During the past 12 years, as your Fifth District Supervisor covering Scotts Valley and the San Lorenzo Valley, it has been my honor to represent you in county government.
This District and all of Santa Cruz County look much different now than when I took office in January 2013. Still recovering from the Great Recession, we needed key strategies for protecting water resources, addressing climate change, adding affordable housing stock, and improving our transportation, libraries and parks systems.
After working to address those issues during my first two terms, my third term began in 2020 with the Covid-19 pandemic and the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, to be followed by a series of severe atmospheric river storms that caused millions of dollars in infrastructure damage. To say the least, there has been no shortage of opportunities to solve problems, both historic and emerging.
Because of these challenges, I can easily say that serving as your County Supervisor has been the most rewarding job of my 25-year career in public service, including my time as California’s Secretary of State and as a member of both the state Assembly and Senate. What stands out most when I reflect on my time as Supervisor is the necessity of collaboration to get meaningful things accomplished.
I cannot overstate the importance of good relationships with our state and federal partners, and I’m proud of the work our Board of Supervisors has done in partnership with County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios to maintain strong fiscal health and respond to multiple disasters and year after year of state mandates.
First, let me point to Central Coast Community Energy, which my office began exploring in 2013 as the first tri-county community choice energy agency in California. Known then as Monterey Bay Community Power, the organization has since grown into 35 member agencies across five counties and is a hallmark strategy of climate-action plans regionally.
Another example is the Santa Margarita Groundwater Management Agency, which required close cooperation between the County, the Scotts Valley and San Lorenzo Valley water districts, private well owners, and the cities of Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz. That work resulted in a state-approved plan to restore and maintain the health of our Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin.
Furthermore, with the passage of Measure S in 2014, the County was able to build a brand-new Felton Branch Library and invest significantly in renovations of the Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek branches. Community support for Measure D in 2016 created a first-ever dedicated local funding source to improve roads in the unincorporated areas, plan for active transportation networks, and lay the groundwork to reimagine our rail corridor.
Through the leadership of the Regional Transportation Commission, we will transform the busiest parts of Highway 9 through the SLV Complete Streets Plan by improving the stretch between the combined SLV school campuses to downtown Felton (2025), as well as in downtown Boulder Creek (2028). We also partnered with the RTC and City of Scotts Valley on improvements to the Mount Hermon Road and Scotts Valley Drive intersection, as well as with METRO to support enhancements to the Cavallaro Transit Center on Kings Village Drive.
Other highlights include playing key roles in improving accessory dwelling unit rules and establishing a tiny homes ordinance; stabilizing the Big Basin Water Company; consolidating Lompico Water with San Lorenzo Valley Water District; and planning alternative emergency evacuation routes for Lompico Canyon. We also worked to re-establish the County Parks Department, support the creation of Felton Discovery Park, and provide funding for improvements to the Senior Center at Highlands Park and the Boulder Creek Rec and Park District’s purchase of the Bear Creek Community Center.
As I prepare to turn this office over to Supervisor-elect Monica Martinez, who will be sworn in on Dec. 23 and take office on Jan. 6, I want to thank all of the community members, elected officials and government staff who have worked with my office on the above initiatives and many more.
I’ll close by remembering Mary Hammer, whose life we will celebrate during a memorial service Dec. 21. Her work as a founder of the Valley Women’s Club and Mountain Community Resources in the areas of disaster response, social services and environmental protection serves as an example for all of us to care for our neighbors and serve our community when called.
Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to do just that, and I wish you all a happy holiday season and the best in 2025 and beyond.
Bruce McPherson is the Fifth District Supervisor for the County of Santa Cruz, including the San Lorenzo Valley and parts of the cities of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley. His views are his own and not necessarily those of the Press Banner.
