RNG, LLC to produce pipeline-quality renewable natural gas. The ~$50 million project brings construction jobs, property taxes and royalties starting 2028, and ends county maintenance costs.
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.
ERAF property tax fairness fix
Yolo County loses about $3 million a year to a state property-tax formula error dating to West Sacramento's 1987 incorporation. Senator Cabaldon is carrying a budget fix; if it passes, money would arrive in the following fiscal year.
Clarksburg Fire Protection District funding equity
The Clarksburg fire district passed a new Prop 218 assessment but was told it qualifies for only $10,743 in county matching funds instead of the $146,000 it expected. Supervisors couldn't agree on a fix and directed staff to work with the district on options, including a possible one-time grant up to $135,733.
Measles Risk in Yolo County
No confirmed local cases in 2026 yet, but measles is circulating in neighboring Sacramento and Placer counties, 20 residents are being monitored, and a suspected case surfaced during the meeting. Vaccination rates are strong except in parts of West Sacramento.
Police Surveillance Technology Contract Renewal
Woodland’s City Council voted to renew its contract with Flock Safety, keeping automated license plate cameras scanning local streets. The tech can help police track vehicles, but it also fuels the ongoing fight over surveillance and privacy. If you drive through Woodland, your plate may be getting logged.
County Road 41 / Capay Valley emergency access
Cache Creek erosion has washed out the only county road out of the Capay Valley. The fire chief warned losing it removes an escape route and fire break. Supervisors voted to keep studying full restoration while the Rumsey Bridge gets replaced.