Santa Cruz supervisors approve behavioral-health plan, back ballot push to block onshore support for offshore drilling and seabed mining; approve ADU, code and

Santa Cruz County supervisors met June 9 in their renovated chambers and took a string of actions affecting health services, housing, ocean protections, and local permitting.

The board unanimously approved the county's three-year Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) integrated plan and authorized staff to submit the required certification to the state. Connie Maro Pereza, director of the county Health Services Agency, introduced the final plan; Dr. Marty Sandival, the county's behavioral health lead, told the board that "the integrated plan was approved by the Department of Health Care Services on June 2nd" and said the county's priorities include crisis services, housing supports for people with serious mental illness, and culturally responsive early-intervention programs for youth and families.

Why it matters: the BHSA plan redesigns how multiple behavioral-health funding streams are managed locally and directs a larger share of limited resources toward housing and full-service partnerships, changes that county staff said will require extensive reporting and program adjustments. Supervisor Cummings pressed staff about the capacity to sustain mobile crisis units if state budget decisions shift; staff said they have identified and set aside funding for the coming year but warned about longer-term uncertainty.

Measure Q grants and a heated allocation debate

The board also finalized its first round of Measure Q competitive grants, adopting a complex portfolio after hours of deliberations by the citizen oversight advisory board (COAB) and a public hearing. Measure Q, approved by voters in November 2024, generates roughly $7 million annually; about 40% supports a county-run competitive grant program focused on wildfire risk reduction, habitat and water-resources work, and parks and recreation access.

Staff and the COAB presented two tiers of awards: smaller, community-scale Tier 1 grants and larger Tier 2 investments. COAB members had urged geographic equity, noting the Paharo (Pajaro) Valley set-aside for historically underinvested South County. Supervisors debated moving additional money to wildfire-focused projects and county fire programs; after multiple proposals and amendments the board approved a modified package that funded many COAB picks but shifted some amounts to increase wildfire-focused investments. The final COAB-recommended grants were adopted with adjustments (final roll recorded by the clerk).

Why it matters: the Measure Q debate underlined a central tension for the county: spend to redress historic inequities in South County, or dedicate more of the inaugural funding toward countywide wildfire-prevention capacity. Supervisors said they expect to use county allocations and discretionary funds to further shore up immediate fire-safety gaps.

Seabed mining and offshore drilling: ballot measure headed to voters

Supervisor Justin Cummings and environmental groups, led by Save Our Shores, introduced an updated local ordinance to require voter approval for any zoning or land-use change that would facilitate onshore facilities supporting offshore oil and now seabed mining. The ordinance updates the county's 1986 measure A approach and tightens legal language after review by the Mills Law Clinic at Stanford.

After public comment that included widespread support from surf, conservation and local business stakeholders, the board voted 5-0 to place the measure on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot and directed the elections office and county counsel to prepare ballot materials. Proponents said the update is designed to be legally durable and to expand the existing "blue wall" of local ordinances that previously helped block onshore facilities tied to federal offshore leasing.

ADU and county-code updates

Planning staff brought a comprehensive update to county rules on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to align local rules with recent state ADU laws and HCD guidance. The ordinance clarifies how many ADUs are allowed on a lot (two categories of state units under Government Code sections 66314 and 66323), updates parking and fire-sprinkler expectations, and explains how ADUs in the coastal zone will be processed. The board adopted the package and will submit the ordinance to the state Department of Housing and Community Development for formal compliance review.

Parks, safety and permitting

Parks staff presented a narrower but consequential change: rescoping the county's "skate-park" code into a new "action-sports" definition to cover pump tracks, bike parks and dirt jumps, prohibit motorized vehicles at those facilities, and require basic protective gear. Rob Tidmore said aligning county code with state liability protections requires signage and safety requirements; the board approved the ordinance on first reading.

Other routine business

The board accepted Coastal Commission modifications to several housing rezonings, confirmed multiple sewer and water service charge reports for County Service Areas, and adopted the county's annual code-update package after directing staff to preserve existing "large-dwelling" review references (county code language that triggers discretionary review for homes above certain sizes). Several code items were continued for a second reading with cross-reference corrections.

What happens next

- BHSA plan: staff will finalize and submit the certification paperwork to state regulators. - Measure Q grants: contracts and awards will move to execution; the board asked staff to return in August with a progress report and lessons learned from the inaugural funding cycle. - Offshore ordinance: the resolution calling the ballot measure will be finalized, and county elections staff will place the item on the Nov. 3 ballot. - ADUs and code amendments: adopted in concept and will be transmitted for required state reviews and coastal certification as applicable.

Representative quotes

"Good governance isn't defined by the room we are in," Chair Martinez said, opening the meeting. On the BHSA plan, Dr. Marty Sandival told the board: "The integrated plan was approved by the Department of Health Care Services on June 2nd," adding the plan emphasizes housing supports and culturally responsive early-intervention services. Katie Thompson of Save Our Shores said updating the 1986 local ordinance was necessary "as interest in offshore development continues to grow."

The board adjourned after a long day of public testimony and policy votes; budget hearings and follow-up meetings are scheduled through the week.