Meeting Summary
Present: Katz, 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, Williams, 5-Lavagnino
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
Behavioral Wellness Department Agreement
- The Board reviewed the Third Amendment to the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System Intergovernmental Agreement.
- Staff recommendations A and B were presented for approval regarding the fiscal years 2021–2024 agreement.
- The motion to approve these recommendations passed unanimously without public comment.
Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Budget Overview
- The recommended $1.59 billion budget maintains service levels while fully funding the strategic reserve at 8%.
- Financial challenges include slowed discretionary revenue growth and rising costs for labor, benefits, and disaster recovery.
- Capital project funding was allocated for the Santa Barbara Courthouse roof, Veterans Hall, and various trail and park improvements.
Public Safety Functional Group
- Budget expansion requests from the District Attorney and Sheriff's Office were deferred to future hearings.
- The District Attorney committed to maintaining victim-witness service levels despite potential state funding cuts.
- Discussion included set-asides for Sheriff's Department overhire and recruitment incentives for custody deputies.
Community Resources and Public Facilities
- The Community Services Department received $7.9 million in state funding for homelessness services targeting individuals in vehicles.
- A potential $700,000 funding gap was identified for the Modoc Trail due to right-of-way acquisition costs.
- The Board directed that the remaining $295,000 balance of the South County Parks set-aside be used to complete the trail.
Health and Human Services Functional Group
- This group represents over one-third of operating expenditures and 42% of county full-time equivalents.
- Presentations highlighted potential impacts from state budget cuts to public health, behavioral wellness, and social services.
- No budget expansion requests were submitted by this functional group for the upcoming fiscal year.
General Government and Support Services
- Workday support positions were transferred to the IT department, while a Treasurer-Tax Collector request was deferred to 2026.
- Rising motor pool costs are attributed to fire apparatus replacements, outsourcing maintenance, and mandated electric vehicle transitions.
- The Clerk-Recorder-Assessor confirmed the county will not implement the Voter's Choice Act due to high costs and logistical challenges.
Policy and Executive Functional Group
- A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer position was transferred to the County Executive Office.
- Appropriations totaling $5.6 million were established for 2024 Capital Obligation Program debt service payments.
Budget Approval and Directives
- The Board deliberated on fiscal responsibility and the preservation of the strategic reserve before voting.
- A motion passed unanimously to approve budget recommendations A through H.
- An additional directive was included to earmark $295,000 from the South County Parks set-aside for the Modoc Trail project.
Redevelopment Agency Successor Budget
- The Board considered the fiscal year 2024–2025 budget for the County as successor to the former Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency.
- Recommendations A and B were approved unanimously to finalize the successor agency budget.
Closed Session
- The Board met in closed session to discuss existing litigation involving American Medical Response West.
- Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that no reportable action was taken during the session.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Administrative Item No. 1 – Behavioral Wellness Department
- The Board considered recommendations regarding the Third Amendment to the Fiscal Years 2021–2024 Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMCODS) Intergovernmental Agreement with the California Department of Health Care Services. No public comment was requested for this specific item. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendations A and B. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: General Public Comment
- Three members of the public provided comments on matters not listed on the agenda:
- Kathy Rosenthal, representing the San Ynez Valley Riders, requested Board support for a working group to plan equestrian use at Live Oak Camp and Trail within the Recreation Management Plan. She noted that a meeting to form this group was anticipated.
- Arturo Tello, a landscape painter and co-founder of the Oak Group, advocated for continued funding and support for open space acquisition, specifically mentioning the Carpinteria Bluffs. He highlighted fundraising efforts and donated artwork proceeds to the cause.
- Patty Perez Hogan requested an independent audit of the Adult Protective Services (APS) department regarding investigation procedures, training, and oversight, citing concerns over flawed reports and due process violations in her family's case.
Agenda Item: Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Budget Hearings – Overview and Functional Groups
- The County Executive Officer and Budget Director presented the recommended budget totaling $1.59 billion, themed "Prudence and Progress." Key points included:
- Financial Status: The budget maintains service levels for a sixth consecutive year without reductions. It includes a planned release of $6.6 million from ongoing set-asides to balance the budget. The strategic reserve is fully funded at 8% of general fund operating revenue ($45.6 million).
