Board of Supervisors

Meeting Summary

Present: 3-Hartmann, 4-Nelson, Williams, 2-Capps, 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

Lake Fire Update

The Emergency Operations Center is active as the fire covers over 26,000 acres with 12% containment.
Resources include nearly 2,500 personnel and multiple aircraft conducting nighttime water drops to protect structures.
Evacuation orders remain in effect for specific areas while no confirmed structure losses have been reported on state lands.

Employee and Community Resolutions

The Board adopted a resolution commending the Department of Social Services Facilities Team as Employees of the Month.
A second resolution proclaimed the week of July 21–27 as Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week.

UCSB Proposition 47 Evaluation Agreement

An agreement with UCSB for evaluating the Proposition 47 program was approved after resolving data sharing protocol delays.
The contract covers evaluation services for fiscal years 2022 through 2026 including a data transfer agreement.

SBCAG Broadband Agreement Amendment

Supervisors approved an amendment to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement to support regional broadband coordination efforts.
The item recognized successful grant acquisition and planning led by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments.

UCSB Settlement Agreement Projects

Capital projects under a $3.7 million settlement agreement were discussed, focusing on Isla Vista housing and safety improvements.
Supervisors agreed to move forward with parking enforcement funding while deferring specific rental inspection pilot details.

Solvang Senior Center Lease Amendment

A lease extension was approved to facilitate fundraising efforts for a new senior center facility.
The amendment modifies the existing service and ground lease agreement with the Solvang Senior Center.

Transient Occupancy Tax Collection Enforcement

The Board unanimously adopted code amendments allowing liens and asset seizures for delinquent transient occupancy taxes.
New provisions clarify that operators remain responsible for taxes regardless of whether they were collected from guests.

Transient Occupacy Tax Increase Ballot Measure

An ordinance was passed to place a measure increasing the TOT from 12% to 14% on the November 2024 ballot.
The measure applies only to unincorporated areas but requires a countywide vote for adoption.

Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

Fire Safe Council and Fuel Reduction Activities

Presentations detailed fuel reduction strategies, grant funding, and prescribed fire efforts across state and local responsibility areas.
The Fire Safe Council reported managing over $10 million in grants while addressing staffing and funding sustainability challenges.

Closed Session

The Board met in closed session to discuss labor negotiations, existing litigation, and a public employee performance evaluation.
No reportable action was taken during the closed session proceedings.

Full summary

Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Procedures

The July 9, 2024, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order with a roll call confirming the presence of all supervisors and the Chair. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the June 25, 2024, meeting; the motion passed unanimously.
The Clerk announced an addendum amending Administrative Item 6 regarding an agreement with Davis Guest Home Inc. for mental health rehabilitation services, authorizing the Chair to execute the agreement. Additionally, an ex-agenda item request from the County Executive Office concerning a report on the 2024 Lake Fire was added to the agenda at 8:20 AM due to the need for immediate action. A motion was made and seconded to add this ex-agenda item pursuant to Government Code section 54954.2, requiring a four-fifths vote; the motion passed unanimously.

CEO Report: Lake Fire Update

The County Executive Officer provided an update on the Lake Fire, noting the activation of the Emergency Operations Center. Presentations were given by Anthony Stornetta, Chief of Operations for the County Fire Department, and Todd Hopkins from CAL FIRE. As of the morning of the meeting, the fire covered 26,178 acres with 12% containment. Resources included 2,485 personnel, 190 fire engines, 70 hand crews, and 11 helicopters. Nighttime water drops were conducted to protect values at risk in Brinkerhoff and Happy Canyon. Evacuation orders and warnings were in effect for specific areas, including Woodstock and parts of Happy Canyon. Discussion covered fire behavior, weather conditions, evacuation protocols, and the status of structures. It was reported that no confirmed structure losses had occurred on state lands, though one damaged outbuilding was noted in the forest area. The discussion also addressed suppression repair efforts and watershed emergency response planning. Supervisors inquired about public information sources, evacuation procedures, road closures, and shelter availability. A shelter at Solvang Vets was reported as being on "warm status" with no visitors.

Resolutions

Resolution A-1: A resolution was adopted to commend the Facilities Team of the Department of Social Services as the July 2024 Employees of the Month, recognizing eleven employees for their service and dedication. Rachel Lipman, Assistant Director for Administrative Services, accepted the recognition on behalf of the team.
Resolution A-2: A resolution was adopted proclaiming the week of July 21–27, 2024, as Pretrial Probation and Parole Supervision Week in Santa Barbara County. Chief Probation Officer Holly Benton and three officers spoke regarding department initiatives, including child and family team meetings, wellness operations, reentry navigators, restorative justice programs, and the Youth Leadership Council.

