Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Rosa public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues with medium priority
Wastewater revenue bonds, Series 2026A
The city is borrowing about $50 million to upgrade Laguna Treatment Plant's electrical systems and refinance old debt, saving roughly $3 million a year near-term and freeing $7 million in reserves — all paid by sewer ratepayers, not the general fund.
Road spending equity: Oakmont vs. west Santa Rosa
Speakers criticized $9 million for Oakmont road repairs while older Roseland and west-side roads go underfunded, and asked for a district-by-district project tracker.
Downtown flood risk
An engineering project manager presented a technical audit claiming the draft FEMA flood maps contain major modeling errors that could mislabel roughly 300 Bennett Valley properties as flood-prone, hurting property values and forcing flood insurance.
Municipal Debt Strategy for Infrastructure
Staff made the case that the city has been too shy about borrowing, letting deferred maintenance on streets, city hall, and the wastewater plant pile up. A $35 million wastewater revenue bond is coming soon, and a broader debt strategy for roads and facilities will come to council in coming months.
City Hall Development Agreement Supplemental EIR
The environmental review for the City Hall Development Agreement with Museum on the Square, LLC was continued to October 22 — the public will get its chance to weigh in then.
Greenway Connectivity Study — linking east and west bike trails across Santa Rosa
A $750,000 donation from the Sonoma Land Trust will help pay for planning the Southeast Greenway, a park and trail project on the old freeway right-of-way.
Education as an economic engine
Schools and colleges are major drivers of Santa Rosa's economy — SRJC tripled dual-enrollment to 1,000 students in three years, and Sonoma State proposed a 'Santa Rosa Compact' to link schools, city, chamber, and colleges. Demographic decline in K-12 enrollment looms as a structural challenge.
School board meeting accessibility
A parent pointed out that school board meetings don't allow virtual comment and run six hours, shutting out working parents — she asked the district to follow the city's lead.