Christopher Bradford, left, and Monica Martinez faced off in the Nov. 5 race for District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor. (Contributed) 

FELTON >> Monica Martinez maintained a strong lead against Christopher Bradford in the race for District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor, with 56.5% of the vote as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Results are expected to update this month, and finalized results are due in early December. This page will be updated with the latest results.

In other early results as of Nov. 12:

• Measure T, a parcel tax for the Zayante Fire Protection District leaned toward passage with about 71.9% of the vote.
• Measure U, an initiative to limit San Lorenzo Valley Water District water bill fees, trailed with 35.5% of the vote.

District 5 Santa Cruz County Supervisor

Martinez is the CEO of social services nonprofit Encompass Community Services. During the campaign, Martinez said:

• She wants to create a Santa Cruz Mountains wildfire resilience task force to coordinate countywide fire risk reduction and preparation.
• Partner with nonprofit clinics to expand healthcare access in the San Lorenzo Valley.
• “It’s one thing to sort of talk about these ideas in a sort of philosophical way, and it’s another thing to have actually gotten results.”

Bradford is a software engineer, co-owner of a Scotts Valley gym and owner of a photography business. During the campaign, Bradford said that:

• He wants the county budget to allocate more money for roads, even if it means budget cuts or layoffs.
• The county should consider creating a publicly funded local insurance fund for homeowners.
• His campaign represents “a change from the current system.”

To learn more, read Santa Cruz Local’s voter guide for the District 5 race.

Voters in the Santa Lorenzo Valley Water District considered Measure U, which would limit new fees on water bills. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)

Measure T: Zayante parcel tax

Measure T, a $290 annual parcel tax to sustain Zayante Fire Protection District, held more than the two-thirds voter approval as of 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Measure T is an annual parcel tax of:

• $290 for homes, businesses or land with other structures.
• $100 for vacant lots 5 acres or larger.
• $50 for vacant lots smaller than 5 acres.

The new tax would replace an existing $75 parcel tax approved in 2016, and would be increased about 2% annually.

Money from Measure T could be used for staff pay or vehicles. It would pay for daytime firefighters, fire engine drivers, fire engines or other vehicles, according to the ballot measure and the county counsel’s impartial analysis. The tax would start July 2025.

For more information, see Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide for Measure T.

Measure U: San Lorenzo Water District rate limits

Measure U, which would limit fees in San Lorenzo Valley Water District, is falling short in early results. It needs more than 50% of the vote to be adopted.

The measure would:

• Remove a “capital facilities charge” that started to appear on San Lorenzo Valley Water District customers’ bills in March. It costs $7.65 per month for most single-family homes and helps fund repairs on water tanks and mains and other large projects.
• Cap increases on fixed water bill charges at 2% annually until 2049.

To learn more, see Santa Cruz Local’s Election Guide for Measure U.

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