Scott Yuill dedicated to public service

Scott Yuill at a glance: Born and raised in Sacramento, Scott Yuill attended Mira Loma High School and then California State University at Sacramento. Yuill received a degree in business, finance/insurance and a minor in English. Shortly after college, Yuill moved to Placer County and met his wife, Tami. She was in law school and he had just opened his insurance company in 1988. Yuill's mother, father and five nephews reside in the area and in Reno. Scott Yuill dedicated to public service Chances are, if you've lived in the Placer County area for the last 30 years, Scott Yuill has crossed your radar. Yuill, 57, has owned a State Farm insurance business in Placer County since 1988. Yuill's business, specializing in auto, home, life, boat, motorcycle and business insurance; has moved three times in the Roseville/Rocklin area. Public service has been a big part of his life. Yuill is one of the longest-serving Rocklin elected officials in the city's history, according to Rocklin city clerk Mona Forster. He served on City Council for 12 years. Yuill successfully ran for Rocklin City Council in 2006 and received the most votes. Yuill was re-elected to his seat in 2010 and 2014 and was Rocklin mayor for three years. He stepped down in 2018 from council because it was "simply time," according to Yuill. "I was incredibly fortunate to work with Scott for two years on council," said Rocklin Councilwoman Jill Gayaldo. "I benefited tremendously from his knowledge, encouragement and example. He cares about Rocklin and donated thousands of hours to make Rocklin a better place." Mayor Joe Patterson expressed admiration and respect for Yuill, although they disagreed at times on city issues. "I didn't have to agree with Scott on everything to recognize the lasting mark he has left on our community," Patterson said. "For me personally, he was a calming force. I already miss giving him a bad time." Councilman Ken Broadway said that Yuill will continue to serve the city in other capacities. "Scott Yuill is an individual who gives 100 percent to our community," Broadway said. "He served the residents of Rocklin as if they were a member of his family. I'm certain now that he has stepped away from his role on the council, he will find new ways to serve Rocklin. Scott is a great leader in our community and a true friend." It was "truly an honor to serve with past and future leaders" of Rocklin, according to Yuill. "I've always been involved in community service, starting 30 years ago," Yuill said. "I first got involved in the Active 20/30 service club, where the proceeds went to children's charities in the greater Sacramento area. You get thrown out at age 40, so once I got older, I went into Rotary." After years of community service and eventually serving as Rocklin/Loomis Basin Rotary Club president, Yuill was appointed the Rocklin Chamber of Commerce chairman in 2005. "I never thought of local, elected service as 'politics.' Rather for me, it was simply an extension of community service," Yuill said. "I never took myself too seriously but hope it was evident that I took the responsibility very much so." Yuill said his biggest challenge and contribution to Rocklin was serving during the economic downturn 11 years ago. "The recession hit in 2008 and we had to lay off 40 percent of the city staff," Yuill said. "We squeezed here and we squeezed there. That was probably the most significant challenge because the city has always been a fiscal steward. Level heads prevailed during those tough times." While Yuill was in office, Rocklin has maintained one of the highest bond ratings in California, which is a testament to good fiscal management, according to Yuill. Among other accomplishments, the Sierra College overpass on Interstate 80 was a huge feat, Yuill said. "With the help of former City Manager Dr. Carlos Urrutia, we helped to create a lot of the financing mechanisms for the overpass," Yuill said. "This allowed us to build everything you see now including the Rocklin Commons, which was a significant retail development in our city," Yuill said. "Without that overpass, nothing else would have occurred. It was a large collective effort." Yuill remains dedicated to public service. Yuill remains a Rocklin Rotary club member and recently joined the Rocklin Public Safety Foundation as a board member. Yuill is also passionate about small business. "Often times, it's the small business in town that are writing the checks for the local communities," Yuill said. "It's hard to be a small-business owner." Now, Yuill will focus on spending more time with family, golfing and traveling the country to gain a better perspective on his favorite subject: American history.