Board of Supervisors — May 12, 2026

Youth Mental Health Awareness Week

• The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming May 3–9, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Awareness Week.
• Public comment was received prior to the adoption of the resolution.

Biodiversity Resolution

• A resolution recognizing the importance of biodiversity and conservation in Santa Barbara County was adopted.
• The resolution acknowledges state conservation goals and local ecosystem benefits.

National Public Works Week

• The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week.
• The item was noted as having been inadvertently omitted from a previous agenda.

Santa Maria Philharmonic Society Centennial

• A resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society was adopted.
• Public comment was received regarding the centennial celebration.

Animal Services Donation Acceptance

• The Board approved the acceptance of donations totaling $118,920 from the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation.
• Public comment was received before the motion to accept the funds passed.

Final Map and Easement Dedication

• The Board approved the final map for SACA Preserve LLC and the acceptance of easement dedications.
• One Supervisor recused herself from the vote due to a property interest.

Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Presentation

• The Board received an informational presentation on facility operations, sustainability, and youth outreach.
• A motion was made and passed to adopt the item following public comment.

Sheriff Coroner's Office Hearing

• The Board set a public hearing for June 23, 2026, regarding the Annual Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds Truth Act Report.

IT Department Extra Help Services

• The Board approved a retirement waiver to hire a retired EDP Systems and Programming Analyst Senior.
• The hiring aims to transfer institutional knowledge through extra help services.

Psychiatric Health Facility Annual Report

• The Board received and filed the annual report covering staffing, patient flow, revenue, and audit results.
• Discussion addressed bed capacity, funding impacts, and pharmacy closures raised during public comment.

Public Safety Realignment Plan

• The Board considered the $21.8 million Fiscal Year 2026–2028 Public Safety Realignment Plan presented by the Community Corrections Partnership.
• Discussion covered funding for the Public Defender's Office, probation officers, and treatment beds.
• The plan was deemed adopted under statutory law as no formal motion to reject was made.

Zoning Ordinance Ministerial Streamlining

• The Board directed staff to develop code amendments for streamlining permitting and design review processes.
• Discussion focused on trade-offs between size-based cutoffs and condition-based reviews for specific community plans.
• Staff is tasked with returning with recommendations before the end of the calendar year.

Closed Session

• The Board considered anticipated litigation, labor negotiations, and public employee performance evaluations.
• Rachel Van Mullem was unanimously reappointed as County Council for a four-year term.

Minutes Summary: Board of Supervisors Meeting

Administrative Agenda and Honorary Resolutions

• The Board approved the minutes from the May 5, 2026 meeting. A motion was made and seconded to approve the balance of the Administrative Agenda, excluding specific items for separate discussion; the motion passed.
• Youth Mental Health Awareness Week (Item A1): The Board considered a resolution to proclaim the week of May 3–9, 2026, as Youth Mental Health Awareness Week. Public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed.
• Biodiversity Resolution (Item A2): The Board considered a resolution recognizing the importance of biodiversity and conservation in Santa Barbara County, acknowledging state conservation goals and local ecosystem benefits. Public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed.
• National Public Works Week (Item A4): The Board considered a resolution to proclaim the week of May 17–23, 2026, as National Public Works Week. The item was noted as having been inadvertently pulled from a previous agenda. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed.
• Santa Maria Philharmonic Society Centennial (Item A3): The Board considered a resolution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Santa Maria Philharmonic Society. Public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolution. The motion passed.
• Animal Services Donation Acceptance (Item A18): The Board considered a recommendation to accept donations totaling $118,920 from the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation. Public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to accept the donations. The motion passed.
• Speed Limit Ordinance Amendment (Item 829): The Board considered a recommendation to amend speed limits in the 1st and 4th districts. Public comment was received. The item was noted as already adopted; no further action was required.
• Final Map and Easement Dedication (Item A31): The Board considered a recommendation regarding the final map for SACA Preserve LLC and the acceptance of easement dedications. One Supervisor recused herself due to a property interest. A motion was made and seconded to approve the item. The motion passed.
• Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Presentation (Item A40): The Board received an informational presentation from the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation regarding facility operations, sustainability, and youth outreach initiatives. Public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the item. The motion passed.
• Sheriff Coroner's Office Hearing (Item A46): The Board considered a recommendation to set a public hearing for June 23, 2026, regarding the Annual Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds Truth Act Report. A motion was made and seconded to set the hearing. The motion passed.

