Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) County of Santa Barbara 09_03_26

Amendments to Commissioner Handbook and Conflict of Interest Code

• Staff proposed amendments to the Conflict of Interest Code to comply with state law and reflect organizational changes.
• The changes include adding the "Senior Analyst" position as a designated filer for Form 700 and reaffirming online filing options.
• Commissioners sought clarification on the justification for the new position and the timeline for assuming office statements.
• The motion to approve the amendments passed unanimously.

Resolution and MOU with Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA)

• Staff reported that SDRMA updated its agreements to meet industry standards, requiring participating members to update their Memorandums of Understanding.
• The update is necessary to retain ancillary health benefits and workers' compensation services.
• Staff noted the action is administrative and does not constitute a project under CEQA guidelines.
• The motion to approve the staff recommendation passed unanimously.

Status Report on Municipal Service Review (MSR) Program

• Staff presented a status report on the MSR program covering police, fire, and EMS services for 12 agencies, noting that Isla Vista CSD SOI adoption is deferred until reviews conclude.
• Recommendations for Buellton, Santa Maria, and Lompoc were to defer SOI amendments until formal applications or development approvals are received.
• For Solvang, staff noted the City Council directed a boundary application, while a letter from the City Manager requested broader study areas including potential removal of eastern portions.
• Staff proposed amending the SOI for a Hollister Avenue segment to clarify fire service responsibilities and formally acknowledge past detachments from the County Fire Protection District.

Status Report on SALT Grant

• Staff provided an update on the SALT grant program, noting the policy review is approximately 85% complete and mapping is focused on a 1.75-mile radius outside five specific cities.
• Commissioners expressed concern about the limited scope of the mapping and suggested including other areas or unincorporated townships.
• A public comment requested that Isla Vista incorporation be placed on a future agenda to ensure transparent community participation.
• Staff clarified that a future agenda item covering the status of incorporation efforts for Isla Vista and La Prisima is anticipated for November or December.

Cal LAFCO Update

• Staff informed the Commission that the Cal LAFCO Board directed a bylaws change scheduled for a vote at the October annual conference.
• The Executive Officer is the voting delegate, with Commissioner Johnson serving as the alternate delegate.
• Staff offered to place a placeholder on the October agenda if the Commission wishes to provide direction on the bylaws vote.

Commissioner Announcements and Future Agenda Items

• Commissioners discussed the topic of commissioner stipends, with suggestions to align any review with the budget process and compare history with other LAFCOs.
• A straw poll identified three commissioners interested in exploring the topic, leading to a recommendation to proceed within the context of the upcoming budget.
• It was agreed that the topic would not be placed on the immediate future agenda but might be revisited closer to the budget cycle.

• Meeting Date: September 3, 2026 Body: Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)

1. Approval of Minutes (August 6, 2026)

• Discussion: No public comment was received.
• Motion: A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

2. General Public Comment

• Discussion: No members of the public requested to speak on items not on the agenda.

3. Approval of Consent Calendar

• Discussion: No commissioners requested to pull any items from the calendar, and no public comment was received.
• Motion: A motion to approve the consent calendar was made and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

4. Business Item 1: Amendments to Commissioner Handbook and Conflict of Interest Code

• Discussion: Staff presented a resolution to amend the Commission’s Conflict of Interest Code to comply with state law requirements and reflect recent organizational changes. The proposed amendments include adding the position of "Senior Analyst" as a designated position required to file Form 700 and reaffirming that designated employees may file statements online via the e-disclosure system. Staff clarified that the biennial review notice from the County of Santa Barbara is due in October, while individual Form 700 filings remain due in April. Commissioners asked for clarification on the justification for the new position and the timeline for assuming office statements.
• Motion: A motion for approval was made and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

5. Business Item 2: Resolution and MOU with Special District Risk Management Authority (SDRMA)

• Discussion: Staff reported that LAFCO is enrolled with SDRMA for ancillary health benefits (vision and dental) and workers' compensation. SDRMA has updated its agreements to meet industry standards and requested that participating members update their Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to retain services. Staff noted that the proposed actions are administrative and do not constitute a project under CEQA guidelines.
• Motion: A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded.
• Outcome: The motion passed unanimously.

