Robert Weygandt

Happy New Year!

As we enter a new year I would like to take this opportunity to share some of Placer County’s goals for 2020, and some of the challenges we’ll be facing together, too.

To start, District 1 Supervisor Bonnie Gore was chosen to serve as chair of the Placer County Board of Supervisors for 2020 during our first meeting of the new year. I was honored to be selected to serve as vice chair.

Placer County has its sights set on an array of issues this year, such as implementing the Sunset Area and Placer Ranch plans, Placer County Conservation Program, Placer County Parks and Trails Master Plan, and facilitating free and fair elections – just to name a few.

Late last year, our board unanimously approved the county’s Sunset Area Plan update and Placer Ranch Specific Plan, an ambitious vision to create more than 55,000 new jobs and build an education center in western Placer County.

Though construction of any projects proposed in those plans is several years away, in 2020 we’re optimistic that we’ll continue to make progress setting the conditions for their success. Notably, in the coming weeks we expect to consider a memorandum of understanding with Trustees of the California State University, Sacramento for a new satellite campus in the area - a critical anchor for developing more higher education opportunities for our residents.

The draft Placer County Conservation Program is also expected to come before our board for consideration later this year.

The plan will protect a large contiguous area of open space and natural habitat in western Placer County and establish a program for the effective conservation of natural resources. It will also create a more streamlined, cost-effective and predictable permitting process to promote sustainable future development in unincorporated areas of western Placer County and the City of Lincoln.

While we’re on the topic of open space, I should mention that the Placer County Parks and Trails Master Plan draft will be considered for final approval this year, too.

If approved, the plan will provide a 10-year vision for the development and operation of parks, recreation opportunities, open space and trail networks in the county.

The plan is innovative, and is intended to reflect the recreational needs of individual communities, such as league play demands in Granite Bay and Loomis, and the need for connected trails for summer and indoor recreation during the winter in eastern Placer County.

This is also an election year and there are a few important reminders for voters and opportunities to serve your local community and democracy.

The presidential primary election is coming up on March 3 and some voters in Placer County may need to re-register their preferred party status before the primary.

According to Placer County Registrar of Voters Ryan Ronco, voter political party preference may have inadvertently been changed to “No Party Preference” as a result of automatic voter registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Voters wishing to check their registration status may do so online at www.VoterStatus.sos.ca.gov. Re-registration may be completed online at www.RegisterToVote.ca.gov.

Our Elections Office needs 1,500 poll workers for Placer County’s polling sites for the March primary. It’s a great chance to give back to the community, be part of the excitement of our democratic process and earn a little money, too. Learn more at www.PlacerElections.com.

Also happening this spring is the 2020 Census. Your participation is incredibly important as your participation will shape the future of Placer County.

Census results are used to determine how over $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states, cities and counties each year. This funding is used to build new schools and roads, secure funding for hospitals and fire departments, and more.

Our communities lose $10,000 in federal funding for every person missed in the census.

You’ll be able to take the census with your phone, computer or mail. It’s easy, safe and secure. Learn more online at www.PlacerCounts.org.

Finally, Placer County will again be facing wildfire season soon. Even though we are in the middle of winter there are a few things you can do to be prepared.

First, stay informed. Sign up for Placer Alert to receive important public safety information. You can sign up at www.PlacerAlert.org.

Second, create a defensible space around your home to help defend it against fire. Now is a great time to remove dead plants or leaves from your yard and trim trees. This is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire and protecting firefighters defending your home. Learn more tips at www.ReadyPlacer.org.

I and my fellow Board of Supervisors members are also committed to continue finding solutions for the concerning fire insurance premium increases and Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s public safety power shutoffs. I’ll be sure to share any updates on these two important topics as the year advances.

Looking at the year before us, I am very excited about all the progress we can achieve in Placer County. I’m also excited to see all the opportunities available to our community members to participate in the census and elections.

This is going to be a great year.