The County of Santa Cruz is seeking applicants for the 2026–27 Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury, a volunteer panel that reviews local government operations and issues public reports with recommendations for improvement.
Civil grand juries serve as independent watchdogs over local government. Applications are open through April 28 for the 19-member jury, whose members typically volunteer 10 to 20 hours per week. Jurors receive a modest per diem and mileage reimbursement.
The recruitment effort coincides with a proclamation by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors declaring March 2026 Civil Grand Jury Awareness Month to recognize residents who volunteer to serve on the panel.
Civil grand jurors examine how local government agencies serve the public, consider community concerns and publish findings intended to improve transparency and accountability.
People interested in applying can submit applications through the court’s online NEOGOV portal. Assistance is available by emailing [email protected].
The court will also host two public information sessions for prospective applicants. An in-person session is scheduled for April 2 at 12:30 p.m. at the Education Annex Conference Room, 399 Encinal St., Santa Cruz.
A second session will be held online via Zoom on April 3 at 12:30 p.m.
The 2024–25 Civil Grand Jury addressed a range of issues affecting local government and public services, among them the longstanding concerns about the county’s building permit system, examining delays and complexity in the approval process and recommending improvements to make permitting clearer and more efficient for applicants.
Another report last year examined how climate action programs are communicated to residents in Santa Cruz County and found that public outreach about greenhouse-gas reduction goals and related policies was limited, recommending expanded education efforts and clearer communication with residents.
Another report concluded that human trafficking in the county is often underrecognized and underreported. Jurors recommended stronger coordination among local agencies, improved training and broader public awareness campaigns to help identify and prevent trafficking.
The jury also reviewed arrest and transportation practices by the Watsonville Police Department, focusing on whether some handcuffing and transport procedures could be adjusted to reduce potential trauma for detainees.