- Revenue and Challenges: Discretionary revenue growth has slowed due to high mortgage rates affecting property transfers, alongside rising costs for labor, benefits, and disaster recovery from 2023–2024 storms. The presentation noted potential impacts from the state budget shortfall and proposed cuts to health and human services, as well as a reduction in federal victim assistance funds for the District Attorney's office.
- Capital Projects: Funding was allocated for projects including the Santa Barbara Courthouse roof replacement, Veterans Hall improvements, the Modoc Multimodal Trail, Goleta Beach Park repairs, and Lake Kachuma improvements.
Functional Group Presentations and Discussion
- Public Safety: The group comprises nearly one-third of operating expenditures ($480 million). Updates included budget expansion requests from the District Attorney ($920,002) and Sheriff's Office (nearly $4.2 million), which were deferred to hearings. Discussion focused on the impact of potential state funding cuts to victim-witness services, with the District Attorney committing to maintaining current service levels for the upcoming fiscal year through salary savings and other grants. The Board also discussed set-asides for Sheriff's Department overhire and recruitment/retention incentives for custody deputies.
- Community Resources and Public Facilities: This group accounts for approximately $309 million in expenditures. A significant update noted was $7.9 million in state funding received by the Community Services Department for homelessness services for individuals living in vehicles. Discussion arose regarding the Modoc Trail, where the Public Works Director reported a potential $700,000 funding gap due to right-of-way acquisition costs. A Board member requested that the remaining balance of the South County Parks, Trails, and Open Space set-aside ($295,000) be directed toward completing the trail.
- Health and Human Services: This group represents over one-third of operating expenditures ($567 million) and 42% of county FTEs. The presentation highlighted potential impacts from state budget cuts to public health, behavioral wellness, and social services departments. No budget expansion requests were submitted by this group.
- General Government and Support Services: This group accounts for $142 million in expenditures. Updates included the transfer of Workday support positions to the IT department and a budget expansion request from the Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator for $790,000 to support Senate Bill 43 implementation (deferred to 2026).
- Motor Pool Costs: A Board member inquired about rising motor pool costs and the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). The Director of General Services explained that increased capital costs for fire apparatus replacements, higher maintenance costs due to outsourcing, and the mandated transition to EVs under state regulations were driving expenses. It was noted that while passenger EVs are cost-effective with rebates, heavy-duty EVs required by state mandates are significantly more expensive.
- Voter's Choice Act (VCA): The Clerk-Recorder-Assessor reported that the county is not currently planning to implement the VCA, as it is discretionary and not mandated. The department cited high costs, logistical challenges regarding facility availability for extended voting periods, and potential voter disenfranchisement as reasons for maintaining the current polling place model.
- Policy and Executive: This group accounts for $97 million in expenditures. Updates included the transfer of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer position to the County Executive Office and the establishment of $5.6 million in appropriations for 2024 Capital Obligation Program (COP) debt service payments.
Agenda Item: Departmental Item No. 1 – Fiscal Year 2024–2025 Recommended Budget
- The Board deliberated on the recommended budget, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, the maintenance of service levels, and the preservation of the strategic reserve. A motion was made to approve the budget recommendations (A through H) with an additional directive to earmark the remaining balance of the South County Parks, Trails, and Open Space set-aside ($295,000) for the Modoc Trail project. The motion was seconded. The vote resulted in a unanimous passage.
Agenda Item: Departmental Item No. 2 – Redevelopment Agency Successor Budget
- The Board considered recommendations regarding the fiscal year 2024–2025 budget for the County as successor agency to the former Santa Barbara Redevelopment Agency. A motion was made and seconded to approve recommendations A and B. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Item: Closed Session
- The Board recessed to meet in closed session regarding existing litigation (American Medical Response West v. County of Santa Barbara). Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that no reportable action was taken during the closed session.