Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's hard to believe it's almost June! With the ground (mostly) dried out, road repair season is underway. A comprehensive Road Maintenance Update is below. Also in road news, the Board approved the County's Safety Action Plan, which includes traffic accident data and strategies to reduce collisions.
The Board gave preliminary approval to a Construction Disclosure and Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance that could have impacts on building in our community.
In the news, the proposed female surfer statue is moving to Capitola, where she would be able to keep an eye on the Women on Waves Surf Contest.
There were several articles about how Santa Cruz is topping national charts for population decline. I wanted to provide some perspective on why this doesn't mean we can stop building housing.
Next month's civic calendar will include County Budget Hearings, including allocations for Measure Q, the Santa Cruz County Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Wildlife Protection Initiative. A report on County Fire Services is expected to be released. While the Regional Transportation Commission is hosting a couple of meetings about what it would take to make the Rail Corridor climate resilient.
Also in June, there are a number of events to celebrate the start of the World Cup.
Finally, there are still seats open on the County's newly formed Youth Commission, but applications are due this Sunday!
Best, |
Manu Koenig 1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
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Image: A map of fatal and severe traffic accidents in unincorporated Santa Cruz County, the City of Watsonville, and the City of Scotts Valley. For a full size map, see page 31 here.
Board Adopts the Santa Cruz County Safety Action Plan
Santa Cruz County is the most dangerous place to ride a bike in California. We bear the ignominious distinction of the highest rate of bicyclists killed and injured per capita among all 58 counties in the state (see California Office of Traffic Safety rankings). When considering all traffic fatalities and injuries we are 19th worst out of 58 counties.
The Board adopted a Safety Action Plan this month that defines some surprisingly simple methods to reduce these accidents. Countermeasures include installing more left-hand turn lanes, intersection lighting, and adding reflective yellow borders around traffic lights so that they are more visible at night.
What the plan makes clear is that bringing down the number of injuries and fatalities on our roadways is not rocket science. There are hundreds of small projects that we can implement that add up to make a big difference.
However, these projects take money. So far, despite my urging, the Board has been unwilling to allocate additional funds to our roads. And while this Safety Action Plan positions us well for state and federal grants, the majority of those still require local matching dollars.
Let me put it simply:
The only way to get safer roads is to spend money on safer roads.
Responsible Construction and Wage-Theft Ordinance Moves Forward
The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to move forward a Construction Disclosure and Wage Theft Prevention Ordinance. This law would require nearly all county permit applicants to submit the legal names, license numbers, and roles of all known Contractors and Subcontractors working on their project. In addition, they would need to report whether any contractor has, within the last three years:
i. Been issued any Wage Judgment or Determination; or ii. Has any Outstanding Wage Debt.
If a disqualified Contractor performed or continues to perform work on a Covered Project, the County Building Official shall withhold any Certificate of Occupancy until the disqualified entity is removed. The Model Ordinance Language and other materials can be viewed on Item 10 from our May 5th agenda here.
While I support action to prevent wage-theft, I voted against this proposal. I believe it prematurely commits us to a specific solution, without thoroughly evaluating the problem, costs, and alternatives. The additional administrative burden on all applicants and county staff could be significant.
A first reading of the ordinance will return to the Board of Supervisors no later than the second meeting in October 2026.
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Santa Cruz Is Shrinking. Here's Why That Matters.
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Image: Santa Cruz County Photo Credit: SCCRTC
Santa Cruz County is topping national charts for population decline. The City of Santa Cruz was 9th in the country for population decline in 2025, with a 1.3% drop. The County as a whole saw a nearly 1% yearly decrease in 2025, the biggest drop among all California counties with more than 100,000 people, according to the U.S. Census. And the County has lost 4.7% of its population since 2020, ranking second among California’s larger counties.
The primary driver of this is pretty obvious: housing costs. Santa Cruz continues to top national charts for the cost of rent relative to average local incomes. Some opponents of new housing projects point to the population decline and suggest that we really don't need to keep building after all.
But let me assure you, the consequences of not building affordable workforce housing are dire.
With a declining population and high housing costs: - Wait times for a doctor’s visit get longer. Medical services suffer because there are not enough working-age residents with private insurance to offset the growing share of residents on Medicare (which doesn’t cover the full cost of care).
- Government services get more expensive or are reduced. Just look at the County’s budget this year. The biggest driver of our deficit is higher wages, which we need to pay because of higher housing costs.
- Schools close. School districts are laying off teachers and staff across the County because state funding is declining because enrollment is declining.
- Traffic gets worse. More people move to Marina, Hollister or other more affordable alternatives and commute in. This puts more traffic on our highways.
For all of these reasons, we need to build housing, despite the falling population. We need a healthy balance of people who live and work here in order to maintain our quality of life.
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June Report Will Help Shape the Future ofFire Service Countywide
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Image: Current Santa Cruz Fire service areas Photo Credit: SC Sentinel
With rising costs, there’s tremendous pressure on government agencies to consolidate. That’s particularly true among fire agencies. Santa Cruz County still has 13 separate fire agencies. The one that is arguably in the best financial position is Central Fire District, itself the result of a merger between Central Fire and Aptos/La Selva Fire in 2021. The Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) has been working to ensure all agencies are structured to deliver reliable, sustainable service as wildfire risk grows.
