March 6, 2026

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

In an effort to further improve communications, we're going to make a couple of small tweaks to our approach to these newsletters. We're going to send out a super simple summary of the next Board of Supervisors meeting on Fridays (like today), along with upcoming events. Then we'll send out a more detailed monthly newsletter that recaps important decisions and other county news.

Our goal is to give you more time to prepare and respond to issues the Board of Supervisors is voting on, while at the same time providing a more comprehensive review of what happened and why.

Please note that you can also sign up to receive automatic notifications when agendas are published here.

I hope you like the change! I'd be happy to receive your feedback either way.

Best,

Manu Koenig

1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County

Highlights from the Tuesday, March 10 Board of Supervisors Agenda

Item 7: Proposed Ordinance on Use of County Property for Immigration Enforcement

Image: A sign prohibiting ICE from using City of Providence property for operations. The Board of Supervisors is considering a similar prohibition on County of Santa Cruz property. Credit: WPRI.

The Board will consider recommendations from the ad hoc S.H.I.E.L.D. Subcommittee (Safeguard Health, Inclusion, Essential Services, and Local Defense), which was formed earlier this year to evaluate how federal immigration enforcement policies could affect access to services in Santa Cruz County. The Subcommittee reviewed County protocols, met with community organizations, and examined how federal enforcement activity could impact residents’ willingness to seek medical care, food assistance, or other essential services.

As part of this report, the Board will consider approving in concept an ordinance that would prohibit the use of County-owned property—such as parking lots, buildings, and open space—as staging areas or operational bases for federal civil immigration enforcement activities, unless required by a judicial warrant or court order. The goal is to maintain trust between residents and County services and ensure that people continue to access health, safety, and social services without fear.

Item 8: Youth Justice Programs and Community-Based Diversion Services

Image: Santa Cruz County's Juvenile Hall. Credit: Dan Coyro -- Santa Cruz Sentinel.

The Probation Department will present an update on the County’s Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) and the use of savings generated by the program. The facility opened in December 2024 to house youth locally rather than sending them out of the county, and it currently serves a small number of youth. Operating the facility locally has generated approximately $160,000 in savings during the current fiscal year.

These savings are being reinvested into community-based services aimed at improving outcomes for justice-involved youth. New and expanded programs include restorative justice services, reentry support, family engagement programs, and vocational skills training. The Probation Department has partnered with local providers to launch these programs quickly and align services with needs identified by youth and families.

Item 9: Budget Principles for the 2026-27 County Budget

Image: the County Seal and money.

The Board will discuss a set of foundational budgeting principles to guide development of the County’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget. This conversation comes after a mid-year budget report projected a $5.4 million deficit for the current fiscal year and a $23.2 million deficit next year, with a long-term structural imbalance potentially reaching $67.5 million within several years if no corrective action is taken.

Staff are proposing several guiding principles as the County works to balance the budget. These include prioritizing legally required and revenue-generating services, balancing reductions across departments and community partners that provide essential services, identifying strategies to address cost increases without relying solely on the County's General Fund, and rebuilding long-term fiscal stability.

Notable Consent Agenda Items

These items are typically voted on with a single motion. Any Supervisor may an item from the Consent Agenda and place it on the Regular Agenda for greater discussion.

Item 19: Support for State Legislation on Local Sales Tax Authority

The Board will consider sending a letter of support for Senate Bill 1078, which would authorize Santa Cruz County to raise the local sales tax above the current 9.75% cap.

If this state legislation were approved, Santa Cruz County would consider placing an emergency, 0.5% sales tax on the November ballot. The measure would last just 5 years and fill holes in the social safety net created by state and federal actions. The idea is generally modeled on Measure A, which passed in Santa Clara County last year.

Sending a support letter does not commit the County to any future tax proposal but signals support for giving local voters greater authority to decide whether to fund local priorities through a countywide sales tax measure.

Item 25: Support for Funding Distressed Hospitals

The Board will also consider sending a letter supporting Assembly Bill 1923, which would provide additional funding to California’s Distressed Hospital Loan Program. This state program helps financially struggling hospitals maintain operations and continue providing critical healthcare services.

Support for this bill reflects the importance of maintaining access to hospital care across the region, particularly for Watsonville Hospital, which faces significant financial pressures.

You can read and comment on the full Board of Supervisors agenda here:

https://santacruzcountyca.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=1139

Upcoming Meetings, Events and Office Hours

Image: A section of tracks near downtown Watsonville. The RTC will discuss becoming the Common Carrier for the Santa Cruz Branch Line at a March 19 meeting. Credit: Tony Nuñez.

Tuesday, March 10 - Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Community Room, located in the basement at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

Thursday, March 19 - Special Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Meeting, 9:00 AM. The Commission will discuss forming a non-profit rail subsidiary that could take over the Common Carrier obligations on the Santa Cruz Branch Line. The agenda will be posted here. Oak Conference Room, 1101 Pacific Avenue, Suite 250A, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Thursday, March 19 - Mid-County Groundwater Agency Regular Meeting, 6:00 PM. The Agency will receive a report on funding options, including fees on private wells. The agenda will be posted here. Capitola Library, 2005 Wharf Road, Capitola, CA 95010

Tuesday, March 24 - Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the South County Center Community Room located at 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076

Friday, March 27 - Santa Cruz METRO Board Meeting, 9:00 AM. The agenda will be posted here. 110 Vernon St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

The County Board Chambers are currently undergoing renovation through March 2026. Board meetings will be held at various locations throughout the County of Santa Cruz during this time. The Winter 2026 meeting schedule with updated locations can be found here.