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Board approves small childcare developer fee increase and clears bonds for Cabrillo/UCSC student housing
Summary
Supervisors approved a modest, phased increase to childcare developer fees and adopted a resolution permitting bonds to fund a Cabrillo–UCSC student housing project; the county is not financially liable for the bonds.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 5 approved a modest increase to the county’s childcare development impact fees and adopted a resolution allowing the California Municipal Finance Authority to issue bonds for a Cabrillo College/UCSC student housing project.
Childcare fee update: Deputy Human Services Director Kimberly Peterson presented a five‑year nexus review and recommended modest increases well below the maximum identified in an October 2024 impact‑fee study. The board approved a 5 percent increase to the single‑family dwelling rate and a gradual increase to the multifamily rate (moving the multifamily ratio toward 50 percent by incremental steps). Nonresidential fees were adjusted minimally and would rise in future years with the construction‑cost index.
Peterson said fee proceeds fund forgivable loans to local childcare providers for facility improvements; staff opened a loan application round in June and will return with loan award recommendations this fall. The board adopted the fee resolution by unanimous vote.
Cabrillo/UCSC bond authorization: The board also opened and closed a required public TEFRA hearing and adopted a resolution consenting to the possible issuance of up to $190 million in conduit bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority to finance construction and equipping of student housing serving Cabrillo College and UCSC. County staff emphasized the bonds are conduit financing and the county would not be liable for repayment. The vote to approve the county’s TEFRA resolution was unanimous.
Why it matters: The childcare fee change is intended to increase local funding available to expand childcare capacity and update provider facilities while staying within the legal maximum set by the county’s nexus study. The Cabrillo/UCSC bond consent clears a procedural requirement so project financing can move forward; student housing is a county priority to support local higher‑education enrollment and reduce housing pressure.
What’s next: Staff will post the fee changes and proceed with the childcare loan awards later this year. The bond financing will proceed through the California Municipal Finance Authority and project sponsors.
