Scotts Valley Approves Youth Civic Engagement Program

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Scotts Valley City Council has approved a new youth liaison program in partnership with United Way, which will provide stipends for two high school students to work directly with councilmembers on local issues. The council also expanded the city's ability to create no-parking zones and heard a detailed 2025 police report highlighting increased traffic stops, renewed K-9 service, and e-bike safety outreach in local schools.

Why it matters

This new youth civic engagement program aims to give local teenagers a direct voice in city government and a hands-on role in addressing community concerns. It reflects a growing trend of cities seeking to better connect with and empower their younger residents.

The details

Under the new program, Scotts Valley will fund stipends for two high school students to serve as youth liaisons, working alongside city council members on a range of local issues and initiatives. The goal is to provide teenagers with meaningful civic experience and a platform to share their perspectives on community priorities. In addition to the youth program, the council also took steps to expand the city's ability to establish no-parking zones and reviewed the 2025 police report, which highlighted increased traffic enforcement, the return of K-9 units, and new outreach efforts around e-bike safety in local schools.

• The Scotts Valley City Council approved the new youth liaison program at its meeting on April 12, 2026.
• The 2025 police report reviewed by the council covered the previous calendar year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city will begin accepting applications from Scotts Valley high school students interested in serving as youth liaisons in the coming weeks, with the program set to launch in the fall of 2026.