Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's all happening — even Halloween! Tomorrow, the Board of Supervisors will consider appointing Nicole Coburn as our new County Executive Officer.
We will also discuss how to allocate the County’s share of Measure Q dollars — the new $87 charge on your property tax bill.
My office has received more proposals to improve Floral Park, so I’ll host a community meeting with the Parks Department to discuss the Floral Park Master Plan on November 5.
A gentle reminder: there is an election happening! Due to new rules, if you drop your ballot in the mail on Election Day, it will be too late to count. So turn it in early or vote at a polling place.
The Planning Commission will vote this Wednesday on the proposed five-story, 57-unit project at 841 Capitola Road.
Finally, I hope to see you at Trunk or Treat at the Sheriff’s Office this Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM!
Best, |
Manu Koenig 1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
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Highlights from Tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors Meeting
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Image: Nicole Coburn. Tomorrow the Board will vote on whether to appoint Assistant County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn to replace retiring CEO Carlos Palacios. On Tuesday the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to appoint Nicole Coburn as our new County Executive Officer. After conducting a national search with 139 applicants, the Board unanimously recommended that Nicole move forward in the hiring process. A similar unanimous recommendation in favor of Nicole came from the Technical Advisory Panel that advised the Board of Supervisors on this hire. That panel consisted of County Executive Officers and County Administrative Officers (CEOs/CAOs) from peer counties, elected department heads, and leaders of important community organizations.
I know what some of you are thinking: "boring, they went with the internal candidate." But Nicole stepping into the CEO role will be anything but boring. Here's why:
She's Forward Thinking. Most of the other candidates we interviewed were in the latter part of their careers. While many offered experience from larger urban areas, they lacked forward-thinking insights. For example, Nicole was the only one to talk about the potential of AI in the interview process - technology that will be essential in making the county more accessible and efficient during the challenging years ahead. She also demonstrated forward thinking by starting equity programs like “A Santa Cruz County Like Me” and the Youth Advisory Task Force, and finding new ways to fund behavioral health and justice programs (like the LITE House, discussed later in this newsletter).
She Knows Our Community. Santa Cruz County is both a county, which is responsible for delivery of health and human services, and effectively the largest city within the county, being responsible for municipal services like public works and parks for half the population. None of the other candidates we interviewed were as fluent as Nicole in the range of services that Santa Cruz County must provide and how to balance them on a limited budget.
She Knows What Needs to Change on Day 1. With 12 years of experience at the County, Nicole knows details like which work loads need to be rebalanced and how departments can work better on Day 1. What we heard from her in the interviews was the enthusiasm to implement these changes. Any external candidate, no matter how great their experience or vision, would have to spend years figuring out the personalities and nuances of the organization that they are operating in. Being ready on Day 1 is particularly important given the storm we are flying into with federal and state budget cuts.
In summary, our County is extremely fortunate to have someone as energetic, intelligent, and committed as Nicole who is prepared to step into this role. It is also a testament to our retiring CEO Carlos Palacios' excellent foresight and succession planning. Statewide, across 58 counties, there have been 65 new County Administrative Officers/County Executive Officers since 2000. There is a lot of demand out there for people who can do this job. Nicole is an example of the incredible talent we have here in our small-but-mighty community. I'm excited to promote her and work more closely with her to improve our County.
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Image: CZU Lightning Fire, Credit Kara Capaldo. Tomorrow the Board will vote on Measure Q funding allocations to help prevent another catastrophic wildfire in Santa Cruz County. If you own property in Santa Cruz County, you're now paying $87 per parcel for Measure Q: The Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction and Wildlife Protection Act. So what is going to happen with the $7 million generated every year?
The Measure Q Vision Plan (2025–2030) is a five-year roadmap for how to invest it. Allocations are broken down as follows (with additional detail shown in the graphic below). 40% County-administered grant program 20% Incorporated cities 20% Unincorporated County projects 20% Resource Conservation District and Land Trust of Santa Cruz County
The next item considers how to spend the 20% of funds managed directly by the County for spending within the unincorporated county.
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Image: graph showing the general spending categories for approximately $7 million in Measure Q funds.
