Over the past four years, significant investments have transformed the Capay Valley, resulting in impactful changes that resonate throughout the region.

Working collaboratively with my board colleagues, community members, elected officials, staff and various stakeholders, we have fostered relationships and developed a shared vision for the area’s growth. The initial years were dedicated to behind-the-scenes efforts and community engagement, setting the foundation for the tangible progress we see today.

This year, I have closely followed efforts that have carried over from previous years. Some of these projects, now completed, have significantly changed the region’s landscape. One of the board’s priorities has been closing the health equity gap in rural areas. On Jan. 11, 2024, the grand opening of the Capay Valley Health Center marked a significant milestone.

This transformative project, realized through the commitment and leadership of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, as well as numerous donors and partners, now stands as a testament of collective efforts. The 28,000-square-foot, two-story facility offers essential healthcare services through Winters Healthcare, including dental, ophthalmic, and pharmaceutical care. Furthermore, it houses RISE Inc., satellite offices for AMR, the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department and a community room.

Since the beginning of my term, I have prioritized attending and hosting community events to gain insights into the community’s needs. From this experience, I learned that we needed to invest resources in our youth and recreation.

On May 28, 2024, just days before the end of the school year at Esparto High School, the community celebrated the groundbreaking of the Culinary Arts and Digital Media Buildings. Thanks to the Esparto Unified School District, this significant addition will equip students with essential future skills. The facility will serve as both a classroom and a teaching kitchen for the local community, supporting adult education courses offered by Woodland Community College and other partners. I was honored to be one of the speakers at the event, expressing enthusiasm for the $538,000 Yolo County investment in Esparto High School and the community.

In July 2023, my staff and I hosted a successful community engagement event, providing residents with the opportunity to vote on a new playground structure for the Esparto Community Park. The community selected their preferred option, and on July 17, 2024, my board colleagues and I celebrated the unveiling of the new park structure alongside parents, youth and families.

Additionally, this past year, through the Community Benefit Fund, our office awarded the Capay Valley AYSO with $8,000. This funding provided more scholarships for children from low-income households to help pay for registration costs. It also assisted the organization with uniform costs, offset tournament costs and enabled the purchase of new nets, soccer balls and field accessories.

Understanding youth needs is as important as senior needs. After meeting with a group of seniors from the RISE senior program in Esparto, we initiated the installation of a series of benches along the trail at Tuli Mem Park in response to their requests. Enhancements to Tuli Mem thus far include a large shade structure over the picnic tables, a new ice machine, four park benches and an improved irrigation system for the fields.

One of the main recurring concerns since the beginning of my term has been the need for safer and repaved roads. In March 2022, after extensive discussion and direction from the board, staff constructed a timeline with approximate completion dates for rural roads. I emphasized the need for an equitable approach to determining the maintenance schedule. We have resurfaced the east side of Esparto as of today, and we will complete current efforts on the west side of town before the end of the year. Following closely behind are Guinda, Rumsey and Madison, expected to be completed between 2026 and 2028.

In addition to the roads, two bridges in the Capay Valley will receive updates in the coming years. The historic Guinda Bridge will be replaced due to its deteriorating state and for safety reasons. Keeping the community safe is our priority, and we commend the public works department for being proactive in their efforts. We will shortly replace the Hamilton Creek Bridge, a smaller, narrower bridge that is no longer functional.

Similar to my commitment to safer roads, ensuring the longevity of our most vulnerable fire districts has also been paramount. Rural fire districts play a vital role in providing residents with public safety through fire prevention, suppression, and medical services. The late Supervisor Gary Sandy and I served on the Fire Sustainability Committee and, along with county staff, collaborated with fire chiefs to create a financial sustainability plan.

The Board of Supervisors approved one-time cannabis county funding of $500,000 in 2022, and set aside an additional $550,000 as a contingency fund for fire districts. On April 18, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion to help fund Yolo County fire districts, pledging $1.5 million towards fire sustainability. The disbursement of these funds is contingent on the passage of Proposition 218 for each participating district. Both Capay and Madison Fire Departments successfully passed their Proposition 218 measures. I commend the fire chiefs for their diligent efforts in engaging the community and gaining support to make this possible.While there have been many great accomplishments, challenges remain, and food insecurity is one that requires all of us to work together. We have a wonderful network of people who care deeply about this issue, and I have been fortunate to work alongside them and provide support. Last year, around Thanksgiving, my staff and I volunteered with the Farm Stop to bring Thanksgiving meals to residents. For the third year in a row, I have witnessed how this community comes together to help each other.

Most recently, in June of this year, the Center for Land-Based Learning celebrated the launch of their Mobile Farmers Market Truck, which will also service the town of Esparto. Yolo County is proud to be a part of the Urban Farm Mobile Market, thanks to a $222,000 investment from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds.

The Mobile Farmers Market plays a crucial role in reducing both financial and physical barriers to food access. The program has expanded to include Woodland and rural areas of Yolo County, ensuring that more residents benefit from this initiative. Operating from May to October, the market serves ethnically diverse, low-income neighborhoods identified as food insecure by the USDA. Special thanks to our local farmers, community partners and the residents of Yolo County for their continuous support and engagement.

Our local farmers are the heart of the region. Providing a platform for them to voice their concerns, share their stories and bridge the gap between local government and agriculture is important. Both Supervisor Frerichs and I have hosted Ag Forums to strengthen relationships with the agricultural community in western Yolo County, present current information on programs and services, and provide a forum for discussion.

In addition to these efforts, I led the formation of an Agriculture and County subcommittee to improve communication, where I advocated for the Farm Bureau’s participation, resulting in much-needed conversations and action. Living in an agricultural county, we recognize that the agricultural sector’s success benefits all of our communities.

It has been an honor to represent you for the past four years. These achievements reflect our collective efforts to enhance the Capay Valley and its surrounding communities. We have made significant progress in advancing health care and educational opportunities, ensuring public safety and addressing food insecurity. The investment in infrastructure, the support for youth and seniors, and the unwavering commitment to our fire districts underscore the importance of community collaboration. As we move forward, I remain dedicated to continuing this work, building on the relationships and insights gained to ensure that the Capay Valley thrives for generations to come.

— Angel Barajas, Yolo County Supervisor, District 5