David Guhin officially took the helm of Sonoma County government Monday, becoming chief executive of the North Bay’s largest local government organization — and inheriting a $2.8 billion budget alongside some of the most consequential fiscal pressures the county has faced in years.
Key Takeaways
- April 20 is Guhin’s first official day as Sonoma County Executive Officer, one day before the county’s annual budget workshops begin.
- He succeeds retired County Executive Christina Rivera, who led the county for three years.
- Guhin will oversee more than 4,000 county employees and a $2.8 billion annual budget.
- His annual base salary is $377,226.
- Federal policy changes and a projected state deficit are expected to strain county safety-net programs during his first months on the job.
A North Bay career built on complexity
Guhin, 50, is a Santa Rosa resident who spent more than 18 years climbing the ranks at the City of Santa Rosa, serving as director of planning and economic development, director of transportation and public works, and ultimately assistant city manager. He then spent two and a half years as executive director of government operations for the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria before taking over as Sonoma’s city manager in 2023.
His three years running Sonoma — a smaller city with a $45 million budget and 47 employees — earned widespread praise from community members and city council alike. At an April 1 farewell event in Sonoma, Mayor Ron Wellander called the turnout “a testimony to how the city has benefited,” and Guhin launched the city’s long-sought Public Arts Master Plan during his tenure. “I do have the best city council in the entire county,” Guhin said that night. “It works well together, gets things done, treats each other with respect.”
He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a master’s in organizational development from Sonoma State University — a combination that tracks with his reputation as a methodical, collaborative administrator.
Stepping in during a fiscal pressure cooker
The timing of Guhin’s arrival is anything but quiet. The county’s Board of Supervisors begins its annual budget workshops on April 21, and the stakes are unusually high: President Trump’s proposed federal legislation could push as many as 30,000 Sonoma County residents off government health care coverage and food assistance, according to county projections. A state budget deficit compounds the uncertainty.
The supervisors have already begun staking out their priorities. Earlier this month, the board voted to bar cooperation with ICE and committed $1.5 million to immigrant services — decisions that will land on Guhin’s desk to implement in an increasingly polarized federal environment. His role is to translate those policy calls into day-to-day county operations across departments ranging from public health to roads to the courts.
Guhin acknowledged the weight of the job when bidding farewell to Sonoma. “It is going to be a big job, and I’m excited for it,” he said. “I have a whole new respect and understanding of the valley issues.” He has described his approach to leadership as finding “creative ways to address critical issues” — a disposition the county may test repeatedly in the months ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the county executive actually do day to day?
The county executive serves as the chief administrative officer for all county departments, implementing policies set by the five-member Board of Supervisors. That includes managing the $2.8 billion budget, overseeing more than 4,000 employees across agencies like the Sheriff’s Office, Health Services, and Public Works, and serving as the county’s top liaison to state and federal agencies.
When will residents see the effects of Guhin’s decisions?
Budget workshops this week (April 20–23) are the first major milestone, with department heads presenting funding requests to the board. A final budget is expected to be adopted in June, when decisions about staffing, services, and program cuts will become concrete. Residents who depend on county services — from mental health programs to parks to housing assistance — will feel those outcomes over the coming fiscal year.
Who is running the City of Sonoma now that Guhin has left?
Christine Alilovich was named Sonoma’s interim city manager following Guhin’s departure. The city has begun a formal recruitment process to find a permanent replacement. Guhin’s final day as city manager was April 5.
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