As Supervisor, Jim Provenza played an instrumental role in numerous initiatives that have shaped Yolo County. Photo courtesy of Yolo County

WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - On Dec. 3, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors issued a resolution honoring Supervisor Jim Provenza for his remarkable and lifelong commitment to public service, spanning more than four decades.

Throughout his career, Provenza has been a tireless advocate for justice, equity, and the needs of underserved populations, consistently fighting for positive change at every level of government, according to county officials.

“The primary work of counties is serving vulnerable populations and that has been the focus of Supervisor Provenza’s work over the past 16 years,” said Yolo County Board of Supervisors Chair Lucas Frerichs. “Throughout his career, Jim has been a tireless advocate for underserved populations, from children to seniors. I’ve appreciated our work together over the years and wish him the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Provenza’s distinguished career began in the California State Legislature, where he served for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles. His work included serving as counsel to the California State Senate Judiciary Committee, chief counsel to the Assembly Public Safety Committee and special assistant to the Los Angeles District Attorney. Notably, Provenza authored California’s hate crime law and spearheaded critical efforts on issues ranging from prison reform and consumer protection to advancing legislation aimed at reforming the criminal justice system and improving environmental protections.

From 2003 to 2007, Provenza served on the Davis Joint Unified School District’s Board of Education, helping to secure $4.5 million in state funding for Davis schools and implementing policies to strengthen district governance. In 2008, Provenza was elected to represent District 4 on the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, covering the communities of Davis and several surrounding unincorporated areas.

As Supervisor, Provenza played an instrumental role in numerous initiatives that have shaped Yolo County. He has been a passionate advocate for First 5 Yolo, the Yolo Crisis Nursery and the Yolo Healthy Aging Alliance, leading efforts to support families, older adults and vulnerable populations. He is also credited with initiating the first Yolo County Aging Summit and for writing the 2020 resolution declaring a climate emergency and setting Yolo County on a path to become carbon negative by 2030.

Provenza has also been a strong supporter of Yolo County’s agricultural community, championing land preservation and working with the Yolo County Farm Bureau to meet the needs of local farmers. Provenza has worked diligently to address issues ranging from fire mitigation to small business support and tenant advocacy, always prioritizing the needs of his constituents.

Among his many achievements, Provenza successfully advocated for the construction of a new library in Walnut Park in South Davis, secured funding to relocate the Yolo Adult Day Health Center in Woodland to a larger facility, and pushed for a new Health and Human Services Service Center in Davis. Additionally, Provenza worked alongside local partners to reform and increase resources for Yolo County Animal Services.

Provenza’s tenure on the Board of Supervisors was marked by his dedication to Yolo County residents, serving with distinction for 16 years and three terms as chair. His leadership, wisdom, and passion for public service have left an indelible mark on the county and its residents. The Yolo County Board of Supervisors extends its deepest thanks and appreciation to Provenza for his decades of service and dedication to the well-being of Yolo County residents.