Two significant efforts are currently underway. The Pajaro Valley Fire Protection District has applied to dissolve and have its service area annexed into Santa Cruz County Fire (funded by Community Service Area 48), the Cal Fire-operated district governed by the Board of Supervisors that covers most of the County's unincorporated rural areas. Separately, there is a proposal to convert Santa Cruz County Fire itself from a County-dependent district into an independently governed fire protection district with its own elected board. Doing so would create a framework that makes it easier for other fire agencies to join, while still maintaining district-level representation. This effort has slowed due to turnover in County leadership but remains active.
Not every reorganization has moved forward on the same timeline. A proposed agreement between Central Fire District, the City of Santa Cruz, and Scotts Valley Fire to explore shared services did not advance, though staff from all three agencies continue to meet. Felton Fire has decided to pursue a parcel tax to remain a standalone agency rather than reorganize, which limits LAFCO's ability to assist.
A new countywide fire report is scheduled for publication in June 2026 and will provide a full assessment of where each agency stands and what recommendations are warranted. The structure of fire service has real consequences for response times and financial stability, and I will continue to provide updates as that report is released and as the Pajaro Valley and CSA 48 processes advance. Please reach out to my office with any questions about fire service in your area. |
County Road Maintenance Update
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Image: County road crew staff hard at work Photo Credit: County CDI
There is a lot of road work happening across Santa Cruz County this spring and summer. Here is a roundup of the major projects and scheduled patchwork maintenance you should know about.
County 2026 Pavement Management Project: Soquel San Jose Road and more! The County's 2026 Pavement Management Project is underway, with crews scheduled to begin work on Soquel San Jose Road from Porter to Laurel Glen, and surrounding areas including Daubenbiss, Dawn Lane and Shauna Court in mid-June.
This project involves roadway resurfacing, repaving, and multimodal improvements along a corridor that serves as a key bypass route when Highway 17 is congested or closed. Partial and full road closures should be expected in affected areas during active work periods. Note that this work is scheduled to be completed overnight to lessen impacts to drivers and traffic as much as possible. Visit sccroads.org for the latest status.
Murray Street (Harbor) Bridge
The Murray Street Bridge seismic retrofit project remains ongoing and continues to affect access to the Seabright neighborhood and Santa Cruz Harbor. The bridge is currently in a phase with one eastbound lane open. A second full closure is expected to begin as early as June 10 and continue through mid-September, although this is contingent on current construction activity. The full project is scheduled for completion in January 2028. Detour routes remain in place via Soquel Avenue, Capitola Road, Seabright Avenue, and 7th Avenue.
County Road Maintenance Schedule
The County's routine patchwork paving program will continue on a rolling schedule, with an emphasis on mid-County work during the May-June timeframe.
For the most current schedule, visit sccroads.org or sign up for road alerts.
Caltrans Bridge Paving Projects: Overnight Closures Began May 26 Caltrans has launched pavement rehabilitation work on bridges and ramps across three state routes in Santa Cruz County. Travelers can expect intermittent overnight lane and ramp closures over the next several months at the following locations: - Hwy 1 at the onramp to Hwy 17 in Santa Cruz
- Hwy 17 near Granite Creek Road in Scotts Valley
- Hwy 129 near Blackburn Street in Watsonville
Work takes place overnight. Plan accordingly if you travel these corridors.
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May RTC Meeting Updates: Two Key Decisions Help Shape the Future of Santa Cruz Transportation
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Image: a rail trestle near the town of Pajaro. Credit: RTC
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission recently launched a Climate Resilience Planning Study to better understand how rising sea levels, coastal erosion, flooding, and other climate-related impacts could affect our transportation system. The study will evaluate vulnerabilities along key transportation corridors and identify strategies to improve resilience for roads, trails, transit facilities, and other infrastructure. Given the importance of Highway 1, the Coastal Rail Trail, and other transportation assets to our community, planning ahead for these challenges is essential to protecting public investments and maintaining mobility for residents and visitors alike. In a separate action, the RTC voted to terminate its agreement with Santa Cruz Passenger Rail and Trail (SCPRT), the nonprofit organization that had been working with the agency on passenger rail planning efforts. The decision was intended to clarify governance and agency responsibilities as the RTC continues evaluating future transportation options within the rail corridor. While discussions about the long-term future of the corridor will continue, the RTC determined that transportation planning and project development should remain under the direct oversight of the public agency responsible for those decisions.
Both actions reflect the RTC’s ongoing responsibility to plan for the future of transportation in Santa Cruz County. Whether preparing infrastructure for climate change or ensuring clear accountability for transportation planning, these decisions are aimed at creating a transportation system that is resilient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of our community.
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Image: CZU fire raging through Santa Cruz County
When voters passed Measure Q in November 2024, they entrusted the County to invest in cleaner water, safer forests, and protected wildlife habitat. County staff have now released preliminary funding recommendations for the program's first grant cycle, with final decisions scheduled for June 9. Approximately $2.7 million—40% of Measure Q's annual revenue—will be awarded through a competitive grant program. Interest far exceeded available funding, with more than 50 organizations requesting a combined $8.9 million.
