Santa Cruz County Municipal Code Ch. 2.127 Youth Commission

The Youth Commission is established under the authority of Government Code Section 31000.1, and in compliance with SCCC § 2.38.060.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)

The purpose of the Youth Commission is to provide a voice for youth in the decisions and policies of government agencies that affect the lives of young people and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors on matters pertaining to youth.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)

The Youth Commission shall be composed of 11 high school students, ages 14—18 years old, appointed as follows:

(A) Each member of the Board of Supervisors shall appoint one youth representative who may reside within the Supervisor's district.

(B) In addition to the five members outlined in subsection (A) of this section, the Chair of the Board of Supervisors shall appoint six at-large members, with a preference for one person each representing the following stakeholder groups:

(1) Persons of color;

(2) Persons with a physical or learning disability;

(3) Persons living in the unincorporated area or a rural area;

(4) Persons with an immigrant and/or farmworker family background;

(5) Persons who identify as low-income; and

(6) Persons who identify as LGBTQ+.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)

A member appointed pursuant to the provisions of SCCC § 2.127.030 shall serve on the Commission for a term of one year, with the option to serve an additional one-year term as long as the second year would not include their 19th birthday. This provision for term of office constitutes an exception to SCCC § 2.38.100.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)

(A) General Organization. The Commission shall comply in all respects with SCCC §§ 2.38.110 through 2.38.250 unless otherwise provided herein.

(B) Quorum. A majority of the membership of the Commission shall constitute a quorum, and no act of the Commission shall be valid unless at least a majority of those members constituting a quorum concur therein, consistent with SCCC § 2.38.150.

(C) Support Staff. The County Executive Office shall provide support to the Commission.

(D) Meetings. The Commission shall meet once a month from August through June of the school year in various locations throughout the County. Other meetings may be scheduled as determined by the Commission.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)

The Youth Commission shall exercise the following responsibilities in achieving its purpose:

(A) Advise the Board of Supervisors on matters pertaining to the youth population;

(B) Identify current and emerging issues that impact youth and propose actions that address those issues;

(C) Analyze policies and programs that impact youth in Santa Cruz County;

(D) Provide informed advice to local policy makers on youth-related issues;

(E) Recommend positive policy changes that make Santa Cruz County a better place for young people to grow up;

(F) Serve as a voice for youth of Santa Cruz County but also strive to bring the voices of all community youth to the table through collecting data on youth issues and opinions;

(G) Bring youth and adults from the county together and improve youth-adult partnerships through training, support and technical assistance;

(H) Support community service activities throughout the county;

(I) Collaborate with other youth commissions and advisory bodies in Santa Cruz County to propose recommendations across various policy issues impacting the youth population; and

(J) Incorporate the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all decision-making.

(Ord. 5511, 4/14/2026)