Santa Cruz County Supervisor, District 5

I was pleased to join the rest of the Board to approve the creation of a Santa Cruz County Youth Commission. The County is now accepting applications!

The Youth Commission will bring together 11 Santa Cruz County high school students, ages 14-18, to advise the Board of Supervisors on emerging issues impacting youth in our community. Members will provide input on policies and programs and serve as a bridge between youth and County government. To offset costs associated with participating, Commissioners receive a $75 stipend for each meeting they attend.

To ensure equitable representation across the County, each Board of Supervisor will appoint one commissioner from their district. The remaining six seats will be filled with at-large appointments with preference given to applicants from underrepresented communities (see here for more info). The goal is to create a diverse and inclusive commission that reflects the experiences and perspectives of youth across the County, including young people who may otherwise face barriers to civic participation.

The Youth Commission is not just an advisory body; it is an investment in our future. It amplifies the youth voice in government decision-making and provides young people with firsthand experience with local government, public service, and policymaking.

Apply here by May 31. Questions? Contact Elizabeth Padilla or call 831-454-3469. Learn more about other County Commissions, Committees, & Advisory Bodies.

This summer, I am joining Supervisor Hernandez to bring the Young Supervisors Academy (YSA) to District 5. The YSA is a two-week immersive program for young people to gain hands-on experience in government.

Participants will attend workshops on leadership development, meet with elected officials and department staff, tour County and community facilities, and engage in policy debate simulations. This is another great opportunity for youth in our district to learn about local government and how they can make a difference in their own communities and beyond.

The YSA program runs from June 16 to July 1, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend. Apply here by May 31.

A question I get asked a lot by young District 5 residents: “When will the Felton Pump Track be ready?!” So, I am happy to announce that construction is officially underway!

On April 24, I attended a groundbreaking ceremony with Santa Cruz County Parks and the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to celebrate this first-of-a-kind recreational space in the San Lorenzo Valley.

The pump track located at Felton Covered Bridge County Park will replace the underutilized volleyball court with a paved surface suitable for bikes, skateboards, scooters, and roller blades/skates. I am happy to support this fun outdoor activity for our district’s youth. Not only does it add a new recreational activity for families, but the pump track will also support healthy lifestyles and make our park even more welcoming for the next generation.

Thank you to Santa Cruz County Parks, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, and everyone who contributed to make this happen. The Felton Pump Track is expected to be completed by mid-summer. Learn more about the Felton Pump Track.

It was an honor to attend the 2026 Queer Youth Leaders Awards (QYLA) at Pajaro Valley High School to celebrate the courage and leadership of queer and trans youth in our community.

For nearly three decades, QYLA have been uplifting LGBTQ+ youth and recognizing the strength and resilience they bring to our schools and communities. This year, I had the privilege of being interviewed by a student about why representation is important. I appreciated the thoughtful conversation and opportunity to hear directly from young people.

What makes this event so special is that it does more than just celebrate achievement, it also creates visibility, belonging, and hope. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights and protections are increasingly under attack at the federal level, it’s important that we continue to foster environments where every young person feels safe, respected, and empowered to be themselves and thrive.

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of the QYLAs!

Supervisor Martinez joins third-grade "Watershed Rangers" from Boulder Creek Elementary at Junction Park.

This week, I had the pleasure of joining third-grade “Watershed Rangers” from Boulder Creek Elementary for a field trip to Junction Park to learn about the San Lorenzo River.

Watershed Rangers is a popular hands-on educational program brought to our schools by the Coastal Watershed Council. Unfortunately, limited funding often means that some classes miss out. To ensure that Boulder Creek Elementary students would be able to participate this year, I worked to allocate revenue from the County’s single-use cup tax to fund this programming.  

At last week’s field trip, I joined students as they experimented with measuring suspended solids in water, observed the plants and animals living in and around the river, and considered how humans might impact watershed health. The test results of these third graders may be a little questionable, but one thing was not: there are few better investments than in programming that helps create access to fun, tangible, science education for our district’s youth.

Read 2026 meeting agendas here as they become available. Upcoming meetings will take place at 9 a.m. until their conclusion on:

• May 19 (Government Center Community Room, 701 Ocean Street, Room 020, Santa Cruz) 
  
  
• June 9 (Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Top Floor, Santa Cruz)

Budget Hearings:

• June 10 (South County Government Center, 500 Westridge Drive, Community Room, Watsonville)
  
  
• June 11 (Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Top Floor, Santa Cruz) 
  
  
• June 24 (Government Center, 701 Ocean Street, Top Floor, Santa Cruz)