For decades, residents of Lodi, Woodbridge, Thornton, Linden, Lockeford, and surrounding North County communities have faced the same frustrating reality — if you need to record a deed, obtain a permit, get a passport, or file for a marriage license, plan on a trip to downtown Stockton and kiss half your day goodbye.
That is about to change.
San Joaquin County Supervisor Steve Ding, who represents District 4 and currently serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Supervisors, has spearheaded the acquisition of a former church property at 322 West Elm Street in Lodi that will be transformed into a full-service North County government center. The Board of Supervisors approved the $1.3 million purchase on April 14, 2026, acquiring the property from Lodi Christian Life, a California domestic non-profit corporation, at well below its appraised market value of $1.59 million.
Services at the new center are estimated to begin in January 2027.
A One-Stop Shop for North County
The new Lodi government center will house a satellite office of the Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk’s Office and is expected to offer a wide range of services, including:
• Deed recordings — property transfers and title documents filed locally
• Marriage ceremonies — the property’s sanctuary, complete with seating for 100, will serve as a wedding venue for civil ceremonies
• Permits — building and land-use permits accessible without the drive south
• Passport services — applications and processing for U.S. passports
• Vital records — birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses
• Other county services — bringing additional government functions closer to the communities that need them
No More Half-Day Trips to Stockton
Currently, North County residents must travel to the County Administration Building at 44 North San Joaquin Street in downtown Stockton for nearly all recorder and clerk services. Between the drive, parking, wait times, and the return trip, what should be a simple errand can consume three to four hours out of a workday. For working families, seniors, and small business owners across the region, that lost time adds up.
“This is about bringing government to the people, not making the people come to government,” Ding said — a principle he has championed since taking office in January 2023.
A Smart Deal for Taxpayers
The property, which includes both 322 West Elm Street and 40 Lee Avenue, was appraised in December 2024 at $1,590,000. The county negotiated a purchase price of $1,300,000 — roughly $109 per square foot — saving taxpayers nearly $290,000 off market value. The acquisition is funded through the Capital Outlay Reserve Fund, which held a healthy balance of more than $37.8 million as of February 2026.
The property is strategically located near other City of Lodi governmental services, creating a convenient hub of public resources for residents.
A Church Becomes a Community Landmark
One of the most unique features of the acquisition is the former sanctuary, which will be repurposed as a venue for county-officiated weddings. The space comes equipped with 100 chairs, platform up-lighting, and the charm of a chapel setting — offering couples in North County a meaningful and convenient alternative for tying the knot.
The property also includes office space, a family center with a kitchen, and flexible meeting areas that can be adapted for public services and community use.
Serving a Growing Region
Supervisor Ding’s District 4 encompasses Lodi, Woodbridge, Thornton, Linden, Lockeford, Clements, Acampo, Morada, and East Stockton — a vast and growing swath of San Joaquin County. As these communities continue to expand, the demand for accessible local government services has only intensified. The new North County center represents a direct response to that demand.
The Board of Supervisors’ approval aligns with the county’s strategic priorities of economic development, infrastructure expansion, and organizational innovation through better community outcomes.
