UnGovr Words

Board of Supervisors — 2025-11-18

Board of Supervisors — 2025-11-18November 18, 2025

Switch meeting
BodyBoard of Supervisors
MeetingRegular Meeting
Date📅 November 18, 2025

Click any transcript line to jump the video there.

Meeting Summary

  1. PendingQueued for transcription.
  2. AIYou are hereAuto-transcribed and summarized; not yet human-verified.
  3. VerifiedReviewed and corrected by a person.

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

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

Storm Impact Updates

  • Emergency management coordinated with safety agencies to monitor burn scar areas without issuing evacuations.
  • Public Works reported stable road conditions despite significant rainfall ranging from 2 to 15 inches.
  • Fire and Sheriff departments addressed minor debris, bluff erosion concerns, and activated warming centers.

California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week Resolution

  • The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming November 17–21 as California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week.
  • Staff highlighted the Clerk's role in maintaining legislative records and supporting county operations.

Camp Recovery Center Services Agreement

  • The Board approved a three-year agreement for out-of-county substance use disorder residential treatment services.
  • Staff confirmed that care coordinators will maintain client contact and assist with discharge planning.

Recover Medical Group Contract Amendment

  • A second amendment to the outpatient treatment services contract was approved for fiscal years 2023–2027.
  • The motion passed despite public comment regarding unrelated immigration enforcement concerns.

Run Public Law Group Legal Services Agreement

  • The Board approved an agreement with Run Public Law Group for professional legal services requiring a four-fifths vote.
  • The measure passed following a roll call vote.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

Lompoc Trails Committee Easement Acceptance

  • The Board accepted easements for 82 acres of donated land to support public hiking and biking trails.
  • Approval followed presentations detailing the volunteer history of the Lompoc Trails Committee.

Food Bank of Santa Barbara County Contribution

  • A $5,000 contribution from office funds was approved to assist with increased demand due to SNAP benefit pauses.
  • The motion was sponsored by Chair Kaps and passed unanimously.

Fire Chief Garrett Huff Appointment

  • The Board appointed Garrett Huff as Fire Chief effective December 8, 2025, following a nationwide search.
  • Mr. Huff addressed the Board regarding his 20-year history with the department.

Transportation Impact Fee Ordinance Continuance

  • The hearing on the proposed transportation impact mitigation fee ordinance was continued to December 9, 2025.
  • Staff confirmed the continuance allows for additional public outreach before final consideration.
No decision 0–0

Health Department Budget Rebalancing and Task Force

  • The Board paused the transition of patients with unsatisfactory immigration status and approved a health access task force.
  • Staff projected a potential $17.4 million structural deficit for the upcoming fiscal year due to reimbursement changes.
  • Public comment urged against patient transfers and layoffs while citing federal court injunctions on related policies.

Department of Social Services Budget Update

  • The Board approved a budget plan that eliminates funding for vacant positions but maintains filled positions.
  • Staff reported tentative union agreements saving $250,000 and projected a deficit exceeding $10 million next year.
  • Public comment expressed concern over potential layoffs and urged the use of general fund surpluses.

OPEB Funding Policy Adjustment

  • The Board adopted a resolution reducing the OPEB funding policy from 4% to 1.5% of payroll effective January 2026.
  • Staff confirmed the plan remains on track for full funding by 2034 while generating immediate departmental savings.

Full summary

Call to Order and Roll Call

  • The meeting was called to order by Chair Kaps. The Clerk conducted a roll call, confirming the presence of all supervisors. The Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

  • A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from the special meeting on November 3, 2025, and the regular meeting on November 4, 2025. The motion passed.

CEO Report and Storm Update

  • The CEO provided updates regarding the Public Defender's Office receiving a National Award for Innovation Excellence for customizing the eDefender system. Announcements were made regarding the annual sleeping bag drive (accepting donations through December 11) and the Toys for Tots campaign (accepting donations through December 17). Emergency Manager JD Saucedo, Public Works Director Chris Sneddon, Fire Deputy Chief Anthony Stornetta, and Undersheriff Craig Bonner provided updates on recent storm impacts. Emergency Management reported coordination with public safety agencies and monitoring of burn scar areas from the Lake and Gifford fires, with no immediate life-safety evacuations issued. Public Works noted flooding in the City of Santa Barbara but stable overall road conditions; rainfall ranged from 2 inches in Lompoc to 15 inches at San Marcos Pass, with reservoir levels unchanged and river flows subsided. The Fire Department reported no injuries or stranded vehicles requiring rescue, though minor debris and a fallen tree were noted near the Montecito fire station; inspections indicated vegetation was holding soil well, though bluff safety concerns regarding erosion were raised. The Sheriff's Department discussed clearing homeless encampments from riverbeds and activating warming centers due to temperature and rain conditions.

