Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors 09/29/2026

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meeting on September 29, 2026, approved the Scotts Valley Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District plan by a 5–0 vote. The plan commits 25% of the county’s future property-tax increment from the district for up to 30 years, capped at $50 million, toward infrastructure and related projects; potential priorities include traffic signals, fire facilities, road and utility upgrades, wildfire risk reduction, affordable housing, and stormwater management. The county estimated an $18.4 million net general-fund benefit over 50 years, while noting that the forecast depends on development assumptions. The board also approved the current-year budget through the consent agenda; one supervisor registered a no vote on the budget item. Staff reported that the budget uses $30.5 million in general-fund reserves and other one-time resources, leaving reserves below the board’s target. A separate budget update was accepted with direction to return with further options by December 15.

The consent agenda passed and included a $319,000 increase to New Life Community Services’ agreement, bringing its total to roughly $5 million; an approximately $1 million agreement with Abode Services for housing navigation and rental assistance; and a contract with Splashtacular Inc. for the Simpkins water-slide replacement (no amount stated). Speakers also supported replacing obsolete county dental equipment, though the transcript did not provide a purchase amount. The board adopted an opposition position on Proposition 44. On the CORE funding recommendations, the board did not adopt the proposed changes: it accepted and filed the report and directed the subcommittee, working with staff, to return with revised recommendations before the first meeting in December.