Meeting Summary
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
Resolutions
- The board adopted a resolution honoring Ann McCarty for over 30 years of service at the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.
- A resolution was passed to honor His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 91st birthday for his contributions to peace.
HomeKey Plus Funding Application
- The board unanimously approved a recommendation to apply for HomeKey Plus funding for permanent supportive housing in the 5th District.
- Public comment supported the application while requesting a review of income limits for applicants with disabilities.
Animal Services Donations
- The board accepted in-kind services from Animal Arts to assist with the design of animal services facilities.
- A $105,000 donation from the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation was approved to support an animal control officer position.
SART Medical Program Agreement
- The board approved an agreement with Dignity Health for the operations of the Sexual Assault Response Team medical program.
- Staff clarified that while there is no local evidence collection backlog, state lab turnaround times range from four to six months.
No decision 0–0
Oasis Meeting Center Project EIR Addendum
- The board unanimously approved an addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Oasis Meeting Center project.
- Public comment opposed the addendum citing traffic concerns, though the board noted previous mitigations addressed these impacts.
Sheriff's Office Grants
- The board approved ongoing grants for the Sheriff's Office for fiscal years 2025–2026.
- Staff clarified that Homeland Security grants fund a patrol boat and supplies under the Operation Stone Garden program.
County Executive Officer Retirement Waiver
- The board approved a retirement waiver allowing Mona Miyasato to continue temporarily as a retired annuitant until August 20.
- An amendment to her employment agreement regarding the payout of an unexpended educational allowance was also approved.
Sheriff's Office Military Equipment Use Ordinance
- The board adopted staff recommendations to renew the ordinance governing the use of specialized law enforcement equipment.
- Staff presented reports on equipment acquisition, funding sources, and operational usage statistics for 2025.
Del Cielo Mobile Home Community Rent Control Petition
- The board affirmed an arbitrator's decision allowing a $24 monthly rent increase while disallowing a $20,000 broker commission.
- The board concluded the arbitrator did not abuse discretion in determining the commission was a core expense incurred prior to operations.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
2025 Crop and Livestock Report
- The board received and filed the report indicating total gross agricultural production value exceeded $2.2 billion.
- Strawberries remained the top commodity, with the report noting the exclusion of cannabis due to federal classification.
Agricultural Commissioner's Fee Schedule Amendment
- The board considered a proposal to amend the fee schedule for weights and measures to improve cost recovery.
- No motion or final decision was recorded for this item as the transcript concluded during the presentation.
Meter Registration Fee
- The board unanimously adopted a proposed annual registration fee of $10 per water meter to offset testing costs.
Truth Act Report and Community Forum
- The Sheriff's Coroner's Office presented data showing 221 ICE requests and 12 transfers in 2025, a decrease from the previous year.
- Discussion covered data discrepancies and protocols, with the Sheriff clarifying transfers are based strictly on criminal history and statutory criteria.
Sheriff's Office Collaboration with ICE
- The board received a presentation on ICE transfers followed by extensive public comment urging an end to voluntary cooperation.
- A motion to research policy options limiting cooperation to judicial warrants was proposed but not voted upon.
- The board ultimately voted to receive and file the matter, with the Chair indicating a preference to revisit the issue the following year.
Closed Session
- The board discussed anticipated litigation, existing litigation, and labor negotiations in a closed session.
- Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that no reportable action was taken during the closed session.
Full summary
Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
- The regular meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on June 23, 2026, was called to order. The roll was called, and the board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
- The board considered the minutes from the June 9 regular meeting and the June 16 budget hearing. A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
County Executive Officer Report
- The County Executive Officer presented a report noting the appointment of Tracy Makuga, Santa Barbara County Public Defender, to the California Independent Commission on Public Defense. The report also highlighted First 5 Santa Barbara County's initiative to expand nature-based learning areas in partnership with local schools and early learning providers.
