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
Phillips 66 Rail Spur Project
- Staff presented background on the proposed rail spur expansion and associated environmental and safety risks.
- Public comments raised concerns regarding public safety, environmental impact, and the county's role in opposing the project.
- The Board authorized the Chair to send a letter urging the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors to deny the application.
Budget Gap and Fiscal Rebalancing (FY 2017-18)
- Staff identified a total net budget gap of approximately $35.4 million driven by salary increases and funding changes.
- Recommendations included deferring the Behavioral Wellness inpatient services decision and aligning the phase-out of Prop 172 funds with the fire tax shift.
- The Board accepted the report and directed staff to suspend outside agency funding and continue cost-saving measures.
Resolutions
- The Board passed resolutions proclaiming March 2017 as American Red Cross Month and March 7, 2017, as Arbor Day.
- A resolution of commendation was passed for Heidi Hansen upon her retirement from the County Probation Department.
Strategic Reserve Policy
- Staff explained that the strategic reserve is intended for large economic downturns rather than annual operating issues.
- The 8% reserve figure cited is a recommendation from the Government Finance Officers Association.
Closed Session
- Staff reported that the closed session items had been addressed upon reconvening.
Full summary
Administrative Agenda
- Approval of Minutes (February 28, 2017): A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes. The motion passed.
- Approval of Resolutions A18 through A22: A motion was made and seconded to approve resolutions A18 through A22. The motion passed.
- Resolution A19 (Retirement of Mr. Alvarez): The Board acknowledged the retirement of Mr. Alvarez, who served in the CEO’s office, General Services, and Behavioral Wellness.
- Resolutions A20, A21, and A22: These items were read into the record.
- Approval of Administrative Agenda: A motion was made and seconded to approve the administrative agenda. The motion passed.
Departmental Agenda
- Item 1: Phillips 66 Rail Spur Project (San Luis Obispo County)
- Discussion: Staff presented background on the proposed rail spur expansion at the Santa Maria Refinery, noting that the San Luis Obispo County Planning Commission had previously denied the project. The presentation detailed potential environmental and safety risks, including the proximity of residential areas, schools, and sensitive habitats to the rail lines, and cited statistics on oil train derailments. Public comments were received from representatives of the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara Channel Keeper, the Sierra Club, COLAB, the Santa Barbara County Action Network, and the Citizens Planning Association of Santa Barbara County/Coastal Resource Center. Comments addressed concerns regarding public safety, environmental impact, economic implications, and the county’s role in opposing the project.
- Motion: Supervisor Adam moved to authorize the Chair to send a letter to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors urging them to deny Phillips 66’s application for the rail spur extension project, and to include the required CEQA findings. The motion was seconded.
- Vote: A roll call vote was taken. The motion passed.
- Item 2: Budget Gap and Fiscal Rebalancing (FY 2017-18)
- Discussion: Staff presented an overview of the county’s budget gap, identifying a total net gap of approximately $35.4 million. Key factors included salary and benefit cost increases, changes in federal and state program funding, and local match requirements. Specific gap components included a $4.4 million net gap in the General Fund (primarily driven by the Sheriff’s Department, Probation, and District Attorney) and a $31 million gap in Non-General Funds (including $23 million in the Department of Social Services and $8.6 million in the Department of Behavioral Wellness).
- Staff presented recommendations for discretionary funding priorities, including:
- Continuing the planned $9.1 million annual allocation to the Northern Branch Jail operations fund.
- Deferring a decision on the $8.6 million Behavioral Wellness inpatient services gap until further evaluation in April workshops.
- Aligning the phase-out of Prop 172 funds with the accelerated timeline for the 17% fire tax shift.
- Noting that $6 million in discretionary funds had been allocated for salary and benefit growth.
- Noting that the formula-based contribution for maintenance of roads and facilities would be $3 million.
- Reviewing the allocation of approximately $300,000 in ongoing Tobacco Settlement Funds to Behavioral Wellness.
- Spreading the remaining Workers’ Compensation deficit recovery over two years.
- Not funding the planned $700,000 addition to the strategic reserve next year.
- Not allocating funds to outside agencies this year.
- Continuing the practice of not backfilling reductions in federal and state funding.
- Board comments included requests for accurate revenue projections, caution regarding new initiatives, exploration of labor cost controls, a list of mandated versus optional services with legal citations, and discussion regarding the strategic reserve policy and timing of service level reductions.
- Motion: A motion was made and seconded to accept the report and the informal direction provided to the CEO on next steps, including suspending outside agency funding, not adding to the strategic reserve, and directing staff to continue working on cost-saving measures and service level reviews.
- Vote: The motion passed.
Resolutions
- Resolution Proclaiming March 2017 as American Red Cross Month: A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Williams was presented to proclaim March 2017 as American Red Cross Month in Santa Barbara County, acknowledging the organization’s 100 years of service. The resolution was read into the record and passed.
- Resolution Proclaiming March 7, 2017 as Arbor Day: A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Wolf was presented to proclaim March 7, 2017, as Arbor Day in Santa Barbara County. The resolution was read into the record and passed.
- Resolution of Commendation for Heidi Hansen: A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Hartman was presented to commend Heidi Hansen upon her retirement from the County Probation Department after 21 years of service. The resolution was read into the record and passed.
Public Comment and Other Business
- Public Comment: A member of the public addressed the board regarding a previous decision involving an individual referred to as Mr. Kalaski, expressing dissatisfaction with the board’s subsequent actions. No motions were made or decided.
- Strategic Reserve Policy: Staff addressed the board regarding the policy for the strategic reserve, explaining that it is primarily intended for large economic downturns rather than annual operating issues or emergencies, and noting that the 8% figure mentioned is a recommendation from the Government Finance Officers Association. No motions were made or decided.
Adjournment
- The Board recessed to closed session. Upon reconvening, staff reported that the closed session items had been addressed.
- The Chair announced that the meeting was adjourned, with a special meeting scheduled for March 13, 2017.