Meeting Summary
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At a glance
Sheriff’s Office Budget and Operations
- The department presented a tight budget with no service level reductions, highlighting significant staffing vacancies and a 63% decline in statewide law enforcement applicants.
- Expansion requests include consolidating jail control rooms to save over $250,000, hiring 17 additional custody deputies, and restoring the Chief Deputy Sheriff position.
- Technology upgrades are proposed for aging Mobile Data Computers, records management systems, and body-worn camera infrastructure.
- Crime rates in Sheriff’s jurisdictions are at a 10-year low, with overall crime down 11% and violent crime down 20%.
Northern Branch Jail Operating Fund Update
- The Northern Branch Jail project is 86% complete, with substantial completion projected for the second quarter of the next fiscal year.
- The board is setting aside $12.7 million for operating costs, with projected total operating costs reaching approximately $20 million by FY 2022-23.
- Medical costs remain the largest unquantified operational expense, while alternative sentencing staffing was reduced due to fluctuating inmate numbers.
Court Special Services Budget Presentation
- The $14.8 million operating budget faces a $680,000 financial gap due to declining revenue from fines and forfeitures caused by legislative changes.
- Bail reform legislation stalled by a ballot initiative has increased indigent defense costs.
- Objectives include increasing supervised pretrial release and exploring the transfer of pretrial services to the probation department.
District Attorney’s Office Budget Presentation
- The $27.3 million budget supports 140.5 FTEs, with 88% allocated to salaries and benefits, and no service level reductions planned.
- Resource strain is driven by complex cases, including the largest gang case in county history and the Golden State Killer case.
- The department secured $3 million in annual grant funding and aims to implement new technology systems for case management and file sharing.
Public Defender’s Office Budget Presentation
- The office is expanding initiatives to reduce pretrial incarceration, including a holistic defense partnership and an early representation unit.
- The budget addresses increasing legal complexity, such as collateral consequences of convictions and mental health issues.
- The board discussed the need for continued collaboration among public safety agencies to address court congestion and discovery delays.
Probation Department Budget Presentation
- The $58.7 million budget includes a request to transfer pretrial assessment functions from the Court, adding two deputy probation officers.
- Juvenile services initiatives have resulted in an 81% reduction in congregate care placements and a 39% reduction in facility population.
- The department plans to consolidate Santa Barbara facilities and implement new scheduling software to improve efficiency.
Parks and Recreation Department Budget Presentation
- The $35.4 million budget includes investments in deferred maintenance and revenue-generating projects like Kachuma Lake RV renovations.
- Expansion requests include funding for Community Choice Energy Phase 3 and the Countywide Recreation Master Plan.
- The department is managing $10 million in state funding for homeless programs and working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Planning and Development Budget Presentation
- The $24 million budget focuses on cannabis permitting, staff retention, and the adoption of complex land use codes.
- Key objectives include local adoption of a cannabis ordinance for inland areas and amendments to short-term rental regulations.
- The department processed over 1,400 zoning permits and 3,800 building permits while supporting disaster rebuilding efforts.
Agriculture, Weights and Measures Budget Presentation
- The $6.2 million budget sustains 37 full-time positions with no service level reductions or expansion requests.
- Initiatives include regulating the cannabis industry, preparing for the USDA hemp production program, and relocating offices to improve service.
- The department is focused on retaining high-performing employees and developing leadership through professional development.
Community Services Department Budget Presentation
- The RV COP project has a cost of $12 million with an estimated annual return of $500,000 and increasing occupancy rates.
- The board questioned the scalability of the RV project and requested clarification on occupancy percentages and tree maintenance funding.
- An update on the swimming issue is requested before June, with the board clarifying it is not making decisions on swimming restrictions.
Mental Health Services and Jail Conditions
- Public commenters urged the board to fully fund the Behavioral Sciences Manager, Assisted Outpatient Treatment, and co-response teams.
- Speakers highlighted the effectiveness of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and the need for improved mental health care transitions upon jail release.
- One commenter requested the county consider repurposing the existing jail facility for mental health treatment.
Closed Session
- The board adjourned the meeting and scheduled the next session for Friday, April 19th, to address homelessness and library updates.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Sheriff’s Office Budget and Operations
- Discussion: Under Sheriff Saul Linver presented the department’s budget, noting no anticipated service level reductions but a tight budget with no cushion for unanticipated expenses. The presentation covered staffing challenges, including a 63% statewide decline in law enforcement applicants, retention issues, and mandatory overtime in jail and dispatch units. Specific staffing changes included the addition of seven cannabis positions and the reduction of two alternative sentencing positions. Vacancies were reported at 8 law enforcement deputies, 17 custody deputies, 4 dispatchers, and 3 ECC positions.
- Initiatives and Requests: The department outlined several expansion requests, described as necessary operational needs:
- Jail Room Consolidation: Consolidating four 24-hour control rooms into one to reduce staff positions from four to two, releasing two custody deputy posts to address vacancies. This is projected to save over $250,000 in staffing costs.
- Custody Deputies: A request to set aside a fund balance to hire 17 additional custody deputies for the main jail, contingent on reaching a 3% vacancy rate.
- Behavioral Science Unit: Continued funding for the manager position, which coordinates Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
- Technology: Replacement of 7-8 year old Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) using unsupported 3G technology; upgrade of the 14-year-old records management system; implementation of cloud storage for body-worn camera footage; and outfitting remaining field deputies with body-worn cameras.
- Management: Restoration of the Chief Deputy Sheriff position, which was unfunded during the 2008 recession.
- Data Center: Replacement of 7-year-old hardware and creation of a redundant data center in North County.
- Other: A data analyst position for statistics and Public Records Act requests; and funds for a Dispatch Governance Group.
- Financials: The general fund contribution percentage decreased from 34.99% (FY 15-16) to 32.10% (FY 19-20), a decrease of approximately $5.6 million. The department reported that 62.5% of the general fund went to public safety in the last year’s budget.
- Performance: Crime rates in Sheriff’s Office jurisdictions are at a 10-year low, with overall crime down 11% and violent crime down 20%. The department reported no service level reductions for the first time in at least 10 years.
- Public Comment: Julie Hess (Sheriff’s Office) addressed staffing challenges and requested board support for funding to adequately staff jails, patrol, and dispatch. Cheryl Lynn Lee provided information on dispatcher training, noting all dispatchers have received CIT training and additional training on de-escalating suicidal callers. Tom Franklin (Behavioral Wellness Commission/NAMI) spoke in support of the Behavioral Sciences Unit, CIT program, Co-Response team, and Assertive Outreach (AOT) program. Gwen Marcus spoke in support of permanent funding for CIT and co-response teams.
- Board Discussion: Supervisors discussed the decline in general fund contribution, the need for additional resources to restore staffing levels, and the demand for body camera footage by the District Attorney and Public Defender offices. Supervisor Williams requested data on mandatory overtime levels and the number of staff needed to eliminate it. Supervisor Hartman noted the board’s commitment to fiscal constraints while acknowledging the positive trend of no service level reductions.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Northern Branch Jail Operating Fund Update
- Discussion: The department provided an update on the Northern Branch Jail project, which is 86% complete. Substantial completion is projected for the second quarter of the next fiscal year, with beneficial occupancy by March 2020. The project cost is approximately $111 million ($80 million from state AB 900 funding, balance from local match).
- Operating Fund: The board adopted a plan in FY 2011-12 to set aside general fund dollars for operating costs. For the upcoming fiscal year, $12.7 million is being set aside. Projected operating costs are approximately $20 million by FY 2022-23. The Sheriff’s budget reflects a draw of $14.6 million to pay for custody deputies added in preparation for the jail opening.
- Challenges: Medical costs remain the largest unquantified operational cost. Discussion occurred regarding the fluctuation of alternative sentencing numbers (currently ~88 inmates) and the decision to reduce staffing in the Alternative Sentencing Bureau due to inability to sustain higher numbers.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Lavagnino noted that the county has carved out approximately $13 million from the general fund to date, with three years remaining to reach the target.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Court Special Services Budget Presentation
- Discussion: The Superior Court representative presented the budget for court special services (grand jury, indigent defense, pretrial services, collections, ADR). The operating budget is $14.8 million, primarily funded by general fund contributions.
- Challenges: Bail reform (SB 10) was stalled by a ballot initiative, increasing indigent defense costs. Declining revenue from fines/forfeitures due to legislative changes created a $680,000 financial gap.
- Objectives: Increase supervised pretrial release, integrate pretrial data with probation, and explore transferring pretrial services to the probation department.
- Performance: No service level reductions. Focus on reducing case delays and tracking oldest cases.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Lavagnino asked if judges are concerned with case delays ("churning") and if the office handles regular juries in addition to the grand jury. He noted that trials are not currently being rescheduled due to lack of juries.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: District Attorney’s Office Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Joyce Dudley presented the District Attorney’s Office budget, which totals $27.3 million with 140.5 FTEs. Salaries and benefits represent 88% of the operating budget. The department reported no service level reductions for the upcoming year.
- Challenges: Recruitment and retention difficulties, legislative changes requiring relitigation of closed cases, and resource strain from complex cases, including the largest gang case in county history, a capital murder case, and the Golden State Killer case.
- Accomplishments: Prosecution of the Refugio oil spill case, creation of a vertical prosecution unit for illegal cannabis, and a domestic violence training program that coincided with zero domestic violence homicides in 2018. The department secured $3 million in annual grant funding across 18 grants.
- Objectives: Trial of the Operation Matador case, development of a mass casualty response plan, and implementation of new technology systems (case management, eSCARS, electronic file sharing).
- Board Discussion: CEO Miyasato asked how the $2 million set aside for technology would be distributed. Supervisor Lavagnino asked for clarification on the performance measure regarding felony cases resolved before preliminary hearing, noting the recommendation was to reach 60%, which was lower than previous performance. Supervisor Hartman suggested using a forum to address courtroom flow issues involving the DA, Public Defender, Probation, and Sheriff’s Office.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Public Defender’s Office Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Tracy McCougar presented the Public Defender’s Office budget, highlighting a 50-year anniversary and increasing complexity of legal duties, including collateral consequences of convictions and mental health issues.
- Initiatives: Two budget expansions related to reducing pretrial incarceration and recidivism:
- Holistic Defense: A partnership with the Family Services Agency (FSA) to address non-legal impediments to reentry.
- Early Representation (Pre-Arraignment Unit): A collaboration with the Sheriff’s Office and Behavioral Wellness to meet clients early in custody to assess needs and facilitate release.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hartman expressed support for the office’s initiatives and forward-looking changes. The Public Defender acknowledged the presence of serious offenders in jail but argued that many pretrial detainees are non-violent and unable to afford bail. The board discussed the need for continued collaboration among public safety agencies and the potential for a summit to address court congestion and discovery delays.
- Public Comment: A member of the public, identified as a Public Defender, criticized the office for characterizing clients as victims rather than acknowledging their criminal actions and for not meeting performance measure commitments from the previous year. They suggested privatizing the office.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Probation Department Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Chief Probation Officer Tanya Heitman presented the department’s proposed operating budget of approximately $58.7 million, including $27.9 million from the general fund. The department submitted a balanced budget with no service level reductions, despite a projected $1.2 million gap in the five-year forecast, which was mitigated by salary adjustments and reduced caseloads.
- Legislative Impacts: SB 10 (bail reform), SB 284 (increased juvenile justice costs), SB 144 (elimination of offender fees), and AB 901 (restrictions on prevention services).
- Initiatives:
- Juvenile Services: Implementation of the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) for risk assessment, participation in the Reimagining Juvenile Justice Initiative, and expansion of diversion opportunities. Data indicated a 32% reduction in supervised youth, a 39% reduction in facility population, and an 81% reduction in congregate care placements.
- Pretrial Services: A transition request was submitted to transfer pretrial assessment and reporting functions from the Court to the Probation Department. This transfer, estimated at $624,650 in general fund (with only $36,000 being a net expansion), would allow the addition of two deputy probation officers.
- Facilities and Efficiency: Plans for a building consolidation in Santa Barbara to combine administration, adult services, and juvenile services into a single facility. Implementation of new scheduling software and conversion of certain master control room duties to civilian staff.
