It has been an exciting first month as your County Supervisor for the Fifth District. After being officially sworn in on Dec. 23 by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, I took office on Jan. 6 and was symbolically sworn in during a community celebration on Jan. 12 at Roaring Camp Railroads.
Since then, we have gotten right to work, diving in on the complex local issues facing the County, not to mention the concerns shared by many regarding the recent fire at a battery storage facility in northern Monterey County, as well as the federal administration’s policies targeting the LGBTQ+ community, women’s reproductive rights and diversity programs.
On Jan. 28, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support my request to reaffirm the County’s commitment to protect women and the LGBTQ+ community amid harmful federal policies and proposals, and to direct the County Administrative Officer (CAO) to safeguard services and ensure timely responses.
The Board-approved resolution directs the CAO “to work with County departments and community partners to identify opportunities and resources to ensure LGBTQ+ individuals and women continued access to the services they need to lead healthy, happy lives, free of fear of retaliation or discrimination” and to identify any state or federal policies that would interfere or jeopardize related funding.
The Board’s action comes as the President has issued executive orders targeting members of the transgender, non-binary and immigrant communities, as well as sought to defund diversity education and training programs. The resolution directs the CAO to bring recommended actions to the Board of Supervisors—including requesting a special meeting of the Board if necessary—to combat efforts that conflict with the County’s commitments. The County also has established a webpage—santacruzcountyca.gov/sanctuary—dedicated to providing information and resources for communities directly impacted by recent federal policy actions and statements.
Also on Jan. 28, the Board of Supervisors received a response and recovery report from our County staff, as well as representatives of Monterey County and Vistra Corp., the company that operates the battery storage operation that caught fire on Jan. 16. Our Board unanimously voted to request an independent investigation by the California Public Utilities Commission and an evaluation of similar storage projects in the state.
The Board also approved a process for appointing members of the new Citizens Oversight Advisory Board related to the Water, Wildfire and Wildlife Protection Act, also known as Measure Q, which County voters passed in November 2024. Each member of the Board will nominate up to three candidates during the March 11 Board meeting and appoint one person each during the March 25 meeting. To review qualifications and apply, visit the County’s Measure Q page at santacruzcountyca.gov/MeasureQ.
Residents interested in getting more involved generally in community service can also apply for a seat on more than two dozen other County commissions and committees whose members are appointed by the Board to provide guidance on an array of important topics, including parks, arts, housing and the environment. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the County’s website and apply by March 15.
On a final note, I am pleased to announce that Rae Spencer Hill, a San Lorenzo Valley native and Spanish-speaking paralegal with deep ties to our community, has joined J.M. Brown, who has served as Fifth District staff for nearly seven years, to ensure continuity and connection. Together, we are committed to being responsive and approachable.
That includes regular in-district office hours. To kick things off, please join us at any of the dates and times below:
- March 3, 3:30-5pm, Felton Office, 6062 Graham Hill Road, Suite A & B;
- March 17, 3:30-5pm, Boulder Creek Sheriff’s Substation, 13210 Central Ave.; and
- April 14, 3:30-5pm, Scotts Valley Library Community Room, 251 Kings Village Road.
I also want to let you know about the other governing bodies I have joined this year in an effort to best represent our District’s needs, including the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, the METRO Board of Trustees, the Santa Margarita Groundwater Management Agency Board, and the Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board.
Please be in touch with my office at fi************@sa***************.gov or call 831-454-2200.
Monica Martinez 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.
