Issues
Committed to listening, leading, and delivering results that reflect the needs and values of our community.
HOUSING AFFORDABILITY
Sylvia Lemus has made housing affordability and production a top priority throughout her public service career, particularly during her tenure as a Cotati City Councilmember and as the current Mayor of Cotati. Recognizing that housing is a top concern among local residents, she has led efforts to transform Cotati into one of the most housing-forward cities in Sonoma County. Under her leadership, the city has implemented business-friendly policies that streamline permitting, establish clear and predictable development standards, and remove unnecessary barriers that often delay or prevent new housing. These reforms include citywide zoning changes that allow increased density, effectively doubling allowable housing capacity, along with targeted upzoning in priority development areas such as the train depot, downtown core, and the Highway 101 corridor.
To further incentivize housing, Cotati has eliminated impact fees for high-quality lodging and affordable units within market-rate multi-family projects, while also creating dedicated business and project liaison roles to support applicants from concept through completion. A development project manager is assigned to guide each project from beginning to end, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and transparency. These strategic actions have delivered measurable results: Cotati has already approved approximately 2.5 times the number of units required under its state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), significantly exceeding expectations and demonstrating what is possible with strong local leadership.
Cotati’s success has not gone unnoticed. According to Generation Housing’s 2025 State of Housing report, Cotati ranked as the top city in Sonoma County across seven key housing categories, reflecting its leadership in production, policy innovation, and commitment to addressing the housing crisis. As a candidate for Supervisor, Sylvia Lemus is committed to scaling these proven strategies countywide at appropriately-sited infill areas, promoting smart growth, reducing regulatory barriers, and fostering partnerships that accelerate housing development while maintaining community character. At the same time, she wants to ensure that there is adequate infrastructure, such as parking and access to transit, as she considers future housing development opportunities.
HOMELESSSNESS SERVICES
Sylvia Lemus currently serves as the elected representative for the cities of Cotati and Rohnert Park on the Sonoma County Homeless Coalition Board, a collaborative body comprising Sonoma County Department of Health Services staff, elected officials, homeless service providers, nonprofit organizations, and members of the Lived Experience Advisory and Planning Board. In this role, she helps oversee the local Continuum of Care (CoC), which administers federal funding for homelessness programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
As federal funding is expected to decline in the coming years, Sonoma County faces mounting pressure to streamline services and maximize impact. A recent report offers a roadmap for system realignment, emphasizing a move toward a unified “One System of Care.” This approach calls for stronger coordination between the CoC and the Department of Health Services, and improved alignment of funding to reduce duplication and increase efficiency. Central to this effort is strengthening the Homeless Management Information System to enable better data sharing, performance tracking, and system-wide coordination.
Sylvia Lemus supports these reforms as part of a broader commitment to making homelessness services in Sonoma County more efficient, accountable, and responsive, delivering better outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness while making the most of limited public resources.
CLIMATE CHANGE & THE ENVIRONMENT
Sylvia Lemus has demonstrated strong leadership on climate change and environmental issues through her service on both regional energy and conservation boards, advancing practical solutions that balance affordability, sustainability, and community well-being. As the incoming Vice Chair of the Sonoma Clean Power Board of Directors, she supports efforts to reduce energy costs for residents while accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Sonoma Clean Power plays a critical role in advocating for consumers at the state level, working to reform California energy policies to lower costs and better protect communities from climate-related impacts.
Sylvia is a strong proponent of developing a regional Geothermal Opportunity Zone, recognizing its potential to provide long-term, reliable, and affordable clean energy while positioning Sonoma County as a leader in addressing the global climate crisis.
In addition to her leadership on renewable energy, Sylvia serves on the Executive Committee of the Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, where she champions environmental stewardship and improved access to outdoor spaces. She actively supports fundraising and partnerships that expand park programs for underserved communities, seniors, and youth, while also advancing environmental education initiatives that foster long-term sustainability. Through the Foundation, she helps fund critical natural resource projects that restores habitat, protects wildlife, and preserves our county’s biodiversity. Her work also supports the development of new parks, trails and community events that connect residents to the outdoors.
