Meeting Summary
Present: 1-Lee, 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, 4-Nelson
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details — verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Youth Investment and Cannabis Tax Revenue
- Public commenters urged allocating $780,000 in unallocated cannabis tax revenue to a pilot youth fund.
- Speakers argued current allocations favor law enforcement over community investment intended by Proposition 64.
- The Board requested a detailed breakdown of current allocations and a focused proposal from the youth group.
Sheriff's Department Budget and Policy
- Public testimony focused on preserving the Behavioral Science Unit manager position and opposing staffing reductions.
- Concerns were raised regarding the impact of cuts on public safety, custody deputies, and ICE collaboration.
- The Sheriff warned that proposed $5 million in cuts would reduce patrol coverage and delay response times.
- Discussion explored a demand-based staffing model for Isla Vista and the necessity of law enforcement in crisis calls.
Board of Supervisors Budget
- The presentation outlined a $5 million operating budget for 19.48 full-time employees across five districts.
- A $134,000 reduction was noted due to decreased general liability rates and post-employment benefit savings.
- No staffing changes were recommended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
County Executive Office Budget
- The department proposed a 7.4% reduction in general fund contribution, totaling a $731,000 decrease.
- The plan includes unfunding three vacant positions and reducing services and supplies.
- Key accomplishments included implementing budget software and coordinating a task force on unlawful roadside vending.
Cannabis Revenue Budget Update
- Staff projected a $780,600 unallocated balance after accounting for ongoing program expenses.
- Options discussed included increasing contributions to deferred maintenance, reserves, or addressing the general fund deficit.
- The Sheriff's Department requested continuation of one-time funding for a Warrant Officer.
Public Defender Staffing and Jail Population
- A speaker attributed court delays and high jail populations to understaffing in the Public Defender's Office.
- Testimony requested funding for two additional attorneys and two investigators to improve efficiency.
- The speaker advocated for the REDI program and urged against overexpanding the jail.
La Posada Housing Facility
- A resident cited safety concerns regarding the facility's proximity to schools and youth centers.
- The speaker requested the Board prioritize relocating La Posada to a more appropriate location.
Mental Health Treatment and Jail Infrastructure
- A speaker highlighted the insufficiency of the county's four secure long-term subacute treatment beds.
- Testimony urged the Board to pursue state infrastructure grant funding to expand secure care capacity.
Fire Department Budget
- The department presented a $134 million operating budget supporting 319 sworn and professional staff.
- Key priorities included the Regional Fire Communication Center and capital investments like a fire boat.
- To balance the budget, the department proposed reducing one FTE in emergency management.
Fire Investigation and Emergency Alerts
- Staff explained that fire causes are often withheld during ongoing criminal investigations and cost recovery.
- Discussion covered using street names versus zone numbers in emergency alerts to improve community accessibility.
Public Safety Functional Group Overview
- The group comprises one-third of countywide operating expenditures and 38% of total county FTEs.
- Trends showed a 47 FTE increase for Fire and proposed decreases of 30 FTE for the Sheriff.
- Major challenges identified include growing jail medical costs and declining grant revenue.
General Government and Support Services Overview
- This group represents 9% of the total operating budget and 10% of county FTEs.
- Debt service expenditures increased significantly due to the issuance of $98 million in certificates of participation.
- Challenges cited include rising capital project costs, cybersecurity threats, and expiring election equipment funding.
Policy and Executive Functional Group Overview
- Funding sources were identified for the County Counsel, Board of Supervisors, CEO's Office, and General County Programs.
- The Board of Supervisors receives 100% of its funding from the General Fund Contribution.
Human Resources Department
- The department presented an $11 million operating budget with upcoming labor negotiations within 12 months.
- Staffing changes included transferring an HR manager and eliminating one position in Benefits and Wellness.
- Goals include modernizing performance evaluations and reviewing the PRISM health insurance program.
General County Programs Budget
- The operating budget decreased by $2 million due to the reclassification of UCSB housing settlement funds.
- The department highlighted using $5 million from fund balances to address a DSS fund balance gap.
