Santa Clara County officials could further restrict residents’ already limited opportunity to make their voices heard at meetings. Otto Lee, president of the Board of Supervisors, plans to implement a new rule for public comment, a portion of government meetings where residents can speak directly to supervisors at a podium. Comments on issues that aren’t on the agenda...
Silicon Valley officials limit public expression
Audiences at Silicon Valley government meetings are running into an increasingly common rule: no applause. Local governing bodies like the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and San Jose City Council are telling people to avoid cheering or booing other speakers during public comments before major votes. The rule comes up when large crowds show up to...
What happens to South County firefighters as district dissolves?
A fight over fire response in South County has sparked threats of service disruptions and put firefighter jobs in flux. Citing years of financial struggle and fragmented emergency response, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Jan. 14 to begin dissolving the fiscally insolvent South County Fire District. The decision will end an...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County artificial turf ban fails to move forward
A potential artificial turf ban in Santa Clara County is in stasis as officials have failed to come to a consensus. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors was unable to agree on how to limit artificial turf on county fields at its Tuesday meeting. The board rejected a total ban with a 2-3 vote,...
Santa Clara County housing plans approved by state
Santa Clara County’s state-mandated housing plans have been approved — nearly two years after the deadline. The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to approve the county’s housing element, which details how officials plan to meet state housing goals over the next eight years to account for population growth and other community needs. The California...
Santa Clara County weighs raising campaign donation limits
Santa Clara County supervisors could relax restrictions on how much they can raise for their reelection campaigns. The issue sparked a 30-minute debate at the Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday about whether a higher ceiling for candidate fundraising would help or hurt poorer people’s chances of winning elected county office. For 30 years, county supervisor...
Santa Clara County increases funding for children and family services
Santa Clara County has increased its commitment to the well-being of children and families. Despite a shortfall, the county bumped up its Children’s Budget by 9.1% mid-year to $1.29 billion, ensuring a focus on critically needed services. The county is contributing $260.9 million from its general fund, with federal, state and other non-county funding offsetting...
Santa Clara County wants tourism to save iconic farmlands
Fruit picking, wine tasting and weddings — Silicon Valley leaders want to preserve the romance of their farmlands through tourism as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” gives way to strip malls and tech campuses. The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously moved forward with the idea of creating an economic development office...
Santa Clara County concealed carry permits will cost more
Santa Clara County gun owners will have to pay more for concealed carry weapons licenses — and threats of lawsuits are already rolling in. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved Sheriff Bob Jonsen’s proposal to hike the fees for new civilian licenses from $662 to $976. The standard renewal required every two years...
Santa Clara County CARE program begins mental health treatment
As the sweeping promises of a new behavioral health court take shape slower than expected across California, Santa Clara County is one of the last to roll it out. A new civil court process known as the CARE Program — or CARE Court — allows anyone from a family member to a first responder to...