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Board adopts capital budget, five‑year plan; rail‑trail and juvenile hall among slated projects
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved the county—s 2025–26 capital budget and a five‑year CIP on June 3, committing funds to active projects including rail‑trail construction, juvenile‑facility replacement and deferred‑maintenance work.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on June 3 approved the county—s proposed capital projects budget for fiscal 2025–26 and the accompanying five‑year capital improvement plan (CIP).
County staff described the capital budget as a combination of carryover funds for active projects and new funding requests. The recommended 2025–26 capital budget totals roughly $7.6 million in new appropriations supported by prior fund balances, grants and a $1 million general‑fund contribution for county facilities. The proposed five‑year CIP catalogs $396 million in active and planned investments across public infrastructure (roads, bridges, stormwater), government facilities (county buildings, a juvenile hall replacement) and parks and open space (including rail‑trail segments and park improvements).
Deputy County Budget Manager Ryan and deputies from CCDI, general services and parks presented the plan and described prioritization. The county uses a cross‑department Capital Projects Review Committee that scores projects on equity, safety, grant leverage and alignment with strategic priorities. CDI Director Matt Machado and Parks Director Rebecca Hurley described the largest projects: public‑infrastructure investments, the county—s rail‑trail segments and ongoing juvenile‑facility work. Hurley noted the $111 million allocation for rail‑trail segments 10 and 11 is the largest line in the parks portfolio because it bundles a long‑planned construction phase.
Board action and context Supervisors voted to adopt the proposed capital budget and the 2025–30 CIP. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll call in favor. Supervisors and staff noted that the plan emphasizes active, funded projects and that additional needs not yet funded or in concept phases were excluded from the published CIP but will be considered in future updates.
Why it matters The CIP gives residents and elected leaders a clearer view of county capital priorities and funding gaps. Staff cautioned that deferred maintenance remains a large, multi‑year liability: most county facilities date from before 1990, and the plan includes a facility condition assessment that will guide future prioritization. Staff also noted market volatility, rising construction costs and federal tariff risk could drive cost increases and asked the board to allow contingency and emergent repair funding in the annual budget.
