Board approves jail staffing and a special‑deputy contract; discusses chamber agreement and quarterly reporting

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors took several action items on April 1, approving budgeted staffing at the county jail, authorizing a contracted special deputy for litigation, and discussing future reporting and collaboration with the Nogales‑Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce.

When the board convened as the jail district, supervisors approved a motion to fill five vacant detention‑officer positions that staff confirmed are budgeted. The motion passed on a voice vote.

Later the board approved a contract to retain a special deputy attorney through the Center for Rural American Justice for litigation in a pending criminal case, at a cost cited in the agenda as $15,000. County legal staff said the contract addresses capacity gaps after a deputy county attorney left the office.

The board also discussed direction regarding the county’s services agreement with the Nogales‑Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce. The agreement, signed in 2023, included one year of funding with four renewals; board members said they want greater transparency and a proposal process for nonprofit funding tied to quarterly reporting. Olivia Kramer, who the board identified as a chamber representative, told the supervisors the chamber has been submitting a quarterly report per the contract and is willing to come to the board quarterly to present its activities.

The board approved the consent agenda items 1–17 and then adjourned.