- Domestic Violence: The county is one of six pilot sites for a new domestic violence programming approach under AB 372.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hartman congratulated the department on taking the lead in the pretrial services transition and noted a 94% court appearance rate. He encouraged the department to request additional funding if the program proves successful mid-year. Supervisor Williams expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative leadership style and supported the additional funding requests.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Parks and Recreation Department Budget Presentation
- Discussion: The department director presented the budget, highlighting an operating budget of approximately $35.4 million with 88.5 full-time equivalent positions.
- Key Points:
- Parks: Investment in deferred maintenance, Kachuma Lake RV renovations (expected to increase revenue by $500,000 annually), Halama Affordable Cabins (expected to increase revenue by $100,000 annually), and Arroyo Burro ranger station improvements.
- Housing: Management of homeless programs, including $10 million in state funding, and challenges with the county library’s reliance on reserves.
- Sustainability: Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50% below 1990 levels by 2030.
- Expansion Requests:
- 1. Countywide Library (to be discussed in a later session). 2. Community Choice Energy (CCE) Phase 3: A request for $750,000 (totaling $1.4 million) pending a viability study expected in May. 3. Climate Action Plan: A request for $324,000 over two fiscal years for inter-jurisdictional collaboration to update the Energy and Climate Action Plan (ECAP). 4. Countywide Recreation Master Plan: To identify facilities, needs, and Prop 68 funding opportunities.
- Financials: The General Fund Contribution (GFC) is the largest source, with approximately $5.5 million of the nearly $12 million total passed through to the library system, Human Services Commission, homeless shelters, warming centers, and the Chambers of Commerce program. The decrease in fund balance, totaling $11.1 million, is primarily within the housing division. Charges for services are budgeted at $8.9 million for fiscal year 19-20.
- Board Discussion: Questions were raised regarding the scalability of RV infrastructure, booking rates, and the potential consolidation of the County Trails Committee and Orca Trails Commission. The department stated it would return to the board for approval to pursue the consolidation. Supervisor Lavagnino questioned the scalability of the RV COP project, noting a 24-year return on investment.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Planning and Development Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Lisa Plowman presented the Planning and Development Department’s budget, which is approximately $24 million. Key challenges include cannabis permitting and enforcement, staff retention, and the adoption of complex land use codes. The department reported a general fund contribution of roughly $3.3 million, with the majority of funding coming from licenses, permits, and fees.
- Accomplishments: Support for Thomas fire and Montecito debris flow rebuilding efforts, completion of the IV Bluffs policy update, and participation in the cannabis enforcement team. The department processed over 1,400 zoning permits and 3,800 building permits.
- Objectives: Local adoption of a cannabis ordinance for inland areas, amendments to the short-term rental/homestay ordinance, and the adoption of telecommunications ordinance amendments. The department is also working on a vulnerability assessment for the safety element and updating the circulation element to align with new state CEQA guidelines regarding vehicle miles traveled.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hartman discussed the strategy for the Planning Commission to handle the influx of oil projects and cannabis applications. He noted that the commission is currently backlogged and that CUPs are often the most controversial items requiring quick resolution. Supervisor Williams discussed the issue of appeal fees, noting that the current fee of $600 is low compared to the cost of appeals, and suggested exploring incremental increases. He also discussed the bifurcation of STRs and farmstays, noting that the current regulations may have inadvertently made it illegal for ranch hands to live on the property. Supervisor Lavagnino asked for clarification on the $78,000 figure provided by the department and whether it was an in-house estimate.
- Public Comment: Ed Kolaski expressed frustration regarding a dispute with the Planning Commission, alleging inconsistent requirements and threats from a security guard.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Agriculture, Weights and Measures Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Agricultural Commissioner Kathy Fisher presented the FY 19-20 operating budget of approximately $6.2 million, including $1.6 million from the general fund. The budget sustains 37 full-time positions with no service level reductions or expansion requests.
- Initiatives:
- Cannabis Regulation: Continued involvement in regulating the cannabis industry, including site inspections and compliance support.
- Industrial Hemp: Preparation for the new USDA hemp production program under the 2018 Farm Bill.
- Staffing and Retention: Efforts to retain high-performing employees and develop leadership through training and professional development.
