Meeting Summary
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At a glance
County Budget Overview and Financial Projections
- Staff presented a 2013-14 budget gap of $10.8 million, addressed through General Fund contributions and service reductions.
- Total revenues are projected at $840 million, a 2.9% increase, while General Fund revenues decrease by $6.6 million due to Fire Department transfers.
- Long-term projections indicate a balanced budget for 2013-14 and a $3.9 million deficit for 2014-15 driven by retirement costs.
Fiscal Year 2013-14 Recommended Budget Adjustments
- Staff detailed increasing retirement contributions driven by investment loss amortization and reduced return assumptions.
- The plan includes $3.3 million for Northern Branch Jail operations and reports $290 million in deferred maintenance needs.
- Staff estimated 30,000 to 40,000 new Medi-Cal recipients under the Affordable Care Act and outlined available fund balances.
Superior Court Special Services Budget
- The county contributes approximately $10.3 million annually to the court, which has a net operational cost of $5 million to the county.
- The court reported collecting $13.2 million in delinquent fees and fines at no net cost to the county.
- State budget cuts have reduced court staff by 45 FTEs, and the new criminal courts building project is on hold.
Housing and Community Development (HCD) Fund Balance
- The HCD fund maintains a 60-day operating reserve of approximately $3.7 million for accounts receivable and emergencies.
- A $3 million ending balance is utilized to balance the current year budget and cover carryover contracts.
UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and 4-H Program
- County funding for UCCE decreased from $287,000 in 2003 to $153,000 in 2013, prompting interest in a more viable funding mechanism.
- The Board clarified that the $153,000 allocation includes both the 4-H program and the Wildlife Service.
- No motion was made or vote taken on the program's funding status.
County Executive Office (CEO) Recommended Operational Plan
- The plan projects operating expenditures of $845.5 million and revenues of $839.5 million for FY 2013-14.
- Staffing is proposed to decrease by 32.5 FTEs, totaling a reduction of 572 FTEs since FY 2007-08.
- Key cost drivers include pension costs, health insurance, and property tax transfers, with no motion made or vote taken.
Departmental Budget Presentations and Inquiries
- Budgets were presented for County Counsel, Human Resources, General Services, District Attorney, Public Defender, Agricultural Commissioner, Community Services, Planning and Development, and Public Works.
- Discussions covered specific issues such as attorney staffing, deferred maintenance, shelter funding, and road allocation.
- No motions were made or votes taken on any of the individual departmental budgets.
Outside Organizations and Non-County Agency Requests
- Requests were received from the Courthouse Legacy Foundation, SBDC, Freedom Warming Centers, 4-H/UC Extension, and Legal Aid/HMIS.
- Specific asks included cash matches for SBDC, increased support for warming centers, and technical support for HMIS.
- No motions were made or votes taken on these external funding requests.
Courthouse Mural Room Restoration
- The Courthouse Legacy Foundation requested a $40,000 grant toward a $700,000 restoration project.
- The Foundation reported having over $300,000 in cash and pledges from the private sector.
- No motion was made or vote taken on the grant request.
Final Budget Actions
- Staff recommended approving final budget adjustments and delegating authority to the CEO for contract execution.
- The Board was asked to adopt resolutions for the FY 2013-14 budget and the successor agency budget.
- No vote was taken during the recorded segments as the Board adjourned to continue deliberations.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Public Comment
- Public comment was received regarding multiple budgetary and operational issues. Speakers addressed the proposed changes to funding for the UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the 4-H program, with many requesting the continuation of funding to support youth leadership, agricultural research, and community service. Specific concerns included the reduction of county funding from $287,000 in 2003 to $153,000 in 2013, the impact on the Master Gardener program, and the economic return on investment. Speakers also addressed proposed cuts to economic development, tourism, and library funding, urging the restoration of funds for Chambers of Commerce, Visitor’s Bureaus, the Film Commission, and public libraries, citing revenue generation and service levels. Additional comments concerned shelter services, with speakers opposing cuts to operations and the Bridge House program, and legal department budgets, with speakers highlighting salary disparities between district attorneys and civil attorneys and requesting parity. Other topics included the pace of budget approval, the status of unbudgeted vacant positions, and the impact of the Affordable Care Act on county services.
