From left are Citrus Heights Chamber Chair Amanda Camacho, Sacramento County Board of Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez and Chamber Director Sheri Merrick at the March ACCESS Citrus Heights Luncheon on March 17. Photo by Ornella Rossi

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Conversations about homelessness policy, public safety funding and the future of regional growth were among the key topics discussed March 17 as the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce convened its monthly ACCESS Luncheon at the Citrus Heights Event Center.

The event, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., brought together business owners and community leaders to hear from Sacramento County Board of Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, who outlined the scope of county government and the policy decisions shaping District 4.

Rodriguez described her role as both wide-ranging and heavily tied to constituent concerns.

“So what does a county supervisor do?” Rodriguez said. “You do it all and then some.”

She explained that the county is divided into five districts, each represented by a supervisor responsible for setting policy, approving ordinances and directing how funding is allocated across services. District 4 includes Citrus Heights, Folsom and several unincorporated areas such as Antelope, North Highlands and Rio Linda.

Rodriguez highlighted a revised camping ordinance as a case study in how local government responds to emerging issues. The change expanded restrictions from public property to include private property when owners cannot be reached, enabling law enforcement to intervene in situations that previously stalled.

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce ambassadors smile alongside new business members, welcomed at the March ACCESS Citrus Heights Luncheon. Photo by Ornella Rossi

“We looked at the ordinance, made improvements and enabled our public safety to address the problem,” she said, noting the policy took effect roughly two months ago.

She framed the issue within a broader discussion on homelessness, which she described as the most consistent concern raised by both residents and business owners.

While acknowledging local efforts, she said the root causes often stem from state-level policies and systemic challenges. She emphasized a need for coordinated approaches that balance enforcement with access to services, including behavioral health programs and reentry initiatives such as those coordinated through the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.

Rodriguez also detailed the scale of county operations, including oversight of a $9.2 billion budget, much of which is directed toward health and human services programs.

“The county is really the source of where you would go for those services,” she said, referencing programs that support children, families, older adults and individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges.

At the same time, she warned of financial pressures ahead. Departments have been asked to prepare for potential budget reductions, which could significantly affect services. For example, she said a 2.5% cut could exceed $14 million for the sheriff’s department alone.

“I have a commitment to try to ensure that those cuts don’t come from public safety,” Rodriguez said, adding that youth and foster care programs are also priorities for protection.

Infrastructure funding presented another challenge, particularly in unincorporated areas where road conditions lag behind cities. Rodriguez cited the pavement condition index as a key metric, noting Citrus Heights has invested local funds to improve its roads, while other areas face more limited resources.

“There’s just no extra funding when it comes to being able to fix roads,” Rodriguez said.

She also discussed regional collaboration efforts tied to homelessness, including ongoing work to align cities, the county and housing agencies under a joint governance structure. While the effort aims to improve coordination, Rodriguez expressed concerns about adding layers of bureaucracy without clear decision-making authority.

The March ACCESS Luncheon in Citrus Heights, themed for St. Patrick’s Day, brought together business owners and community leaders to hear from Sacramento County Board of Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez. Photo by Ornella Rossi

Beyond policy, Rodriguez highlighted outreach efforts designed to connect government with local businesses. Through a series of “business walks,” county representatives visit companies to share resources, including financial assistance programs and access to behavioral health services for employees.

The luncheon was sponsored by Atlas Disposal, which has operated in the city for nearly three decades and catered by Black Angus Steakhouse.

Introducing the speaker, Chamber Executive Director Sheri Merrick highlighted Rodriguez’s background in health care, business ownership and local government, including her tenure on the Folsom City Council.

Rodriguez closed by encouraging continued engagement between the business community and county government.

The ACCESS Luncheon is part of the chamber’s monthly programming focused on connecting businesses with regional decision-makers and policy discussions. The next luncheon is scheduled for April 21 and will feature Sunrise Recreation and Park District Administrator Kevin Huntzinger.