Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Meeting

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting, held September 29, 2026 (the recording metadata is dated September 30 UTC), approved the Scotts Valley Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District plan 5–0. The district is projected to generate about $40 million in present-value funding for infrastructure and related projects; the county would contribute 25% of future property-tax increment for up to 30 years, estimated at $7 million in present value, with a projected $18.4 million net general-fund benefit. The board also approved a $199,955 agreement with BKF Engineers for phase one of county code amendments, adding direction for district offices to help identify stakeholders and hold at least one community meeting. Other procurement-related consent items included an amendment providing up to $90,000 for Dientes dental equipment, agreements with Front Street Inc. for supportive housing services ($904,833), New Life Community Services (an additional $19,000, bringing the agreement to about $5 million), and Abode Services (about $1 million), and a Simpkins water-slide replacement contract. The replacement vendor’s proposal was reported to be $120,000 less than the first vendor’s offer.

The board adopted the FY 2026–27 budget on consent, while Supervisor Koenig registered opposition to that item; the budget uses $30.5 million in general-fund reserves, and the county forecast a structural gap of about $30 million next year, rising above $70 million by FY 2031–32. The board separately approved accepting $3.5 million in new state administrative funding and returning $1.5 million to reserves for human services. CORE funding reform recommendations—including safety-net priorities, potential set-asides, and a proposed review contract of up to $80,000 with the Community Foundation—were not approved; the board directed the existing subcommittee to return with revised recommendations by the first meeting in December. No procurement award was made on that item.