Santa Cruz · community
Community pulse
What residents are talking about in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by community engagement.
City online portal
Utility Portal Fees and Service Revenues
Water Department Long-Range Financial Plan
CalPERS ordinance / Kirby School bonds
Investigation services (item 11)
Consent agenda minutes (item 6)
Consent agenda - items 6, 9, 10
Meals on Wheels senior services
Sugar-sweetened beverage tax
Council salaries
FY 2027 Budget
Utility fund transfers for public art
Office of Well-Being
Franchise tax on water fees
EV charging infrastructure
Utility taxes
Measure C / Prop 13
Lack of competitive elections
City taxes and State of the City
Resource Recovery Facility fees
Sugar tax and day services
Sugar tax committee appointments
Sugar tax
Consent agenda items
Measure Z oversight
SSB tax oversight framework (item 13)
In the news
12 articlesRecent coverage of Santa Cruz from local and regional media.
Letters to the Editor | Oct. 31, 2026
Editor’s note: Additional election-related Letters to the Editor can be read at santacruzsentinel.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor. For the Editorial Board’s election recommendations go to santacruzsentinel.co...
Nov 1, 2026Guest Commentary | Measure E will help systems of public healthcare and recovery
“As leaders who care deeply about the health and well-being of Santa Cruz County, we proudly support Measure E, a temporary half-cent local sales tax measure designed to protect Santa Cruz County’s healthcare,” write Janus r…
Nov 1, 2026Controversy stirred over candidate TJ Welch’s letter to 2022 Capitola City Council
Over the past month, county-wide controversy has been stirred up over a 2022 letter written by Capitola City Council candidate TJ Welch, which ommunity members have called out as being anti-LGBTQ+.
Nov 1, 2026Guest Commentary | More on PVUSD, Watsonville council, Measure E votes
By Jane Barr Politics can be very curious. Both the Santa Cruz County Democratic Party and the Republican Party endorsed Ed Acosta for the Watsonville City Council. Per a Public Records Act request, Santa Cruz ...
Oct 31, 2026How Prop. 45 could reshape California’s fight over data centers
California voters considering Proposition 45 will decide the fate of a sweeping infrastructure measure that opponents warn could render the state’s brand-new data center laws virtually toothless.
Oct 31, 2026PVUSD school closures: What families need to know about the district’s plans
Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s school closure advisory committee is expected to present recommendations in December, but members say they need more time. The district has yet to clarify when the governing board will vote or how much money school closures could save.
Oct 30, 2026Guest Commentary | No on 45: State has already streamlined CEQA
By Sarah Newkirk, Chris Wilmers and Noelle Chambers In 2025, California confronted a real problem: the need to build more housing and infrastructure, faster. The Legislature responded with significant reforms t...
Oct 30, 2026Construction begins on roadway improvements near Pajaro Valley High School
The city of Watsonville has begun construction on an $11.7 million project to widen the Harkins Slough overpass to add bike lanes, a concrete barrier to separate pedestrians and cyclists from vehicular traffic and a wider sidewalk overall.
Oct 30, 2026Santa Cruz City Schools teachers demonstrate outside Harbor High for salary increase
The union and SCCS have been in contract negotiations since May, and Greater Santa Cruz Federation of Teachers President Connor O’Brien said that while the union has made progress in some areas, SCCS has yet to issue a salary proposal – a m…
Oct 30, 2026Watsonville Community Hospital board votes to close maternity services, NICU despite pushback from community members
The Pajaro Valley Health Care District board of directors voted 3-2 to close its maternity services, which includes labor and delivery, and its neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The decision does not mean an immediate closure, and the board could rescind its decision if funding becomes available.
Oct 29, 2026Santa Cruz City Council adopts transportation, development municipal code changes
SANTA CRUZ — The Santa Cruz City Council unanimously approved a number of amendments to the city municipal code during its meeting Tuesday, and adopted related resolutions. The decisions will double residential...
Oct 29, 2026Watsonville Community Hospital moves to close its labor, delivery, NICU services
The board will provide a 120-day notice to the California Department of Public Health that it plans to close its obstetric services — including labor and delivery care and the neonatal intensive care unit, with the countdown beginning T…
Oct 29, 2026