Rodriguez excited for new challenge as supervisor

The Folsom City Council will soon welcome two new members while one departing member, Rosario Rodriguez, heads to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors to continue and expand her community work. The Folsom Telegraph spoke with Rodriguez during a post-campaign event held at Bacchus House on East Bidwell for Assemblyman Josh Hoover and City Council candidates Jim Ortega and Justin Raithel. Rodriguez said leaving the Folsom City Council is bittersweet, but she's excited for the opportunity to serve on a larger scale. "Because I'm going to the county, where I think I can make a bigger impact on some of the issues that are really important to our local residents: homelessness, transportation, public safety, economic development," said Rodriguez. "It's really the county where I can make a better impact. So while I'm sad to leave the city of Folsom, I am so excited to be a part of the County Board of Supervisors." Rodriguez was elected to represent the 4th District in March 2024 following an impactful history in the city of Folsom. Rodriguez was elected to the Folsom City Council in 2020 after serving on the Historic District Commission. She also served as a board member of the Folsom Chamber of Commerce, the Twin Lakes Food Bank and Folsom Economic Development Corporation. In 2022, Rodriguez was selected by the council to be mayor. Rodriguez is also a small business owner; she founded the Sutter Street Taqueria in 2016. Rodriguez plans to hit the ground running, with her top priority dealing with homelessness, which she said affects every city in the state. "I have some ideas on collaborating with my fellow council members with all the cities and the unincorporated areas of Sacramento County to come together and do something about it but also track progress, which is really important to me, to show that we are making a positive impact on homelessness," said Rodriguez. The District 4 Supervisor oversees Folsom, Citrus Heights, Orangevale, Antelope, Rio Linda, Elverta, Gold River, Rancho Murieta, North Highlands, Carmichael, Foothill Farms and Fair Oaks. Rosario said she has a lot to learn, but her fellow board members have already been extremely welcoming and helpful. Rosario departs the Folsom City Council with optimism about what the new members can achieve together. "I think Folsom looks like it will be in good hands moving forward," said Rodriguez. Rodriguez's role as supervisor officially begins Jan. 6, 2025.