Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
4 issues in taxes budget with high priority
Recreational needs and future park investment priorities
Staff gave a high-level budget overview with recommendations for financial sustainability. The FY2027 budget arrives at the April meeting, when real funding choices for parks maintenance and programs will come into focus.
Distribution of FY 2027 CBO funding
The commission has $33,500 in FY 2027 funds to distribute — $18,500 to community-based organizations and $15,000 to self-defense vouchers. A new ad hoc will draft a proposal on how to allocate it fairly, after an initial RFP-process idea was repealed.
Children's Fund grant cycle for FY 2027-2028
The committee approved how nonprofits will apply for the next round of Children's Fund grants, worth about $530,000 over two years from cannabis tax revenue. The current cycle awarded $471,000 to 18 agencies serving local kids and young adults.
Federal funding preservation litigation
The council voted unanimously to have Santa Cruz join a coalition of local governments suing the federal government to protect the city's federal funding. This could affect everything from grants to local services if federal dollars are at risk.