Board of Supervisors — 2026-01-27

Fire Department Cooperative Agreement

• The Fire Department requested the withdrawal of the USDA Forest Service cooperative agreement item.
• The Board unanimously approved a motion to remove the item from the administrative agenda.

Animal Care Foundation Commendation

• A resolution was adopted to commend the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation and its volunteers.
• The Board unanimously passed the motion following a presentation by a Foundation representative.

Lorena Chavez Retirement Honor

• The Board adopted a resolution to honor Lorena Chavez for her 29 years of service to the Health Department.
• Ms. Chavez was present to receive the recognition as the motion passed unanimously.

Coastal Program Amendment Certification

• The Board considered the California Coastal Commission's conditional certification for housing element rezones.
• Questions regarding fire safety and life safety issues were raised during the discussion.
• The item was approved unanimously after receiving public comment.

Stand Down Program Update

• The Board reviewed recommendations regarding an update to the Santa Barbara County Stand Down program.
• Following public comment, the motion to approve the item passed unanimously.

Sheriff's Office Retirement Waiver

• The Sheriff Coroner's Office requested a waiver for Jose Ayala to assist with a CAD system upgrade.
• Staff confirmed the request fits within the existing extra help budget and ensures organizational continuity.
• The Board unanimously approved the recommendation to allow the 90-day return.

One Climate Initiative Update

• Staff reported a 1% increase in county emissions between 2018 and 2023, missing the 2030 reduction goal.
• Discussion covered federal policy impacts on solar projects and challenges with tax credit expirations.
• The Board unanimously voted to receive and file the progress report.

Enterprise Fleet Pilot Program Conclusion

• The pilot program achieved an 8.24% cost reduction for administrative vehicles compared to General Services management.
• Staff recommended extending the contract with Enterprise for $6.9 million while noting limitations for patrol vehicles.
• The Board approved the extension and directed staff to report on expansion progress within one year.

Cannabis Taxation and Permitting Update

• The first-quarter report detailed $1.7 million in tax receipts and noted two withdrawn applicants in Toro Canyon-Summerland.
• The Board directed staff to reopen the retail application process for the Toro Canyon-Summerland area.
• Further direction on specific license extensions was tabled pending a future formal item.

Ordinance Streamlining and Housing Amendments

• Proposed amendments aim to streamline appeals, adjust density limits, and align coastal zoning with development codes.
• Discussion addressed concerns regarding fire danger zones, community character, and public participation.
• The Board unanimously approved the amendments incorporating Planning Commission modifications.

Closed Session

• The Board discussed existing and anticipated litigation cases involving the Sheriff, Emerging Acquisitions LLC, and Whiting.
• Authorization was granted for County Counsel to initiate litigation in one specific matter.

Administrative Agenda and Resolutions

• The Board approved the minutes from the January 13, 2026, meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed.
• Regarding the administrative agenda, the Board addressed several items. Administrative Item 17, concerning a Fire Department cooperative agreement with the USDA Forest Service, was withdrawn at the request of the Fire Department. A motion to include the withdrawal of this item in the balance of the administrative agenda was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
• Administrative Item 1 sought to commend the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation, its Board of Directors, and volunteers. A representative from the Foundation addressed the Board. The resolution was read and adopted. The motion passed unanimously.
• Administrative Item 2 sought to honor Lorena Chavez upon her retirement from the County Health Department after 29 years of service. Ms. Chavez was present to receive the recognition. The resolution was read and adopted. The motion passed unanimously.
• Administrative Item 20 considered recommendations regarding the California Coastal Commission's conditional certification of the local coastal program amendment for rezones related to the 2023–2031 housing element update. Public comment was received from three individuals, though technical difficulties occurred during one video presentation. A board member raised questions regarding fire safety reviews and life safety issues. A motion to approve the item was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
• Administrative Item 34 considered recommendations regarding a Santa Barbara County Stand Down update. Public comment was received from one individual. A motion to approve the item was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
• A motion was made to pass the balance of the administrative agenda with the withdrawal of items 17, 20, and 34. The motion was seconded and passed.

Departmental Agenda

Departmental Item 1: Sheriff's Office Retirement Waiver

• The Sheriff Coroner's Office requested a retirement waiver for Jose Ayala to return as extra help for 90 days to assist with a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system upgrade. Staff explained the technical necessity of the upgrade and the specific expertise required, noting the request would remain within the existing extra help budget. A board member expressed support for the waiver, citing organizational continuity. No public comment was received. A motion to approve the recommendation was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 2: One Climate Initiative Update

