Funding Information
County Service Area (CSA) 38 provides a dedicated source of funding to support Sheriff's Office patrol services in the unincorporated areas of Santa Cruz County.
CSA 38 is funded through a portion of the property taxes collected within the service area. It is not a separate assessment or special tax that appears as an additional charge on a property tax bill. Instead, CSA 38 receives a designated share of the County's standard 1% property tax levy, as established under California property tax law.
CSA 38 revenues help fund patrol operations and related public safety services for residents living outside incorporated city limits. These funds support the personnel, equipment, vehicles, technology, training, and other resources needed to provide 24-hour law enforcement services throughout the unincorporated county.
Each year, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors reviews and approves the Sheriff's Office and CSA 38 budgets as part of the County's annual budget process. Current and prior-year budget documents, including information on CSA 38 funding and expenditures, are available on the County's Budget and Financial Reports webpage.