Santa Cruz County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Streamline Santa Cruz County permitting
Permit review times are improving — median review down from 80 to 66 days — but only 80% of reviews land on time and customer dissatisfaction centers on regulatory complexity. Reporting now shifts to twice a year, with new data breakdowns demanded by Supervisor Koenig.
Economic development and enhanced infrastructure financing districts
The county will explore joining Scotts Valley's EIFD, which uses future property tax growth — not new taxes — to fund roads, fire facilities, affordable housing and the long-planned Scotts Valley town center. County analysts project an $18.4 million net general fund benefit over 30 years.
Responsible Construction and Wage-Theft Ordinance
Union workers packed the chamber saying wage theft — nearly $2.2 million in stolen wages on local public works, by one labor compliance agent's account — is forcing them to commute over the hill for a living wage. The Board voted 4-1 to have staff draft a ordinance requiring contractors on county-permitted projects to disclose wage judgments over $10,000, with a return by October.