Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Improvements
The water department is rate-funded and planning major projects — the Graham Hill treatment facility improvement (2027-2032) and pipeline replacements — with $300 million already invested system-wide. Demand keeps falling even as the service population triples.
Adoption of the City Road Safety Action Plan
Santa Cruz has a citywide plan to cut traffic deaths and serious injuries, and the commission wants the council to adopt it along with lower speed limits on 30 mph streets and near schools, plus a dedicated task force to study crash hotspots. Safer streets affect everyone who walks, bikes, or drives.
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.