Sonoma Honors Local Figure As City Council Prepares Key Decisions

SONOMA, CA — Sonoma, California officials will host a public reception next month to recognize the city’s 2026 honorary Alcalde, a ceremonial designation awarded annually to a resident for community service.

The title, selected by the City Council in January, continues a local tradition dating back five decades that functions as the city’s “Citizen of the Year” recognition.

Gary Edwards was chosen during a Jan. 26 council meeting and will be honored at a March 12 reception at Vintage House. The event will include the symbolic passing of the silver-topped cane associated with the Alcalde role.

Sonoma's Alcalde tradition of selecting an honorary mayor began in 1975. The honor recognizes residents who has demonstrated wide-ranging voluntary service to Sonoma Valley, including leadership in at least one nonprofit organization and initiating at least one community project without compensation. Recipients are known for consistent behind-the-scenes contributions, strong ethical standards, and a commitment to service without seeking public recognition.

City officials said Edwards, a former councilmember, was selected for decades of involvement in local organizations and civic activities across Sonoma Valley. The reception is free, though advance registration is required through Eventbrite.

Water, Transit, Taxes: Wednesday's City Council Meeting

The next Sonoma City Council meeting is Wednesday, when the Sonoma City council will hear the proposed 2026-2027 budget and rates from Sonoma Water, the agency responsible for delivering Russian River water to local cities and districts. The agency is making the rounds before submitting the final numbers to the Sonoma Water Board for adoption in late April.

The council is also being asked to adopt a resolution approving a cooperative funding agreement with the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) that will allow the City of Sonoma to access approximately $1.61 million in Go Sonoma Measure M sales-tax transportation funds for the Citywide Safety Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project (CIP Project No. T-6). The agreement sets the terms under which the city will partner with SCTA, including providing a required local match and meeting reporting and completion obligations, and without it the city would not be able to draw down the programmed funds to move the project forward.

Council members will also be asked to adopt a resolution that formally extends the allocation of a 1 percent increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) specifically for affordable housing purposes, building on a voter‑approved Measure S tax increase and prior council extensions. The extension would continue directing that portion of hotel tax revenue into the city’s Housing Trust Fund effective July 1, 2025, and remain in place until the council takes future action to change it.

Also planned is a discussion of the ongoing update of the City of Sonoma’s General Plan and provide input or direction to staff regarding the update process and proposed changes to the Future Land Use Map. The item outlines the status of the comprehensive update — which has included public outreach, draft plan elements and Planning Commission review — and presents several potential land use designation changes for properties such as the Sebastiani Winery site, parcels on Lovall Valley Road, and land along Sonoma Highway, with the goal of advancing the General Plan toward a draft that will be released with an environmental review later this year.

And they will consider appointing Adam Ross to the vacant regular seat on the Sonoma Valley Community Advisory Commission.

Priorities and the Money

The Sonoma City Council approved an annual list of policy priorities, outlining five broad focus areas expected to shape budget and policy decisions throughout 2026.

The goals, ratified in February after a public workshop earlier in the year, emphasize housing, economic stability, climate planning and regional coordination alongside parks and community services.

The priorities were developed during a Jan. 30 goal-setting workshop and formally adopted Feb. 18. City leaders said the framework is intended to guide strategic planning and staff work over the coming year.

The five adopted categories include housing; parks, arts, recreation and community services; economic development and financial stability; regional partnerships and annexation-related coordination across Sonoma Valley; and climate mitigation and adaptation.

Within those categories, council members identified areas such as implementation of the city’s housing element, support for local businesses, climate resilience planning, disaster preparedness coordination and expanded cultural and recreational programming.

The priorities will be revisited as part of the city’s annual budget process and ongoing policy discussions. Review the full list of adopted goals and priorities to learn more the 2026 goals.

Money For Non-Profits

Sonoma, California has begun accepting applications for its annual discretionary funding program, offering small grants to local nonprofit organizations as part of the city’s upcoming 2026–27 budget process.

The program, now in its third year, allows eligible tax-exempt groups to request up to $3,000 for projects ranging from arts and cultural programming to educational and community services, with final awards dependent on available city funds.

The funding comes through the City Council’s discretionary use allocation within the Recreation and Community Services program and is intended to support initiatives that serve Sonoma Valley residents.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 3. City officials plan to review proposals during the council’s annual budget workshop, currently scheduled for May 27, where funding amounts and the number of awards will be determined.

Organizations may submit one request per fiscal year, and all awards require City Council approval as part of the broader budget adoption process.

Program guidelines and eligibility requirements are available through the city’s online application portal.