- Future allocations include funding for the indigent care program and Northern Branch Jail construction.
General Services Budget
- The department presented a status quo budget with strategic adjustments for long-term financial resiliency.
- Key drivers included a $632,000 reduction in liability insurance premiums and a $315,000 reduction in IT rates.
- Accomplishments included increasing the renewable energy portfolio to 84% and renegotiating leases to save nearly $900,000.
District Attorney's Office Budget
- The presentation highlighted a 2.2% budget reduction driven by losses in external revenue sources.
- Significant workload increases were noted, including a 3,600% rise in digital evidence since 2021.
- The District Attorney requested restoration of two critical positions to maintain case processing efficiency.
Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Elections Budget
- The department presented a $22 million budget with initiatives to digitize real property files and prevent deed fraud.
- Concerns were raised that Recorder's Office fees may be insufficient, potentially requiring future general fund contributions.
- The Director clarified that the county maintains polling places rather than vote centers.
Probation Department Budget
- The department proposed a 2.8% budget cut achieved by deleting seven vacant positions and eliminating 3.5 juvenile deputy positions.
- Reserves from the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act will be used to preserve critical supervision services.
- Fiscal challenges include the sunset of AB 1869 fines and the need to replace a 25-year-old case management system.
Treasurer-Tax Collector Budget
- The department presented a status quo budget with a flat general fund contribution and one FTE reduction.
- A redesign of the Treasury deposit process with Workday was highlighted as a key initiative.
- Data mining tools are being used to identify unreported vacation rentals to improve compliance.
Auditor-Controller Department
- The department will unfund three vacant positions totaling $457,000 to balance the $12.8 million budget.
- New initiatives include developing an accounts receivable policy and updating county financial policies.
- The department is replacing whistleblower and ACFR software with new commercial solutions.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Presentation
- The Chair announced the AI presentation would be skipped and rescheduled for Friday morning.
- The rescheduling was intended to allow additional time for public comment from youth participants.
Meeting Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned with the announcement that budget workshops would resume on Friday, April 17, 2026.
- The rescheduled AI presentation is included in the agenda for the final day of workshops.
Full summary
Agenda Item: Public Comment on Youth Investment and Cannabis Tax Revenue
- Public comment was received from representatives of the Santa Barbara County Youth Impact Coalition, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and individual residents regarding the allocation of cannabis tax revenue. Speakers urged the Board to utilize approximately $780,000 in unallocated cannabis tax revenue to establish a pilot youth fund. Proponents argued that current allocations favor law enforcement over community investment, citing the intent of Proposition 64 to support communities harmed by the war on drugs. Testimony included statistics on youth felony arrest rates and data suggesting long-term public benefits from youth program investment. Speakers referenced other jurisdictions that have redirected cannabis revenue toward youth services. The Board requested staff to provide a detailed breakdown of current cannabis fund allocations and advised the youth group to develop a focused proposal for the unallocated funds to ensure measurable outcomes. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Public Comment on Sheriff's Department Budget, Staffing, and Policy
- Extensive public comment was received regarding the proposed budget for the Sheriff's Department. Speakers from Families Act, the NAACP, the League of Women Voters, UCSB, the Deputy Sheriff's Association, SEIU Local 620, and individual community members addressed the Board. Testimony focused on the potential elimination of the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) manager position, proposed staffing reductions, and the impact of budget cuts on public safety. Speakers urged the Board to restore or preserve the BSU manager position, citing its role in diverting individuals with mental health conditions from incarceration and supporting first responder mental health. Concerns were raised that eliminating the position could increase liability and reduce public safety. Conversely, some speakers supported budget cuts, citing concerns regarding overtime expenditures and alleged collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Additional testimony addressed the proposed reduction of the Isla Vista Foot Patrol, the necessity of sworn officers for de-escalation, and the impact of cuts on custody deputies and inmate care. Speakers also raised concerns regarding ICE activity at the county jail and urged the adoption of a sanctuary ordinance. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Board of Supervisors Budget Presentation