Agenda Item: County Budget Overview and Financial Projections
- Staff presented an overview of the county’s budget, including the 2013-14 gap, revenues, expenditures, and long-term projections. The initial 2013-14 budget gap of $10.8 million was addressed through additional General Fund contributions and service level reductions. Total revenues are projected at approximately $840 million for 2013-14, a 2.9% increase from 2012-13, driven by increases in taxes and intergovernmental revenues. General Fund revenues are projected at $334 million, a decrease of $6.6 million from 2012-13, primarily due to the transfer of the Fire Department to a special district fund. Countywide expenditures are budgeted at $844 million, with salaries and benefits comprising 53% of total costs. Long-term projections indicate a $3.4 million surplus for 2012-13, a balanced budget for 2013-14, and a $3.9 million deficit for 2014-15, driven largely by retirement costs. Staff noted that cost per employee increases are primarily attributed to retirement costs.
Agenda Item: Fiscal Year 2013-14 Recommended Budget Adjustments and Specific Issues
- Staff discussed final budget adjustments, including the segregation of items recommended by the CEO or resulting from administrative adjustments. Data on increasing county retirement contributions was presented, noting that costs are driven by the amortization of investment losses from the 2008–2009 financial crisis and a reduction in the assumed rate of return on invested funds. Staff outlined the funding plan for the Northern Branch Jail, with $3.3 million set aside in the 2013–14 budget for future operations. Approximately $290 million in deferred maintenance needs were reported, comprising funds for Public Works, General Services, and Parks. Staff estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 newly eligible Medi-Cal recipients will enter the system under the Affordable Care Act, with a planning team evaluating necessary changes. Staff also detailed available fund balances, including the Capital Projects Account, Roads Emergency Fund, and Strategic Reserve, and recommended actions for Board approval, including the adoption of the budget and delegating authority to the County Executive Officer for contract execution.
Agenda Item: Superior Court Special Services Budget
- The CEO of the Superior Court provided background on the funding relationship between the county and the state, noting that the state is the primary funder of the unified Superior Court, with the county contributing approximately $10.3 million annually. The court’s total operating budget for special services is approximately $15.3 million, with a net operational cost to the county of approximately $5 million. The court reported collecting $13.2 million in delinquent fees and fines, with the collections program operating at no net cost to the county. The court is facing significant state budget cuts, having reduced staff by approximately 45 FTEs over four years. A state law limiting court reserves to 1% of the budget will take effect at the end of the current fiscal year. The new criminal courts building project in downtown Santa Barbara is on hold due to a diversion of funds from the State Courthouse Construction Fund.
Agenda Item: Housing and Community Development (HCD) Fund Balance
- The HCD representative explained that the fund balance is used to cover accounts receivable, emergency/disaster reserves, and revenue shortfalls. The fund maintains a 60-day operating reserve of approximately $3.7 million. The $3 million ending balance is used to balance the current year budget and cover carryover contracts.
Agenda Item: UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and 4-H Program
- Richard Enfield, County Director of UC Cooperative Extension, presented information regarding UCCE funding, noting that county funding decreased from $287,000 in 2003 to $153,000 in 2013. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources expressed interest in developing a more viable funding mechanism. Public comment was received in support of the program, citing its role in youth leadership and economic impact. The Board discussed the allocation of funds, clarifying that the $153,000 figure includes both the 4-H program and the Wildlife Service. No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: County Executive Office (CEO) Recommended Operational Plan
- Glenn Russell, CEO, presented the recommended operational plan for FY 2013-14 and 2014-15. Key financial details included operating expenditures of $845.5 million and revenues of $839.5 million for FY 2013-14, with a projected gap of $13.7 million for FY 2014-15. Staffing is proposed to decrease by 32.5 FTEs, resulting in a total reduction of 572 FTEs since FY 2007-08. Key cost drivers include employee concession agreements, firefighter contract increases, property tax transfers, pension costs, and health insurance. The CEO office’s total operating budget is $38.8 million, with a General Fund contribution of approximately 18%. The Board discussed the process for updating budget slides, property tax growth rates, and the utilization of the "Salary and Benefits Reduction Account." No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: Departmental Budget Presentations and Inquiries
- County Counsel: The budget was presented with an operating budget of $6.8 million and a $2 million general fund contribution. The office has 35.8 FTEs, representing a reduction of two full-time attorney positions. The Board discussed the restoration of lost positions and the reliance on outside counsel. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Human Resources: The budget was presented. The Board inquired about recruiting positions and the cost-effectiveness of hiring a full-time in-house recruiter versus the current part-time staffing model. No motion was made or vote taken.
