Meeting Summary
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At a glance
County CEO’s Report and Announcements
- A local assistance center opened at Goleta Union School District to support holiday fire recovery efforts.
- A community meeting regarding FEMA’s interim advisory recovery map is scheduled for July 11th at Montecito Union School.
- The County launched a "See It, Report It, Stop It" mechanism with a 24/7 hotline for reporting fraud and waste.
- Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Monique Limon are hosting a public hearing on the county’s recovery strategic plan.
Holiday Fire Update (Late-Added Item)
- The Chair moved the item to the front of the agenda at the CEO's request.
- Staff noted a date correction in the referenced resolution, changing December 6, 2017, to July 6, 2018.
Fire Department Briefing
- The fire started under red flag conditions with sustained winds of 30 mph and temperatures over 100°F.
- At the height of the incident, 500 personnel and 75 fire engines were on scene, with mutual aid from Ventura and LA County.
- Final figures indicated 100 acres burned, 10 homes lost, and suppression costs estimated at $1.5 million.
- Division Chief Ferris detailed the use of bulldozers to cut fire breaks to prevent spread during wind shifts.
Sheriff’s Office Briefing
- The 911 center received 175 calls in the first hour, compared to 13 calls in the same period the previous week.
- Approximately 2,200–2,500 people evacuated from an affected area of about 3,200 residents.
- Copter 3 made 17 water drops before being grounded due to a hydraulic leak, with additional support from LA County.
- Staff acknowledged challenges in balancing accuracy and speed of notification and committed to reviewing protocols.
OEM Briefing
- The Emergency Operations Center activated by 10:00 PM, and a Fire Management Assistance Grant was awarded that night.
- A local emergency was proclaimed at 1:00 AM, followed by a State of Emergency the next day.
- First repopulation occurred on July 7th, with full repopulation completed on July 8th.
- Staff committed to reviewing communication between field, dispatch, and EOC to improve alert accuracy and speed.
Board Discussion and Questions (Holiday Fire)
- Supervisors discussed pre-staging dispatch resources during red flag alerts and the availability of helicopters for night drops.
- Questions were raised regarding proactive mitigation steps, such as fuel breaks and thinning, for front-country fires.
- Staff confirmed that homeowners who lost homes to fire qualify for "like-for-like" rebuilding under current ordinances.
- The Chair emphasized the need for a post-game review to improve the speed and accuracy of public alerts.
Agenda Item A: Recommendations A, B, and C
- Supervisor Hartmann moved to approve Recommendations A, B, and C.
- The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Agenda Item A: Balance of A Agenda (excluding A1)
- Supervisor Hartmann moved to approve the balance of the A agenda items, excluding A1.
- The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Agenda Item A1: Year-End Transfers and Revisions of Appropriations
- The item involves transferring unspent funds from the Community Services, Parks Division to Committed Park Projects for Goleta Beach.
- Supervisor Adam moved to deny the transfer, arguing the issue had gone on too long and should be managed by the Coastal Commission.
- Supervisor Wolfe argued against changing direction, noting previous board votes to move forward with the current plan.
- Supervisor Lavagnino moved to approve the item with the understanding that staff would return with an update on Coastal Commission discussions before funds are expended.
- The motion passed with a 4-1 vote.
Agenda Item D5: Juvenile Justice Data Presentation (Probation Department)
- Staff presented findings showing Santa Barbara County had a higher percentage of youth under probation supervision compared to comparison counties.
- The county utilized fewer diversionary options, with 87% of youth placed under the most restrictive intervention of court wardship.
- Strategies include implementing objective criteria for booking, developing a response matrix, and funding new community-based programs.
- Supervisor Wolk moved to receive and file the presentation, and the motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Agenda Item D3: Response to 2017-18 Grand Jury Report on Mandatory Overtime in the Sheriff’s Office
- Staff proposed responses to Grand Jury findings regarding recruitment, staffing, and mandatory overtime in the Sheriff’s Department.
- The Sheriff’s Office stated it wholly disagrees with the finding that recruitment is a low priority, asserting it remains a high priority.
- Supervisor Bedrogi expressed concern about "disagreeing" with the recruitment finding, suggesting the information may have been accurate at the time of review.
- Supervisor Bedrogi moved to adopt staff’s recommendations, and the motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Agenda Item D1: FY 2018-19 Special Tax Levy for Community Facilities Districts (Orcutt and Providence Landing)
- Staff presented proposed special tax levies for the Orcutt and Providence Landing Community Facilities Districts.
- Supervisor Bedrogi questioned whether specific benefits are conferred to taxpayers, noting that services are open to the public.
- Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt staff’s recommendations A through F.
- The motion passed with a 4-1 vote.
Agenda Item 2: FY 2018-19 Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment (CSA 3)
- Staff presented the proposed adjustment for the County Service Area 3 Library Measure L special tax levy.
- Parcel levies would increase by 2.8% based on the 2017 Los Angeles Consumer Price Index.
- Supervisor Wolfe moved to adopt staff’s recommendations.
- The motion passed with a 5-0 vote.
Agenda Item 4: Proposed Amendment to Planning and Development Fee Ordinance for Cannabis Appeals
- Staff presented a proposed ordinance amendment requiring cannabis permit applicants to fund the full cost of appeals.
- The Chair questioned the low appeal fee, suggesting it may encourage excessive appeals, while County Counsel noted fees cannot bar access to justice.
- Supervisor Lavagnino suggested backfilling costs with cannabis tax revenues rather than imposing full cost recovery on applicants.
- The committee agreed to take no action on the item at this time.
Closed Session
- The Board discussed two existing litigation cases and conferred with labor negotiators for all bargaining units.
- County Counsel reported that there were no reportable actions from the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Opening and Roll Call
- The Chair called the meeting to order and conducted roll call. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Approval of July 3rd Minutes
- Motion: Approval of the July 3rd minutes.
- Action: Moved by Supervisor Hartmann.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
County CEO’s Report and Announcements
- The County CEO provided the following announcements:
- Holiday Fire Assistance: A local assistance center opened at Goleta Union School District (401 North Fairview), operating until 7 PM on the current day and 9 AM to 7 PM the following day. Hours may be extended through the weekend based on community needs.
- FEMA Recovery Map: A community meeting regarding FEMA’s interim advisory recovery map was scheduled for July 11th at 5:30 PM at Montecito Union School. The map is available online at readysbc.org.
- Public Hearing: Senator Jackson and Assemblymember Monique Limon are hosting a public hearing on Thursday from 4 to 6 PM at Montecito Union School. County staff will present an update on the county’s recovery strategic plan for Montecito.
- Fraud Reporting Mechanism: The County, in partnership with the Auditor-Controller’s Office and Risk Management, launched a "See It, Report It, Stop It" mechanism for reporting suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or misconduct. This includes a 24/7 hotline (844-413-4025) and a website link on countyofsb.org, operated by a third party with bilingual support. Reports are referred to the Internal Audit Division.
Agenda Item D6: Holiday Fire Update (Late-Added Item)
- The Chair moved Item D6 to the front of the agenda at the request of the CEO. A staff member noted a date correction in the referenced resolution (changing December 6, 2017, to July 6, 2018).
Fire Department Briefing (Chief Eric Peterson and Division Chief Matt Ferris)
- Conditions: The fire started on July 6th under red flag conditions (30 mph sustained winds, gusts to 40 mph, single-digit humidity, temperatures over 100°F).
- Response: Pre-positioned resources, including a Cal OES strike team staged at Hollister and Turnpike, responded within minutes. Additional resources included 14 fire engines within 30 minutes of the initial alarm.
- Mutual Aid: Support was received from Ventura County Fire Department (15 engines, hand crew, bulldozer) and LA County (Black Hawk Night Flying Helicopter).
- Incident Management: A Type 3 incident management team took over in the morning, establishing an Incident Command Post at Dos Pueblos High School. A contract for base camp use was established with the school.
- Impact: At the height of the incident, 500 personnel and 75 fire engines were on scene. Final figures indicated 100 acres burned, 10 homes lost, 3 damaged, and 14 outbuildings destroyed. Containment reached 95%. Suppression costs were estimated at $1.5 million. 22 people remained without power.
- Tactics: Division Chief Ferris detailed the use of bulldozers to cut fire breaks above the northern end of the fire to prevent spread during wind shifts. He noted that pre-existing fuel breaks would have reduced the danger to personnel.
Sheriff’s Office Briefing (Sheriff Brown)
- Dispatch Volume: The 911 center received 175 calls in the first hour (8:30–9:30 PM), compared to 13 calls in the same period the previous week.
- Evacuations: Approximately 3,200 people were in the affected area; an estimated 2,200–2,500 evacuated. Door-to-door evacuations were conducted immediately.
- Personnel: 78 Sheriff’s personnel and 20 search-and-rescue personnel responded. Mutual aid was received from Santa Barbara Police, UC Police, UC Santa Barbara Police, Ventura Police, and Ventura Sheriff’s Office.
- Air Support: Copter 3 made 17 water drops before being grounded due to a hydraulic leak. The LA County Firehawk helicopter provided additional night drops.
- Alerting Issues:
- An "Aware and Prepare" alert was sent at 9:14 PM via Nixle, text, email, and phone calls.
- The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) component was not included in the initial alert because the off-duty supervisor sending it from home did not have the required code.
- A second WEA alert was sent at 12:21 AM.
- Staff noted that some residents reported receiving alerts earlier than 9:14 PM, which staff attributed to media reports (e.g., KEYT Facebook) or private community systems, as no official county alert was sent prior to 9:14 PM.
- Staff acknowledged challenges in balancing accuracy and speed of notification and committed to reviewing protocols.
OEM Briefing (Director Rob Lewin)
- EOC Activation: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated by 10:00 PM.
- Funding: A Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) was requested and awarded by the state that night. A local emergency was proclaimed at 1:00 AM, followed by a State of Emergency the next day.
- Repopulation: First repopulation occurred on July 7th; full repopulation on July 8th.
- Assistance: The local assistance center opened the previous day at noon. All displaced residents have visited the center.
- Improvements: Staff committed to reviewing communication between field, dispatch, and EOC, and aligning policies between dispatch and OEM. They noted the need to balance accurate, targeted alerts with rapid, general notifications to avoid dispatch overload.
Board Discussion and Questions (Holiday Fire)
- Supervisor Hartmann: Asked about pre-staging dispatch resources during red flag alerts. Sheriff Brown stated dispatch was not pre-staged due to funding limitations dedicated to fire resources. Hartmann suggested considering this for the future.
- Supervisor Wolfe: Asked about helicopter availability and the timing of notifications to OEM. Sheriff Brown clarified that Copter 4 was available but not equipped for night drops, and Copter 308 was unavailable. He stated OEM was notified between 9:15 PM and 10:00 PM. Wolfe expressed concern about the delay and conflicting messages, urging immediate improvements to protocols and a report back to the board.
- Supervisor Adam: Asked about proactive mitigation steps for front-country fires. Chief Peterson discussed the need for fuel breaks, thinning, and agricultural land as heat sinks, noting that controlled burns are less viable in the front country due to risk.
- Supervisor Lavagnino: Asked if homeowners who lost homes to fire qualify for "like-for-like" rebuilding under current ordinances. Staff confirmed they do.
- Chair Williams: Discussed the timing of alerts and the role of media in early notification. She emphasized the need for a post-game review to improve speed and accuracy.
- Supervisor Hartmann: Emphasized the importance of pre-staging and public awareness during red flag conditions.
Agenda Item A: Recommendations A, B, and C
- Motion: Approval of Recommendations A, B, and C.
- Action: Moved by Supervisor Hartmann.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item A: Balance of A Agenda (excluding A1)
- Motion: Approval of the balance of the A agenda items, excluding A1.
- Action: Moved by Supervisor Hartmann.
- Vote: Passed 5-0.
Agenda Item A1: Year-End Transfers and Revisions of Appropriations
- Context: This item requires a four-fifths vote. It includes a transfer of funds from Community Services, Parks Division General Fund (Services and Supplies) to Committed Park Projects.
- Discussion:
- Supervisor Adam: Questioned the transfer of funds related to Goleta Beach, asking if it was new money or a rollover. Staff clarified it was funds set aside in the 17-18 budget for Goleta Beach issues that had not yet been spent.
- Chair Williams: Expressed opposition, stating the funds were for continued armoring of the beach rather than a solution, and that this approach had failed. She argued it robbed the beach of natural processes.
- Supervisor Adam: Moved to deny the transfer and return the money to the General Fund, arguing the issue had gone on too long and the Coastal Commission should manage it.
- Chair Williams: Seconded the motion to deny.
- Supervisor Hartmann: Requested an update on the status with the Coastal Commission. Staff confirmed ongoing discussions about the revetment and required studies.