- Brittany Oderman, Deputy CEO, presented the Board of Supervisors' budget. The presentation outlined an operating budget of just over $5 million for 19.48 full-time employees across five districts and board support. The budget reflects a reduction of $134,000 for the upcoming fiscal year due to decreased general liability rates and other post-employment benefit savings. No staffing changes were recommended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The presentation highlighted anticipated accomplishments, including long-term solutions for cannabis odor issues, disaster preparedness, affordable housing initiatives, and strengthening law enforcement capacity. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: County Executive Office Budget Presentation
- A representative for the County Executive Office presented the department's budget, which reflects a 7.4% reduction in general fund contribution. The operating budget is approximately $73 million, with 86% allocated to risk management. The proposal includes unfunding three vacant positions (Business Analytics Manager, Inclusion Initiatives Manager, and Compliance Officer) and reducing services and supplies, resulting in a total decrease of $731,000. The department has 40 full-time employees, a reduction of six from the current fiscal year. Key accomplishments noted included the implementation of budget development software, coordination of a task force on unlawful roadside vending, and progress toward a paperless docketing process. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Cannabis Revenue Budget Update
- Carmela Beck, Cannabis Program Manager, presented the Cannabis Revenue Budget Update. The presentation noted that the fiscal year 2025-26 adjusted cannabis tax revenue is $5.3 million, with the fiscal year 2026-27 projected revenue at $4.7 million. Ongoing program expenses are projected at $4.5 million, leaving a projected unallocated balance of $780,600. Staff requested Board direction on the allocation of these funds, noting that revenues are not intended for new ongoing uses beyond those adopted in the 2021-22 budget. One-time options discussed included increasing contributions to deferred maintenance, reserve funds, or addressing the general fund deficit. The Sheriff's Department requested continuation of one-time funding for a Warrant Officer. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Public Comment on Public Defender Staffing and Jail Population
- Public comment was received regarding delays in the court system and their impact on jail population. A speaker noted that 70% of the jail population is awaiting trial and attributed delays to understaffing in the Public Defender's Office relative to the District Attorney's Office. The speaker requested funding for two additional attorneys and two investigators for the Public Defender's Office to increase efficiency and reduce jail time. The speaker also advocated for funding the REDI program and referenced a petition from 27 organizations urging the Board not to overexpand the jail. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Public Comment on La Posada Housing Facility
- A resident addressed the Board regarding the La Posada housing facility, located near schools, daycare centers, and youth centers. The speaker cited safety concerns, including a recent stabbing incident involving a deputy, and argued that the facility poses an unacceptable risk to the child-dense community. The speaker requested that the Board prioritize relocating La Posada to a more appropriate location during budget discussions. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Public Comment on Mental Health Treatment and Jail Infrastructure
- A parent and Behavioral Wellness Commission commissioner addressed the Board regarding the intersection of the justice system and behavioral wellness. The speaker described the cycle of incarceration for individuals with untreated schizophrenia and noted that the county's four secure long-term subacute treatment beds are insufficient for the jail population. The speaker urged the Board to pursue state infrastructure grant funding to expand secure long-term subacute care. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Fire Department Budget Presentation
- A representative for the Fire Department presented the budget, which includes a total operating budget of approximately $134 million and a capital budget of $1.1 million. The budget supports 319 sworn and professional staff. Key priorities included strategic investment, accountability, and modernization. The presentation highlighted the Regional Fire Communication Center (RFCC), which integrates seven fire agencies, and capital investments such as a fire boat and helicopter rotor blade replacement. To balance the budget, the department proposed reducing one FTE in emergency management. The presentation noted ongoing structural funding challenges related to federal grants and disaster reimbursements. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Discussion on Fire Investigation and Emergency Alerts
- Following the Fire Department presentation, a discussion occurred regarding fire investigations and emergency alerts. Staff explained that causes of fires are often not released immediately due to ongoing criminal investigations and cost recovery processes. The discussion also covered the use of street names versus zone numbers in emergency alerts to ensure accessibility for the community. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Public Safety Functional Group Overview
