SEIU 1021 members & allies stop wasteful spending on proposed Sonoma County building purchase
Tuesday, October 28, Sonoma County Counsel reported out that the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors provided direction to their real property negotiators to terminate the purchase and sale agreement for 400 Aviation Boulevard, Santa Rosa, and discontinue negotiations to purchase the building. This outcome is a direct result of SEIU 1021’s members’ hard work and advocacy to prevent the misuse of public funds.
From the start, this deal has been plagued by controversy. A conflict-of-interest concern involving Supervisor David Rabbitt forced the initial agenda item to be withdrawn. In addition, according to the independent appraiser hired by the county, the proposed purchase price was as much as $19 million above fair market value—taxpayer money that should be directed toward road repairs, food and nutrition assistance, homelessness services, affordable housing, and other critical community needs.
It was only because of SEIU 1021’s whistleblowing—and the powerful coalition our union built with Sonoma County Conservation Action, the North Bay Organizing Project, community leaders, and elected officials throughout the county—that this wasteful, unnecessary deal was stopped in its tracks.
SEIU 1021 Regional Vice President Travis Balzarini said, “This is a victory not only for SEIU 1021 members, but for every Sonoma County taxpayer who deserves transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public funds.”