Item 10. Consider project selection for the County Measure Q funding allocation in the amount of $875,000 for Fiscal Year 2025-26
During budget hearings, the Board voted to reserve $500,000 or $100,000 per Supervisorial District, for Measure Q-related expenditures directed by each Supervisor. In this item, staff is recommending three priority projects to utilize the remaining $875,000 administered directly by the County. Staff recommendations are as follows: $720,000 - Freedom Lake Restoration and Access Project. Restores degraded wetlands, improves water quality, and enhances safe public access near Watsonville. $80,000 - Wildfire Risk Reduction and Evacuation Route Vegetation Management. Clears hazardous vegetation along key evacuation routes across the county. These funds serve as a local match for a larger FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant. $75,000 - Corralitos Creek Watershed Flood Modeling and Forecasting Tool. Develops real-time flood forecasting tools to strengthen local emergency planning.
These projects are intended to demonstrate how Measure Q funds will deliver visible, community-based results, protecting natural resources, improving safety, and expanding access to the outdoors for residents countywide.
The Board is considering an ordinance to prohibit the sale and distribution of kratom in unincorporated areas of the county. The proposal, brought forward by Second District Supervisor Kimberly De Serpa, cites growing public health and safety concerns over the unregulated sale of kratom and its concentrated forms, which are often sold in gas stations and convenience stores as powders, gummies, or liquids. Health officials report that kratom’s active compounds can be highly addictive and may cause serious side effects similar to those of opioids, including dependency, nausea, and psychosis.
The Board will hold a public hearing to consider forming the Santa Cruz Mountains Wine Improvement District, a benefit assessment district aimed at promoting regional wineries and supporting economic growth. Backed by 76% of assessed wineries, the district would generate approximately $400,000 annually through a one percent fee on direct-to-consumer wine sales to fund marketing, business development, and regional branding managed by the Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association.
Item 14.Consider progress report on “Streamline Santa Cruz County” project, and take related actions (County Executive Office)
The Board will receive a progress report on the Streamline Santa Cruz County (SSCC) project, a major initiative launched to make the County’s development review and permitting processes more efficient, transparent, and customer-focused. Originally approved in June 2025, the SSCC Workplan includes 14 interrelated projects addressing county code modernization, technology integration, and improved coordination across departments. At the meeting, staff will present key updates on the Comprehensive County Code Update, new permitting technology systems, and progress on efforts to streamline rebuilding for residents affected by the CZU Fire.
You can view the agendas and find zoom links for these meetings: https://santacruzcountyca.primegov.com/public/portal |
Floral Park Master Plan Community Meeting Nov. 5, 5:30PM
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Image: Floral Park on 38th Ave
More suggestions for improvements to Floral Park continue to sprout up! A youth group has requested some active recreational space for teenagers and proposed a half basketball court. Others have petitioned for more walking paths and fencing to keep dogs and children safely contained.
I will co-host a community meeting with the Parks Department to discuss these changes to the Floral Park Master Plan on November 5th, 5:30pm at Simpkins Family Swim Center. After that, proposed changes will be considered by the Parks Commission and Board of Supervisors.
Date: November 5, 2025 Time: 5:30 pm Location: Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave, 95062
For those of you who do not use Floral Park regularly, don’t worry — we’ll be discussing improvements to the Farm Park and Winkle Park soon. Moreover, the fields at Anna Jean Cummings are scheduled to be completely recompacted and reseeded this winter for a level, enjoyable playing experience come spring.
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November 4 General Election
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Image: The Santa Cruz County Vote Mobile at the old location of the Downtown Farmers Market.
Just a reminder, there is a statewide election happening! Ballots for the November 4, 2025 Special Election should have arrived in your mailbox by now. What you’re voting on: - Proposition 50 (statewide): Congressional redistricting.
- Measure B (City of Santa Cruz only): Workforce Housing and Climate Protection Act of 2025.
- Measure C (City of Santa Cruz only): Workforce Housing Affordability Act of 2025.
Every registered voter got a ballot in the mail. You’ve got three options to return it: - Mail it back: Postage is already paid. If it’s after Oct. 30, bring it into the post office to get it hand postmarked.
- Drop it in a ballot drop box: There are 21 around the county. Full list here: Drop Box Locations.
- Vote in person: You can return your mailed ballot or cast a new one at any vote center.
Starting now, you can vote in person at: - County Clerk/Elections, 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz
- Watsonville City Clerk’s Office, 275 Main St.
- South County Government Center, 500 Westridge Dr., Watsonville
More vote centers open October 25, November 1, and on Election Day itself. There’s also a Votemobile traveling around with full voting services. Details about voting locations can be found here: votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov.
Deadlines/Timeline - October 20: Last day to register to vote and receive a ballot by mail. Register online: registertovote.ca.gov.
- November 4, 8 p.m.: Deadline to return your ballot (unless you’re already in line).
- December 2: Final results certified.