- A presentation was delivered summarizing the Public Safety Functional Group, which comprises approximately one-third of countywide operating expenditures and 38% of total county full-time equivalents (FTEs). The group receives 51% of the county's total general fund contribution (GFC). The presentation detailed five-year trends in operating revenue and expenditures, noting steady increases for most departments with exceptions for courts and projected decreases for the District Attorney, Probation, and Public Defender due to declining grant revenue. Specific funding shifts were highlighted, including a $32 million transfer of Northern Branch Jail Operations funding to the Sheriff's budget in fiscal year 25-26. FTE trends showed stability for the District Attorney, Probation, and Sheriff, a 47 FTE increase for Fire related to the Regional Fire Communication Center, and proposed decreases of 30 FTE for the Sheriff to balance the fiscal year 26-27 budget. Major challenges identified included growing jail medical costs, declining grant revenue, and digital evidence complexity. Initiatives discussed included expanded diversion efforts, the Cal-AIM Justice Involved Initiative, and updates to case management systems. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: General Government and Support Services Functional Group Overview
- A summary was provided for the General Government and Support Services Group, representing 9% of the total operating budget and 10% of county FTEs. The presentation covered five-year revenue and expenditure trends, noting a sharp decrease in General Services revenue in fiscal year 23-24 due to the formation of a standalone IT department. Debt service expenditures increased significantly in fiscal year 24-25 due to the issuance of $98 million in certificates of participation. FTE trends showed relative stability, with specific changes including a decrease in Human Resources staffing, an increase in Treasurer-Tax Collector staffing for SB 43 implementation, and an increase in IT staffing for the Workday Support Organization. Major challenges cited included rising capital project costs, workforce reduction impacts, cybersecurity threats, and expiring election equipment funding. Initiatives included Phase 2 Workday implementation, IT modernization, and debt issuance for the Northern Branch Jail construction. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Policy and Executive Functional Group Overview
- A brief summary covered the Policy and Executive Functional Group. Funding sources were identified for the County Counsel (primarily GFC), the Board of Supervisors (100% GFC), the CEO's Office (insurance premium contributions and intergovernmental revenue), and the General County Programs Department (GFC held in fund balance). No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Human Resources Department Presentation
- The Human Resources Department presented its budget and operational updates. The department's operating budget is approximately $11 million, with $8 million from the general fund. Key takeaways included the department's role in supporting the organization through budget challenges, the transfer of disability compliance from Risk Management, and upcoming labor negotiations with all representative groups within 12 months. The presentation noted staffing changes, including the transfer of an HR manager from the Public Defender's Office and the elimination of one position in the Benefits and Wellness division to balance the budget. Accomplishments included workforce planning support for Social Services and Health, executive recruitments, and implementation of AB339 requirements. Goals for the coming year include modernizing performance evaluations, establishing countywide standards for classification and disability accommodations, and reviewing the PRISM health insurance program. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: General County Programs Budget Briefing
- A presentation was delivered regarding the General County Programs department, which manages countywide activities not assigned to specific departments. The operating budget was noted to have decreased by $2 million from the prior year, attributed to timing and the reclassification of UCSB housing settlement funds from operating budget to fund balance. The department receives $68.3 million in General Fund Contribution (GFC), allocated to operating costs, debt service, and various fund balances, including the 18% maintenance fund, deficit set-asides, and Jail Debt Service. Capital projects include software costs for Workday and Sherpa. The briefing highlighted the use of $5 million from fund balances to address a DSS fund balance gap and avoid mid-year layoffs. Future allocations include $5.7 million for the indigent care program, funding for Phase Two of the Workday implementation, and Northern Branch Jail construction and debt service. The Strategic Reserve was discussed, noting the policy requirement to maintain it at 8% of operating revenues. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: General Services Budget Briefing
- The Director of General Services presented the department's budget request, described as a status quo budget with strategic adjustments for long-term financial resiliency. The budget aligns with no growth in general fund allocations by reducing operational expenses. Key drivers for the budget included a $632,000 reduction in general fund liability insurance premiums and a $315,000 reduction in IT rates. The department highlighted progress in capital projects, including the Main Jail Intake Reception Center and the Promontory Headquarters, as well as the completion of a solar array at the Northern Branch Jail. The briefing covered five major service areas: Admin and Finance/HR, Capital, Real Property, Energy, and Fleet. Accomplishments included increasing the renewable energy portfolio to 84%, receiving a $4.7 million grant for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and renegotiating leases to save nearly $900,000 over five years. The department reported a vacancy rate below 5% and noted $380,000 in potential reductions with no significant impact on services. No restoration requests were made. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Sheriff's Office Budget Briefing and Discussion
