NRG Firewise Community,
Thank you to everyone who joined us on August 11 to hear Supervisor Manu Koenig’s update on the state of our roads. His presentation helped clarify which roads are funded and scheduled for repairs, which are not, and what the County, State, and Federal governments are responsible for.
Please take the time to watch the presentation and review the slides below. The more informed we are as a community, the stronger our voice will be.
We all know what is at stake. During a wildfire evacuation, our damaged one-lane sections could become dangerous bottlenecks for residents trying to evacuate while fire engines and emergency vehicles are trying to get in. We need roads we can rely on when every minute counts.
That is why we are working on a citizen-led road-funding initiative that could finally provide a reliable, long-term source of funding for Santa Cruz County roads — without raising taxes.
The proposal would dedicate 10% of existing local tax revenue to roads, providing approximately $20 million every year for road repairs and maintenance (compared to $2 million that we currently receive).
We are also working on language that would give greater priority to roads that historically served as two-lane thoroughfares but have been reduced to one lane because of erosion, storm damage, or road failure. The goal is not to widen roads that were designed as one-lane roads. It is to restore critical two-lane evacuation routes that have deteriorated into dangerous chokepoints.
But this will not happen unless residents step up.
We need volunteers to help gather signatures from Santa Cruz County voters.
We need donations to fund the campaign.
We need residents willing to attend Board of Supervisors meetings and make sure road safety remains a priority.
If everyone assumes someone else will do it, nothing will change. If enough of us participate, we have a real opportunity to create permanent funding for safer, better-maintained roads throughout Santa Cruz County.
Please let me know how you can help — gathering signatures, donating, attending meetings, or helping organize the campaign.
This is about more than fixing potholes. It is about making sure our families and neighbors have a safe way out during an emergency.
Watch the August 11 State of the Roads Meeting
YouTube: North Rodeo Gulch State of the Road 8/11/26
Review Supervisor Koenig’s Slides
Thank you for being part of a community that is willing to work together to protect one another.
Susan
Susan