Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Lavagnino, 3-Hartmann, Kaps, 4-Nelson, 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
Juneteenth Proclamation
- A resolution was presented to officially proclaim June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County.
- The measure acknowledges the historical significance of emancipation and addresses ongoing systemic racism.
- The Board unanimously approved the resolution without requesting public comment.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation
- A resolution was introduced to recognize June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and affirm opposition to hate.
- Seven members of the public provided comments in support of the proclamation during the hearing.
- The Board approved the resolution, with one supervisor abstaining due to concerns about politicization.
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget Overview
- The CEO presented a $1.48 billion operating plan supporting over 4,600 FTEs with a focus on homelessness and equity.
- Revenue growth is driven by property taxes and state programs, partially offset by declining cannabis tax revenue.
- The budget establishes a standalone Information Technology Department and prioritizes climate adaptation and safety net services.
Health and Human Services Functional Group
- Public commenters highlighted the exhaustion of funding for the "Welcome Every Baby" program as of June 30.
- Speakers also requested raising the temperature threshold for warming centers and expanding mental health housing.
- The Board directed Public Health to lead discussions with partners on a plan to restore or replace the WEBB service.
Community Resources and Public Facilities
- Staff allocated $250,000 from fund balances to provide additional lighting in Isla Vista for student safety.
- Seven expansion requests were noted, including new specialists for transportation electrification and carbon farming.
- A correction was made clarifying that the arts funding request does not include full-time equivalent positions.
Sustainability Initiatives and Transportation Electrification
- Staff identified $115,000 in one-time funding available for a Sustainability Transportation Electrification Specialist.
- Supervisors debated allocating additional funds from the sustainability set-aside to ensure position continuity beyond one year.
- The discussion emphasized the role of this position in meeting carbon reduction goals and leveraging external grants.
Public Works Deferred Maintenance
- Staff confirmed that recommended funding totaling approximately $726,000 is sufficient to maintain pavement conditions.
- Supervisors acknowledged the importance of these funds to prevent infrastructure deterioration and avoid debt financing.
Green Tape Ombudsman Initiative
- A proposal was introduced to allocate $50,000 for an ombudsman to assist landowners with creek restoration permitting.
- The initiative aims to streamline regulatory navigation and address concerns regarding El Niño storm impacts.
- Supervisors expressed support for setting aside these funds to facilitate accountability and reporting on progress.
Public Safety Functional Overview
- Updates included progress on SB 184 workgroups and successful funding for victim-witness advocates and racial justice attorneys.
- A criminal justice set-aside of approximately $784,000 was discussed as a potential source for future allocations requiring a four-fifths vote.
- Several requests remained unfunded in this cycle, including positions for narcotics teams, custody bus replacement, and additional patrol staffing.
Sheriff's Department Presentation
- The Sheriff reported a 13% decrease in fentanyl-related overdose deaths year-to-date, though 40 deaths remain a concern.
- The department faces significant staffing deficits, including 50 sworn positions lost since 2007 and 31 vacant custody spots.
- A request was made to approve two additional patrol deputy positions to begin restoring staffing levels.
Budget Allocation Deliberations
- The Board deliberated on allocating remaining unallocated funds to the Women's Commission, Electrification Specialist, and district projects.
- Consensus leaned toward a minimum of $50,000 for the Electrification Specialist with some proposals for higher amounts.
- Agreement was reached to allocate $50,000 for the Green Tape Ombudsman and $9,000 for the Women's Commission.
Final Budget Approval
- A motion was made to approve Recommended Actions A through H, incorporating all detailed allocations from Attachment E.
- The Board unanimously passed the motion to adopt the County Budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024.
- A separate motion to approve the staff recommendation for the successor agency budget also passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- No closed session report was included in the provided meeting summary.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Announcements
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting on June 16, 2023, was called to order by Chair Bob Nelson for budget hearings regarding the fiscal year 2023-2024 operating plan. A quorum was established following the roll call. The Clerk announced procedures for public comment, noting that verbal comments via Zoom require advance registration specifying a functional group, with general public comment on non-agenda items scheduled for the conclusion of the hearing.
Administrative Item 1: Juneteenth Proclamation
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Capps to proclaim June 19, 2023, as Juneteenth in Santa Barbara County was presented. The resolution acknowledges the historical significance of the date regarding the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas and addresses ongoing issues of systemic racism and anti-blackness. A representative from the Juneteenth Santa Barbara Committee accepted the proclamation. No public comment was requested.
- Motion: Supervisor Hartman moved approval of the resolution.
- Second: Chair Nelson seconded the motion.
- Decision: The resolution passed unanimously.