- The Sheriff's Office presented its budget, describing the agency as comprising six functions: law enforcement, corrections, coroner, civil, court protection, and search and rescue. The presentation highlighted achievements in grant funding for the Northern Branch Jail, parolee support, mental health co-response teams, and crime reduction. The Sheriff noted that the agency remains effectively down 41 deputy positions from pre-recession levels despite the addition of staff for the new jail. The briefing stated that the agency has been asked to make $5 million in additional cuts, which would result in a net loss of 30 positions (12 sworn deputies). The presentation warned that these cuts would lead to reduced patrol coverage, delayed response times, and decreased efficiencies in support staff. The Sheriff requested budget restorations and, as a last resort, the use of one-time funding from the Strategic Reserve. The presentation concluded with a call to seek new revenue sources and stop using the general fund to cover deficits in other revenue streams.
- Discussion focused on proposed reductions to the law enforcement footprint in Isla Vista. It was noted that reduced crime rates in the area allow for a reduction in staffing, with a proposal to maintain one deputy on continuous duty while utilizing a demand-based staffing model to deploy additional resources during peak times. The discussion included the potential for increased foot patrol by UCSB officers. Regarding alternative response models for mental health and crisis calls, the Sheriff's Department explained that while triaging occurs, the complexity and potential danger of these calls often require law enforcement presence. The department highlighted the value of co-response teams to handle 90% of such calls without requiring additional deputies. On staffing cuts, it was clarified that while several civilian positions are anticipated to be eliminated, no sworn deputies are expected to be laid off under the current formula, though one position may remain vacant at the end of the fiscal year. The discussion addressed the financial strain caused by cuts to social services and public health, with suggestions to explore alternative revenue sources. The necessity of the new jail facility (STAR Complex) was acknowledged as a significant capital investment impacting the general fund. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: District Attorney's Office Budget Presentation
- The District Attorney presented the FY 2026-2027 budget, highlighting a total operating budget of $37.1 million with 150.5 FTEs, representing an $800,000 (2.2%) reduction from the previous year. The presentation detailed significant increases in workload, including a 62% rise in open felony caseloads since 2019, a 16% increase in felony referrals, and a 3,600% increase in digital evidence between 2021 and 2024. The budget reductions are driven by losses in external revenue, specifically $394,000 in welfare fraud funding, $273,000 in EDD fraud grant funding, and $237,000 in CCP funding for the Diversion Director.
- The proposed staffing reductions include a net loss of six FTEs: one Deputy District Attorney for Specialty and Collaborative Courts, one Diversion Director, one Investigator for Pandemic Unemployment and Insurance Anti-Fraud, and two investigative assistants in the welfare fraud program. The District Attorney noted that these cuts impact mandated functions, including the ability to prosecute welfare fraud and support collaborative treatment courts. A restoration request was made for two critical positions: one attorney for specialty courts and one law office professional for general criminal prosecution, citing the need to maintain case processing efficiency and statutory timelines. The presentation also covered the implementation of a new case management system and the upcoming rollout of a digital evidence management system. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Elections Budget Briefing
- The Director of the Clerk-Recorder-Assessor-Elections department presented a budget summary for the three divisions, totaling $22 million with approximately $13 million in general fund contribution and 106 employees. Key initiatives included digitizing 130,000 real property files for the Assessor and implementing SB 255 notifications for the Recorder's Office to prevent deed fraud. The Recorder's Office was noted as being entirely fee-driven, with concerns that current fees may be insufficient, potentially requiring future general fund contributions. The Elections Division reported nearly 100% electronic campaign finance filings. The Director addressed questions regarding remote work due to health issues, election integrity, and the labor intensity of ballot drop boxes. It was clarified that the county is not a Voters' Choice Act county and maintains polling places rather than vote centers. No restoration requests were made. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Probation Department Budget Briefing
- A presentation was given regarding the Probation Department's budget and the implementation of CalAIM. The department took a conservative approach to projecting CalAIM revenue due to uncertainty. One new position was added to the probation budget, funded by estimated CalAIM revenue, to handle data collection and quality assurance for billable services. The presentation noted that while the Juvenile Justice Center (JJC) implementation allows for testing the system, the main jail is predicted to generate significantly more CalAIM revenue. The department emphasized the need for services to be billable, clients to be Medi-Cal eligible, and proper portal registration to generate revenue.
