Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Nelson, 5-Lavagnino, 3-Hartmann, 2-Capps, Williams
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
Public Health Department Retirement Waiver
- Staff requested retaining a retiring Public Health Microbiologist as extra help to address staffing shortages.
- The Board approved the recommendation to retain the specialist until vacancies are filled.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) Annual Update
- A representative reported that 3CE serves nearly 450,000 customers with rates decoupled from PG&E.
- The agency is currently at 50% clean energy and on track to reach 100% by 2030.
- The Board filed and received the report after questions regarding enrollment, solvency, and electrification programs.
No decision 0–0
Ad Hoc Library Committee Update
- Presenters outlined budget shortfalls and recommended exploring a Joint Powers Authority model for dedicated tax revenue.
- The committee suggested public polling to gauge voter interest in a new tax measure for 2024 or 2025.
- The Board accepted the report and supported the recommendations, including the polling process.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
Laguna County Sanitation District Ordinance
- The Board considered recommendations regarding service changes, connection charges, and fees.
- Discussion noted that unincorporated area costs are higher but reflect a higher level of treatment and regulatory compliance.
- The Board approved the staff recommendation for the proposed fee adjustments.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Mission Canyon Sewer District Resolution
- The Board considered recommendations regarding the collection of sewer service and connection charges on the tax roll.
- The Board approved the recommendation to proceed with the resolution.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Benefits Assessments for County Service Areas
- The Board considered recommendations to establish benefits assessments for County Service Areas 3-31 and the Santa Barbara North County Lighting District.
- The Board approved the recommendation to establish these assessments.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Supervisor Compensation and Benefits Amendment
- The Board considered an amendment to the ordinance setting compensation and benefits for Board members.
- The Board approved the recommendation to amend the compensation and benefits ordinance.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
Retirement Commendations
- The Board adopted resolutions honoring K-9 Domas, Patricia Martinez, Paul Zellis, and Dolly Motley for their long service.
- Each resolution cited specific achievements, such as detection accuracy, juvenile instruction, and process improvement.
Proclamations
- The Board adopted a proclamation recognizing National Correctional Officers Week for the dedication of jail staff.
- The Board adopted a proclamation recognizing Compost Awareness Week and the benefits of composting for soil health.
Closed Session
- The Board met in closed session for public employee performance evaluation and labor negotiations.
- The Board took no reportable action during the closed session.
Full summary
Public Comment
- Housing: A resident discussed the national housing crisis, citing real estate company buyouts in Solvang and the impact of short-term rentals on worker housing. The speaker requested lease guarantees, eviction protections, and mechanisms to ensure residents can return to their units at the same rent after renovations. Specific mention was made of a $92 million sale of Core Spaces properties and a request for a renovation moratorium until vacancy levels rise.
- Law Enforcement Recognition: A speaker expressed gratitude for the recognition of their career in public safety.
- Library Funding: A speaker supported the library committee’s work, advised caution regarding the number of polls to avoid diluting results and high costs, and emphasized the importance of libraries as community resources.
- Animal Services: A speaker highlighted the strain on animal shelters due to housing instability and cost-of-living increases, urging the community to foster animals or assist with social media outreach to prevent euthanasia due to lack of space.
- Supportive Housing: A speaker announced the groundbreaking of Hope Village in Santa Maria, an interim supportive housing community for transitional age youth, recuperative care, and homeless individuals, in partnership with local organizations.
Closed Session
- Action: The Board met in closed session for two items: public employee performance evaluation for the County Council and a conference with labor negotiators for the Santa Barbara County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.
- Decision: The Board took no reportable action.
Departmental Item 1: Public Health Department
- Topic: Consideration of a recommendation regarding an extra help service retirement waiver for the Public Health Department.
- Discussion: Staff presented a request to retain a retiring Public Health Microbiologist as extra help until vacancies are filled or alternative solutions are found, noting the rarity of the specialty and current staffing shortages.
- Motion: Motion to approve the recommendation.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (4-1).
Departmental Item 2: County Executive Office and Community Services Department
- Topic: Consideration of the Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) member agency annual update.
- Discussion:
- A 3CE representative provided an annual update, noting that 3CE serves 34 member agencies and nearly 450,000 customers.
- Rates were decoupled from PG&E in March 2022, resulting in approximately 18% savings for residential customers.
- 3CE is currently at 50% clean/renewable energy, on track for 60% by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
- Programs include EV rebates (up to $8,700), heat pump water heater incentives, and support for all-electric new housing.
- 3CE holds an A S&P credit rating.
- Questions were raised regarding the enrollment process, the estimated number of customers in Santa Barbara County, investment in school bus electrification, and the geographic location of 3CE’s energy projects.
- Questions were raised regarding potential market risks if other states adopt lower greenhouse gas thresholds, the feasibility of electrifying gas appliances given community pushback, and the role of rebate programs versus mandates.
- A speaker noted that 3CE’s long-term contracts with CCAs provide stability for developers.
