A winning team: Roseville Mayor gives optimistic State of the City

With soccer-inspired shoes and seemingly endless yards of synthetic turf in the background, Roseville Mayor Krista Bernasconi gave this year's State of the City address with a sports-theme threaded throughout, both figuratively and literally. The mayor gave this year's address at the Placer Valley Soccer Complex, which opened in November 2025. The choice to host the event here was fitting, said Bernasconi, as it symbolizes the ability of Roseville leaders to make long term dreams become successful realities. Bernasconi proudly declared that the sports complex has surpassed expectations and is forecast to generate $15 million in field rentals and tens of millions more from visitors who spend money eating out, shopping, etc. By the end of the year, the complex is expected to attract some 600,000 visitors. "This complex is establishing Roseville as one of California's premiere sports tourism destinations. And so far it has attracted regional and national competition, including, get this, the U.S. Quad Ball National Championships," said Bernasconi. Before the mayor took the podium, there were high energy festivities to kick it off, including a Color Guard Presentation of Colors, the Oakmont High School's drum line, dance team and cheerleaders, and visits from regional sports mascots. Congressman Kevin Kiley introduced Bernasconi and talked about her 25 years of dedication to the community, as well as success in her role as mayor. "Krista's leadership is thoughtful and collaborative," said Kiley. "She's earned the respect of so many because she stays focused on what is best for our community. She's a Navy veteran, and has been recognized for numerous awards for her professional achievements." After rousing applause, Bernasconi took the stage and noted that every guest's chair had a small blue towel draped over it. She encouraged people to swing the towels in the air when they heard something they liked. "Let's see those towels fly!" Bernasconi exclaimed as the crowd then let out a cheer and swung their rally towels in circles above their heads. The mayor discussed the significant industries that have come to Roseville, such as Bosch, a high-tech manufacturing facility that specializes in making semi-conductor chips. "The best teams don't wait for talent to find them; they create an environment where people want to be," said Bernasconi. "Businesses choose Roseville because, like its residents, they believe in our community. Every new investment strengthens our home field advantage." Healthcare systems are also expanding and building to meet the city's growth, Bernasconi said, adding that Kaiser Permanente plans to build a six-story tower with more than 100 beds, including an ICU, an emergency department and an 800 space parking garage.The rally towels flew and continued to fly as she also detailed Sutter Health's plans to expand with a four-story, 85,000-square-foot medical office building and $10 million advanced operating room. "These investments tell a much bigger story; Roseville is attracting industries and investments and the workforce that will define its future economies, " she said. "Decades of planning and investment is what it takes to play the long game," said the mayor. "The most successful teams don't rely on one star player and so in Roseville, we don't rely on one industry." Bernasconi gave a shout out to the Roseville Auto Mall, which helped build the city's early recognition as a key player in the business and retail world. "They sell roughly an astounding 35,000 vehicles annually. Revenue from that sales tax funds our parks, our roads, our public safety and city services that we as residents rely on every day." Bernasconi also praised the Roseville Galleria Mall, which has unique retailers such as Gucci, Viori, Nespresso and more. In May, the Galleria began construction on a redevelopment project which will create an outdoor pedestrian pathway which leads to eateries, shaded seating and more. A new Costco recently opened in West Roseville is also a bright spot, Bernasconi said, with Target, Home Depot, Raising Canes and other casual restaurants planning to open in that area soon as well. The mayor proudly declared that Roseville currently has 95 parks with a long-term goal of 120. One is under construction and four more are in the design phase. The city also has an extended, paved off-street trail system. "These aren't simply amenities, these are where kids learn to ride a bike, where families gather and neighbors become friends," said Bernasconi. Roseville now has a population of 167,000 with a median age of 39. With the community's continued expansion, Bernasconi said city officials are planning to meet that growth in a thoughtful way while adding more vital resources such as schools, improved infrastructure and a larger police force. Roseville PD added nine positions to Beat 8, which covers the growing West Roseville area; Roseville Fire has hired 10 additional firefighter/paramedics. "Everything we do is measured by our safety and it's one of our greatest strengths," said Bernasconi. "We continue to be recognized as one of the safest largest cities in California and it's something we work to preserve every day. If we are not safe here, we don't have much." "There are always risks that we need to take, challenges we need to navigate and new milestones to celebrate and our job is to keep building and keep striving for what is possible. Because that's the true home field advantage," Bernasconi said. "It isn't found in a single accomplishment or single moment, it's found in a community that believes in one another, invests in its future, and never loses sight of what matters most: Creating a city that we can be proud of." As she wrapped up the address, Bernasconi said her time as mayor has been the greatest honor of her professional life. In closing, Bernasconi ended as she began, with a sports euphemism about how the Roseville community will continue on its winning track. "The best teams aren't defined by a perfect season. They're defined by how they respond to the tough plays, how they stay together during the setbacks and how they keep moving forward towards the goal," said Bernasconi. "And I'm incredibly proud of what this team, and what this community has accomplished. We are playing to win. And we are just getting started."