Santa Cruz’s new opt-in stipend program, voted into effect on Aug. 27, will begin in January. This will mean people serving on city boards and advisory boards will get paid $75 for each meeting they attend. The initiative will cost the city up to $50,000, depending on the opt-in rate. Councilmembers Sonja Brunner, Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson and Martine Watkins say it is a needed step to make sure more people participate in local government. Here, they offer details and explain how to apply for the rolling deadlines.
