Cupertino council delays position on Santa Clara County Measure A; schedules Oct. 13 study session

The Cupertino City Council on Thursday postponed taking a formal position on Santa Clara County’s Measure A and agreed to hold a city study session with county representatives on Oct. 13 to review healthcare fiscal impacts.

The action followed nearly 40 minutes of public comment during which dozens of residents, medical professionals and nonprofit leaders urged the council to support Measure A, a temporary county sales tax the county says would offset deep federal cuts to Medi-Cal and county hospital funding. Speakers described Valley Medical Center and other county-run services as essential trauma, burn and rehabilitation resources for Cupertino residents.

The postponement motion, made from the dais and seconded by Vice Mayor Moore, carried 4-1, with Council member Mohan voting no. The council directed staff to add a study session on health-care costs and county funding to a special meeting on Oct. 13 and to move conversation about a possible city position until after that briefing.

Why it matters: County officials say recent federal budget changes will create a multiyear shortfall for Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System, which provides trauma, burn and specialty care to the region. Supporters told the council that Measure A would generate immediate, temporary revenue to prevent service reductions and closures that could affect all Santa Clara County residents.

What speakers said: Dozens of residents and health-care workers described personal experiences and systemic risks if county hospitals lose funding. “Measure A will mitigate $330 million a year,” said Ava Chow, speaking as a Cupertino resident and school-district trustee. “This is a fiscal emergency.”

Dr. Dennis Lowe, who identified himself as a longtime Cupertino resident and emergency medicine practitioner, said county hospitals saved lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and that “the massive federal cuts have already closed one California county’s only hospital.” Cassandra Magaña of West Valley Community Services said the nonprofit — which serves low-income residents — is endorsing the measure because cuts would increase demand for nonmedical social services.

A few speakers urged neutrality or alternative funding approaches. Steven Sharf, speaking as a resident, called Measure A “a regressive sales tax” and urged exploration of parcel taxes or other funding mechanisms. He also requested more accurate public information about the proposed tax rate.

Council response and next steps: Mayor Chow (from the dais) said the council would reserve formal action until after the Oct. 13 study session with county representatives; she encouraged residents to attend that meeting. The council also agreed to move related public-comment speakers who had indicated they wished to speak on Measure A to that session if they preferred.

Votes at the meeting: The motion to postpone the Measure A portion of consent item 11 to Oct. 13 passed 4-1 (Mohan no). The council indicated that individual members may express personal views, but as a body they will take up a position only after the scheduled study session.

Context: Supporters noted that about 10% of Cupertino residents are Medi-Cal enrollees and that county-run hospitals operate the nearest level-1 trauma center and other specialized services. Opponents or skeptics focused on the regressive nature of a sales tax and urged consideration of alternative revenue sources or additional oversight mechanisms.

What’s next: The council’s Oct. 13 special meeting will include county representatives and legislative staff; the council said it will consider whether to take a formal city position on Measure A after that briefing.