Santa Cruz County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
North County Government Center security enhancements
The Board accepted $88,475 in unanticipated revenue for security upgrades after Supervisor Cummings questioned whether the spending was county-wide in approach.
Pending flood-related litigation against Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, and the State
The Zone 7 board privately discussed ten active lawsuits spanning Monterey and Santa Cruz County courts, several naming the counties and the State of California. The topics likely relate to flood events and damages, but details remain confidential.
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.
CEDAW gender equity ordinance
The Board approved in concept an ordinance making gender equity an ongoing county policy framework, with reporting every three years and no new programs or spending required. Final adoption is set for October 20.
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.
Fairgrounds Community Resilience Center grant
The county is applying for up to $10 million from the state to upgrade the fairgrounds as a resilience center ahead of an El Niño year — fixing water, Wi-Fi, and other gaps seen during 2023 floods.
Pajaro Valley Fire District reorganization with CSA 48
Fire district officials warned the new emergency-radio advisory committee excludes fire agencies as voting members and that fire districts can't afford the system; the committee was still established 5-0, with promises to review its makeup.
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.
Sheriff-Coroner operations and DNA lab accreditation
The county's Inspector General audited 30 days of Sheriff's ALPR searches through the regional intelligence center and found all searches were for legitimate law enforcement purposes with no immigration or federal sharing. The Sheriff adopted a written policy and agreed to monthly audits.
Sheriff's Military Equipment Use Policy (AB 481) Renewal
The Sheriff's annual report showed zero formal complaints, new barcode tracking of every equipment deployment, and patrol AR-15s added to the inventory. One caller urged the Board to keep scrutinizing the gear, noting less-lethal doesn't mean non-lethal.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month and survivor services
Staff and leaders from Monarch Services, CASA, the Commission on Justice and Gender, and the Sheriff's Office marked 25 years of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, citing 460+ survivors served in 2025, and asked the board to keep funding crisis services, shelters, and the new forensic DNA lab.
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.