Recommended projects, posted publicly at santacruzcountyca.gov/MeasureQ, include wildfire preparedness and prescribed burning programs, water quality improvements at Pinto Lake, San Lorenzo River restoration, rural land stewardship assistance, youth transportation initiatives, ocean safety programs, and watershed restoration efforts throughout the county.
This is the first year of the program, and staff have acknowledged opportunities to improve the process moving forward. All recommendations and scoring results are available for public review, and I encourage you to share your feedback before the Board takes final action on June 9. Measure Q belongs to this community, and I am committed to ensuring these first investments reflect the priorities voters intended when they approved the measure.
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The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is holding public hearings on the proposed $1.29 billion Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, and there are still several opportunities to weigh in. The proposed budget protects core services and avoids layoffs, but does so by drawing on $43 million in one-time funds, a stopgap that reflects serious structural challenges driven by federal funding cuts and rising costs. Hearings will be held on June 10, June 11, and June 24, all beginning at 9 AM. The first two sessions offer the most opportunity to engage with specific departments, so if there's a particular area of county services you care about, here's what to expect each day.
Wednesday, June 10: South County Government Center, Watsonville The first day of hearings focuses on health and human services. The agenda includes the CEO overview, the Health Services Agency, the Human Services Department, and the Public Defender. A broad range of General Government, County Financing, Health & Human Services, Land Use & Community Services, and Public Safety & Justice departments will also be taken up as consent agenda items, including the District Attorney, County Fire Protection, the Library Fund, Animal Control Services, and many others.
Thursday, June 11: Board of Supervisors Chambers, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz The second day of hearings shifts to public safety, infrastructure, and land use. The agenda includes Probation, the Sheriff-Coroner, Parks, Open Spaces & Cultural Services, Measure Q, Capital Improvements for 2026–2031, and the two main divisions that make up Community Development & Infrastructure: Public Works and Planning & Housing.
Wednesday, June 24: Board of Supervisors Chambers, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz The final hearing and approval of the FY26-27 budget will continue at Board Chambers in Santa Cruz.
I encourage every First District, and Santa Cruz County, resident to review the proposed budget at sccbudget.us and attend or tune in to share your priorities. The full meeting schedule is available here.
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Image: World Cup Trophy Photo Credit: Getty Images
Santa Cruz County Parks and the City of Scotts Valley are bringing World Cup energy to our community with two free and low-cost events this June. On Saturday, June 13, Central Coast FC will host a free Kick Off Soccer Clinic at Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel from 1 to 4 PM. Registration is not required - just show up for skill-building, games, and good vibes for all ages and skill levels. The following day, Sunday, June 14, the fun moves to Skypark in Scotts Valley for a Wacky 5v5 Soccer Tournament from 11 AM to 3 PM, featuring four guaranteed games per team, creative twists each match, prizes for team spirit, and themed jerseys encouraged. Every tournament participant will be entered to win two World Cup tickets. Teams of 4 to 6 players are welcome, with at least half the roster ages 8 to 17. Register online at scottsvalleyrec.perfectmind.com.
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Last Chance to Apply: Santa Cruz County Youth Commission Seats Still Open
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Image: Potential youth commissioners Photo credit: YMCA
Santa Cruz County is accepting applications for its newly established Youth Commission, and the deadline is May 31. The commission will bring together 11 high school students ages 14 to 18 from across the county to advise the Board of Supervisors on issues that affect young people. Members will meet monthly during the school year, identify community priorities, develop recommendations, and serve as a direct link between youth and local government.
Five seats will be appointed by members of the Board of Supervisors, and six will be filled through at-large appointments with preference given to applicants from underrepresented groups, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, those from rural, immigrant, or farmworker backgrounds, low-income residents, and LGBTQ+ youth. Applications are open to any high school student who lives and attends school in Santa Cruz County. To apply before the May 31 deadline, visit the application here.
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Image: The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Center where I'll host Office Hours this Wednesday, June 3.
Wednesday, June 3 - LAFCO Meeting, 9:00 AM. The agenda is posted here, and the meeting will take place on Zoom (Password: 408013) and in person at Scotts Valley City Chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley CA 95066.
Wednesday, June 3 - First District Office Hours, 1:00 - 3:00 PM. First come, first served. 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, 95062.
Tuesday, June 9 - Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Board Chambers, Room 525, located on the 5th floor at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Wednesday, June 10 - County Budget Hearings, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at Westridge Community Room, located at the South County Goverment Center at 500 Westridge Drive, Watsonville CA 95076.
Thursday, June 11 - County Budget Hearings, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Board Chambers, Room 525, located on the 5th floor at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Thursday, June 24 - County Budget Hearings, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Board Chambers, Room 525, located on the 5th floor at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
Tuesday, June 30 - Board of Supervisors Meeting, 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the County Government Center Board Chambers, Room 525, located on the 5th floor at 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.
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