Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
9 issues with critical priority
Empire Grade and countywide road safety improvements
Residents near the harbor pushed for safety improvements on 6th Avenue, funding the stop signs and speed bumps themselves with a $30,000 donation. The Board approved the ordinance in concept with signs going up 31 days after final adoption.
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.
Road pavement funding gap
A dozen-plus residents described washed-out, single-lane roads, a failed culvert, stranded driveways and fire-evacuation dangers, asking the county to fund road repair before winter storms. The Board could not respond because no road item was on the agenda, but speakers promised to keep pressing.
Homelessness services face funding cliff
With Housing Matters closing mail and day services April 1, the county is covering benefits mail, the City of Santa Cruz is adding restrooms, and community members are working to relaunch MHCAN as a 'clubhouse model' peer support center with Front Street's help.
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.
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.
Rural road maintenance crisis on Mountain Charlie Road and North Rodeo Gulch
A dozen-plus residents described washed-out, single-lane roads, a failed culvert, stranded driveways and fire-evacuation dangers, asking the county to fund road repair before winter storms. The Board could not respond because no road item was on the agenda, but speakers promised to keep pressing.
Federal immigration enforcement preparedness (S.H.I.E.L.D.)
The board approved in concept a new county code chapter prohibiting county parking lots, buildings, and open spaces from being used as staging areas or operation bases for federal civil immigration enforcement. Final adoption is set for March 24, and the S.H.I.E.L.D. subcommittee will also explore requiring DHS agents to identify themselves.
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.