Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
New utility portal ACH fee
A speaker flagged that the City's new online payment system charges $0.45–$0.47 per ACH bank transfer and asked the Council to eliminate it as a cost of doing business — no action was taken.
County Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District participation
The City will pitch Santa Cruz County on letting the City join the county's new EIFD, with a consultant contract amendment up to $197,500 total — a financing tool that channels tax increment into infrastructure.
City Staffing Vacancies and Temporary Workforce
SEIU Local 521 presented data showing a 9.5% vacancy rate, roughly 309 unbenefited temporary workers, and management outnumbering service staff. The union asked the city to stop unbudgeting service positions and reduce reliance on temps and contractors.
Recreational needs and future park investment priorities
Staff gave a high-level budget overview with recommendations for financial sustainability. The FY2027 budget arrives at the April meeting, when real funding choices for parks maintenance and programs will come into focus.
Distribution of FY 2027 CBO funding
The commission has $33,500 in FY 2027 funds to distribute — $18,500 to community-based organizations and $15,000 to self-defense vouchers. A new ad hoc will draft a proposal on how to allocate it fairly, after an initial RFP-process idea was repealed.
FY2027 sister city program funding
The Committee split next year's budget: $850 each for Shingu, Biarritz and Puerto Escondido subcommittees, $350 for the Sestri Levante writing contest, and $600 for admin costs.
Council and Mayoral Compensation
First pay raise for council in nine years: councilmembers to ~$2,653/month, mayor to ~$5,306/month. Supporters said it removes barriers so working people, renters, and single parents can serve.
FY 2027 Proposed Budget
The council adopted a roughly $494 million budget, including the capital program. Big themes: continued infrastructure investment, a future Office of Well-being, and a looming water-rate conversation driven by conservation success.
Office of Well-Being
Council kicked off exploration of a citywide Office of Well-Being to coordinate health-in-all-policies work, with a transparency dashboard and neighborhood micro-grants possibly launching by 2027.
South of Laurel infrastructure nexus study
The city is studying new fees to pay for South of Laurel improvements like a roundabout and Spruce Street walkways. The study's RFP is out with bids due next week; results in about three months. The fee was optional for tonight's project because the study wasn't done in time.
Children's Fund Oversight Committee meeting rescheduled
The committee that oversees spending from Santa Cruz's sugar-sweetened beverage tax — money that funds children's programs — didn't meet on April 9. Its work was pushed to April 30, so any decisions about how those funds are monitored will come a few weeks later than planned.
Resource Recovery Facility fee increases
The council raised dump fees at the Resource Recovery Facility; one resident objected that punitive fees violate Prop 218's cost-of-service requirement and questioned where the roughly $500,000 in new revenue goes.
Police Officers' Association Successor MOU (2026-2029)
The council approved a tentative labor agreement with the police officers' union running from March 2026 through March 2029; Councilmember Golder noted officers are pleased with it.
Children's Fund grant cycle for FY 2027-2028
The committee approved how nonprofits will apply for the next round of Children's Fund grants, worth about $530,000 over two years from cannabis tax revenue. The current cycle awarded $471,000 to 18 agencies serving local kids and young adults.
Advisory Body Member Stipends (Policy 5.19)
The Commission was asked to direct staff to roll out communication and training on the City Council's policy giving advisory body members stipends. This affects whether and how volunteer commission members get paid for their service.
Federal funding preservation litigation
The council voted unanimously to have Santa Cruz join a coalition of local governments suing the federal government to protect the city's federal funding. This could affect everything from grants to local services if federal dollars are at risk.
Community TV midyear financial health
Community Television of Santa Cruz County is halfway through its fiscal year right on target — revenue goals met and spending slightly under budget. That matters because this nonprofit covers local government meetings on TV.