Administrative Item 2: LGBTQ+ Pride Month Proclamation
- A resolution sponsored by Supervisor Capps to proclaim June 2023 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month was presented. The resolution recognizes the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community, acknowledges historical challenges including discrimination and the AIDS epidemic, and affirms the County's stance against hate and discrimination. Kristen Flickinger, Executive Director of the Pacific Pride Foundation, accepted the resolution. Seven members of the public provided comments in support of the proclamation.
- Motion: Supervisor Hartman moved approval of the resolution.
- Second: Supervisor Lavagnino seconded the motion.
- Decision: The resolution passed. One supervisor abstained from the vote, citing concerns regarding the politicization of the issue while affirming support for civil liberties and condemning violence against the community.
Budget Hearing Overview: Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Plan
- The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) presented an overview of the recommended budget, themed "Ready for Today, Preparing for Tomorrow." The total operating budget is projected at $1.48 billion, supporting over 4,600 FTEs, representing a $90 million increase from the prior year. Reserves are reported as strong, with the strategic reserve fully funded at 8%. Revenue growth is driven by property tax increases and state program expansions, partially offset by declining cannabis tax revenue. Salary and benefits constitute 53% of the budget. Priorities include homelessness ($46 million allocated), workforce housing studies, park maintenance, climate change adaptation, safety net services, criminal justice improvements, and equity initiatives. Challenges noted include state mandates, storm recovery costs, recruitment and retention issues, rising insurance premiums, and deferred maintenance. The budget establishes a standalone Information Technology Department.
- The Budget Director provided detailed financial breakdowns, noting a 9.3% increase in discretionary general fund revenue. "CEO Recommended Expansions" utilizing unallocated funds from property tax growth, Proposition 172, and ARPA were outlined, including funding for library rent increases, emergency shelter costs, security at the Better Avia Center, litigation reserves, deferred maintenance, cannabis revenue swaps, and various one-time projects such as a sustainability initiatives fund and district office allocations. "Final Budget Adjustments" primarily involved carry-forward capital projects and grant-funded FTE additions in the District Attorney's Office and Probation Department.
Functional Group: Health and Human Services
- The CEO provided an update on the Health and Human Services functional group (Behavioral Wellness, Child Support, First 5, Public Health, Social Services), which accounts for approximately half of the county's FTEs. Updates included ongoing work regarding the transition of EMS to the Fire Department and progress on the Farmworker Resource Center.
- Public Comment: Four speakers addressed the board. One requested raising the temperature threshold for opening warming centers from 35 to 40 degrees and suggested building apartments near the county hospital for mental health stabilization. Another discussed the fentanyl/opioid crisis, emphasizing prevention programs within schools and public health institutions. Two speakers represented the "Welcome Every Baby" (WEBB) program, reporting that funding is exhausted as of June 30, ending new referrals, and urged the Board to facilitate a solution to reinstate the service.
- Board Discussion: Supervisors expressed support for the WEBB program and requested that Public Health lead discussions with partners, including First 5, to develop a plan to restore or replace the service. The Board directed that any resulting plan be brought back for review.
Functional Group: General Government and Support Services
- The Budget Director presented an overview of this group (Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder, Assessor, General Services, Human Resources, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Public Administrator, and Information Technology), which accounts for approximately 10% of the budget with 400 FTEs. Updates included the transfer of ERP support and data architect positions to the new IT department. One request to speak was noted, but no comments were received as the speaker had left prior to their turn.
Functional Group: Community Resources and Public Facilities
- The Budget Director presented an overview of this group (AG Commissioner, Weights and Measures, Community Services, Planning and Development, and Public Works), which accounts for 20% of operating expenditures with 550 FTEs.
- Updates: $250,000 was allocated from fund balance and CSA 31 to provide additional lighting in Isla Vista.
- Expansion Requests: Seven expansion requests were noted, including positions for a Transportation Electrification Specialist, Land Stewardship and Carbon Farming Specialist, Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Specialist, and funding to reduce arts reliance on fund balance. A correction was made regarding the Arts request, clarifying it does not include FTE.
- Board Comment: Supervisor Capps thanked colleagues for supporting the Isla Vista lighting project to enhance student safety.
Sustainability Initiatives and Transportation Electrification
- Discussion focused on funding for a Sustainability Transportation Electrification Specialist. Staff clarified that $115,000 in one-time funding exists for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with an additional $50,000 required to fully fund the position. No ongoing funding is currently available beyond this one-time allocation. Supervisors discussed whether to allocate funds from the existing $425,000 sustainability set-aside or adjust the total amount. The Board considered the importance of the position for meeting carbon reduction goals and the potential to leverage state and federal grants.