Administrative Agenda Items

Supervisors requested to pull Administrative Items 5, 16, 17, and 20 for separate discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda excluding these items; the motion passed unanimously. The following items were discussed:
Administrative Item 5 (UCSB Agreement for Proposition 47 Evaluation): This item concerned an agreement with the Regents of the University of California (UCSB) for evaluation services regarding the Proposition 47 program for fiscal years 2022 through 2026, including a data transfer and use agreement. Supervisor Nelson raised concerns regarding the timeline, noting the contract began in 2022 but was being approved in 2024. Director Navarro explained that negotiations were protracted due to disagreements between HIPAA experts at the Behavioral Wellness Department and UCSB regarding legal data sharing protocols. The evaluation plan had been created but not executed until the agreement was finalized. Supervisor Nelson expressed comfort with the explanation and recommended approval. No separate vote was taken; the item was included in the final administrative agenda vote.
Administrative Item 16 (SBCAG Broadband Agreement Amendment): This item involved an amendment to the Joint Powers Authority Agreement for the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) regarding broadband coordination. Supervisor Hartman noted the successful regional planning and grant acquisition efforts led by SBCAG to address broadband infrastructure. No separate vote was taken; the item was included in the final administrative agenda vote.
Administrative Item 17 (UCSB Settlement Agreement Projects): This item addressed capital projects and limited-term programs under a 2024 settlement agreement between the County and UCSB, focusing on Isla Vista improvements. Public speakers Kimberly Kieffer and Jonathan Abboud supported the item. Abboud requested that $300,000 from the $3.7 million settlement fund be allocated for startup costs for a parking enforcement program to match IVCSD's contribution. Supervisor Caps acknowledged the significance of the settlement regarding housing and safety. Supervisor Nelson expressed support for the conceptual list but raised concerns about a pilot project for housing inspections, citing potential operational difficulties and staffing constraints in the Planning and Development Department. Supervisor Hartman noted improvements in building inspection capacity. Supervisor Williams supported the parking enforcement component as a means to unlock housing production. Supervisor Caps emphasized the need for safer housing environments for students. The discussion concluded with agreement to move forward with the item, pending further development of specific programs like the rental inspection pilot. No separate vote was taken; the item was included in the final administrative agenda vote.
Administrative Item 20 (Solvang Senior Center Lease Amendment): This item concerned a First Amendment to the service and ground lease agreement with the Solvang Senior Center to extend the lease term, facilitating fundraising for a new facility. Supervisor Hartman highlighted the collaborative effort to secure the extension. No separate vote was taken; the item was included in the final administrative agenda vote.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, including Items 5, 16, 17, and 20. The transcript indicates the motion was moved, but the specific vote outcome for this final motion is not recorded in the provided text.

Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items

Following a unanimous vote on a prior item, the meeting opened for public comment. Supervisor Hartman requested that an item be added to a future agenda to receive a report from the Community Services Department regarding the impact of a recent Supreme Court decision on grants, specifically concerning its implications for county programs and property. Supervisor Nielsen supported this request, noting the existence of an existing anti-camping ordinance (Chapter 24) that has not been enforceable and suggesting a comprehensive review to align current laws with enforcement capabilities.
Thirteen members of the public spoke regarding various issues, primarily focusing on contract negotiations between the County and SEIU Local 620. Key points raised included requests for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of at least 5% to match inflation, concerns regarding staff retention and recruitment due to non-competitive wages, specific requests for trilingual pay, increased death benefits, and retention pay. Speakers argued that current salary offers effectively constitute a pay cut due to inflation. One speaker raised an unrelated grievance regarding property tax reassessment issues following a nonjudicial foreclosure fraud incident. Another speaker expressed opposition to unions generally but acknowledged the economic difficulties faced by workers. The Chair closed public comment and called for a 10-minute break.

Departmental Item 1: Amendment to County Code Section 32-21 (Transient Occupancy Tax Collection)

A hearing was held regarding an amendment to Section 32-21 of the County Code to enhance collection enforcement options for Transient Occupancy Taxes (TOT). The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented proposals to allow the filing of liens on non-paying entities and the authority to seize delinquent assets, similar to procedures used for unsecured taxes. A secondary proposal sought to clarify that operators are responsible for taxes regardless of whether they were collected from guests. Supervisors discussed the necessity of these tools to ensure compliance, particularly regarding short-term rentals (STRs) and future Ag Enterprise Ordinance provisions. Supervisor Hartman inquired about coordination with Planning and Development regarding unpermitted STRs; staff confirmed monthly coordination exists but noted that tax collection proceeds regardless of permit status. Supervisor Capps asked about outreach efforts to educate taxpayers before enforcement actions are taken. Staff explained that proactive letters and audits are conducted based on internal discovery, third-party data mining, and neighbor complaints. No public comment was requested for this item. A motion was made and seconded to approve the amendment; the motion passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 2: Second Reading of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Increase Ballot Measure

A hearing was held to consider the second reading of an ordinance proposing a TOT increase from 12% to 14% for unincorporated areas, including short-term rentals, to be placed on the November 2024 general election ballot. The presentation included survey results indicating approximately 60% of voters believe the county has a significant need for additional funding and roughly 61% support the proposed measure based on sample ballot language. Staff recommended adopting the ordinance, the resolution with ballot language, and CEQA findings. Supervisors discussed the ballot language, specifically punctuation changes to improve clarity. Supervisor Hartman questioned voter understanding regarding the tax applying only to unincorporated areas while requiring a countywide vote; staff indicated polling showed voters understood this distinction. Supervisor Nielsen raised concerns about whether the new revenue would be subject to the 18% deferred maintenance policy and expressed skepticism about increasing taxes without first maximizing other revenue opportunities. Staff clarified that the 18% allocation applies to unallocated general revenue after mandatory board policy items are funded, meaning the application of the policy depends on annual budget conditions. Supervisor Nielsen stated they were not supportive of the measure at this time. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the ordinance, the resolution with ballot language (including grammatical revisions), and CEQA findings. A roll call vote was conducted; the motion passed four to one.