Administrative Agenda Announcements

  • The Clerk announced an addendum adding Administrative Item 36 (appointment of Fire Chief Garrett Huff) and a request to continue Departmental Item 1 (Transportation Impact Fee Ordinance hearing) to the December 9 meeting. Public comment requests were noted for Items A6 and A18.

Approval of Balance of Administrative Agenda

  • A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the administrative agenda, excluding items A5, A13, A18, A33, and A36 for separate discussion. The motion passed.

Resolution: California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week

  • The Board considered a resolution proclaiming November 17–21, 2025, as California Clerk of the Board of Supervisors Week in Santa Barbara County. Staff from the Clerk's office provided remarks regarding their role in maintaining legislative records and supporting county operations. The resolution was read into the record and adopted.

Administrative Item A5: Services Agreement with Camp Recovery Center LLC

  • The Behavioral Wellness Department presented a recommendation for a services agreement with Camp Recovery Center LLC for substance use disorder residential treatment services for Fiscal Years 2025–2027. Staff addressed community concerns regarding the facility's location outside the county, confirming that care coordinators would maintain contact with clients and assist with discharge planning. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed. Additional public comment was received regarding due diligence on out-of-county facilities; staff confirmed existing monitoring processes.

Administrative Item A6: Second Amendment to Services Agreement with Recover Medical Group PC

  • The Behavioral Wellness Department presented a recommendation for a second amendment to an existing contract with Recover Medical Group PC for outpatient treatment services for Fiscal Years 2023–2027. Public comment was received regarding unrelated immigration enforcement concerns. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.

Administrative Item A13: Agreement for Professional Legal Services

  • The County Counsel presented a recommendation for an agreement with Run Public Law Group for professional legal services, which required a four-fifths vote. A roll call vote was requested. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed 4-1.
Passed 4–1 · against: Nelson

Administrative Item A18: Acceptance of Easements

  • The General Services and Community Services Departments presented a recommendation regarding the acceptance of easements for the Lompoc Trails Committee project, involving public hiking and biking trails on 82 acres of donated land. Public comment was received from the applicant's representative and the Lompoc Trails Committee detailing the history of the volunteer effort. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.

Administrative Item A33: Contribution to Food Bank of Santa Barbara County

  • Sponsored by Chair Kaps, this item considered a $5,000 contribution from office funds to the Food Bank of Santa Barbara County to assist with increased demand due to federal SNAP benefit pauses. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.

Administrative Item A36: Appointment of Fire Chief Garrett Huff

  • The County Executive Office presented a recommendation to appoint Garrett Huff as Fire Chief, effective December 8, 2025. Mr. Huff addressed the Board, outlining his 20-year history with the department. The CEO noted the position underwent a nationwide competitive search. A motion was made and seconded to approve the staff recommendation. The motion passed.

General Public Comment

  • The Board heard general public comments on various topics, including immigration enforcement practices and broader political commentary. The Chair closed public comment following the scheduled speakers.

Departmental Item No. 1: Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee Ordinance

  • The Board considered a request from the Public Works Department to continue the hearing on the proposed transportation impact mitigation fee ordinance to the December 9, 2025 meeting, to allow for additional public outreach. Supervisor Nelson moved to continue the item to December 9, 2025, and Supervisor Hartman seconded the motion. Staff confirmed the purpose of the continuance was to facilitate further outreach. No public comment was received on the continuance itself. The motion passed.
No decision 0–0

Departmental Item No. 2: County Health Department Budget Rebalancing Plan / Health Access and Budget Forecast

