Meeting Summary
Present: 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, 1-Lee, 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 Fund and Youth Commission Proposal
- The Board set aside $250,000 of cannabis revenue specifically for youth education purposes.
- Decisions on the full $780,000 allocation and the creation of a Youth Commission were deferred to a future hearing.
- The funds were temporarily moved to "General County Programs" pending further resolution.
County Health Center Service Reductions and Pharmacy Closures
- Staff proposed closing pharmacies in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria while retaining the Lompoc pharmacy.
- The plan included discontinuing four specialty services at the Santa Barbara Health Center affecting approximately 792 patients.
- A public hearing was held, but no formal motion or decision regarding these reductions was recorded during this meeting.
Sheriff's Office Budget Cuts and Staffing Adjustments
- The Board agreed to maintain the Warrant Officer position and support the second Rural Crime Deputy.
- Funding for the Behavioral Science Unit Manager was confirmed using a split of General Fund and BHSA resources.
- An $812,000 set-aside was approved for future Sheriff's Department planning regarding Isla Vista and UCSB partnerships.
Film Commissioner Position
- The Board approved the creation of a one-year pilot Film Commissioner position to support economic development.
- The position will be funded with $150,000 allocated from cannabis revenue.
Fulfillment Fund and Community Networks
- Funding for Visit Santa Barbara was reduced by $25,000, lowering the total grant to $165,000.
- The Board expressed support for maintaining the Kids Network and Adult and Aging Network at a minimal convening level.
- These adjustments were incorporated into the final budget modifications.
Santa Ynez River Trail and Shell Settlement Funds
- Staff reported that $600,000 remains from the Shell settlement after $400,000 was spent on the Environmental Impact Report.
- The Board decided to reallocate the remaining $600,000 to make the river trail project shovel-ready for future grants.
County Counsel Attorney Position
- The Board approved funding for a County Counsel attorney position for a two-year period.
- This position will be supported by a one-time $700,000 allocation from the General Fund.
General Budget Adoption
- The Board unanimously adopted the recommended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget totaling $1.66 billion.
- The adopted budget includes $51.9 million in countywide reductions and $7.4 million in General Fund support to retain 148.5 jobs.
- Final approval incorporated all previously discussed modifications regarding the shale settlement, youth fund, and specific departmental line items.
Full summary
Youth Fund and Youth Commission Proposal
- Public comment was received from the Youth Impact Coalition, the NAACP, Future Leaders of America, and other community members advocating for the allocation of $780,000 in unallocated cannabis tax revenue to create a Santa Barbara County Youth Fund. Proposals included establishing a Youth Commission to provide youth with a formal voice in county decisions and utilizing a youth-led grant-making process. Discussions addressed the intent of Proposition 64, the need for youth leadership programs, mental health services, and prevention initiatives. The Board discussed various administrative mechanisms, including a centralized fund versus district-based allocation. It was decided to set aside $250,000 of the cannabis revenue for youth education purposes. The specific allocation method and the creation of a Youth Commission were deferred to a future hearing, with the funds moved to "General County Programs" for further resolution. No formal motion or vote was recorded regarding the full $780,000 allocation or the creation of the commission during this meeting.
County Health Center Service Reductions and Pharmacy Closures
- Staff from the County Health Department presented a proposal to address a structural deficit by reducing clinical services and closing in-house pharmacies. The proposal included discontinuing in-house phlebotomy at the Lompoc and Santa Maria Health Centers, closing pharmacies at the Santa Barbara and Santa Maria Health Centers (retaining only the Lompoc pharmacy), and contracting with Walgreens. Additionally, four specialty services (Nephrology, Urology, Neurology, and Gastroenterology) at the Santa Barbara Health Center were proposed for discontinuation, affecting approximately 792 patients annually. Public comment was received from the Santa Barbara County Taxpayer Advocacy Center (SBTAC), the NAACP, and individual residents opposing the closures due to concerns over patient access, the transition plan, and potential job losses. Staff responded that primary care and financial assistance would remain unchanged and that a transition team was coordinating care. A public hearing was held on these recommendations. No formal motion, vote, or decision regarding the service reductions was recorded in the provided transcript segments.