- Facilities: Relocation of the Carpinteria and Solvang offices to new locations to improve customer service and staff efficiency.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Lavagnino noted that the department handles many controversial issues, including cannabis and hemp, and that the commissioner is proactive in addressing potential problems.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Community Services Department Budget Presentation
- Discussion: Mr. Chapjean presented the Community Services Department budget. The presentation included the RV COP project, with a cost of $12 million and an estimated annual return of $500,000. It also covered occupancy rates, which were stated to be increasing from 22% to 30%.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Lavagnino questioned the scalability of the RV COP project, noting a 24-year return on investment. He asked for clarification on occupancy percentages, whether they referred to open or used spaces. He also asked about the $500,000 set aside for tree maintenance and whether it covers all necessary work. He clarified that the board is not making decisions on swimming restrictions but wanted to ensure public understanding. Supervisor Williams asked for an update on the swimming issue before June.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Public Comment – Mental Health Services and Jail Conditions
- Discussion: Tony Fox requested that the county consider gutting the existing jail facility to repurpose it as a facility for the mentally ill, citing the lack of local resources. He described a specific incident involving his son, who was arrested and held in jail for four and a half months following a 911 call, alleging that officers used excessive force and that the individual suffered a fractured knee and torn ACL. He requested that Dr. Lee engage with jail staff regarding mental illness training.
- Discussion: Pam Flint Tambo, representing the League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara, urged the Board to fully fund the continuation of three programs: the Behavioral Sciences Manager position, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program, and the co-response teams. She cited data indicating that out of 345 co-response encounters, only four resulted in arrest.
- Discussion: Marion McKenzie requested full funding for the CIT pilot program, stating that CIT-trained officers have positively impacted her family’s experiences with mental health crises. She advocated for all officers to be CIT-trained rather than just some.
- Discussion: Lynn Gibbs, representing NAMI, reported on improvements in jail mental health care, specifically noting the effectiveness of the new jail psychiatrist in ensuring patients are on appropriate medications. She highlighted the need to improve the transition of care when individuals are released from jail to prevent relapse and re-incarceration.
- Discussion: Julie Hess requested that the board consider the positive impact of funding for mental health issues during budget workshops. She cited the Co-Response Team, crisis intervention training, and Assertive Outreach Treatment (AOT) as effective programs that reduce jail usage and court costs. She advocated for wellness beds over jail beds to help individuals stabilize.
- Decision/Vote: No motion was made or voted upon.
Agenda Item: Closing Remarks and Adjournment
- Discussion: Andy Caldwell, representing CoLab, spoke regarding the growth of county government budgets relative to population and income growth. He cited statistics showing that while the county budget increased from $344 million in 1992 to $1.1 billion today, median household income only rose 30% over the same period. He argued that elected officials have lost perspective on the disparity between government cost growth and private sector income growth. He also commented on the Sheriff’s Office performance measures, specifically the 90% target for deputies arriving at in-progress calls within eight minutes, stating that actuals were in the 60s and that more patrol staff are needed. He suggested tearing down the South County Jail and starting over, similar to the North Branch Jail project. He criticized the loss of manufacturing jobs in the county and the failure to generate data on the cost of federal and state employee pensions paid by the general fund.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hart thanked the Sheriff’s Department for their work on reducing crime and supporting the co-response team. He expressed support for the Behavioral Sciences Unit and crisis intervention training. He noted that 43% of resources are equally distributed between custody operations and law enforcement, and suggested shifting resources toward patrol and community-oriented policing. He requested a plan to reduce the population of the main jail now that the North Branch Jail is opening.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Williams expressed support for the Sheriff’s Department’s collaborative leadership and requested regular reports on the progress of the public safety working group.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Hartman commented on the importance of quantifying cost savings from proposed changes and requested that future reports include results. He expressed support for the Sheriff’s Department’s direction but emphasized the need for urgency in addressing the percentage of the jail population awaiting trial and the number of individuals on electronic monitoring.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Lavagnino expressed the board’s commitment to improving the mental health and justice system, citing a personal story about a family member’s deterioration. He emphasized the need to target resources where they are needed most and to quantify the long-term savings of proposed changes.
- Board Discussion: Supervisor Williams discussed the downsides of time to trial, including cost, certainty of punishment, and the loss of community members who are found innocent. He encouraged all justice partners to prioritize reducing time to trial.
- Decision: The board adjourned the meeting and scheduled the next session for Friday, April 19th, to address homelessness and library updates.