- In a subsequent detailed presentation, Chief Probation Officer Holly Benton noted the operating budget is approximately $74 million, requiring a $2 million cut (2.8%) achieved through reductions. The budget includes a $34 million general fund contribution and $917,000 in one-time money. To balance the budget, seven vacant positions will be deleted, and 3.5 juvenile deputy probation officer positions will be eliminated due to funding loss. The department plans to use reserves from the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act and Youthful Offender Block Grant to preserve critical supervision services, though these reserves are projected to deplete in three years. The presentation highlighted the implementation of CalAIM at the JJC and the local process for Proposition 36. Upcoming projects include a pretrial support pilot, enhancements to the JJC, and a limited scope remodel of older units. Fiscal challenges noted included the sunset of AB 1869 fines and fees backfill, instability in state pretrial funding, and a lack of state funding for Proposition 36 monitoring. The JJC remodel project faces funding jeopardy as the lowest bid exceeded projections by over double. Additionally, the department's case management system is over 25 years old and requires replacement, for which there is currently no funding. No restoration or expansion requests were made. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Treasurer-Tax Collector Budget Presentation
- The Treasurer-Tax Collector presented a status quo budget with a flat general fund contribution, maintaining current service levels for Treasury, Tax Collection, Public Administrator, and Public Guardian functions. The department manages a $2.5 billion fund internally. The operating budget was stated at $11.2 million, with 50 FTEs. A balancing measure of one FTE reduction was noted. The presentation highlighted a redesign of the Treasury deposit process with Workday. Discussion covered staffing levels, including the addition of Veteran Service Representatives and a supervisor position. The department noted that a specific supervisor position for veterans had not been filled due to a lack of available office space near the VA clinic, though a remodel of the existing office was planned. Performance measures indicated a 99% collection rate for the secured tax roll. Questions were asked regarding the impact of the Bill More hotel closure on Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue, with the department indicating a net increase was expected due to other hotels. The department also discussed data mining tools used to identify unreported vacation rentals and the potential for implementing online payment systems to improve compliance. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Auditor-Controller Department Presentation
- Auditor-Controller Betsy Schaffer presented the 2026-27 budget. The total budget is $12.8 million, primarily funded by the general fund. The department will unfund three vacant positions (one Financial Accounting Analyst, one FSA, and one Financial Office Professional) totaling $457,000. The department expects to receive approximately $200,000 in additional direct charges from a $1 fee increase approved by the Board. The department manages four major programs: Administration and Support, Audit Services, Accounting Services, and Financial Reporting. The Accounting Services division, with 38 staff, handles bill payments, payroll, and property tax allocation. The department is supporting the Workday ERP system (Phase 1 live, Phase 2 analysis underway) and aims to strengthen internal audit capabilities. New initiatives include developing an accounts receivable and revenue inventory policy and updating county financial policies regarding travel and encumbrances. The department is replacing whistleblower software and internally developed ACFR software with new commercial solutions to improve data integration and control. The department has 52 full-time equivalents. The loss of three FTEs represents approximately 5.5% of the staff. No restoration requests were made. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Presentation
- The Chair announced that the special issue presentation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be skipped and rescheduled for Friday morning to allow time for public comment, particularly from youth participants. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.
Agenda Item: Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned with the announcement that the third and final day of budget workshops would resume on Friday, April 17, 2026, including the rescheduled AI presentation. No formal motion was made, seconded, or voted upon during this segment.