Departmental Items

• IT Department Extra Help Services (Department Item 1): The Board held a hearing regarding a request for extra help services and a retirement waiver to hire a retired EDP Systems and Programming Analyst Senior to transfer institutional knowledge. No public comment was received. A motion was made and seconded to approve the hiring. The motion passed.
• Psychiatric Health Facility (PUF) Annual Report (Department Item 2): The Board held a hearing to consider the annual report for the Santa Barbara County Psychiatric Health Facility for fiscal years 2024–2025 and the first two quarters of 2025–2026. The report detailed staffing, patient flow, revenue, and audit results. Public comment was received regarding pharmacy closures. The Board discussed bed capacity and funding impacts. A motion was made and seconded to receive and file the report and determine CEQA regulations. The motion passed.
• Public Safety Realignment Plan (Department Item 3): The Board held a hearing to consider the Fiscal Year 2026–2028 Public Safety Realignment Plan presented by the Community Corrections Partnership (CCP). The plan totals $21.8 million and covers supervision of Post-Release Community Supervision and Post-Sentence Supervision clients. Discussion included funding for the Public Defender's Office, Victim Witness Program, probation officers, and treatment beds. The Board discussed the interaction between the CCP and the Juvenile Justice Commission, as well as data tracking for diversion and co-response initiatives. Under statutory law, the plan is considered adopted unless four-fifths of the Board votes to reject it. No formal motion to reject was made; the presentation concluded with an offer to answer questions.
• Zoning Ordinance Ministerial Streamlining (Department Item 4): The Board held a hearing to consider recommendations for streamlining permitting processes and design review. Staff presented options for residential and commercial development, including establishing thresholds for ministerial approvals, exempting certain projects from design review, and creating a tiered review system. Discussion focused on the trade-offs between size-based cutoffs and condition-based reviews, the impact on specific community plans (e.g., Montecito, Mission Canyon), and commercial parking requirements. The Board directed staff to develop code amendments based on the discussed options, with a goal of returning before the end of the calendar year. A motion was made and seconded to approve staff recommendations to proceed with the streamlining efforts. The motion passed.

Public Comment

• Public comment was received on various agenda items and general topics.
• Budget and Service Cuts: Multiple speakers addressed the Board regarding proposed budget cuts, layoffs, and service reductions. Speakers from labor unions, health organizations, and community groups urged the Board to reject the proposed budget containing layoffs, arguing that cuts to social services, public health, and jail support would disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. Specific concerns were raised regarding the elimination of lab assistant and pharmacy technician positions, the closure of county pharmacies, and the financial strain of sheriff's overtime costs. Speakers requested the Board amend the budget to reflect zero layoffs, fill existing vacancies, and prioritize health and human services over incarceration infrastructure.
• Planning and Traffic: A speaker from the Summerland Community Foundation urged the Board to include Summerland in ministerial streamlining and reduced parking requirements to preserve historic commercial buildings. The same speaker requested that Summerland be prioritized for speed reduction measures to address excessive vehicle speeds.
• Other Topics: Speakers expressed support for a music mission, the Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation's impact on music education, and the Biodiversity resolution. Additional comments were made regarding digital behavioral health initiatives for youth and the need for state funding advocacy for Public Health.

Closed Session

• The Board met in closed session to consider anticipated litigation, labor negotiations, public employee performance evaluations, and public employee reappointment. The Board voted unanimously to reappoint Rachel Van Mullem as County Council for a four-year term.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned.