The Sutter County Board of Supervisors recognizes the importance of clearly identifying and advocating for the County’s priorities at both the State and Federal levels. As legislation and regulations continue to evolve, it is essential for Sutter County to engage proactively in discussions that impact local governance, public safety, economic vitality, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and the delivery of public services. To support this work, the Board is pleased to present its Legislative Platform.

The Sutter County Legislative Platform outlines the Board’s policy direction on matters that may come before State or Federal legislators, regulatory agencies, or administrative bodies. The Platform provides a clear basis for the County’s advocacy efforts, ensuring that the County’s voice is represented in the development of laws, regulations, and funding opportunities that affect our community. It reflects the priorities of the Board of Supervisors and serves as guidance to the County Administrator’s Office (CAO) as legislative issues arise throughout the year.

Once adopted, the Legislative Platform grants authority to the CAO to take timely action on legislative matters without requiring separate Board approval for each item. This may include drafting correspondence for the signature of the Board Chair, stating the County’s position on pending or proposed legislation or regulations, as well as engaging directly with legislators, legislative staff, state and federal agencies, and partner organizations. This authority is particularly critical when rapid response is needed to influence policy decisions or support opportunities such as grants, partnerships, or program funding.

The Platform is intended to be a living document. It is updated annually to reflect new priorities, emerging issues, and ongoing policy considerations. In addition, the Board may amend the Platform at any time should new or unforeseen matters arise. Issues not addressed within the Platform will continue to require direction and approval by the Board before a formal County position is taken.

This Legislative Platform affirms Sutter County’s commitment to representing the interests of its residents and communities in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. It is both a tool for effective advocacy and a transparent statement of the County’s values and priorities. By adopting this platform, the Board ensures that Sutter County’s perspectives are clearly communicated and consistently represented in legislative and administrative processes at all levels of government.

Sutter County’s chief economy remains agriculture, annually contributing approximately $1 billion or more to the County’s economy. The County had an estimated population of approximately 100,260, as of January 1, 2025. Just over 70%, or 70,453, live in the City of Yuba City. Another 9,658 live in the City of Live Oak.

Sutter County is a General Law County and is organized in accordance with the California Government Code and the California Constitution, with five elected members of the Board of Supervisors and elected positions of Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters, District Attorney, Sheriff-Coroner, and Treasurer-Tax Collector. The Board of Supervisors enacts local ordinances and establishes the policies under which the County operates.

Sutter County continues to address seasonal flood risk due to its location along major river systems, requiring ongoing investments in levee improvements and emergency preparedness. The county is also working to diversify its economy and expand housing options while maintaining the agricultural heritage and rural character that define the region. Evolving public health and infrastructure needs remain key considerations as the population grows and community expectations change.

Sutter County’s 2026 legislative priorities are guided by a commitment to protect core county services, sustain key funding streams, and ensure the County can effectively respond to expanding responsibilities across housing, homelessness, public safety, public health, social safety-net programs, infrastructure, and economic development. Federal legislation, including H.R. 1, and significant state-level reforms particularly in housing, homelessness, and environmental regulation continue to create new pressures and uncertainties for rural communities.

This platform identifies the issues most directly impacting the County and establishes clear objectives to safeguard operations, maintain fiscal stability, and support the wellbeing of residents. It emphasizes collaboration with local, state, and federal partners, regional entities, and community stakeholders to achieve sustainable, responsible growth while preserving Sutter County’s rural character, agricultural heritage, and essential programs and services.

Sutter County's Priority Issues and Policy Areas.

Sutter County will collaborate closely with the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), SYASL Inc., The Ferguson Group (TFG), and key state and federal partners to advance legislative priorities and protect essential services.

The County will advocate to ensure rural needs are reflected in statewide policymaking, strengthen its position on fiscal and regulatory issues, and secure resources that support local capacity in public safety, behavioral health, housing, human services, transportation, and emergency management. Sutter County will work proactively with state departments including the Department of State Hospitals (DSH), Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), California Department of Social Services (CDSS), California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHSA), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to obtain clear guidance, regulatory flexibility, and timely technical assistance.

The County will also engage consistently with legislative offices to prevent unfunded mandates, promote rural flexibility, and support policies that enhance local service delivery. Additionally, Sutter County will partner with community-based organizations, regional entities, and public agencies to strengthen grant applications, pursue shared funding opportunities, and expand regional capacity.

Through sustained collaboration and coordinated advocacy, the County will advance practical policy solutions, secure critical resources, and improve service outcomes across all priority areas.

To ensure timely and effective advocacy, including circumstances in which Sutter County lacks active local, state, or federal legislative delegation representation, Sutter County authorizes designated staff, in coordination with the County Administrator and relevant department heads, to take immediate action on legislative, regulatory, and funding matters consistent with the County’s adopted Legislative Platform and priority areas. This authority includes the ability to advocate for interim representation, engage directly with governmental entities, and protect County interests during periods of vacancy, transition, or lack of representation, without delay and includes:

Issuing Position Letters and Endorsements

• The Board of Supervisors delegates authority to the Board Chair and/or the Vice Chair to sign and submit letters of support, opposition, or neutral position on legislation, regulatory proposals, and funding opportunities, including grant applications submitted by community partners or county departments, that are consistent with this legislative platform without requiring prior formal approval from the Board of Supervisors. Any such letter shall be included in the agenda for the next regularly scheduled Board meeting as correspondence.
• Such letters shall reflect the County’s established priorities in areas including, but not limited to, fiscal and administrative stability, public safety, health and human services, housing, transportation and infrastructure, flood control, agriculture, economic development, and military and veterans support.

Engagement with Legislative and Regulatory Bodies

• County staff may meet with federal, state, and regional legislators, administrative agencies, and other governmental entities to advocate for policy positions, secure clarifying guidance, and request technical assistance, provided these engagements are consistent with the County’s legislative platform.
• Staff may respond to inquiries, provide testimony, or submit comments on proposed legislation or administrative rules within deadlines that would not allow for full Board review, ensuring Sutter County’s interests are represented in a timely manner.

Delegation Vacancy or Representation Gap Authority

• In the event Sutter County does not have active representation at the local, state, or federal level due to vacancy, transition, redistricting, or other circumstances, designated County staff, in coordination with the County Administrator, are authorized to immediately advocate for interim or alternative representation to ensure the County’s interests are not adversely impacted.
• This authority includes direct engagement with executive branch agencies, legislative leadership offices, committee staff, regional associations, statewide advocacy coalitions, and neighboring jurisdiction delegations, as appropriate, to maintain continuity of advocacy, access to funding opportunities, and participation in time-sensitive policy discussions.
• Such actions shall be limited to advancing the County’s adopted Legislative Platform and established priorities and shall not establish new policy positions.

Grant and Funding Collaboration

• The County may formally support grant applications, cooperative agreements, and collaborative initiatives involving nonprofit organizations, regional entities, and other public agencies to strengthen community capacity and pursue shared funding opportunities.
• All actions shall align with existing County priorities and legal obligations.

Reporting and Oversight

• All positions taken, letters submitted, and engagements undertaken under this authority must be reported in the Correspondence section of a future Board of Supervisors meeting agenda.
• Reporting ensures transparency, allows for retrospective review, and enables adjustments to advocacy strategies as priorities evolve. This process maintains accountability while allowing the County to respond rapidly to emerging legislative, regulatory, and funding opportunities,uphold rural county interests, and maintain operational flexibility.