New SV Public Works Director • Visit SC County’s Maggie Ivy To Retire • UC Tuition Hike Starts Fall 2022 • Santa Cruz County Jobs

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www.bigotires.com New SV Public Works Director

Chris Lamm is the new public works director/city engineer for the city of Scotts Valley. He starts Aug. 9.

He comes from the City of Menlo Park where he was assistant public works director and managed the land development, utilities and capital improvement divisions.

He oversaw the rebuilding of the city’s capital improvement program, an update Chris Lammto the Urban Water Management Plan and fiscal sustainability measures for the municipal water utility.

In Scotts Valley, he will oversee engineering, recreation, wastewater treatment, the capital improvement program and maintenance of streets, parks and facilities.

A licensed civil engineer with experience in the private and public sectors, Lamm earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Santa Clara University in 2002.

He lives in Scotts Valley and has been involved with the Silicon Valley chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a fundraising participant and triathlon coach for Team in Training.

“The City is exceptionally fortunate to have found Chris,” said City Manager Tina Friend, “He has the experience and skills to take the City forward, especially in these challenging times. Chris will bring new energy and vision to the delivery of public services that are so critical to our community’s quality-of-life.”

Lamm succeeds Daryl Jordan, who departed after three years and recently became public works director in Gilroy. Scott Hamby, who spent 25 years with the city of Scotts Valley, the last four as public works director, has been filling in on an interim basis. •••

Visit SC County’s Maggie Ivy To Retire

After 26 years, Maggie Ivy, CEO and executive vice president of Visit Santa Cruz County, has announced she plans to retire Nov. 12.

Ivy, 58, of Aptos, told the 25-member Board of Directors in July.

“It is time for me to begin the next chapter of my life and to make way for new leadership to guide and support our local tourism industry,” she said. Her leadership — establishing a countywide tourism marketing district in 2010 with an assessment on hotel rooms and vacation rentals, provided resources for promotional programs and grew the budget for tourist promotion by 500 percent.

The assessment supported by the lodging industry was recently renewed for

Maggie Ivy

seven more years by elected city and county officials, leaving Visit Santa Cruz County in a strong financial position, according to Visit Santa Cruz County. Careful oversight of resources by Board of Directors and staff has ensured maintenance of a healthy reserve.

•••

UC Tuition Hike Starts Fall 2022

On July 22, the University of California Board of Regents approved a five-year tuition hike that will take effect for incoming students in fall 2022. The vote was 17-5.

Each incoming undergraduate class will be charged a higher rate every year based on inflation, then keeps it flat for six years. A previous version would have kept those increases going forever.

Currently California residents pay $11,442 per year for tuition, with mandatory and campus fees bringing the total to just over $14,000.

The tuition increase is projected to be $540.

Annual tuition hikes are to be capped at 5 percent.

The policy does not apply to non-resident students from other states or international students who pay nearly $44,000 a year.

All graduate students will be affected by the tuition hike, not just incoming students.

UC officials projected a $694 million shortfall by 2026-2027 unless tuition were increased.

According to UC, 55 percent of UC undergrads — from low- and middle-income families — have their tuition and fees fully covered by state, federal and university financial aid. A third of the revenue from higher tuition is to go intofinancial,accordingtoUCstaff.

After five years, the Regents will have to re-authorize tuition hikes.

The state provided 80 percent of the funds for the UC system in the 1980s. Last year it was 41 percent, with tuition and fees providing 38 percent. •••

Santa Cruz County Jobs

Report posted July 16

June unemployment 6.9%

Sector June 2021 Change from a year ago Leisure & hospitality 10,000 Up 800 Trade/Transportation/ 16,100 Up 800 Utilities Manufacturing 7,200 Up 500 Other services 4,900 Up 500 Private education & Health 17,100 Up 400 Professional & 10,500 Up 200 Business Services Construction 4,500 No change

Financial 3,100 No change

Information 500 No change

Government 19,400 Down 300

Nonfarm 92,400 Up 2,900

Farm 12,100 Up 1,400

Total 105,400 Up 4,300

Labor Force 134,300 No change

Employed

125,100 Up 6% Unemployed 9,200 Down 44%

Count is on the 12th of the month.

Sources: California Employment Development Department n