Spring is in full bloom across Placer County, and with it comes a renewed sense of community, safety, and connection. We’re pleased to welcome and congratulate the newly appointed and reappointed members of our Municipal Advisory Councils (MACs) and Forums across District 5. These individuals serve as vital links between our office and the community, helping to share local voices, concerns, and ideas. Thank you to the dedicated residents who have stepped up to serve: 

Foresthill Forum: Joshua Miller, Gail McCafferty, Sharon Page, Larry Jordan, Stephen Smith, Brian McCarrell, and Drew Bertoncin. 

North Auburn: Gregory Wilbur, Marissa Leahy, Laurence Farinha, Stewart Wells, Donald Anderson, Dave Hungerford, and Albert Lombardo. 

Meadow Vista: Susannah Johnsrud, Michael Walker, Cheryl Domnitch, Duke Lambert, and David Lease. 

Newcastle/Ophir: Steven Palmer, April Pay, Sam Moore, Elliott F. Rose, Brandon Sanders, and Curtis Sproul. 

We also want to recognize that the Donner Summit MAC and the newly renamed Central MAC (formerly Weimar/Applegate/Colfax MAC) are currently undergoing updates to their membership due to recent boundary revisions. Final appointments for these councils are expected following Board approval in the coming weeks. 

As we head toward the end of this fiscal year, the development of the 2025-2026 budget process is well underway.  This week the Board of Supervisors participated in two days of budget workshops discussing the accomplishments, emerging issues, performance measures, and revenue and expenses for 18 County service areas.  Some of the service areas are more externally-facing such as Sheriff, District Attorney, Public Works, Parks, Elections, and Health and Human Services.  Others provide more internally facing support and accountability functions including County Counsel, Information Technology, Human Resources, Auditor, Facilities Management, and County Executive Office.  The recordings of the meetings are available here and I hope that you are able to listen and learn about the services and funding that make-up Placer County.  I am always inspired by the staff that serve us all on a daily basis.  They are incredibly dedicated to protecting, defending, and ensuring our quality of life.   

As we celebrate civic engagement, we also take a moment to acknowledge the importance of safety and inclusion in our communities. This month, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office officially launched the Blue Envelope Program, a compassionate initiative designed to support safe and understanding interactions between law enforcement and members of the neurodiverse community. I had the opportunity to attend the launch event and was deeply moved by the commitment shown by our public safety partners. The Blue Envelope Program is a simple but powerful tool that reflects our county’s dedication to empathy, awareness, and public trust. 

Lastly, our hearts are heavy following the recent loss of a young Placer County resident in a tragic off-highway vehicle accident. While no words can truly ease the pain of such a loss, we extend our deepest condolences to the family. This heartbreaking event along with many other incidents of e-bike and e-scooter collisions with motor vehicles, serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of both on-road and off-road vehicle safety—particularly for young riders. Please remember to always wear seatbelts and helmets, educate minors on safe use of these motorized vehicles as well as the rules of the road, and supervise minors closely. 

As always, thank you for staying engaged with your District 5 office. We’re honored to serve you, and we remain committed to fostering a safer, more connected, and compassionate Placer County. 

In Service,
Cindy Gustafson
Placer County Supervisor, District 5 

Meetings/Events:

• 32 Internal Meetings
• 53 External Meetings
• 11 Board Meetings
• 7 MAC Meetings/ Forums/ Town Halls 
• 5 Events

Casework: Assisted 68 Constituents 

I’m honored to have been appointed by the Governor to serve on the State Board of Fire Services. This board plays a critical role in shaping fire protection and prevention efforts across California, including setting training standards for our firefighters. Placer County has some of the highest numbers of homes in the wildland urban interface, and wildfire risk continues to be one of our most pressing challenges. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring our local experiences and concerns to the state level, helping inform policies that better protect our residents, businesses, and first responders. LEARN MORE

May 1 marks the annual Big Day of Giving—a powerful 24-hour opportunity to support the nonprofits that make our community stronger, healthier, and more connected. More than 400 nonprofits serve Placer County, working every day to provide essential services, protect our environment, support the arts, care for animals, and so much more. Whether you give a little or a lot, your support makes a big impact. Join your neighbors in showing up for the causes you care about and plan your gift today!  FIND A CAUSE

Caltrans in collaboration with the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA), announced the start of a sidewalk gap closure project along State Route 49 (SR 49) within the City of Auburn. The project is funded in part by a $14.4 million state Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant secured by the PCTPA. Upcoming work includes construction of nearly 10,000 feet of new sidewalks, curb ramps, multiple crosswalks across SR 49 between Interstate 80 and Dry Creek Road and the addition of a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek. LEARN MORE

The Placer County Board of Supervisors took action to approve the Countywide Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan, outlining the funding status of 76 projects slated to be constructed by 2030. The CIP includes projects in the Department of Agriculture, Parks, and Natural Resources; Facilities Management; Department of Public Works and Information Technology. Capital projects include items such as expanded broadband in rural areas, road improvements, bridge replacements, fuel reduction programs to address wildfire risk, construction of new buildings or renovations to existing facilities, upgrades to parks and trails, and more. LEARN MORE

Placer County and the Buzz Oates development company hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Placer Commerce Center, celebrating a bright future for business, innovation and high-wage jobs in west Placer. The Placer Commerce Center is a major business park that will attract high-wage employers in research and development, warehousing, distribution, e-commerce fulfillment, flex spaces, and in light industrial and manufacturing.  Buzz Oates anticipates investing $750 million to $1 billion over the next 20 years of buildout, and the project is being spurred forward by a $28 million infrastructure investment into west Placer by the Placer County Board of Supervisors. Upon completion, it is estimated that between 3,500 and 5,000 people will be employed at the Placer Commerce Center, depending on end users. LEARN MORE

Placer County is rolling out a new fall prevention campaign aimed at protecting older adults who face the highest risk of deadly falls. With 369 fall-related deaths over the past five years, including 77 last year alone, Public Health is stepping up education and outreach to raise awareness, reduce hazards and promote simple steps to stay safer at home. The county’s campaign, launching ahead of Older Americans Month, includes targeted mailers to older residents and in-person outreach to senior centers, care facilities and community groups. In addition, Public Health will be holding a fall prevention workshop on May 7 in Roseville. LEARN MORE + REGISTER HERE