San Mateo County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Mateo County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Coastside Health Center Healthcare Access and Lab Services
The Board will consider directing County Health to create a 90-day roadmap allowing the Coastside Health Center to accept commercial insurance and establish a local lab specimen collection program. This aims to improve local healthcare access for residents regardless of insurance type.
Cypress Point Affordable Housing Project Sewer Lateral Covenant
Supervisors will review an agreement regarding the sewer lateral needed to support the Cypress Point Affordable Housing Project in Moss Beach.
Redistricting Commission
San Mateo County voters are weighing in on Measure U to decide how local political boundaries and the redistricting commission are managed. This vote is your chance to directly influence how future local representation and district lines get drawn.
Data Center Zoning Regulations
The board directed planning staff to study zoning regulations and potential bans on new data center construction in unincorporated areas to address energy and water demands.
Coastal Traffic Enforcement and Safety
The board approved Measure K funding for enhanced California Highway Patrol enforcement on coastal highways to address reckless driving and traffic hazards.
El Niño Emergency Preparedness
The county proclaimed a local emergency for the upcoming El Niño season to establish an interdepartmental response task force and prepare for severe weather.
Inclusionary Housing Zoning Updates
The county adopted an amended housing element and rezoning ordinances to comply with state law, upzoning parcels in Colma and other areas to add high-density housing capacity and avoid state penalties.
Farm Labor Housing Water Systems and Wells Regulation
Environmental Health is introducing updated ordinances to establish ongoing water quality monitoring for unmonitored farm labor housing water systems after previous tests found e. coli presence.
Sheriff's Office Budget Deficit and Overtime Oversight
Public commenters and community representatives urged the board to establish an ongoing Inspector General for the Sheriff's Office to ensure accountability and rebuild public trust.
Regional Transit Measure and Election Consolidation
The board called a special election for a regional transit measure to be consolidated with the November 2026 general election.
FY 2026-27 Final Budget Revisions and Vehicle License Fee Shortfall
The county faces a massive vehicle license fee shortfall of over $226 million for next year, threatening essential county services and local municipal budgets.
Autonomous Robot Ordinance Implementation and Regional Competitiveness
The county is introducing a new ordinance to regulate autonomous delivery and service robots, establishing permits, safety shutdown switches, hazard fees, and worker displacement protections.
Regional Firefighting Training Center Feasibility Study
The county directed staff to work with local fire agencies and Cal Fire to explore establishing a joint regional fire training center.
Prohibition of Immigration Detention Facilities
The county moved to block the construction or conversion of immigration detention facilities in unincorporated areas, partnering regionally to protect community safety and health.
Shared Prosperity Action Plan and Economic Mobility
The board reviewed a comprehensive study session on economic mobility, income disparities, and regional strategies to support working families.
Horizon Palm Recovery Center Siting and Funding
The county is moving forward with placing a 69-bed behavioral health and recovery center at 826 Mahler Road in Burlingame, aiming to address regional addiction treatment needs while navigating community concerns and site feasibility.
Caltrain Structural Deficit and Financial Challenges
Caltrain officials briefed the board on severe operating deficits and warned that without long-term funding, future service reductions could occur.
Affordable Housing Fund Round 14 Commitments
The board approved multiple funding allocations using Measure K reserves to support permanent supportive housing projects like Casa Esperanza and 721 Airport, alongside mobilehome resident loans.
Electric Micromobility Regulations
Following numerous accidents and community advocacy, the county introduced an ordinance regulating e-bikes, setting speed limits on sidewalks and creating educational diversion programs for youth.
Public Infrastructure and Facility Improvements
Several contracts and fund transfers were approved for paving projects, park improvements, facility maintenance, and building remodels across the county.
County Acquisition of 1065 E. Hillsdale Boulevard
The county is purchasing an office building in Foster City for $29 million to house health and human services programs, aiming to save millions in rent. However, local residents and city officials pushed back, arguing the process was rushed, lacked proper community input, and could negatively impact local traffic and economic development.
Fifth Supervisorial District Special Election
The board called a special election to fill the upcoming vacancy in the Fifth Supervisorial District following Supervisor David Canepa's resignation.
Design Review and Zoning Regulations Update
The county updated its zoning regulations and design review process to establish objective standards, streamline Bayside permits, and add bird-friendly window treatments and lighting rules.
Immigrant Legal Services Funding
The board approved $5.87 million in Measure K funding for the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County to provide affirmative, rapid response, and removal defense legal services.
