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Board of Supervisors — 2025-08-26

Board of Supervisors — 2025-08-26August 26, 2025

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BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 August 26, 2025

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Meeting Summary

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Present: 1-Lee, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, 4-Nelson, Katz

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

Racial Equity Grant Program Agreement

  • Staff recommended extending the current agreement for one year due to capacity constraints at the Human Services Commission.
  • The Board approved the extension with a proviso to reconsider administration methods during next year's budget discussions.
  • Supervisor Nelson abstained from the roll call vote on this item.
No decision 2–0 · abstained: Nelson

Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Update

  • Staff reported over $1 million in accumulated funds as developers increasingly choose to build units rather than pay fees.
  • The Board accepted staff recommendations regarding the annual update to the ordinance without recorded opposition.

Water Management Report

  • Discussion highlighted improvements since a 2016-2017 study and the balance between local control and countywide coordination.
  • The Board accepted the report commending informal coordination efforts among agencies.

Pet Microchip Scanners

  • The item concerned installing microchip reading machines at five Santa Maria Fire Department stations.
  • The Board accepted the proposal following acknowledgments of the partnership with the Animal Care Foundation.

Women's Equality Day Resolution

  • Supervisors Katz and Hartman sponsored a resolution proclaiming August 26, 2025, as Women's Equality Day.
  • The Board adopted the resolution acknowledging the 19th Amendment and reaffirming commitment to equity.

Commendation of Dr. Suzanne Levy

  • Supervisor Nelson sponsored a resolution commending Dr. Levy for her service to education and the community.
  • The Board adopted the resolution following public comment from Dr. Levy expressing gratitude.

Support for State Legislation SB 627 and SB 805

  • Staff recommended supporting bills prohibiting masked law enforcement and requiring officer identification displays.
  • Sheriff Bonner clarified local policies on masked operations and limitations regarding federal agents.
  • The Board adopted the recommendation to support both bills and filed the report on ICE communications.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

FamCon Pipe & Supply Development Plan

  • Staff presented a request to rezone property from Highway Commercial to General Commercial for a pipe and supply business.
  • Discussion covered urban-rural boundary adjustments, traffic impacts, and economic benefits of the project.
  • The Board approved all staff recommendations including the development plan and general plan amendment.

Open Space Element Update Scope

  • Staff presented three options for updating the Open Space Element to comply with Senate Bill 1425.
  • Public comment advocated for a comprehensive approach balancing rewilding analysis with cost efficiency.
  • The Board adopted the "moderate" option (Option 2) by a 3-to-2 vote, directing integration with the Conservation Element.

Environmental Health Services Retail Food Facility Fees

  • Staff proposed fee amendments based on a cost-of-service study to achieve full cost recovery for the program.
  • Discussion focused on mitigating financial burdens on non-profits while avoiding significant revenue shortfalls.
  • The Board approved the fees with a directive to return in April to develop options for alleviating nonprofit costs.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lee, Nelson

Closed Session

  • County Counsel reported no reportable action was taken on existing litigation or employee performance evaluations.
  • The Board authorized County Counsel to file an amicus brief regarding anticipated litigation matters.

Full summary

Call to Order and Roll Call

  • The August 26, 2025, meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors was called to order by Chair Katz. The Clerk confirmed the presence of all five supervisors. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

  • A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the August 19, 2025, meeting. The motion passed via voice vote.

Announcements

  • The Clerk announced procedures for public participation, including verbal comment via Zoom, and provided contact information for the Clerk's office.

Administrative Agenda

  • Board members requested to pull specific items (A9, A10, A14, and A15) from the administrative agenda for separate discussion. A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda excluding the pulled items. The motion passed via voice vote.
  • Item A9: Racial Equity Grant Program Agreement
  • This item concerned an agreement with the Fund for Santa Barbara to administer the fifth cycle of the County's Racial Equity Grant Program. Discussion focused on transitioning administration to the Human Services Commission versus maintaining the current arrangement. Staff noted that while the contract could be terminated early, the Human Services Commission currently lacks the capacity to manage the program immediately and recommended extending the agreement for one year to allow for evaluation during upcoming budget discussions. A motion was made to accept staff's recommendation with a proviso to reconsider the administration method during next year's budget discussions. The motion was seconded. Supervisor Nelson abstained. The motion passed via roll call vote.
  • Item A10: Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Update
  • This item addressed recommendations regarding the annual update to the inclusionary housing ordinance. Discussion included inquiries about the availability of affordable housing funds and the impact on residents. Staff reported that over $1 million had been accumulated, though developers increasingly choose to build units rather than pay fees. A motion was made to accept staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded. The motion passed via voice vote.
  • Item A14: Water Management Report
  • This item presented a report on water management in Santa Barbara County, noting improvements since a 2016-2017 study and commending informal coordination efforts. Discussion highlighted the balance between local control and countywide coordination. A motion was made to accept Item A14. The motion was seconded. The motion passed via voice vote.
  • Item A15: Pet Microchip Scanners
  • This item concerned the installation of microchip reading machines at five Santa Maria Fire Department stations. Discussion included thanks to the Santa Maria Fire Department and the Animal Care Foundation, as well as notes on the requirement for pets to be microchipped. A motion was made to accept Item A15. The motion was seconded. The motion passed via voice vote.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

Resolutions

  • Resolution 1: Women's Equality Day
  • Sponsored by Supervisors Katz and Hartman, this resolution proclaimed August 26, 2025, as Women's Equality Day in Santa Barbara County, acknowledging the 19th Amendment and reaffirming commitment to equity. Public comment was provided by Raquel Sick of the Women's Commission. The resolution was adopted without a recorded vote.
  • Resolution 2: Commendation of Dr. Suzanne Levy
  • Sponsored by Supervisor Nelson, this resolution commended Dr. Suzanne Levy for her service to education and the community. Dr. Levy provided public comment expressing gratitude. The resolution was adopted without a recorded vote.

General Public Comment

  • A motion was made and seconded to open the floor for general public comment on items not on the agenda. The motion passed via voice vote. Speakers addressed IHSS caregiver wages, mobile home rent control, democratic governance, and ICE enforcement activities. A book commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Santa Ynez Valley News was presented during this segment.

Department Item 1: Support for State Legislation SB 627 and SB 805

  • The County Executive Office presented a recommendation to support Senate Bill (SB) 627, which prohibits law enforcement officers from wearing face masks or disguises with certain exceptions, and SB 805, which requires officers to display identification. Staff noted recent amendments to the bills and reported that communications with ICE regarding recent enforcement activities were pending. Sheriff Bonner joined via Zoom to clarify local policies on masked operations and the limitations of local authority over federal agents. Public comment included support for the bills as a statement of values and accountability, as well as concerns regarding jurisdictional limits and sanctuary policies. A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation to support SB 627 and SB 805 and to receive and file the report on communications with ICE. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.

Agenda Item 1: FamCon Pipe & Supply Development Plan, Rezone, and General Plan Amendment

  • Staff presented a request for a development plan, rezone from Highway Commercial (CH) to General Commercial (C3), and a General Plan amendment for a pipe and supply business at 1350 Founders Avenue. The proposal includes a warehouse, outdoor storage, parking, landscaping buffers, and an underground stormwater detention basin. Discussion covered the urban-rural boundary adjustment, traffic impacts, and economic benefits. Board members disclosed ex parte communications regarding the project. The applicant presented the company's history and plans for educational partnerships. No public comments were received. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendations (actions A through E). The motion was seconded. The motion passed.

Agenda Item 2: Closed Session Report

  • The Board reconvened from closed session. County Counsel reported that no reportable action was taken on existing litigation matters or public employee performance evaluations. Regarding anticipated litigation, the Board authorized County Counsel to file an amicus brief. The vote outcome for this authorization was passed.

Agenda Item 3: Open Space Element Update Scope

  • Staff presented three options for updating the county's Open Space Element to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 1425: Option 1 (Low), a foundational update; Option 2 (Moderate), which adds rewilding and wildlife corridor analysis; and Option 3 (High), which includes an update to the Conservation Element. Discussion focused on the scope of the update, the role of advisory committees, tribal consultation, and the balance between comprehensive planning and cost efficiency. Public comment was received from various organizations advocating for a comprehensive approach. A motion was made to adopt the staff recommendation for items A and C, directing staff to update the Open Space Element according to the "moderate" option (Option 2), integrate it with the Conservation Element, align it with other existing plans, and designate a representative for the SALT grant process if awarded. The motion was seconded. The motion passed by a vote of 3 to 2.

Agenda Item 4: Environmental Health Services (EHS) Retail Food Facility Fees

  • The County Health Department presented a resolution to amend fees for retail food facilities based on a cost-of-service study to achieve full cost recovery. The proposal included increases, decreases, and new fees, with specific attention to the impact on non-profit organizations hosting community events. Discussion centered on mitigating the financial burden on non-profits while maintaining program funding. Staff noted that exempting non-profits could result in a significant revenue shortfall. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation with a directive to return in April during the Budget Workshop to develop options for alleviating costs for nonprofits. The motion was seconded. The motion passed.
Passed 3–2 · against: Lee, Nelson

Adjournment

  • The meeting was adjourned, with the next session scheduled for September 9th.