Sheriff's Office Budget Cuts, Staffing, and Specific Positions
- Staff presented a mandated $4.9 million budget cut requiring the elimination of 30 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, including 11 sworn deputies, to be achieved through vacancies rather than layoffs. The proposed reductions targeted the Isla Vista foot patrol, citing crime declines and geographic contiguity. Public comment opposed the cuts, citing public safety priorities and existing understaffing. The Board discussed several specific positions and funding adjustments:
- Warrant Officer: The Board discussed the temporary nature of the Warrant Officer position and its synergy with narcotics teams. It was decided to maintain the status quo on this position.
- Rural Crime Deputy: The Board expressed support for the second Rural Crime Deputy position to address agricultural theft and riverbed crimes.
- Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) Manager: The Board discussed funding sources for the BSU Manager. It was decided to maintain the recommendation of $180,000 from the General Fund and $60,000 from BHSA funding, keeping the position within the Sheriff's Department.
- Sheriff Set-Aside: The Board agreed to set aside $812,000 for the Sheriff's Department for future allocation, allowing for ongoing planning regarding policing in Isla Vista and partnerships with UCSB.
- Co-Response Team: Funding for a fourth co-response team for the North County using CCP funds was discussed.
- No separate motion or vote was recorded for these individual line items; they were incorporated into the broader budget adoption.
Film Commissioner Position
- The proposed creation of a Film Commissioner position was debated as a one-year pilot. Proponents cited economic development potential and job creation, while opponents questioned the necessity of the county assuming a role previously held by the private sector. A proposal to fund the position by reducing the Fulfillment Fund grant to Visit Santa Barbara by $25,000 was raised. The Board agreed to include the Film Commissioner position in the budget, funded by $150,000 in cannabis revenue.
Fulfillment Fund and Community Networks
- Discussion addressed the Fulfillment Fund, which provides grants to organizations including Visit Santa Barbara and chambers of commerce. A proposal was made to reduce Visit Santa Barbara funding by $25,000, lowering the total from $190,000 to $165,000. The Board also discussed reallocating funds to support the Kids Network and the Adult and Aging Network. Staff clarified that these networks could be maintained at a minimal convening level for approximately $42,000 total. The Board expressed support for maintaining these networks. The reduction in Visit Santa Barbara funding was incorporated into the final budget adjustments.
Santa Ynez River Trail and Shell Settlement Funds
- Supervisors inquired about the status of the Santa Ynez River Trail project and the availability of funds from the Shell settlement. Staff reported that $400,000 had been expended on the Environmental Impact Report, with approximately $600,000 remaining. The Board discussed the need to designate these funds to make the trail "shovel-ready" for upcoming grant cycles. It was decided to reallocate $600,000 from the shale settlement funds toward the river project.
County Counsel Attorney Position
- Supervisors requested clarification on a proposal to fund a County Counsel attorney for two years using cannabis funds, noting the item had not been discussed during budget workshops. The Board discussed cost savings and the process for inclusion. The final budget adjustments included funding for this position ($700,000 one-time general fund over two years).
General Budget Adoption and Functional Groups
- The County Executive presented the recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, detailing a $1.66 billion total budget with $51.9 million in countywide reductions. The plan included $7.4 million in ongoing General Fund support to restore critical positions, resulting in the retention of 148.5 jobs. The presentation covered five functional groups: Health and Human Services, Community Resources and Public Facilities, Public Safety, General Government and Support Services, and Policy and Executive.
- Public Health Department Budget: A motion was made to adopt recommended actions A through C. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
- Departmental Item 3 (Redevelopment Agency Successor Budget): A motion was made regarding this item. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
- Final Budget Motion: A motion was made to adopt the CEO's recommended budget adjustments (Actions A through G), incorporating Attachment A1 which included the agreed-upon modifications regarding the shale settlement funds, youth fund deferral, Film Commissioner, BSU Manager, and other discussed items. The motion was seconded. Following closing comments, the motion was put to a vote and passed unanimously.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned, with the next regularly scheduled meeting set for June 23rd in Santa Maria.