Juvenile Justice Prevention and Reentry Services
The county approved twelve contracts totaling over $14.3 million with community-based organizations to provide youth prevention, intervention, and reentry services.
Behavioral Health Services Act Three-Year Plan
The board approved a major funding increase for Our Common Ground, Inc. to provide expanded substance use treatment, detox, and contingency management services under CalAim payment reforms.
San Mateo County Childcare Central Initiative
The county launched a $10 million initiative to create a one-stop childcare navigation hub and a Tri-Share subsidy program to help working families struggling with high infant and child care costs.
County Staffing Vacancies and Recruitment Challenges
County HR reported a 12% vacancy rate across county departments, highlighting severe staffing shortages in public safety communications and probation departments that lead to heavy overtime.
Proposed Local Transactions and Use Tax Increase
The board voted to sponsor legislation allowing a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund essential local services and community needs.
County Charter Review Committee Formation
The county convened its mandatory eight-year Charter Review Committee, appointing 19 members to evaluate potential county governance changes.
Jail Communications and Physical Mail Restrictions
Dozens of residents and advocates testified against the county jail's contract with a Florida-based digital scanning service, demanding the return of physical mail.
Kratom and 7-OH Sales Ban
The board introduced an ordinance to ban the sale and distribution of kratom and synthetic 7-OH products in unincorporated areas to combat addiction and protect youth from harmful substances.
FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan & Federal Funding
The board approved federal HUD entitlement allocations and local program funding for housing rehabilitation, public services, and homeless support.
Potential Acquisition of Burlingame Property for Sobering and Detox Center
The county is exploring the purchase of a 2-acre commercial property on Bayshore Highway and Mahler Road in Burlingame for $13 million to potentially house a sobering center and other county offices, offering an alternative to a disputed site in San Mateo.
Unpermitted Agricultural Structures Appeal in San Gregorio
Neighbors and a local rancher clashed over an unpermitted cargo container storage building and pond on Madera Lane. The board voted to delay the decision for 60 days to verify facts and send parties to mediation.
Establishment of Maternal Health Trust Fund
The board created a new trust fund to receive philanthropic donations and support maternal health awareness, particularly addressing disparities affecting Black and Latina mothers.
Coyote Point Playground Replacement Project
The county approved a $3.8 million contract with McGuire and Hester to overhaul the heavily used Coyote Point playground with inclusive design features by the end of the year.
Legislative Subcommittee Appointments
The board reviewed state and federal legislative priorities and debated the cost, value, and effectiveness of county-retained lobbying firms. Supervisors agreed to form a subcommittee to examine advocacy practices and modernize how legislative positions are tracked.
Measure K Community Grant Allocations
San Mateo County is facing a potential $120 million loss due to state Vehicle License Fee policies that treat the county differently than most others in California. Supervisors discussed how this shortfall threatens local safety net programs, nonprofits, and services for vulnerable residents.
Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services Funding
The board approved a major funding increase for Our Common Ground, Inc. to provide expanded substance use treatment, detox, and contingency management services under CalAim payment reforms.
State and Federal Legislative Advocacy and Lobbying Oversight
The board reviewed state and federal legislative priorities and debated the cost, value, and effectiveness of county-retained lobbying firms. Supervisors agreed to form a subcommittee to examine advocacy practices and modernize how legislative positions are tracked.
Senior Homelessness Crisis
Data reveals that senior citizens (aged 55 and older) comprise roughly 63% of the county's unhoused population, highlighting an urgent need for specialized permanent supportive housing and shelter options.
Electronic Health Record Expansion (Epic Mosaic)
County Health is expanding its Epic electronic health record system across specialty divisions with multi-million dollar contract amendments and 35 new permanent staff positions to streamline care and billing.
Law Enforcement Data Sharing Software Integration
The county is investing over $3.3 million in Peregrine Technologies software to connect data across all local police departments and the sheriff's office, improving multi-agency investigations and situational awareness.
International Child Abduction and Protective Orders
A resident testified about the international abduction of his infant daughter in violation of county protective orders and travel bans, urging the board and local agencies to take stronger enforcement and assistance measures.
Daly City Drainage and Flooding Mitigation
Residents highlighted recent severe flooding in Daly City caused by century-old drainage systems that have not received major upgrades since 1890. Speakers urged the county to show empathy and support mitigation efforts for impacted neighborhoods.