Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
7 issues in public safety with high priority
Pre-winter flood risk reduction executive order request
A potentially record-strong El Niño is forecast; the county detailed road, levee, alert-system, and resiliency-center preparations, and will bring back a resiliency center activation policy before year's end.
Severe weather shelter activation criteria
Supervisors De Serpa and Cummings will lead an ad hoc subcommittee reviewing the county's severe weather shelter activation policies after numerous resident complaints.
Sexually violent predator placement opposition
The Board is formally opposing the state's proposed placement of convicted sexually violent predator Michael Cheek near Soquel-San Jose Road — the fifth such placement attempt in the county. Koenig urged legislators to change state law on placements.
Behavioral health — Hope Forward and the strategic plan
Proposition 1's BHSA eliminates local prevention and innovation funding, redirects 30% toward housing interventions, and shrinks dollars for core services. County staff will have to make hard contract decisions ahead of budget season.
Probation staffing and service reductions from expiring grants
Probation is losing 3 positions and cutting funding for diversion, reentry and treatment coordination as Prop 47 and Title II grants end — even as Prop 36 increases caseloads. That could mean less support for people coming out of custody.
Opioid crisis response and settlement funds
The county has received $11.25 million in opioid settlement funds, expanded treatment beds and medication-assisted treatment, and fentanyl deaths fell from 133 in 2023 to 45 in 2025. Supervisors want more outcome-based metrics and flagged kratom as an emerging concern.
Resolution condemning ICE and CBP operations
The board adopted a consent-item resolution condemning escalating violence and harmful impacts of ICE and CBP operations, which advocates said matters greatly to the county's immigrant community. Supervisor Cummings said it signals county values and a plan to engage the state attorney general.