The Santa Cruz City Council meets in January 2020. (Kara Meyberg Guzman — Santa Cruz Local file)
Introduction >> As a news reporter for years, I have talked to people from all walks of life in Santa Cruz County. People often want to know the correct government authority to lodge a complaint, or offer a solution, or the appropriate elected leader to contact. But the patchwork of authorities holds them back. Who is in charge of what around here?
It can be confusing.
Santa Cruz County is the second smallest county in California by square miles, yet it has four cities, more than nine water agencies, at least 11 fire departments, 10 school districts and six law enforcement agencies. (A California Highway Patrol officer probably wrote your speeding ticket on the North Coast.)
Then there’s some weird geography. You face the ocean and it’s probably south, not west. The cities here meld into the county areas, and they aren’t well marked — especially in places like Live Oak. Pleasure Point and Live Oak often are referred to as the “Eastside” of Santa Cruz, but neither area is within Santa Cruz city limits. They are “unincorporated” areas of Santa Cruz County, as are all the other areas outside the city limits of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Watsonville and Scotts Valley.
To understand how local government works, we start with the geography and leadership in “Who are my elected leaders in Santa Cruz County?”
The guide then describes the nuts and bolts of how local government works — how city laws are made, when and where city councils meet, and how you can make your voice heard. It also provides some history and context that is the basis of today’s news in housing and development.
The guide is the culmination of interviews with former city and county elected leaders, county administrators, state representatives and ordinary residents who have advocated for change in Santa Cruz County.
- Who are my elected leaders in Santa Cruz County?
- What services are provided by Santa Cruz County and its four cities?
- When and where do city councils and county supervisors meet?
- Key parts of agendas at local government meetings
- How do items get on a meeting agenda?
- How are city and county laws made?
- How can I make my voice heard?(Advice from former Santa Cruz elected leaders on effective advocacy)
- Advocacy advice from county residents
- How did we arrive at Santa Cruz County’s housing shortage?
- Why are there so few sidewalks in unincorporated county areas and what can be done about it?
- Why do road repairs take so long, especially in unincorporated county areas?
- When should I contact my state and federal representatives?
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