• The Community Services Department presented a progress update on the 2030 Climate Action Plan and Energy Assurance Plan. Staff discussed the impact of federal policy changes on the Lake Cachuma solar project, the leverage of general fund investments for C3 REN funds, and upcoming micro-metering grant opportunities. The Sustainability Division Manager provided an update on the Greenhouse Gas Inventory, noting a 1% overall increase in county emissions between 2018 and 2023, which is insufficient to meet the 50% reduction goal by 2030. Staff discussed external challenges, including the expiration of federal tax credits and a state moratorium on residential building code updates. Public comment was received from a representative of the Community Environmental Council regarding emissions data and the 3CE power purchase agreement strategy. A motion to receive and file the report was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 3: Conclusion of Enterprise Pilot Program

• The Sheriff Coroner's Office and General Services Department presented on the conclusion of the Enterprise fleet management pilot program. Staff reported that the pilot was successful for administrative vehicles, resulting in an 8.24% lower weighted average cost per mile and savings of $7,265 per vehicle compared to General Services management. Staff noted the program is not a one-size-fits-all solution for all vehicle classes, particularly patrol vehicles, and discussed the need for departmental staffing to manage contracts. Discussion focused on expanding the program to other departments and vehicle classes, such as cargo vans and pickups, and integrating them into the Internal Service Fund. Regarding electric vehicles (EVs), staff noted that while 37 service vehicles were identified as potential EV candidates, no immediate commitment to a large-scale EV pilot was made due to ongoing research into infrastructure and costs. A motion was made to adopt staff recommendations, including the contract extension with Enterprise for a total amount of $6.9 million, and to direct staff to report back within the next year on progress toward expanding the program. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 4: Cannabis Taxation, Permitting, and Licensing Update

• The Cannabis Program Manager presented the first-quarter fiscal year 2025–26 report, detailing $1.7 million in tax receipts, compliance rates, and updates on land use permitting. The report noted that two applicants in the Toro Canyon-Summerland area had withdrawn and requested Board direction on reopening the application process for that area. Staff also discussed odor abatement requirements and extension requests for carbon filtration equipment. Supervisor Lavagnino provided an update regarding time extension requests for eight operators to meet the March 18 deadline for installing multi-technology carbon filtration, noting a formal item is scheduled for the March 3 meeting. A board member inquired about the process for revoking cannabis licenses and stated an intention to conduct community outreach before reporting back. A board member suggested moving future quarterly updates to the administrative agenda unless specific issues required departmental status. A motion was made to receive the report, provide direction on reopening the retail application process for the Toro Canyon-Summerland area, make a CEQA determination, and table further direction on specific license extensions. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Departmental Item 5: Ordinance Streamlining and Housing Accommodation Amendments

• The Planning and Development Department presented proposed refinements to ordinance amendments regarding zoning, variances, and housing elements. Staff outlined changes to streamline the appeal process, adjust square footage allowances, increase open space requirements for multifamily developments, and reduce maximum residential density in commercial zones. Staff presented recommendations from the Montecito Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission, including requiring design review for all accessory structures in Montecito and aligning the Coastal Zoning Ordinance with the Land Use and Development Code. Discussion focused on the Housing Element, with a board member expressing support for the staff recommendation despite reservations regarding community character and rural impacts. Concerns were raised regarding fire danger zones and consistency across communities. Questions were directed at staff regarding outreach, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in high fire danger zones, and the timeline for Phase 3. Public comment was received from a representative of the Citizens Planning Association regarding concerns over reduced public participation and the concentration of power in the zoning administrator. Staff clarified that while the process is ministerial for eligible sites, projects must still meet objective fire protection standards. A motion was made to approve the Ordinance Streamlining Housing Accommodation Ordinance Amendments to the Land Use and Development Code, Coastal Zoning Ordinance, and Montecito Land Use and Development Code, incorporating the Planning Commission's modifications, the Montecito Planning Commission's first and fourth recommendations, and cleanup regarding multiple street frontages. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Closed Session

• The Board met in closed session to consider existing litigation cases (Lazaro v. Santa Barbara County Sheriff, Emerging Acquisitions LLC v. the County, and Whiting v. the County) and anticipated litigation. The Board authorized the County Counsel to initiate litigation in one matter. The vote outcome was three supervisors in favor, one supervisor abstained, and one supervisor absent.

General Public Comment and Other Matters

• Public comment was received on general topics, including federal immigration enforcement, safety concerns regarding ICE operations, the Stand Down program, and electric vehicle initiatives. A member of the public addressed the Board regarding a proposal to make schools, hospitals, and places of worship "ice-free zones." No formal motion or vote was taken on these items.
• A board member provided an update on the 13th annual Veterans Stand Down event held on October 25th, reporting that 427 veterans were served, including 69 who identified as homeless. Certificates of recognition were presented to Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and a county employee. The board member noted the future of the event is under review due to staff retirement and a decrease in homeless veteran numbers. No formal motion or vote was taken on this item.
• Discussion regarding electric vehicle infrastructure included coordination between the Community Services Department and General Services on planning for fleet and public charging stations. Challenges regarding utility billing data granularity and the need for submetering to disaggregate energy usage were discussed. No formal motion or vote was recorded on this discussion.