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Votes at a glance: key Santa Cruz County Board decisions on June 24, 2025
Summary
The board approved a set of measures including the Measure D five‑year plan for roads, the ADU ordinance aligning local rules with state law, certification of a local ballot measure (CSA 3), and assessment updates for CSA 48/4. All of these passed with majority/ unanimous votes as noted below.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took a series of formal votes on June 24. The most significant, brief outcomes are listed below.
Measure D 5‑Year Plan (roads) - Action: Adopted the Measure D five‑year plan for fiscal year 2025–26, approving projects across all five supervisorial districts. - Vote: Unanimous approval. - Why it matters: Measure D funds neighborhood resurfacing, safety and maintenance projects; the board’s action authorizes the county to submit the plan to the regional transportation commission and proceed with projects including Swanton Road and localized resurfacing work.
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance - Action: Adopted an ordinance updating county ADU regulations to align with recent state laws and guidance from the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD); the ordinance clarifies unit counts, size limits, parking exemptions and JADU rules. - Vote: Unanimous approval. - Why it matters: The ordinance implements state ADU law locally and updates ministerial standards intended to make ADU development more routine and predictable for homeowners.
Metro board nominations (item 6.1) - Action: The board approved nominations of two candidates (Larry Pagler and Elizabeth Madrigal) for the county at‑large Metro seat while extending the nominations period to Aug. 5 and the appointment date to Aug. 19 to allow further vetting. - Vote: Unanimous approval.
County Service Area 3 (Aptos‑Seascape) special assessment vote certification - Action: The board certified the results of a local election that approved an increase in the CSA 3 assessment; weighted ballots showed 53.08% in favor of the increase. - Vote: Board accepted the certified results and directed ballots be retained as required.
County Service Areas 48 and 4 (fire protection) assessments - Action: Held the public hearing on CSA 48 (two assessments) and CSA 4 (Pajaro Dunes). The board approved a CPI increase for CSA 48 assessments; CSA 4 was not increased based on staff recommendation. - Vote: Unanimous approval of the assessments as recommended.
Other votes - The board also approved the development services process improvement work plan ("Streamline Santa Cruz County") and directed staff to return in October with a progress report (see full article) — unanimous vote.
Why it matters: Together, these votes cover infrastructure, housing policy, local service funding and county operations — all key to the county’s near‑term capital and land‑use priorities.