- Supervisor Wolfe: Argued against changing direction, noting previous board hearings and votes to move forward with the current plan. She stated that if the transfer did not pass, funds would be found elsewhere to continue the work. She noted that Goleta Beach concession revenue supports other county parks.
- Supervisor Adam: Countered that the facility is cash-negative, spending over $1 million annually while generating approximately $250,000–$260,000 in revenue.
- Staff: Warned that if the process with the Coastal Commission is not continued, they may require the removal of the existing revetment, which would cost millions.
- Staff Clarification: Staff and supervisors discussed the status of the beach revetment project and the Coastal Commission’s requirements. Staff clarified that options for removing parking lots 6 and 7 to create beach area are currently being presented to the Coastal Commission as part of a "managed retreat" strategy, though this was not the specific motion passed by the board in the previous meeting. Supervisor Hartmann noted that discussions with the Coastal Commission regarding these options are ongoing and that the board had previously directed staff to pursue permitting for the emergency revetment.
- Procedural Clarification: Supervisor Lavagnino questioned why the item required a four-fifths vote despite prior board direction. Staff explained that because the funds were unspent in the 2017-18 fiscal year, they must be moved to a committed fund balance account, which triggers a four-fifths vote requirement under the County Budget Act. Staff noted that this action preserves the board's ability to revisit the policy direction in the current fiscal year (2018-19) with another four-fifths vote before funds are expended.
- Motion: Supervisor Lavagnino moved to approve the item with the understanding that staff would return to the board with an update on Coastal Commission discussions before the money is expended. Supervisor Hartmann seconded the motion.
- Vote Outcome: The motion passed (4-1).
Public Comment (Not on Agenda)
- Comment: A member of the public, Deb Andrews, spoke regarding pension deficits, video arraignments, and labor unions. She also raised concerns about chemical odors and air quality at Lompoc Valley Medical Center, urging the board to inquire about air purification methods used in the facility.
- Board Response: Supervisor Bedrogi asked the CEO if the county funds Lompoc Hospital; the CEO responded that the county does not fund it.
Agenda Item D5: Juvenile Justice Data Presentation (Probation Department)
- Presentation: Chief Probation Officer Tanya Heitman and staff presented findings from a comprehensive data mining and analysis project comparing Santa Barbara County’s juvenile justice system to four other counties. Key findings included:
- Santa Barbara County had a higher percentage of youth under probation supervision (1.5%) compared to comparison counties, though this has since been reduced to 1.1%.
- The county utilized fewer diversionary options (13%) compared to other counties (up to 40%), with 87% of youth placed under the most restrictive intervention (court wardship).
- Juvenile hall populations were higher than in comparison counties, including those with larger youth populations.
- A significant number of youth were declared wards of the court for misdemeanor offenses that could have been diverted.
- Youth aged 14 or under comprised 20% of the juvenile hall population on the snapshot day.
- Strategies Implemented/Planned:
- Implementation of objective criteria for booking youth into juvenile hall for non-criminal violations.
- Development of a response and incentives matrix to standardize officer responses to behavior.
- Selection of new evidence-based risk assessment tools.
- Funding for new community-based programs, including family-focused interventions (Strengthening Families, Multi-Dimensional Family Therapy) and cognitive behavioral interventions.
- Training for staff and providers on trauma-informed approaches and adolescent brain development.
- Establishment of a standing work group under the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council to monitor implementation.
- Discussion: Supervisors asked questions regarding the timeline of the study, the process for diverting youth, coordination with community-based organizations (CBOs) to handle increased diversion, support for families, and trauma-informed practices. Staff confirmed that new contracts with CBOs (CATA, Good Sam, Community Solutions Inc.) have been established and that family support programs are being funded.
- Motion: Supervisor Wolk moved to receive and file the presentation and determine that the item is not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded.
- Vote Outcome: The motion passed (5-0).
Agenda Item D3: Response to 2017-18 Grand Jury Report on Mandatory Overtime in the Sheriff’s Office
- Presentation: Staff presented the proposed response to the Grand Jury report, which contained findings and recommendations regarding recruitment, staffing, and mandatory overtime in the Sheriff’s Department.
- Finding 2 (Recruitment is a low priority): Proposed response is to "disagree partially." Staff noted that recruitment is a high priority and that a salary survey was completed in May 2018.
