Rancho Santa Fe residents have about a month to tell the San Diego County Board of Supervisors what state and federal policies it should fight for in 2027.

The county opened a public comment period Aug. 10 for its annual Legislative Program, the document that guides what the Board advocates for in Sacramento and Washington. Comments will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 14, and a virtual community forum is set for 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, via Zoom.

Because Rancho Santa Fe is unincorporated, the Board of Supervisors serves as its governing body, handling zoning, roads, fire protection and law enforcement. That makes the Legislative Program more than an abstract policy exercise for Rancho Santa Fe residents: the Board's state and federal advocacy directly shapes the services and regulations they live under.

The county's Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs manages the process. Deputy Director Sarah Dawe and Administrative Analyst Mica Miragliotta are listed as staff contacts on the Engage San Diego County page, where residents can take a survey or email comments to [email protected].

In recent years, the Legislative Program has covered affordable housing and homelessness, behavioral health, climate change, public health, community safety and equity. The county adopted a $9.16 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27 in late June, a spending plan that taps $95 million in one-time reserves to shore up social services amid federal funding uncertainty.

After the comment window closes, EDGA will draft the 2027 Legislative Program for the Board's consideration at its Tuesday, Dec. 8 meeting. The current five-member Board includes Chair Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice-Chair Monica Montgomery Steppe, Chair Pro Tem Paloma Aguirre, Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond. Desmond is term-limited; a November runoff will determine his District 5 successor, who takes office in January 2027.

Residents can register for the Aug. 25 forum at sdcounty-ca-gov.zoom.us/j/87306864566 or submit written comments at engage.sandiegocounty.gov/2027-legislative-program through Sept. 14.