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Board advances West Sonoma EIFD plan, authorizes $75,000 for notices
Summary
After a detailed staff presentation, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt the West Sonoma County Public Financing Authority—onflict-of-interest code, authorize $75,000 for EIFD noticing and file the associated budget adjustments, while asking staff to analyze cumulative fiscal impacts and consider affordable-housing language.
A majority of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors voted April 14 to move the draft West Sonoma County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) forward, adopting the authority's conflict-of-interest code, approving $75,000 for required noticing and filing costs and directing staff to return with additional analyses. The motions passed after a presentation by county staff and consultant Cosmont Companies that reviewed district boundaries, eligible projects and financial assumptions.
The EIFD consultant said the proposed West County boundary covers roughly 60,000 acres (about 5% of the county) and currently represents just over $7 billion in assessed value. The presentation included a feasibility illustration showing the Public Financing Authority (PFA) could set aside a 25% share of future property-tax growth to the district, producing about $86 million in present-value funding for catalytic infrastructure projects and an estimated $26 million net positive fiscal impact to the county general fund across a 50-year horizon, according to the consultant (Richard Kerrigan, Cosmont Companies).
Supervisor Corsi requested language giving the PFA discretion to prioritize affordable housing in the infrastructure spending plan. "If the PFA wanted to put that into the IFP, it could be put in there," a staff member responded; supervisors emphasized the board's expectation that affordable housing be considered alongside other catalytic projects. The board also asked staff to study the cumulative fiscal impact of multiple EIFDs on the county general fund after several supervisors warned that multiple districts could add up over time.
The board approved three separate motions: adoption of the recommended IFP resolution including the PFA conflict-of-interest code; authorization of $75,000 from district formation funds for required noticing and state filing fees; and associated budget adjustments. The clerk recorded affirmative votes for all supervisors present.
Staff stressed that the current action does not finalize formation of the EIFD. The PFA will hold public meetings and at least two public hearings are planned before any district formation is completed; property-owner and newspaper notices have been mailed as part of the process. The county said some project categories specifically listed in the draft IFP include public safety improvements, climate resilience, transportation, utilities and affordable housing, while wastewater projects would be capped at a 10% allocation to avoid an unbalanced spending plan.
The board also directed staff to deliver additional information at upcoming meetings, including a cumulative-impact analysis for multiple EIFDs and a clearer explanation of development assumptions and revenue timing. A staff-led schedule calls for a PFA meeting on May 27, a Board consideration of the IFP on June 2 and additional PFA hearings in June and August if the process proceeds.
What happens next: Staff will update the draft IFP with board feedback, post the material on the county website, continue required mailings and hold the PFA public meeting on May 27. Further board consideration is planned for June 2.
