Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.