Clerk Announcements and Agenda Changes
- The Clerk announced that Administrative Items 51 and 79 would be trailed until after the closed session, with an estimated resumption time of 2:00 p.m. Spanish and Mixteco interpretation services were confirmed for Departmental Item 6 (Truth Act Report). Instructions for public participation via Zoom and in-person were reiterated.
Administrative Agenda
- The board considered the administrative agenda, removing Items 23, 39, 42, 45, 49, 65, 51, and 79 for individual discussion. A motion to approve the remaining administrative items was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Resolutions
- Resolution Honoring Ann McCarty: The board considered a resolution honoring Ann McCarty upon her retirement from the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center after over 30 years of service. Ms. McCarty addressed the board, and Supervisor Hartman offered remarks regarding her leadership. The resolution was adopted.
- Resolution Honoring the Dalai Lama: The board considered a resolution honoring His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 91st birthday. A representative addressed the board regarding the Dalai Lama's contributions to peace and his connection to the University of Santa Barbara. Supervisors Hartman and Capps offered remarks. The resolution was adopted.
Administrative Items (Pulled for Discussion)
- Item 23: HomeKey Plus Funding Application: The board considered a recommendation to apply for HomeKey Plus funding for permanent supportive housing in the 5th District. Public comment was provided supporting the application and requesting a review of income limits for applicants with disabilities. A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 39: In-Kind Donation of Services (Animal Arts): The board considered the acceptance of in-kind services from Animal Arts to assist with the design of animal services facilities, including laser measuring and listening sessions. A motion to accept the donation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 42: Donation to Animal Services: The board considered the acceptance of a $105,000 donation from the Santa Barbara County Animal Care Foundation to support an animal control officer position. Public comment explained the donation as a one-time bridge to prevent the loss of the position. A motion to accept the donation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 45: Agreement with Dignity Health for SART: The board considered an agreement with Dignity Health for the operations of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) medical program. The District Attorney's Office presented details on the collaboration. Questions regarding evidence collection backlogs were addressed, with staff clarifying that while there is no local backlog, state lab turnaround times range from four to six months. A motion to approve the agreement was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 49: Oasis Meeting Center Project EIR Addendum: The board considered an addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Oasis Meeting Center project. Public comment opposed the addendum, citing concerns regarding traffic study exclusions and underestimated impacts. Supervisor Hartman noted that traffic impacts had been previously addressed with mitigations. A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 65: Sheriff's Office Grants: The board considered the approval of ongoing grants for the Sheriff's Office for fiscal years 2025–2026. Public comment inquired about the source and purpose of Homeland Security grants. The Sheriff's Office clarified that the grants were for a patrol boat and related supplies under the Operation Stone Garden program, administered federally through the San Diego Sheriff's Office. A motion to approve the grants was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- Item 72: First District Discretionary Fund (World Cup Watch Party): The board received a report on a previously approved item regarding a contribution for World Cup Watch Party production services. No vote was taken as the item had been previously adopted.
General Public Comment
- Five members of the public provided comment on items not on the agenda. Topics included a proposal for a fee on SpaceX commercial launches, a petition to contest election results based on alleged illegal voting, support for the election fraud claims, and updates on local baseball all-star teams.
