Meeting Summary
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Administrative Agenda Announcements
- The Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services department requested the withdrawal of the agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health.
- Public Works requested the continuation of the Goleta easement item to the May 6 meeting.
Resolutions (Items A1–A3)
- The board approved a resolution recognizing Sandra Talamantes for 34 years of public service.
- A resolution was adopted proclaiming May 2014 as Military Appreciation Month.
- The board recognized SMOOTH for 40 years of community service through a resolution of commendation.
Departure of Department Director
- Herman Parker, Director of the Community Services Department, addressed the board regarding his departure from the county.
- Board members offered remarks acknowledging his service during the meeting.
Agenda Item Adjustments and Discussion
- Supervisor Wolf requested that Items A9 and A10 be pulled for further discussion.
- Staff confirmed an Environmental Impact Report is being prepared for the Pacific Coast Energy Company SEAP can.
- A hearing was requested for May 6 regarding the appeal of the Juarez-Hosmore Adobe County Landmark.
Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Increase Ballot Measure
- Staff presented two options to increase the TOT from 10% to either 12% or 12.5% for the November 2014 election.
- Discussion focused on the voting thresholds for general fund versus special taxes and industry support for specific rates.
- The board adopted Option 2 to increase the TOT to 12.5% and appointed supervisors to draft the argument in favor.
Prop 90 Local Option Tax Revenue Impacts
- Staff estimated that implementing Proposition 90 would result in a 10-year property tax reduction of $920,000.
- The board received and filed the additional information regarding the revenue impacts and entity opposition.
Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS) System of Care Assessment
- Staff presented Progress Report 1, highlighting improvements in wait times, new grants, and a 93% compliance rate on protocols.
- The board approved the system change vision and directed the department to return in June with a presentation on facility needs.
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan Update
- The department outlined a shift toward a transformed system including mobile crisis triage teams and integrated co-occurring disorder services.
- The board received and filed the presentation, noting that initial teams are expected to be in place within three months.
Closed Session
- The board entered closed session to discuss two existing litigation matters and one labor negotiation item.
- The session also covered three public employee performance evaluations.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on April 22, 2014. All members were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of Minutes
- Action: Motion to approve the minutes from the April 15, 2014, meeting.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Administrative Agenda Announcements
- Item A5 (Alcohol, Drug, and Mental Health Services): The department requested the withdrawal of the item regarding the agreement with Traditions Behavioral Health. The item was not continued.
- Item A14 (Public Works): The department requested the continuation of the item regarding easements for public utility purposes in the Goleta area to the May 6 meeting.
Resolutions (Items A1–A3)
- Action: Motion to approve Items A1 through A3.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
- Item A1: Resolution recognizing Sandra Talamantes for 34 years of public service with the Department of Social Services and Public Health Department.
- Item A2: Resolution proclaiming May 2014 as Military Appreciation Month.
- Item A3: Resolution of commendation recognizing SMOOTH (Santa Maria Organization of Transportation Helpers) for 40 years of community service.
Departure of Department Director
- Discussion: Herman Parker, Director of the Community Services Department, addressed the board regarding his departure from the county. Board members offered remarks acknowledging his service.
Agenda Item Adjustments and Discussion
- Items A9 and A10: Supervisor Wolf requested these items be pulled for discussion.
- Item A9 (Planning and Development): Emergency permit for Pacific Coast Energy Company SEAP can number 94. Staff confirmed that an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the broader oil drilling and production plan is being prepared.
- Item A10 (Probation): Application for 12th-year allocation funding under the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act.
- Item 820 (Supervisor Lavinino): Contract with Santa Maria Fair Park for the 2014 Veteran Stand Down.
- Item 821 (Supervisor Carbajal): Appeal regarding the Juarez-Hosmore Adobe (County Landmark No. 34). A hearing was requested for May 6. Staff indicated they were contacting parties to explore facilitation opportunities.