- Board questions addressed 3CE’s solvency, heat pump contractor availability, and the relationship between 3CE and the City of Santa Barbara’s rooftop solar programs. Staff clarified that 3CE is a procurement agency and does not directly manage rooftop solar incentives, though it supports electrification broadly.
- Motion: Motion to file and receive the report.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (Unanimous).
Departmental Item 3: Community Services Department
- Topic: Consideration of an ad hoc library committee update.
- Discussion:
- A presenter from Legacy Works Group outlined the library system’s budget shortfalls, staffing erosion, and equity issues.
- The presentation detailed funding sources, noting that Santa Barbara County’s per capita spending is below the state average.
- The Ad Hoc Committee recommended exploring a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) model, specifically a "Library Finance JPA," to levy a dedicated tax and provide a forum for joint decision-making while retaining local control over library administration.
- The committee recommended public polling to gauge voter interest in a new tax measure (parcel or sales tax) for the 2024 or 2025 ballot.
- Questions were raised regarding "maintenance of effort" from the County General Fund if a new tax is passed, and whether other libraries would contribute to the cost of a countywide poll.
- A speaker noted that the county provides the most discretionary general fund support for libraries compared to comparable counties, which often have dedicated pre-Prop 13 tax revenues.
- A speaker expressed philosophical disagreement with polling for tax measures but acknowledged it as a potential path forward.
- City representatives expressed support for the process.
- Motion: Motion to accept the report and support the recommendations, including public polling.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (4-1).
Departmental Item 4: Public Works Department / Laguna County Sanitation District
- Topic: Consideration of recommendations regarding Laguna County Sanitation District ordinance relative to service changes, connection charges, and fees.
- Discussion:
- Questions were raised regarding the cost of water and sewer services in the unincorporated Santa Maria Valley compared to the City of Santa Maria and Guadalupe.
- A speaker noted that while unincorporated costs are higher, the level of treatment is significantly higher and the facility is better positioned to meet tightening water quality regulations.
- A speaker acknowledged public concern over the price difference but noted the proposed increase was modest (1.5%) and necessary for facility maintenance.
- Motion: Motion to approve the staff recommendation.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (Unanimous).
Departmental Item 5: Public Works Department
- Topic: Consideration of recommendations regarding the County Service Area 12 Mission Canyon Sewer District resolution relative to the collection of sewer service charges and sewer connection charges on the tax roll.
- Motion: Motion to approve the recommendation.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (Unanimous).
Departmental Item 6: Public Works Department
- Topic: Consideration of recommendations regarding establishing benefits assessments for County Service Areas 3-31 and the Santa Barbara North County Lighting District.
- Motion: Motion to approve the recommendation.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (Unanimous).
Administrative Item 4: Human Resources Department
- Topic: Consideration of recommendations regarding an amendment to the ordinance setting compensation and benefits for members of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors.
- Motion: Motion to approve the recommendation.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (4-1).
Administrative Item 18: Resolution of Commendation
- Topic: Honoring K-9 Domas upon retirement from the Agriculture Weights & Measures Department after over seven years of service.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, citing the dog’s accuracy rate in detecting unmarked packages and intercepting pests. A demonstration of the dog’s work was provided.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Item 19: Resolution of Commendation
- Topic: Honoring Patricia Martinez upon retirement from the Probation Department after over 21 years of service.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, citing her roles as a Juvenile Instructions Officer and Deputy Probation Officer, and her receipt of Officer of the Year awards.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Item 20: Resolution of Commendation
- Topic: Honoring Paul Zellis upon retirement from the District Attorney’s Office after over 30 years of service.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, citing his career progression from Marshal’s Office to Sheriff’s Deputy to District Attorney Investigator, and his awards for conflict resolution and service.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Item 21: Resolution of Commendation
- Topic: Honoring Dolly Motley upon retirement from the Department of Child Support Services after over 33 years of service.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, citing her progression from clerk to child support officer and her work on special projects and process improvement.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Item 22: Resolution of Proclamation
- Topic: Proclaiming the week of May 7–13, 2023, as National Correctional Officers Week in Santa Barbara County.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, recognizing the dedication of correctional officers during the pandemic and their role in maintaining jail security and inmate care.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Item 23: Resolution of Proclamation
- Topic: Proclaiming the week of May 7–13, 2023, as Compost Awareness Week in Santa Barbara County.
- Action: The resolution was read into the record, highlighting the benefits of composting for soil health and waste reduction. A representative from the Angles and Grays Regional Composting Facility thanked the Board and announced an open house event.
- Decision: Passed and adopted.
Administrative Agenda Approval
- Topic: Approval of the administrative agenda, including minutes from the April 18, 19, and 21 budget workshops and the May 2 meeting.
- Motion: Motion to approve the administrative agenda with the exception of Item A4.
- Vote Outcome: Passed (Unanimous).
- Item A4: A separate motion was made and seconded for Item A4.
- Vote Outcome: Passed.
Passed 4–0 · unanimous
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Adjournment
- Action: The Board recessed to closed session. Upon reconvening, the Board reported out from closed session and adjourned the meeting.
- Next Session: Scheduled for Tuesday, May 16, in Santa Barbara.