- General Services (Courthouse): The budget was presented. The Board discussed the absence of court funding for deferred maintenance and a request from the Courthouse Legacy Foundation for $40,000 for a major enhancement. No motion was made or vote taken.
- District Attorney: The budget was presented with a recommended operating budget of $19.9 million and 123 FTEs. Highlights included the Misdemeanor Diversion Program and the CLASS truancy program. The DA requested additional staff for 14-15 and raised concerns about HR policies limiting salary adjustments. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Public Defender: The budget was presented with a total budget of $10 million and 65 employees. The office represents 76% of felony cases and 60% of new misdemeanor cases. The Board discussed a decrease in general fund contributions and the implementation of AB 109. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Agricultural Commissioner: The budget was presented with a total operating budget of $4.2 million and 31 FTEs. Service level reductions proposed include discontinuing the department’s contribution to the UC Cooperative Extension contract ($153,000) and eliminating the urban component of the USDA Wildlife Services contract. The Board discussed crop priority rankings and the UCCE funding breakdown. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Community Services: The budget was presented with a total operating budget of $23.4 million and 95 FTEs. Requests included positions for public safety at beaches/pools, housing and community development, and addressing a $7 million deferred maintenance backlog. The Board discussed shelter funding, library funding trends, and concessionaire revenue. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Planning and Development: The budget was presented with a recommended operating budget of $14.4 million and 84 FTEs. Staff highlighted accomplishments and identified service level impacts due to reduced funding. The Board discussed the allocation of CEO-recommended funds and the need for additional resources for long-range planning. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Public Works: The budget was presented with a total budget of $114.8 million and 283 employees. Key projects include the Resource Recovery Park, Laguna Sanitation, and Flood Control. The Board discussed code enforcement, road allocation, pavement condition, and fund balances. No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: Outside Organizations and Non-County Agency Requests
- Santa Barbara County Courthouse Legacy Foundation: A request was presented regarding deferred maintenance for the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Board discussed the nature of the request and the building's status as a county asset. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Small Business Development Center (SBDC): A funding request was presented for half of the required cash match ($26,000–$27,000). No motion was made or vote taken.
- Freedom Warming Centers: A request was presented for increased general fund support, including a minimum increase of $50,000 for operations and two new sites, plus an additional $22,000 for three new sites. No motion was made or vote taken.
- 4-H and UC Extension: A request was made to allocate funding for UC Extension programs for 2013-2014 and to remove the program from the Ag Commissioner’s Department. No motion was made or vote taken.
- Legal Aid/HMIS: A request was made for adequate technical support from the Community Services Department to update policies and procedures for the Homeless Management Information System. No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: Courthouse Mural Room Restoration
- Bill Mahan of the Courthouse Legacy Foundation presented a request for a $40,000 grant to restore the mural room in the courthouse. The estimated total cost is $700,000, with a timeline of up to five months. The Foundation has over $300,000 in cash and pledges from the private sector. No motion was made or vote taken.
Agenda Item: Final Budget Actions
- Staff presented recommended actions for Board approval, including: 1. Approve final budget adjustments to the Fiscal Year 2013–14 recommended budget, including Attachment E. 2. Delegate authority to the County Executive Officer to execute ongoing grants and contracts included in the recommended budget. 3. Authorize the County Executive Officer to approve ongoing contracts with amounts up to 10% more or less than indicated amounts, or up to $5,000 more or less for contracts under $50,000, without returning to the Board for approval. 4. Adopt the Resolution of the Board of Supervisors entitled "In the Matter of Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14." 5. Adopt the Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara as a successor agency to the former County of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency entitled "In the Matter of Adopting the Budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 for the County of Santa Barbara as Successor Agency to the Former County of Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency."
Vote Outcome
- No vote was taken on these items during the recorded segments. The Board adjourned to continue deliberations.