Approval of Balance of Administrative Agenda
- Action: Motion to approve the balance of the administrative agenda.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 1: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Increase Ballot Measure
- Staff Presentation: The County Executive Office presented two options for a ballot measure to increase the TOT in unincorporated areas from 10% to either 12% (Option 1) or 12.5% (Option 2) for the November 2014 election. Revenue estimates indicated an increase of approximately $1.5 million to $1.9 million in the first full year. The tax would be a general fund tax requiring a 50% + 1 vote to pass.
- Public Comment: Speakers from Visit Santa Barbara, Visit the San Ynez Valley, the Economic Alliance of Northern Santa Barbara County, and the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association generally supported the increase, with varying suggestions regarding the rate and use of funds.
- Board Discussion: Discussion focused on the choice between a general fund tax (50% + 1 threshold) and a special tax (two-thirds threshold). Concerns were raised regarding industry support for the 12% rate versus the 12.5% rate, and the lack of specific spending commitments for a general fund tax.
- Motion: Supervisor Farr moved to adopt Option 2 (Items F through J), increasing the TOT to 12.5%, and appointing Supervisors Lavinino and Carbajal to draft the argument in favor, to be returned to the board by July 1, 2014. Supervisor Carbajal seconded.
- Outcome: The motion passed 4-1.
Agenda Item 2: Prop 90 Local Option Tax Revenue Impacts
- Discussion: Staff presented information on estimated tax revenue impacts resulting from implementing a Proposition 90 local option. Prop 90 allows counties to accept inter-county base value transfers for those over 55. Staff estimated approximately 23 annual claims, resulting in a 10-year property tax reduction of $920,000, allocated among schools, cities/special districts, and the county. Of 62 tax-receiving entities solicited, 8 opposed the measure and 1 was neutral.
- Motion: Motion to receive and file the additional information.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Agenda Item 3: Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Services (ADMHS) System of Care Assessment
- Presentation: Staff and partners presented Progress Report 1 on the ADMHS systems change effort. Key points included improvements in wait times, new grant awards, and organizational changes such as filling the Deputy Director of Clinical Operations position and establishing a 35-member steering committee. The department reported a 93% compliance rate on administrative protocols and provided an update on financial liabilities, noting that known liabilities from cost report settlements have been extinguished or funded.
- Discussion: Board members inquired about long-term sustainability, specific action plans, metrics for therapeutic effectiveness, and the status of director recruitment. The department stated that recruitment is beginning and that they are implementing the CANS measure as a clinical outcome metric.
- Public Comment: Stakeholders expressed support for the cultural shift toward inclusivity and peer involvement. Concerns were raised regarding reduced caseloads, access to crisis services for individuals experiencing homelessness, lack of services in Carpinteria, and the need for residential treatment beds.
- Motion: Motion to approve the item, including receiving and filing the report, adopting the system change vision, values, and guiding principles, and directing the department to return on June 17 with a presentation on facility needs.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Closed Session Notice
- The Board was noticed for closed session to discuss two existing litigation matters, one labor negotiation item, and three public employee performance evaluations.
Agenda Item 4: Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Plan Update for FY 2013-14 and 2014-15
- Presentation: The department presented an update on the MHSA plan, focusing on leveraging MHSA funding for outpatient services and system transformation. The presentation detailed the shift from the current system to a transformed system, including mobile crisis triage teams, "recovery centers," and integrated co-occurring disorder services. A seven-step funding hierarchy was outlined to maximize revenue sources.
- Discussion: Board members inquired about forensic services, facility locations, pre-crisis support timelines, detoxification facilities, and co-occurring staffing. The department confirmed that a capital needs assessment will be presented in June and that initial teams are expected to be in place in approximately three months.
- Motion: Motion to receive and file the presentation.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
Public Comment and Adjournment
- Public Comment: Supervisor Wolf addressed Dr. Wada regarding their appointment and management of the public health department. Richard Deddy spoke regarding mental health services in Carpinteria, noting delays in service approval and indicating that residents would pursue state-level contacts if timely plans were not provided.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Farr commented on the integration of previously siloed funding and programming.
- Motion: Motion to receive the item in file.
- Outcome: Passed unanimously.
- Adjournment: The Chair announced the adjournment of the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6, in Santa Barbara.