2025 was a year of transition for San Mateo County.

The year brought new leadership on the Board of Supervisors, focused attention on expanding housing options and reducing homelessness and renewed efforts to prevent human trafficking ahead of major global events coming to the Bay Area. County leaders also focused on affordability, public safety and disaster preparedness as pressures tied to rising costs and severe weather continued.

The stories that follow reflect some of the most significant developments of the year, selected by the communications staff in the County Executive's Office.

10. Arts and Culture Has a Breakout Year

The local arts scene gained momentum in 2025 through exhibitions and public events led by the County's Office of Arts and Culture. Highlights included a mural at the County's Navigation Center, the Women's View show featuring more than 60 artists and the San Mateo Arts & Culture Fest, which drew thousands downtown.

9. County Steps Up Fight Against Human Trafficking

As the world prepares to arrive in the Bay Area in 2026, San Mateo is stepping up efforts to prevent human trafficking. County agencies and community partners are coordinating now to raise awareness and strengthen protections ahead of the Super Bowl and World Cup.

8. Parks in the Spotlight, From Beaches to Pickleball

County Parks made progress on key projects in 2025, from opening new barbecue areas and pickleball courts at Flood Park to continued work at Don Horsley Park at Tunitas Creek Beach, set to open in 2026. Parks also expanded public opportunities with guided hikes, a new self-guided park tour app and other outdoor events from the bay to the ocean, while reducing wildfire risk by thinning fuels in high-risk areas.

7. Protecting Vulnerable Residents: Know Your Rights Campaign, Wage Theft Task Force

Through Know Your Rights workshops, San Mateo County helped immigrant families and workers better understand their legal protections in 2025. The County also created a new Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement to investigate wage theft and protect workers from exploitation.

6. Addressing Affordability, From Food to Child Care

As the cost of food and other basic goods climbed in 2025, San Mateo County expanded emergency food support, launched a Find Food Now website and coordinated food redistribution with school districts to get meals to families in need. The County also hosted a series of town halls focused on child care affordability and access, and increased outreach on rent relief, income supports and other assistance for struggling households.

5. New Leadership: CEO's Office, County Health, Sustainability

In 2025, the County strengthened its leadership team with new appointments across key departments, including additions to the CEO's Office to drive innovation and expand services. New leaders also took the helm at County Health and the Sustainability Department, bringing deep experience to public health strategy and climate action efforts.

4. New Faces on the Board of Supervisors

San Mateo County welcomed two new members to the Board of Supervisors in 2025, with Lisa Gauthier representing District 4 and Jackie Speier representing District 1. They joined Board President David Canepa and Supervisors Noelia Corzo and Ray Mueller in overseeing County policy, budgets and services.

3. Preparing for the Worst: Disaster Readiness Moves to the Forefront

Disaster preparedness came into sharper focus in 2025 with a countywide Disaster Preparedness Day, practical guidance on emergency planning and clearer information about how tsunami alerts work. The year also showed readiness in action, with County firefighters sent to Southern California and continued work to improve emergency alerts and public awareness.

2. Housing and Homelessness: Making Progress

This year brought real changes for people who have struggled to find stable housing, with new affordable developments rising in Daly City, San Mateo, North Fair Oaks and beyond, and farmworker family housing taking shape at Stone Pine Cove. At the same time, outreach efforts and volunteers helped connect people experiencing homelessness with services and support.

1. A New Sheriff: Board Appoints Ken Binder

After a selection process that included community forums and public candidate interviews, the Board of Supervisors appointed Ken Binder as San Mateo County sheriff in November. Binder brings decades of law enforcement experience and is working to build trust and strengthen public safety across the community.

Michelle Durand
Chief Communications Officer
650-670-6114 M
[email protected]