Election results will start posting online after 8 p.m. on Election Night, but remember - late-arriving mail ballots can take a few days to count.
Need help? Call (831) 454-2060 or email info@votescount.santacruzcountyca.gov.
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Image: Fraud Notify
Real estate fraud is on the rise statewide, and it can be devastating; sometimes people don’t even realize a fraudulent deed or lien has been filed until it’s too late. Santa Cruz County just rolled out a new way to fight back.
It’s called Fraud Notify. The service is free, easy to use, and open to anyone who owns property in the County. Here’s how it works: once you sign up, you’ll get an email alert any time a document is recorded in your name. That means if someone tries to file something shady against your property, you’ll know right away.
The goal with Fraud Notify is early detection. Real estate fraud can have devastating consequences, and it often goes undetected until significant damage has been done. Fraud Notify empowers residents to monitor their property records and take quick action if something doesn’t look right.
To sign up, go to recorder.santacruzcountyca.gov, click Fraud Notify, and register. It takes just a few minutes, it’s free, and it gives you ongoing protection as well as a warning system to help protect your home. If you own property in Santa Cruz County, signing up is a simple and effective way to protect yourself.
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Image: Rendering of 841 Capitola Road from the County Planning Department
On Wednesday, 10/22/25, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a development proposal for 841 Capitola Road. The project, Application No. 241371, is proposed under California's Builder's Remedy law, which severely limits a local jurisdiction's ability to deny or condition a project.
The developer proposes 57 units within a 5-story multi-family building, with a unit mix to be comprised of seven studio units, 35 one-bedroom units, and 15 two-bedroom units. The project includes a 42.5-percent Density Bonus in exchange for the provision of four affordable units (consisting of one Very-Low Income (VLI) unit and three Extremely Low (ELI) units). Staff recommends approval of the project.
Read the staff report here: Community Development and Infrastructure Agenda.
The Planning Commission will meet on Wed. 10/22, beginning at 9:30 am, in the basement Community Room of 701 Ocean St. The meeting will also be on Zoom: https://santacruzcounty-us.zoomgov.com/j/1617916904.
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Image: Ribbon Cutting for the LITE House, 10/3/25.
A few weeks ago we held a ribbon-cutting for Janus of Santa Cruz's new LITE House (Learning Independence Through Empowerment), formerly known as Gemma House. The program offers transitional housing for up to eight women at a time returning to the community after incarceration. This reopening is a great turnaround story that demonstrates our resourcefulness as a community.
During County Budget Hearings in May, the Board of Supervisors had to consider cutting $331,000 in General Funds from the Gemma program due to a difficult budget year. Community pushback was swift and strong, with many women testifying about the importance of the program in their own lives.
In response, Assistant CEO Nicole Coburn and Janus CEO Amber Williams put their heads together and sercured dedicated state funding for this work. We were able to act quickly to transition the program to Janus because they already bill the State for similar programs. Funding support also came from $150,000 in AB 109 Community Corrections Partnership funds to renovate the property.
The result is the best of both worlds - the County General Fund saves $331,000 per year and the facility has reopened as the LITE House, offering a newly revamped space for women to stabilize, heal, and build new lives.
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Don't Forget: Trunk or Treat is Comingto the Live Oak Sheriff Station this FRIDAY!
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Image: Trunk or Treat at the Sheriff Center, Photo Credit: SLV Steve
Trunk or Treat is happening again this year at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Avenue. Dress in your scariest costume and join my office, along with County Parks, the Sheriff, and other local agencies, to celebrate Halloween 2025 in a fun and safe environment. The celebration will take place on Friday, October 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. We can't wait to see you there! |
Photo: Tabling at the Live Oak Farmers Market yesterday with Lt. Dee Baldwin and Sgt. Abbey Solano from the Sheriff's Office Community Policing Division.
The County Board Chambers will undergo renovations for the remainder of the calendar year. All Board meetings from 9/30 on will be held at various alternate locations throughout the County. The Fall 2025 meeting schedule with locations can be found here.
Tuesday, October 21 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Scotts Valley City Council Chambers located at 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
Wednesday, October 22 - Planning Commission Meeting starting at 9:30 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Government Center Community Room, located in the basement at 701 Ocean Street, 95060.
Wednesday, November 5 - Office Hours from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Come visit me at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95062. Bring your questions and meet with me one-on-one. As always, first come, first served.
Wednesday, November 5 - Floral Park Master Plan Meeting at 5:30 PM. The meeting will be held at the Simpkins Family Swim Center/Live Oak Library Annex Community Room located at 979 17th Ave. Please see additional details above.
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