NAPA, CA— The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) today honored Napa County Supervisors Belia Ramos and Alfredo Pedroza for going above-and-beyond in their work and leadership for CSAC while helping to address key issues surrounding justice policy administration, juvenile halls and In-Home Supportive Services.
Pedroza and Ramos each received the Circle of Service Award during a special ceremony Thursday morning held at CSAC’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. The Circle of Service is presented to county officials, staff and other CSAC-affiliated members whose service has been “above and beyond the norm.”
In a joint statement, Ramos and Pedroza expressed sincere appreciation for their awards and the acknowledgements from CSAC leaders. “We have relished the opportunity to contribute towards CSAC’s mission of bolstering the critical work by county governments throughout California. Our roles as representatives of the people of Napa Valley are that much stronger because of CSAC and its universe of likeminded and dedicated county officials.”
Pedroza led two important committees this past year for CSAC. He chaired CSAC’s Administration of Justice Policy Committee along with assuming the role of Chair for the CSAC Juvenile Hall Utilization Work Group.
CSAC noted that the use of juvenile halls has been a challenging issue for counties. Nevertheless, Pedroza did not hesitate to jump into the work of the Group and help direct its focus.
“You handled the tasks set before the work group with tact, efficiency and in partnership with the work group members, ensuring that all viewpoints were heard,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus in a letter to Pedroza, who represents District 4.
In a letter to Ramos announcing her award, Knaus lauded the “important role” the District 5 supervisor played as part of CSAC’s support for Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal to revise the In-Home Supportive Services Maintenance of Effort (MOE). “Most significantly” was her MOE testimony before the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, Knaus said.
“You did a tremendous job outlining why counties supported the proposal, the negative impacts that would occur to county services if the proposal was not enacted, and responding to difficult questions about IHSS collective bargaining,” Knaus wrote to Ramos.
The Board of Supervisors and staff of Napa County are dedicated to preserving and sustaining Napa County for present and future generations as a community with generous open space, a thriving agricultural industry and a quality human and natural environment