The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved a new policy outlining what staff should do if they encounter federal immigration officials on county property.
Government
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola inicia su transición a elecciones por distritos, pero ¿cómo será ese proceso?
Mientras Capitola comienza su transición a elecciones basadas en distritos, consultores de National Demographics Corporation explicaron a los miembros del concejo municipal y a los residentes cómo funcionará el proceso y de qué manera la comunidad podrá participar.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola begins its switch to district-based elections, but what will that process look like?
As Capitola begins its switch to district-based elections, consultants detailed to city councilmembers and residents what the process would entail. The city could be divided into four districts and an elected mayor or five districts with a rotating mayor.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville installed a meter along Aviation Way hoping to solve parking problems. Four days later, the city removed it
Four days after installing a parking meter along Aviation Way as part of a 30-day pilot program to mitigate long-term parking problems, Watsonville city officials removed the meter following negative feedback from businesses and residents.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Watsonville instaló un parquímetro en Aviation Way con la esperanza de resolver problemas de estacionamiento. Cuatro días después, la ciudad lo retiró
Cuatro días después de instalar un parquímetro en Aviation Way como parte de un programa piloto de 30 días para mitigar los problemas de estacionamiento de larga duración, funcionarios de la ciudad de Watsonville retiraron el dispositivo tras recibir comentarios negativos de negocios y residentes.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Panetta to introduce new legislation aimed at ensuring battery storage systems are safer
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta is pushing new legislation that would require the federal government to conduct research on the safety of battery storage systems in order to create proper safeguards.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Panetta presentará nueva legislación destinada a garantizar que los sistemas de almacenamiento de baterías sean más seguros
El representante federal estadounidense Jimmy Panetta está impulsando una nueva legislación que exigiría al gobierno federal realizar investigaciones sobre la seguridad de los sistemas de almacenamiento de baterías con el fin de crear protecciones adecuadas.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County budget to dip into reserves to weather financial challenges caused by federal funding changes
Officials plan to use nearly $43 million from Santa Cruz County’s general fund reserves and departmental trust funds to help keep safety-net services available and avoid employee layoffs. The first of several county budget hearings is scheduled for Tuesday.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Our $1.29 billion county budget protects vital services today – but we have a tough road ahead
Santa Cruz County’s budget for 2026-27 safeguards core services and avoids layoffs, despite a historic fiscal squeeze, writes County Executive Officer Nicole Coburn, who is in her first year in the job. The $1.29 billion plan relies on $43 million in one-time funds, reducing county reserves to 10.4%, but keeping critical programs running. Without structural change, she writes, Santa Cruz County faces a projected $67 million deficit as soon as next year. The county is asking for millions from the state for help to overcome the shortfalls caused by federal cuts. This budget buys time, she writes, but the county will likely need to make hard choices in the future. The board of supervisors will meet for budget hearings in the coming weeks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Capitola City Council to begin transition to district-based elections
Under the threat of a lawsuit, the Capitola City Council voted Thursday night to start the process of switching to district-based elections. The complaint from a Southern California law firm charges that the current at-large system disenfranchises minority communities by diluting the power of Capitola’s Latino voters.