Sylvia is committed to protecting Sonoma County’s diverse landscapes, from open space and coastlines to parks and recreational areas, ensuring they remain accessible and thriving for future generations.
WATER PROTECTION & RELIABILITY
Sylvia Lemus has built a strong record of leadership on regional water policy through her active service as Cotati’s representative to the Water Advisory Committee, where she collaborates with elected officials from cities, the County, and municipal water districts to guide critical decisions on water supply, infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. Most recently, Sylvia joined her colleagues in approving the annual water transmission system budget and rate structure, decisions that directly impact affordability, reliability, and system maintenance for residents and businesses across Sonoma County.
Sylvia brings a working knowledge of key regional and regulatory issues that shape the county’s water future, including the Potter Valley Project, which plays a significant role in inter-basin water transfers; Forecast-Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO), an innovative approach that uses advanced weather data to better manage water storage and flood control at Lake Sonoma and Lake Mendocino; and the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which governs major water infrastructure and licensing. She understands how changing weather patterns and climate conditions influence water release and retention decisions at Lake Mendocino and Lake Sonoma, two critical reservoirs for the region.
As a candidate for Supervisor, Sylvia Lemus is committed to ensuring a reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply by supporting science-based decision-making, regional collaboration, and forward-looking investments that prepare Sonoma County for future climate and water challenges. She will do so while working hard to stabilize rates, particularly in areas like Penngrove, which have above-average rates for water and wastewater treatment systems.
AGRICULTURAL
PRESERVATION
Sylvia is proud to be endorsed by the Sonoma County Farm Bureau and multi-generational farming families. She knows that farming, particularly in the dairy and poultry sectors, are deeply rooted in Southern Sonoma County – and is committed to protecting this critical industry as our next County Supervisor.
As the granddaughter of a farmworker, Sylvia, her cousins, and siblings have also ventured into small-scale Ag production by starting a small local wine label rooted in family, agriculture and community.
Sylvia will work to preserve the Right to Farm, protect local sources of food, and keep scenic farmland spanning Southern Sonoma County protected from the threat of future development.
COMMUNITY SAFETY
Sylvia knows that feeling safe and secure in homes, workplaces, and the community in general is critical to maintaining our quality of life. There are multiple components to safe communities – strong, community-focused public safety services; vegetation management and fire prevention services; emergency preparedness; and working to protect innocent civilians from federal law enforcement overreach.
As the only candidate for Supervisor endorsed by The Professional Fire Fighters of Sonoma County, Sonoma County Deputy Sheriffs’ Association, Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association, and Sheriff Eddie Engram, Sylvia will make it a priority to bring stakeholders together to address current and future public safety issues.
As a member of the Community and Local Law Enforcement (CALLE) Task Force, an organization that led to the creation of the Independent Office of Law Enforcement Review and Oversight (IOLERO), Sylvia is also a strong believer in civilian oversight of law enforcement – and knows we need sound policies that balance the needs of public safety personnel, and the community’s desire to increase trust and transparency in law enforcement.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Sylvia will possess a unique skill set to address these issues – as someone who worked in Sonoma County government for decades, led efforts to create civilian oversight of law enforcement, and championed progress in the Latino community as a founding Board Member of Los Cien and the Santa Rosa Cinco de Mayo Committee.
ROADS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Roads and infrastructure are incredibly important to Southern Sonoma County – connecting our urban and rural communities, while allowing residents and workers to get to and from their homes and workplaces to services, recreation, and more.
While the County has made significant progress on roads, far too many remain in deteriorating or poor condition. With 1,368 miles of roads in unincorporated Sonoma County alone, Sylvia knows that continued progress in this area is critical for a safer, smoother ride on unincorporated roads and streets.
As a member of the Board of Supervisors, Sylvia won’t let up on repairing and repaving our roads and infrastructure, knowing we must continue to sustain investments to achieve the goals set forth in the County’s Long-Term Roads Plan, while looking at more rural residential roads and ways to begin resurfacing many roads and streets that haven’t recently or ever been repaved in the years ahead.