Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
19 issues in taxes budget
Human Services staffing cuts and federal H.R. 1 impacts
The county's costs are growing 6.1% a year against 5% revenue growth, creating a gap projected to hit $70 million by 2031-32. The current budget drew $30.5 million from reserves, and federal HR 1 changes could strip Medi-Cal/CalFresh from tens of thousands of residents.
County use of artificial intelligence
The county is moving from scattered employee AI use to a governed enterprise program: one platform (Claude or ChatGPT), training for 85% of knowledge workers by year-end, a public-facing chatbot, and an internal AI advisory subcommittee. Supervisors pressed staff to form that subcommittee sooner and to guarantee AI won't replace workers.
General Assistance program overhaul
The county's $809 monthly cash grant — the highest in California — costs have tripled in seven years. The Board approved a three-month limit for non-disabled adults, a $50 benefit cut, and a bigger push to move people onto federal SSI, starting July 2027.
CORE Investments community funding
The CORE Subcommittee proposed focusing county nonprofit grants on safety-net needs — food, housing and health — with set-asides for direct food providers and Housing for Health. Nonprofit advocates pushed back, and the Board directed a revised recommendation by December.
Half-cent sales tax measure for November 2026 ballot
The METRO Initiative — a half-cent sales tax starting April 1, 2027 to maintain and expand bus and paratransit service — gathered 11,377 valid signatures and will go before voters.
Adoption of the 2026-27 county budget
The county's proposed $1.29 billion budget closes a $23 million gap using $43 million in one-time reserves, trims about 70 vacant positions without layoffs, and warns of a $67 million deficit by 2028-29 if nothing changes. Supervisors sparred over dipping reserves for public safety, cutting road funding to $2 million, parks parking fees, and bringing the alternate public defender contract in-house. Hearings run June 10-11 with adoption June 24.
Public Defender funding and the Page & Dudley alternate defense contract
The county must replace its conflict defense contract by July 2027. The Page/Dudley firm argued the new RFP is rigged toward a public defender model; the board told staff to retool the RFP with more weight on effective representation and price and return by December 15.
Property Tax Assessment Appeals (21 applications)
Twenty-one appeals covering homes and commercial properties across the county were scheduled for hearing or consent action — these decide whether assessed values, and tax bills, get adjusted.
Assessment Appeals Board Rules of Procedure
The board weighs changes to the rules governing how property tax appeal hearings run in Santa Cruz County, including how three-member panels handle recusals.
Board of Supervisors' compensation
The Board voted 3-2 to have HR return August 25 with a recommendation on unlinking supervisor pay from Superior Court judges' salaries. Supervisors Koenig and De Serpa said the conversation shouldn't happen now.
Tax-exempt bonds for Santa Cruz Montessori School
The Board approved the tax structure needed for Santa Cruz Montessori School to issue up to $6 million in tax-exempt bonds to refinance 2013 debt and renovate its Aptos campus — at zero cost or risk to the County.
FY 2026-27 budget principles amid state and federal cuts
The county is facing a projected $23.2 million shortfall next fiscal year, growing to a persistent $67 million deficit, plus $25.6 million in HR 1 federal impacts. A hiring and travel freeze took effect this week, and community organizations with Core contracts are being warned renewals aren't guaranteed.
Health Services Agency budget and clinic sustainability
Supervisors De Serpa, Hernandez, and Cummings urged state help for Watsonville Community Hospital via a support letter for AB 1923's Distressed Hospital Loan Program, noting 650 local jobs and countywide health impacts if it closes.
Countywide fee schedule updates for 2026-27
Annual sewer and water charges were confirmed across multiple sanitation districts, including a 4% increase for CSA 12 wastewater customers — these show up on property tax bills.
CalFresh outreach funding at Second Harvest Food Bank
Multiple speakers urged the Board to restore funding for Second Harvest's CalFresh outreach team, whose positions are uncertain as of July 1. The team enrolls residents in food benefits that bring federal dollars into local grocery stores.
Farmers market fee changes
Farmers markets will now pay one certified market fee and one temporary food facility fee to the market manager, instead of a fee for every booth or site — and the County agreed to work with market associations on a longer-term fee schedule.
FY 2026-27 Mosquito and Vector Control Assessments
Property owners' annual mosquito and vector control assessments were confirmed for the coming year — most rates unchanged, with some rising by a 1.5% cost-of-living factor.
Proposed County Strategic Plan 2026-2032
The county is building its six-year strategic plan around six focus areas approved in November 2025. Supervisors spent the day identifying priorities and principles that will guide budget and policy decisions through 2032 — including how to cope with looming fiscal cliffs.
Veterans Service Office placement and performance
After a year of friction between the Veterans Services Office and county oversight, the Board blessed an MOU that formalizes roles and keeps quarterly reviews, with updates due in February and May 2027. Veterans, some still pushing for full autonomy under the CEO, called it progress but not the finish line.