- Recommendation 2B (Market survey): Proposed response is that the recommendation has been "partially implemented." The Sheriff’s Department will work with HR to evaluate incentives and recruiting in the upcoming fiscal year.
- Finding 3 (Not all measures considered to reduce overtime): Proposed response is to "disagree partially." Staff noted that additional measures were developed during the 2018-19 budget process and included in the adopted budget.
- Recommendation 3D (Comprehensive staffing study): Proposed response is that the recommendation "will be implemented" as part of the annual budget process.
- Finding 4 (Jail Transportation Unit understaffed): Proposed response is to "agree" with the finding.
- Recommendation 4A (Assess video arraignments): Proposed response is that the recommendation "has been implemented." The county has started assessing requirements for video arraignment at the main jail and the Northern Branch Jail.
- Recommendation 4B (Implement video arraignments): Proposed response is that the recommendation "will be implemented" once the assessment is completed and if it shows reasonable cost.
- Discussion:
- Supervisor Bedrogi expressed concern about "disagreeing" with the finding that recruitment was a low priority, suggesting the Grand Jury’s information may have been accurate at the time of their review but is now dated. She proposed clarifying that the information may have been accurate then but is changing now.
- Supervisor Lavagnino asked about the stakeholders involved in video arraignments (DA, Public Defender, Sheriff, Courts) and confirmed that while it is a goal, full agreement among all parties is not yet reached.
- Supervisor Hartmann suggested that a similar data-driven analysis to the one presented by Probation would be beneficial for jail population and staffing issues.
- The Sheriff’s Office presented its response to the Grand Jury report, noting discrepancies with the Board’s findings. The Sheriff’s Office stated it wholly disagrees with the finding that recruitment is a low priority, asserting that recruitment remains a high priority despite market and social changes. Regarding Finding 3, the Sheriff’s Office stated it wholly disagrees with the finding, noting that recommendations 3A and 3B have already been implemented (including budget coordination and a civilianization study adding new civilian positions), while recommendation 3C will not be implemented due to staff shortages in law enforcement. The Sheriff’s Office clarified that it was not asked to respond to Finding 4, though it later noted its position is to partially disagree, conceding that the transportation unit is understaffed. County Counsel explained that under the Penal Code, responses are sent separately to the department head and the Board, allowing for differing opinions.
- Supervisor Hartman inquired about the status of salary and incentive studies, which the Sheriff confirmed will be provided to the Board to inform future recruitment strategies. Supervisor Hartman also asked for clarification on the streamlining of the recruiting process. Staff explained that Civil Service Rule 804 was modified to allow the department to receive all qualified applicants from the certified list rather than a limited number, and the life of the list was extended to maintain a constant pool of candidates.
- The Chair commented on the department’s relaxation of past marijuana usage standards, encouraging public service participation. Supervisor Bedrogi expressed concern about lowering standards for current users, which the Sheriff denied, stating standards for current use remain strict. Supervisor Hartman emphasized the need for better marketing to highlight the department as a community service opportunity, noting student interest at local universities. Supervisor Lavagnino highlighted the importance of retention alongside recruitment.
- Motion: Supervisor Bedrogi moved to adopt staff’s recommendations. The motion was seconded by the Chair.
- Vote Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
Agenda Item D1: FY 2018-19 Special Tax Levy for Community Facilities Districts (Orcutt and Providence Landing)
- Presentation: Staff presented the proposed special tax levies for the Orcutt and Providence Landing Community Facilities Districts (CFDs). For the Orcutt CFD, the levy would increase by 3.6% based on the Los Angeles Consumer Price Index or 2%, whichever is greater. For the Providence Landing CFD, the levy would remain unchanged at $672 per parcel due to a balanced budget. Staff recommended receiving and filing the administrative report, adopting the resolution for the levies, certifying the parcel list, and determining the action is not subject to CEQA.
- Discussion: Supervisor Bedrogi questioned whether specific benefits are conferred to taxpayers in these districts, noting that services like parks and libraries are open to the public. Staff and County Counsel explained that under the Community Facilities Act, the standard is not a "but-for" benefit but rather a community planning tool to prevent the general fund from absorbing development costs, provided the funds do not supplant existing services. The Sheriff’s Office noted that funds received have been used for hardening projects at the Santa Maria Station. Supervisor Bedrogi stated she could not support the measure due to the lack of a clear direct benefit standard.
