Rezoning, Draft County Budget, County Clean Up Day and More!

April 28, 2025

Highlights on Tomorrow's Board of Supervisors Agenda

Image: Notice of a proposed rezoning on Maciel Ave in Live Oak.

Item 7. Hold public hearing to consider the proposed rezoning of 47 parcels and associated amendments to the General Plan ... in accordance with the 2023 Housing Element ...

Under California law, cities and counties must have a Housing Element as part of their General Plan that ensures land is zoned and available to accommodate the jurisdiction’s fair share of the projected housing units and affordable units in our region. The Regional Housing Needs Assessment determined that unincorporated Santa Cruz County's fair share is 4,634 units over the next eight years (2023-2031). The cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola, Watsonville and Scotts Valley all received allocations in the thousands of units as well.

The County Board of Supervisors adopted the 2023 Housing Element on November 14, 2023; it was certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in April 2024. Now the Board of Supervisors must implement the Housing Element plan by actually rezoning properties. This item considers the rezoning of 47 parcels.

However, it is important to note that a rezoning only creates the opportunity for a development to happen. No developments are proposed with the rezoning of these properties and the property owners are not required to build anything new.

Image: a visualization of the County's expenses by government area. To view the interactive proposed budget go to the OpenGov portal.

Item 8. Hold public hearing to consider, accept and file the County's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Budget, and continue the budget public hearing to June 3, 2025

The Proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Budget was released to the Board on April 24, 2025, to begin the budget hearings on April 29, 2025. While the County has much to celebrate over the past year as seen with the hundreds of departmental accomplishments and completion of operational plan objectives, we are facing headwinds in the form of reduced health care funding, delayed disaster reimbursements, state budget uncertainty stemming from larger worldwide economic uncertainty, and uncertainty over shifting priorities in Washington, D.C. and threats to federal funding.

In response, this $1.23 billion budget with a $793.5 million General Fund budget prioritizes mandated services, protects essential programs, makes strategic investments in our future while reducing Health Services Agency staffing by 74.40 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) positions total positions to 2,724.16 FTE positions.

These Health Services reductions result from a decrease of $11.1 million in revenue largely from changes in state funding and lower state reimbursements. The State set new restrictions on billable activities under CalAIM (California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal) Behavioral Health Payment Reform, and is significantly reducing Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) revenue as a result of last year's Prop 1. These reductions do not yet include potential impacts from larger federal policy changes.

The speed and breadth at which federal funding is being threatened may make it difficult to shift easily in the future. Additionally, the cancellation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grants, which were intended to support local wildfire risk reduction, have compounded fiscal pressures. The County would return to the Board at such a time when a response is required in alignment with development of the Federal budget, and possibly as soon as July or August 2025.

The budget is accessible at www.SCCBudget.us. During the week of May 5, 2025, it will be converted and available in a printable format that can be downloaded.

Image: State law AB 1033 allows ADUs to be turned into condos and sold separetely from the main house. To implement it, a local ordinance needs to be adopted. Photo credit Maxable

Item 27. Direct the Housing Advisory Commission to review two policy opportunities related to Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), an affordable ADU bonus program and condominium conversion of ADUS ...

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have proven to be an essential strategy in addressing Santa Cruz County’s housing crises. The City of San Diego has an Affordable ADU Bonus Program and the City of San Jose recently implemented Assembly Bill 1033 (AB 1033) allowing for the condominium conversion and sale of ADUs separately from the primary dwelling unit. I authored this agenda item to ask the County’s Housing Advisory Commission to review these policies and provide a recommendation on whether they should be implemented in Santa Cruz County.

To view the full Board of Supervisors agenda, click here:

https://santacruzcountyca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=310

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Santa Cruz County Safety Action Plan

Image: Add a marker where you've experienced bike or pedestrian safety issues on the map section of this survey.

Traffic safety is one of the most frequent concerns I hear about as a County Supervisor. For good reason, Santa Cruz County consistently ranks near the top of lists for bike and pedestrian accidents in the state.

Please add areas of concern to this map or up vote others:

Take the Survey

This will be used for a Safe Streets plan that we use to apply for state and federal funding. I will also use the feedback to prioritize investments within District 1.

FREE Home Ignition Zone Assessment Program

Image: an inspector provides a Home Ignition Zone assessment.

Did you know that simple modifications around your home can reduce wildfire risk and help protect your property? The Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County (FSCSCC) offers FREE Home Ignition Zone (HIZ) assessments to help you strengthen your home’s defenses.

What to Expect:

A volunteer HIZ Assessor will visit your property
A guided walkthrough with real-time feedback
Expert recommendations on Home Hardening & Defensible Space
Identify wildfire hazards around your home & get tailored tips to reduce risk

Sign up today for this FREE program and take the first step toward a safer, more fire-resilient home! Click here to complete the HIZ Program sign-up form.

Santa Cruz County Clean Up Day -

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Image: Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day

Join Us for Countywide Clean-Up Day – May 10th! Help keep Santa Cruz County clean and green! Residents are encouraged to host a clean-up or join one of many community efforts happening across North, Mid, and South County. There are cleanups happening everywhere from Downtown Santa Cruz to the Pajaro River Levee. Find a clean up near you here.

What to Bring:

Comfortable gardening clothes
Layers & sun protection
Reusable water bottle

All ages & abilities welcome! Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Gloves, tools & light refreshments provided. Let’s work together for a healthier environment!

RSVP Required! Sign up today to be part of the change!

Upcoming Meetings

Photo: Board of Supervisors meeting in Board Chambers.

Tue, April 29 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.

Thu, May 1 - Regional Transportation Commission Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. Capitola City Council Chambers, 420 Capitola Avenue Capitola, CA 95010

Tue, May 6 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.

Wed, May 7 - Office Hours starting at 1:00 PM. At the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95062.