  • The Board heard a report from the County Health Department regarding a budget rebalancing plan to address revenue shortfalls for Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) for fiscal years 2025–2026. Following extensive outreach with healthcare partners, community organizations, and unions, the Department decided to pause the planned transition of 7,000 patients with unsatisfactory immigration status (UIS). Consequently, the Department is no longer requesting a mid-year budget readjustment or workforce reductions for the current fiscal year. The Department presented projections indicating a structural deficit of approximately $7.6 million for the upcoming fiscal year due to salary and benefit increases, with anticipated changes in state Medi-Cal reimbursement rates and eligibility projected to create an additional shortfall of roughly $9.8 million, totaling a potential $17.4 million deficit. Discussions included the distinction between the paused UIS transition and separate evaluations regarding specialty care services driven by provider scarcity and cost. The Department proposed establishing a working group with community partners to address ongoing challenges.
  • Public comment was received from legal experts, healthcare workers, labor unions, and community advocates. Speakers testified that a federal court injunction currently blocks the administration's "Per Ora" notice, finding the policy unlawful, and urged the Board not to act prematurely. Advocates argued that transferring patients and laying off staff would disrupt care and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations. Speakers requested a permanent cancellation of patient transfers and layoffs, the establishment of a "Health Access Task Force," and a commitment to transparency.
  • Marina Owen, CEO of CENCAL Health, addressed the Board regarding state-imposed caps on new Medi-Cal enrollments for individuals with unsatisfactory immigration status and reductions in prospective payment system rates. Supervisors discussed the formation of a collaborative body to address these issues. A motion was made to approve items A through C of the staff report and to endorse the creation of a health access task force. The motion was seconded. The Board voted on the motion, which passed.

Departmental Item No. 3: Department of Social Services (DSS) Budget Update and Rebalancing Plan

  • The Department of Social Services presented an update on its fiscal year 2025–2026 budget, addressing a projected $7.4 million gap between revenues and expenditures for the current year. Staff proposed eliminating funding for all vacant positions (currently 58) and implementing a layoff plan to reduce the workforce by 65 filled positions. However, staff reported progress on alternative cost-reduction strategies, including shifting two to four employees to roles funded by external sources and reaching tentative agreements with unions (SEIU Local 620 and 721) for concessions estimated to save $250,000 in local funds over 12 months. The proposed budget revision includes maintaining funding for filled positions, reducing funding for vacant positions, adjusting salary savings based on lower attrition rates, reducing realignment revenue projections by $1.5 million, increasing foster care and adoption spending by $1.3 million, reducing contracted supportive services by over $1 million, and utilizing a $2.3 million transfer from general county programs if necessary to balance the budget. Staff noted an additional projected half-million dollar gap for the current year and forecasted a deficit exceeding $10 million for the next fiscal year due to increased federal cost-sharing ratios for CalFresh, the removal of one-time funding, and the annualized cost of the 65 positions.
  • Public comment was provided by union representatives and department staff expressing concern over potential layoffs and urging the Board to utilize general fund surpluses or explore revenue enhancements. Staff clarified that the union concession involves a six-month delay in merit eligibility. Supervisors questioned the long-term strategy of seeking minor concessions now versus addressing larger deficits later. A motion was made to approve the staff recommendation regarding the DSS budget update and rebalancing plan. The motion was seconded. The Board voted on the motion, which passed.

Departmental Item No. 4: Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) Funding Policy Adjustment

  • The County Executive Office presented a recommendation to adjust the OPEB funding policy from 4% of payroll to 1.5% of payroll, effective January 1, 2026. Staff reported that the OPEB plan currently has a funded ratio of 60% and is projected to be fully funded by 2027 under the current 4% contribution rate. The proposed reduction aims to generate immediate salary savings for departments in the current fiscal year ($1.9 million in general fund and $4.5 million in other funds) and reduce ongoing costs in the 2026–2027 budget ($4.2 million in general fund and $8.6 million in other funds). Staff confirmed that this adjustment would still allow the plan to achieve full funding by the original target date of 2034, assuming a 7% rate of return on investments. The change affects only the county's contribution policy and does not alter benefits for eligible retirees.
  • Supervisors discussed the implications of the reduced contribution rate, confirming that while it would not cover current benefit payouts alone, investment returns would help maintain the plan's trajectory toward full funding by 2034. It was noted that this adjustment would help soften budget deficits in departments such as Social Services and Public Health. A motion was made to adopt the resolution updating the OPEB funding policy to 1.5% and to determine that the action is not a project under CEQA. The motion was seconded. The Board voted on the motion, which passed.

Adjournment

  • Following the vote on the OPEB item, the Chair thanked the Budget Director and adjourned the meeting.