Departmental Item 1: County Executive Officer Retirement Waiver
- The board held a hearing regarding a retirement waiver to allow Mona Miyasato to continue temporarily as a retired annuitant until the new County Executive Officer's appointment on August 20. The item included an amendment to her employment agreement regarding the payout of an unexpended educational allowance. A motion to approve the recommendations was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 2: Sheriff's Office Military Equipment Use Ordinance
- The board held a hearing regarding the renewal of the Sheriff's Office military equipment use ordinance in compliance with Assembly Bill 481. Staff presented a report on the acquisition and use of specialized law enforcement equipment, including drones, battering rams, and an MRAP vehicle. The report detailed funding sources, including private donations and grants, and noted operational usage statistics for 2025. Maintenance costs and training protocols were discussed. A motion to adopt the staff recommendations (Actions A through E) was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 3: Mobile Home Rent Control Petition for Review (Del Cielo Mobile Home Community)
- The board held a hearing to review a petition challenging an arbitrator's final award regarding a rent increase dispute at Del Cielo Mobile Home Community. The board's review was limited to determining if the arbitrator abused discretion. Staff recommended affirming the arbitrator's decision, which allowed a $24 monthly increase and disallowed a $20,000 broker commission. Management argued the commission was an allowable incidental expense, while homeowners' counsel argued it was a core expense incurred prior to operations. Following deliberation, the board concluded the arbitrator did not abuse discretion and that the broker commission was correctly disallowed. A motion to affirm the arbitrator's decision was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Passed 5–0 · unanimous
Departmental Item 4: 2025 Crop and Livestock Report
- The board received the 2025 Crop and Livestock Report from the Agricultural Commissioner. The report indicated total gross agricultural production value exceeded $2.2 billion, an 11.5% increase from 2024, driven by increased acreage, yields, and pricing. Strawberries remained the top commodity. The report noted the exclusion of cannabis due to federal classification. A motion to receive and file the report and find the action does not constitute a project under CEQA was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 5: Agricultural Commissioner's Fee Schedule Amendment
- The board considered a proposal to amend the Agricultural Commissioner's fee schedule for weights and measures to improve cost recovery for commercial device inspections. Staff explained the proposed adjustments align with neighboring counties and are projected to generate an additional $100,000 in annual revenue. The transcript concluded during the presentation of fee schedule details; no motion, vote, or final decision was recorded for this item in this portion of the meeting.
Agenda Item: Meter Registration Fee
- The board discussed a proposed annual registration fee of $10 per meter for water meters to offset testing costs. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The board recessed for a closed session to discuss anticipated litigation, existing litigation, and labor negotiations. Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that the board discussed the listed items and took no reportable action.
Administrative Items A51 and A79
- The board addressed Administrative Items 51 and 79, which had been previously read into the record. A motion to approve both items was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Departmental Item 6: Truth Act Report and Community Forum
- The board held a hearing to consider recommendations regarding the annual transparent review of unjust transfers and holds under the Truth Act (SB 54). The Sheriff's Coroner's Office presented a report on 2025 data, noting 221 ICE requests and 12 transfers, a decrease from 2024. Discussion covered ICE arrests in jail lobbies, data discrepancies between county reports and external sources, and protocols for SCRAM device installations. The Sheriff clarified that transfers are based strictly on criminal history and statutory criteria. No formal motion was made or voted upon regarding the Truth Act report during this segment; the item was presented for information and public forum.
Departmental Item 7: Sheriff's Office Collaboration with ICE and Public Comment
- The board received a presentation on ICE transfers and arrests, followed by extensive public comment. Numerous speakers urged the board and Sheriff to end voluntary cooperation with ICE, citing concerns regarding community trust, safety, and conditions in ICE custody. One speaker argued in favor of full cooperation to combat criminal cartels.
- Following public comment, the board deliberated. Supervisor Capps proposed directing the County Executive Officer to research policy options used by other jurisdictions to limit Sheriff-ICE cooperation to cases involving a judicial warrant. Supervisor Lee seconded the motion. Chair Nelson expressed opposition, citing limited board authority over the Sheriff's operations and the belief that the Sheriff is already complying with SB 54. Sheriff Brown stated that while he supports improved communication with the Public Defender, the Sheriff's Office cannot legally prevent ICE agents from operating in public areas of the jail. The Public Defender noted current notification protocols limit the ability to assist clients.
- No formal vote was taken on the motion to direct the CEO to research policy options during this segment. The Chair indicated a preference to file the item and revisit it the following year.
Motion to Receive and File
- Following the discussion on Sheriff's Department reporting and ICE collaboration, the County Executive Officer presented a staff recommendation to receive and file the matter, noting the issue was not a project subject to CEQA. A motion to receive and file the item was made and seconded. The motion passed.