Public Works Deferred Maintenance
- Staff confirmed that recommended expansion funding for Public Works deferred maintenance, totaling approximately $726,000 in combination with existing allocations, is sufficient to maintain the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) across the county. Supervisors acknowledged the importance of preventing further infrastructure deterioration and avoiding debt financing through deferred maintenance.
Green Tape Ombudsman Initiative
- A proposal was introduced to allocate $50,000 from one-time funds for an "ombudsman" position to assist private landowners with creek restoration permitting and navigation of regulatory agencies. The initiative aims to address concerns regarding El Niño storm impacts and streamline the permitting process. Supervisors expressed support for setting aside these funds to facilitate accountability and reporting on the initiative's progress.
Public Safety Functional Overview
- Staff presented an overview of the Public Safety functional group (Court Special Services, District Attorney, Fire, Probation, Public Defender, and Sheriff departments). Updates included:
- SB 184: Progress on a multi-department workgroup to reduce commitments of individuals deemed incompetent to stand trial.
- Funding Successes: The District Attorney received three years of funding for a victim-witness advocate and one year for a case management system position. The Public Defender received three years of funding for an attorney to assist with Racial Justice Act implementation.
- Set-Aside Funds: A criminal justice set-aside of approximately $784,000 (Proposition 172 funds) was discussed as a potential source for future allocations, including a remaining District Attorney attorney request and two Public Defender Limited Office Professional (LOP) supervisor positions. Staff indicated these would require a future budget revision with a four-fifths vote to allocate from the set-aside.
- Unfunded Requests: Several requests were not funded in this cycle, including a DA investigator, Sheriff's narcotics team, custody bus replacement, cannabis team, additional custody/patrol staffing, and a supervising accountant.
Sheriff's Department Presentation
- The Sheriff presented an update on the budget expansion request. Key points included:
- Fentanyl Crisis: Fentanyl-related overdose deaths decreased 13% year-to-date (from 46 to 40), attributed to public awareness and Narcan distribution, though 40 deaths remain a significant concern.
- Staffing Deficits: The department remains down 75 general fund positions since 2007, including 50 sworn positions. While recruiting for patrol deputies has been successful, custody deputy recruitment remains challenging with 31 vacant positions anticipated.
- Recommendation: The Sheriff requested the Board approve two additional patrol deputy positions to begin an incremental process of restoring staffing levels lost since the Great Recession.
Public Comment on Public Safety
- Public commenters addressed jail reduction strategies, electronic monitoring data reporting, and the need for a comprehensive master plan for funding the opioid crisis balancing enforcement with treatment. One commenter raised allegations regarding corruption within law enforcement and professional standards complaints. Another commenter supported the recommendation for two LOP supervisor positions for the Public Defender to address supervision burdens.
Policy and Executive Functional Overview
- Staff presented the final functional group (Board of Supervisors, County Executive Office, and general county programs). The group receives $113 million in General Fund Contributions (GFC), with $91 million allocated to general county programs passed through to other departments for items such as Northern Branch Jail Operations, 18% funding, and cannabis funding. No specific expansion requests were detailed beyond the previously discussed set-asides.
Board Deliberations and Budget Allocation
- The Board deliberated on the allocation of the remaining $425,000 in unallocated one-time funds (Attachment E). Discussions included:
- Women's Commission: A request to increase funding by $9,000 (from $6,000 to $15,000) to expand community outreach.
- Electrification Specialist: Debate occurred between allocating $50,000 for one year versus $160,000 to cover multiple years. The consensus leaned toward a minimum of $50,000, with some supervisors proposing $120,000 to ensure continuity beyond the current fiscal year.
- Green Tape Ombudsman: Agreement was reached to allocate $50,000 for this initiative.
- District Projects and Emerging Issues: Supervisors discussed allocating remaining funds to district-specific projects (approximately $219,500 total) or retaining them in the Emerging Issues Fund for future flexibility.
Motions and Votes
- Two motions were made and seconded: 1. County Budget: A motion was made to approve Recommended Actions A through H, incorporating the allocations detailed in Attachment E (including $9,000 for the Women's Commission, $50,000 for the Green Tape Ombudsman, and varying amounts for the Electrification Specialist and district/emerging issues funds).
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
- 2. Successor Agency: A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation for the successor agency budget.
- Decision: The motion passed unanimously.
General Public Comment
- One member of the public provided general comment regarding previous interactions with the Board, referencing an action summary and requesting clarification on whether investigations into alleged fraud or risk management issues had been initiated.
Adjournment and Next Meeting
- The meeting was adjourned. It was noted that all members received a photocopy of the document along with the Sheriff's Department's response. The next meeting is scheduled for June 27 in Santa Maria. No motions were moved, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.