County of Santa Cruz Government News

As wildfires rage in Southern California, Santa Cruz County officials are urging residents to prepare for the possibility of a destructive wildfire here — even in urban areas. 

As local governments try to stretch their budgets to accommodate a new wave of mental health cases, a new program is trying to shift the emergency response from uniformed officers to trained mental health counselors.

Dec. 30, 2024, Bruce McPherson’s last day as supervisor for the Fifth District of Santa Cruz County, dawned bright and blue. After bidding farewell to his team of analysts and taking down the last mementos from his office walls, McPherson traveled to Scotts Valley for his final interview to recount the highs and lows of his career.

In a brief special meeting on Dec. 27, three Santa Cruz County Supervisors declared a local emergency, which will allow officials to request state and federal assistance for the damages from the heavy surf, winds and storm surge on Dec. 23 and 24.

In a brief special meeting Friday, three Santa Cruz County Supervisors declared a local emergency, which will allow officials to request state and federal assistance for the damages from the heavy surf, winds and storm surge on Dec. 23 and 24.

The number of people who died while homeless this year saw a sizable decline from last year, when Santa Cruz County honored 121 people at its annual Homeless Memorial.

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors Tuesday passed a resolution stating the county’s supportive stance on its immigrant residents and reaffirming it as a “sanctuary county.”

During the past 12 years, as your Fifth District Supervisor covering Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley, it has been my honor to represent you in county government.

Moving into the final month of a 12-year tenure as your Fifth District Supervisor, I can’t help but reflect on the many good things our community has accomplished – as well as the many hardships we have endured – all by working together.

Work continues on the Green Valley Road Multi-Use Project. The County of Santa Cruz Department of Community Development and Infrastructure said the project will provide pedestrians with a safer, more accessible path through the area. It also includes upgraded road crossings, new bus shelters and upgrades to existing bus stops, landscaping, and public art installations.

More than four years after 21-year-old Tamario Smith died in Santa Cruz County Jail, the county and former Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart settled a lawsuit last month that included a $2.2 million payout to Smith’s parents and a denial of wrongdoing in his death.

With the recent election results now clear, the Encompass Community Services Board of Trustees has announced that its CEO, Monica Martinez, will be transitioning from her role at Encompass as she steps into her new position as Santa Cruz County supervisor for District 5.

Santa Cruz County supervisors on Tuesday are set to change county rules to allow taller buildings and more homes on 30 properties in Live Oak, Aptos, Soquel and other areas.

A state-mandated Santa Cruz County court program started this month to connect services to some people with serious mental illnesses.

The County of Santa Cruz has received an $8 million grant from the California Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 47 Grant Program to enhance mental health, substance use disorder and diversion services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system.