6. Information Item 1: Status Report on Municipal Service Review (MSR) Program

• Discussion: Staff presented a status report on the MSR program, which began in February 2026 and covers police, fire, and EMS services for 12 agencies. Staff corrected a previous report stating that Isla Vista CSD would receive an updated Sphere of Influence (SOI) at this time; instead, SOI adoption for IV CSD is deferred until all service reviews are concluded.
• Buellton: Staff evaluated three sites north and east of city limits for potential future annexation/housing growth. The recommendation is to defer SOI amendments and allow the city to apply for a formal SOI change when annexation is anticipated.
• Santa Maria: Staff evaluated a site for mixed development. The recommendation is to defer SOI amendments and wait for a formal application from the city, which is anticipated in the near future.
• Lompoc: Staff evaluated the Bodger Meadows project. The recommendation is to defer SOI amendments until the development is approved, allowing for a concurrent application.
• Solvang: Staff evaluated areas for a master plan community and expansion near Alice Hall Ranch. The City of Solvang requested broader study areas, including potential removal of eastern portions (Janet Acres and Coyle Ridge) and expansion westward. Staff noted the City Council recently directed staff to seek a boundary application.
• Santa Barbara/County Fire: Staff proposed amending the SOI for a Hollister Avenue right-of-way segment in front of the airport to clarify fire service responsibilities and set the stage for future annexation by the County Fire Protection District. Staff explained that past annexations into the city were intended to detach these areas from the fire district, but formal records were lacking; this MSR adoption would formally acknowledge the detachment.
• Public Comment: Rafael Castillo, Community Development Director for the City of Solvang, read a letter from the City Manager into the record. The letter requested that LAFCO consider a broader range of SOI study areas, including expansion westward, retention of the Alice Hall Ranch area, evaluation of areas north and southeast of the city, and analysis of removing eastern portions of the current SOI. The letter emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of future growth, housing mandates, and the preservation of the San Ynez Valley’s character, including the implementation of a funded greenbelt. Commissioner Hartman expressed support for the greenbelt concept.
• Process: Staff outlined the public notice requirements for SOI amendments, noting that because the affected population exceeds 1,000, newspaper notice is sufficient. Staff indicated the public review draft is expected in late October/November, with adoption likely in December.
• Outcome: No motion was taken as this was an informational item.

7. Information Item 2: Status Report on SALT Grant

• Discussion: Staff provided an update on the two-year SALT grant program, which includes four components: policy review, mapping, outreach/engagement, and a framework for a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
• Policy Review: Approximately 85% complete, involving a matrix of policies relevant to LAFCO decisions.
• Mapping: Focused on a 1.75-mile radius outside the boundaries of five cities (Santa Maria, Lompoc, Buellton, Solvang, and Goleta) to identify constraints and opportunities for growth.
• Outreach: One-on-one meetings are underway, with focus groups and workshops planned for 2027.
• MOA Framework: Staff will determine if interested agencies wish to pursue an MOA or if a general framework should be developed for future use.
• Commissioner Comments: Commissioner Hartman asked about the scope of the mapping and expressed concern about the limitation to five cities, suggesting that other areas or unincorporated townships might benefit. She also highlighted the importance of protecting groundwater recharge areas. Commissioner Kariakou expressed surprise at the limited scope and suggested aligning the program with broader staff capacity investments.
• Public Comment: Victor Trujillo stated his intention to place his participation in the Isla Vista incorporation discussion on the public record. He referenced an invitation from LAFCO staff to prepare a write-up for a future agenda item. He requested that Isla Vista incorporation be placed on a future agenda to ensure transparent community participation.
• Staff Response: Staff clarified that the future agenda item requested by the Commission covers the status of incorporation efforts for both Isla Vista and La Prisima, anticipated for November or December. Staff outlined the two processes for incorporation: a chief proponent (resident) filing a notice of intent and gathering signatures, or an affected agency filing a resolution of application. Staff noted that both a resident and the Isla Vista CSD are currently exploring these options.
• Outcome: No motion was taken as this was an informational item.

8. Information Item 3: Cal LAFCO Update

• Discussion: Staff informed the Commission that the Cal LAFCO Board met in August and directed a bylaws change. The bylaws change is scheduled for a vote at the annual conference in Sacramento in October. The Executive Officer is the voting delegate, and Commissioner Johnson is the alternate delegate. Staff offered to place a placeholder on the October agenda if the Commission wishes to provide direction on the bylaws vote.
• Outcome: No motion was taken as this was an informational item.

9. Commissioner Announcements and Future Agenda Items

• Discussion: Commissioners discussed the topic of commissioner stipends. Commissioner Kariakou suggested that any review of compensation should be aligned with the budget process. Commissioner Johnson suggested reviewing the history of previous stipend changes and comparing them with other LAFCOs. Staff conducted a straw poll and identified three commissioners interested in exploring the topic. Staff recommended that if the Commission decides to proceed, it should be done in the context of the upcoming budget, potentially using an ad hoc committee or other evaluation method.
• Outcome: It was agreed that the topic would not be placed on the immediate future agenda but might be revisited closer to the budget cycle.

10. Executive Officer Comments

• Discussion: The Executive Officer had no further comments.

Adjournment

• The Chair adjourned the meeting, with the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2026.