Community Pulse
What residents are talking about in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
26 topics in taxes budget
City online portal
Utility Portal Fees and Service Revenues
Water Department Long-Range Financial Plan
CalPERS ordinance / Kirby School bonds
Investigation services (item 11)
Consent agenda minutes (item 6)
Consent agenda - items 6, 9, 10
Meals on Wheels senior services
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Council salaries
FY 2027 Budget
Utility fund transfers for public art
Office of Well-Being
Franchise tax on water fees
EV charging infrastructure
Utility taxes
Measure C / Prop 13
Lack of competitive elections
City taxes and State of the City
Resource Recovery Facility fees
Sugar tax and day services
Sugar tax committee appointments
Sugar tax
Consent agenda items
Measure Z oversight
SSB tax oversight framework (item 13)
In the News
12 articlesRecent coverage of Santa Cruz from local and regional media.
29 new businesses have opened in downtown Santa Cruz since 2025. Here’s why.
29 new businesses have opened in downtown Santa Cruz since 2025. Here’s why.
Casey Clark, Ed Acosta hold slight leads in preliminary Watsonville City Council results
With the first round of results posted at approximately 8:15 p.m., incumbent City Councilmember Casey Clark and newcomer Ed Acosta held slight edges over their opponents in the two contested Watsonville City Council elections.
Nov 4, 2026Santa Cruz County News Briefs: November 4, 2026 | Good Times
Moss Landing Shootings Multiple people were killed and others injured in a shooting early Monday morning along Jetty Road in Moss Landing, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.According to Sheriff’s Office...
Nov 4, 2026Santa Cruz County sales tax increase Measure E leads in early results
SANTA CRUZ — Early tabulation numbers showed Santa Cruz County sales tax increase Measure E appeared to be on track to reach the simple majority threshold required to pass in Tuesday’s election. The measure led...
Nov 4, 2026Letters to the Editor | Oct. 31, 2026
Editor’s note: Additional election-related Letters to the Editor can be read at santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor. For the Editorial Board’s election recommendations go to santacruzsentinel.co...
Nov 1, 2026Guest Commentary | Measure E will help systems of public healthcare and recovery
“As leaders who care deeply about the health and well-being of Santa Cruz County, we proudly support Measure E, a temporary half-cent local sales tax measure designed to protect Santa Cruz County’s healthcare,” write Janus r…
Nov 1, 2026Controversy stirred over candidate TJ Welch’s letter to 2022 Capitola City Council
Over the past month, county-wide controversy has been stirred up over a 2022 letter written by Capitola City Council candidate TJ Welch, which ommunity members have called out as being anti-LGBTQ+.
Nov 1, 2026Guest Commentary | More on PVUSD, Watsonville council, Measure E votes
By Jane Barr Politics can be very curious. Both the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party and the Republican Party endorsed Ed Acosta for the Watsonville City Council. Per a Public Records Act request, Santa Cruz ...
Oct 31, 2026How Prop. 45 could reshape California’s fight over data centers
California voters considering Proposition 45 will decide the fate of a sweeping infrastructure measure that opponents warn could render the state’s brand-new data center laws virtually toothless.
Oct 31, 2026PVUSD school closures: What families need to know about the district’s plans
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s school closure advisory committee is expected to present recommendations in December, but members say they need more time. The district has yet to clarify when the governing board will vote or how much money school closures could save.
Oct 30, 2026Guest Commentary | No on 45: State has already streamlined CEQA
By Sarah Newkirk, Chris Wilmers and Noelle Chambers In 2025, California confronted a real problem: the need to build more housing and infrastructure, faster. The Legislature responded with significant reforms t...
Oct 30, 2026Construction begins on roadway improvements near Pajaro Valley High School
The city of Watsonville has begun construction on an $11.7 million project to widen the Harkins Slough overpass to add bike lanes, a concrete barrier to separate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic and a wider sidewalk overall.
Oct 30, 2026