San Mateo County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Mateo County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
County Charter Review Committee Formation
The county convened its mandatory eight-year Charter Review Committee, appointing 19 members to evaluate potential county governance changes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.