County Salutes Award-Winning Staff and Retiring Leaders in Ceremonial Session
Board of Supervisors • Santa Clara CountyNovember 2, 2026
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Santa Clara County's Board of Supervisors spent Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, thanking its own workforce. County Executive James Williams honored employees from nine departments and said goodbye to two long-tenured leaders, including a county attorney leaving to run Mendocino County's legal office. The board took one formal vote, 4-0 to approve the ceremonial agenda. Beneath the proclamations, speakers raised serious policy concerns: anticipated federal safety-net cuts, hate crimes against Sikh residents and a 70% higher diabetes death rate among Latino residents.
- Nine employee honorees and two retirees recognized as long-serving behavioral health and legal leaders depart.
- Foundations step into federal gaps: a $2.4M lifeline fund and passport clinics for mixed-status families.
- Sikh Awareness Month proclaimed alongside warnings about hate crimes and harassment of truckers.
- Diabetes Awareness Month spotlights a 70% higher Latino death rate and a county prevention plan.
- Retiring Open Space Authority chief Andrea Mackenzie honored for protecting more than 15,000 acres.
Thank-You Notes and Farewells to County Staff
Why it matters: The monthly awards are ceremonial, but this round marked the departure of institutional knowledge. Leaders of behavioral health children's services and the county's code enforcement team are leaving.
Where things stand: County Executive James R. Williams read tributes for Employee Excellence Award honorees. They came from the Library, Clerk-Recorder, Sheriff's Office, Public Defender, Social Services Agency, Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, Public Health, Roads and Airports, and Valley Health Plan.
"It is that time of each month when we have an opportunity to recognize a handful of the truly exceptional public servants that we have here at the county," said Williams.
The retirements: Williams honored Zelia Faria Costa for 30 years in behavioral health. He also honored Michael Rossi, a lead deputy county counsel, who will become Mendocino County's next County Counsel.
A colleague named Tony credited Rossi's role in enforcing public health orders and closed on a lighter note. "Michael is proof positive that the best possible training for being an attorney is being in a punk band," he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was required. Rossi's move sends Santa Clara County legal experience to a smaller county. The county's code enforcement work through its Community Protection Team and its children's behavioral health services will need new leadership.
Philanthropy Braces for Federal Safety-Net Cuts
Why it matters: Supervisor Margaret Abe-Koga, District 5, framed Community Foundation Week, Nov. 12–18, 2026, as more than a celebration. Local philanthropy is being asked to backfill federal gaps in food, housing and health enrollment as Medicaid and CalFresh reductions loom.
Where things stand: Abe-Koga described the Alliance of Silicon Valley Community Foundations. Groups cited included the Gilroy Foundation, Morgan Hill Community Foundation and Palo Alto Community Fund.
She highlighted the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation's partnership with the county on passport clinics for mixed-status families. Support costs about $600 per person, and $8,900 covers a full clinic.
The stakes: Abe-Koga said reduced federal support would push residents toward costlier county services. "We will see even more of our residents arriving at our hospital emergency rooms and food pantries," said Abe-Koga.
Nicole Taylor, President and CEO, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, said her organization's Community Lifeline Fund is already responding. "We've raised $2.4 million to date," said Taylor.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The proclamation commits no county money. It does signal how the county's safety net is shifting.
Hospitals and food pantries expect higher demand. Immigrant families rely on privately funded services such as the passport clinics. Foundations are taking on roles once filled by federal programs.
What's next: Community Foundation Week runs Nov. 12–18, 2026.
Sikh Awareness Month Paired With Hate Crime Warning
Why it matters: The proclamation designates November 2026 as Sikh American Awareness and Appreciation Month. It doubled as a public safety message about a community that speakers said remains a frequent target of bias.
Where things stand: The presenting official said the board has made this proclamation for 10 years. The official praised the Sikh Gurdwara's food drives, scholarships, free clinics and service as a polling site.
The official also cited national data. "The FBI's annual hate crime statistics show Sikhs remain the 3rd most targeted religious group behind the Jewish and the Muslim communities," the presenter said. The presenter also described harassment tied to the trucking industry, where many Sikh immigrants work.
A representative of the San Jose Sikh Gurdwara traced Sikh history in California. The representative said discrimination persists and urged continued awareness and inclusion. "Sikh Awareness Month is an opportunity to build understanding, celebrate our contributions, and recognize our history," the representative said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No separate vote was taken. The item was moved earlier in the agenda at a supervisor's request.
Diabetes Month Exposes a Stark Latino Disparity
Why it matters: Board President Otto Lee said 9% of county adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and 22% have prediabetes. "Nearly 1 in 3 adults is living with diabetes or prediabetes," said Lee.
Where things stand: Dr. Sarah Rudman, Director and Health Officer, Santa Clara County Public Health Department, outlined two county efforts. The first is the Diabetes Prevention and Wellness Strategic Plan. The second is the Diabetes Prevention Collaborative, which coordinates partners.
She cited data from the county's Latino health assessment. "The age-adjusted diabetes death rate, how often people die from diabetes, among our Latino residents is 70% higher than the countywide average," said Rudman.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Public health officials argued that prevention depends on healthy environments and access to care, not only individual choices. That framing points toward broader action on clinics, food access and neighborhood conditions. Latino residents stand to be most affected by any of these efforts.
Open Space Chief Exits After 15 Years
Why it matters: Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, retires at year-end. Her tenure reshaped land conservation in the county's south.
Where things stand: Lee credited her with more than 15,000 acres protected and more than 30 miles of trails. He also cited more than 1,700 acres preserved in Coyote Valley. "Your work also helped secure more than $180 million in outside funding," said Lee.
Mackenzie pointed to the Coyote Valley zoning overlay and the 2018 Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan. She returned the credit to the board. "If not for the County Board of Supervisors, there would be no Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority," said Mackenzie.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Her successor inherits a land portfolio built on county partnership and outside grants. Farmland and Coyote Valley conservation advocates will be watching that transition.
- Ceremonial agenda approved: Item 7 passed by roll call (For: 4, Abe-Koga, Duong, Ellenberg, Lee; Against: 0; Absent: 1, Vice President Sylvia Arenas). Ellenberg moved and Abe-Koga seconded the motion.
- Black Chamber milestone: Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, District 4, commended Alicia Owens, the first woman to lead the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce. Owens prioritized entrepreneurs' access to capital.
- Digital award: Technology Services and Solutions and the Office of Communications and Public Affairs won first place in the 2026 Government Experience Awards. The county website handles more than 4.5 million online interactions annually.
- Veterans honored: Darlene Escalante, Megan Tensketter and Rich Alvari were recognized ahead of Veterans Day. Colonel Ray Watts accepted for Escalante.
- Native American Heritage Month: Abe-Koga presented the proclamation to the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and noted the 54th Stanford Powwow.
Looking ahead: The board adjourned until Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 9:30 a.m., which is Election Day. Lee closed by urging residents to return their ballots.