- Motion: Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt staff’s recommendations A through F. The motion was seconded.
- Vote Outcome: The motion passed 4-1.
Agenda Item 2: FY 2018-19 Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment (CSA 3)
- Presentation: Staff presented the proposed adjustment for the County Service Area 3 (Greater Goleta) Library Measure L special tax levy. The parcel levies would increase by 2.8% based on the 2017 Los Angeles Consumer Price Index, resulting in an increase of approximately $6,500 over the prior year for a total annual assessment of $195,000. Staff recommended adopting the resolution to adjust the tax and determining the action is not subject to CEQA.
- Discussion: There were no requests to speak.
- Motion: Supervisor Wolfe moved to adopt staff’s recommendations. The motion was seconded.
- Vote Outcome: The motion passed 5-0.
Closed Session
- The Board entered closed session to discuss two existing litigation cases (Samarasena v. County of Santa Barbara and Flath v. County of Santa Barbara), confer with labor negotiators for all bargaining units, and consider a public employee appointment for the Child Support Services Director. Upon returning, County Counsel reported that there were no reportable actions from the closed session.
Agenda Item 4: Proposed Amendment to Planning and Development Fee Ordinance for Cannabis Appeals
- Presentation: Staff presented a proposed ordinance amendment requiring cannabis permit applicants to fund the full cost of appeals. Staff noted that cannabis permitting began in June, with approximately five permits received and more expected. Currently, the appeal filing fee is $505, with the general fund covering the remainder of the costs. Over the past four years, the county has lost between $250,000 and $320,000 annually on appeals. Staff indicated that a broader study on appeal funding for all permit types is planned for 2022 under the "Renew" program but recommended this specific action for cannabis to address anticipated costs.
- Discussion:
- The Chair questioned the low appeal fee, suggesting it may encourage excessive appeals. County Counsel explained that fees cannot be so high as to bar access to justice, citing legal precedents.
- Supervisor Lavagnino asked how the $505 fee is calculated and inquired about establishing a nexus for standing to appeal to prevent distant parties from filing frivolous appeals. County Counsel noted that geographic limits were previously considered and recommended against due to legal risks. Supervisor Lavagnino also raised concerns about serial appellants and the time burden on the process.
- Public comment was received from Jared Ficker (California Strategies), who supported cost reimbursement but suggested a cap on applicant liability or reimbursement from the local excise tax fund, and advocated for uniform appeal fees in the coastal zone. Bruce Watkins (Provisions) supported recouping expenses but requested controls to prevent the provision from becoming a revenue source, suggested that the party filing the appeal should pay, and recommended capping reimbursements at $10,000 with private hearings for larger amounts. Lisa Bedrogi (Kuvae Connections) argued that the appeal process is broken and abused, urging the Board to reevaluate the system broadly rather than singling out the cannabis industry, and suggested that the item should have gone to the Ag Advisory Committee.
- Supervisor Lavagnino commented on the financial impact, noting the county subsidizes appeals significantly, and suggested backfilling costs with cannabis tax revenues rather than imposing full cost recovery on applicants, arguing it would be a "triple dip" on an industry already paying high fees and taxes.
- Supervisor Bedrogi called for a standing test or nexus requirement and advocated for consistency across all industries, suggesting the Board wait for the broader study.
- The Chair expressed concern about the financial risk to the general fund if appeals increase significantly with cannabis, suggesting a compromise framework where costs are shared among the applicant, appellant, and county, potentially with a cap on the applicant's portion.
- Supervisor Hartman questioned the timeline for the broader ordinance and suggested a temporary higher fee or flat fee for certainty.
- Supervisor Wolfe suggested delaying action until the county has actual experience with cannabis appeals, potentially returning in the first quarter.
- Staff clarified that permits will continue to be processed regardless of the appeal fee decision and that the ordinance would take 60 days to become effective after the second reading. Staff recommended returning to the Board in November or December with a comprehensive package including experience data and options for appeals across all permit types.
- The Chair expressed concern regarding the current appeal fee process, noting potential risks to the institution and applicants due to the low fee structure. The Chair urged staff to return with a recommendation as soon as possible.
- Motion: A motion was proposed to take no action at this time.
- Decision: The committee agreed to take no action on the item.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (No action taken).
Administrative Note
- The committee scheduled its next meeting for August 17 at 9:00 AM in Santa Barbara.