Yolo County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Yolo County, California public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mosquito and vector control — West Nile and invasive mosquitoes
The mosquito district reported 77 positive West Nile samples in Yolo County last year and warned about invasive Asian tiger and yellow fever mosquitoes that can carry dengue and Zika. A sterile-insect technique program that crashed mosquito populations in Natomas may expand to Winters this summer.
Potential sales tax measure for 2028
Supervisors debated a possible sales tax — a 1% unincorporated-area tax would raise about $6 million, while a countywide tax could raise $40-50 million but needs state legislation because Davis and West Sacramento are at the cap. The board agreed to keep exploring, possibly with voter polling, targeting 2028.
Childhood lead poisoning prevention
The county is taking back a $465,533 state-funded Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program — a program Supervisor Allen once ran. She used the consent item to remind the public there is no safe level of lead exposure for children.
Fire district funding policy framework
Supervisor Villegas asked for a future agenda discussion on how the county funds its fire districts, given general fund pressures and the equity concerns raised by the Clarksburg grant.
Landfill module WMU 7J construction
The county awarded a $5.4 million contract to build the next landfill module, keeping waste disposal capacity on track with no general fund impact.
Gibson Solar Farm Permit Extension
The board extended the solar farm's use permit by a year and finalized the Williamson Act partial cancellation, clearing the way for construction of a 100-acre solar and battery storage project between Esparto and Madison that will sell power to Valley Clean Energy.
Springlake Fire Services Reorganization
The board restructured fire services for the Springlake Fire Protection District through agreements with West Sacramento and Woodland, created an advisory committee, and adopted a property tax exchange resolution.
County Leaders' Statement on Cesar Chavez Allegations
Chair Allen read a joint statement from Yolo County elected leaders standing with survivors after reports that Cesar Chavez sexually abused girls and women, and said the county is reviewing its Cesar Chavez recognitions.
Early childhood and home visiting coordination
The county's maternal and child health advisory board asked the county to stop duplicating planning, create a single front door for twelve home visiting programs, and focus spending on kids under five. Supervisors agreed to have staff bring back a policy framework for centralizing referrals.
2026 Pavement Preservation Project
About 26 miles of roads in Dunnigan and north of Woodland will be resurfaced, funded without touching the general fund.
Wildfire Emergency Response
The Sand Fire in Yolo County has grown to 1,700 acres, and people near the fire should expect evacuations and road closures. Check county emergency alerts now if you’re in the area—this is a fast-moving situation.