Meeting Summary
Present: 3-Hartmann, 5-Lavagnino, 1-Lee, 2-Capps, 4-Nelson
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
Probation and Pre-Trial Services Week
- The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming the week of July 19–25 as Probation and Pre-Trial Services Week.
- Staff presented on departmental work including supervision, pre-trial assessments, and rehabilitation programs.
- Specific discussion highlighted the Youth Serving Secure Youth Treatment Facility and equine therapy initiatives.
Workforce Housing Development
- Staff provided an update on the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement for the 117 East Carrillo Street project.
- The project aligns with city design standards and has identified a non-profit management partner.
- The Board unanimously approved the staff recommendation to proceed with the development.
Cannabis Licensing Update
- The Board reviewed the third-quarter fiscal year update focusing on the appeal process for license revocations.
- Discussion centered on exploring alternative hearing officer options within existing code rather than amending it.
- Staff was directed to report back on these options within six months.
Sheriff's Jail Healthcare Services
- The Board reviewed the 2025 Annual Report from the California Forensic Medical Group covering staffing and treatment programs.
- Discussion included the possibility of bringing grievance coordination in-house and aligning reports with County Health audits.
- The report was received and filed into the record.
Federal Correctional Complex Lompoc MOU
- The Board considered a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the provision of eligibility workers for inmates.
- Staff clarified the current scope involves providing information rather than signing inmates up for services.
- The Board approved the recommendation while discussing the feasibility of expanding services to include warm handoffs.
Step Up Housing Bond Hearing
- The Board held a TEFRA hearing regarding bonds for a 120-unit market-rate project in the Orchard area.
- Concerns were raised regarding public benefit, potential rent increases, and estimated property tax revenue loss.
- After initial continuation for further discussion, the Board approved the recommended actions with one abstention.
No decision 2–0 · abstained: Nelson
Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment
- Staff recommended a 3.2% adjustment to the fiscal year 2026–2027 special tax rate for the Goleta Valley Library.
- The adjustment is based on the Los Angeles Consumer Price Index.
- The Board unanimously adopted the staff recommendation.
Orchid and Providence Landing CFD Special Tax Levies
- Staff recommended adjusting special tax levies for the Orchid and Providence Landing Community Facilities Districts.
- The Orchid levy increase funds sheriff, fire, parks, and flood services, while the Providence Landing increase funds a community park.
- The Board unanimously adopted the recommendations following discussion on the equity of these arrangements.
No decision 0–0
Acela Software Implementation Update
- Representatives provided an update on the migration to a cloud-based version and the Citizens Access Portal.
- Discussion covered future enhancements including the E-Permit Hub, AI tools, and staff training needs.
- The Board unanimously adopted recommendations regarding the system and future priorities.
Homelessness Update
- The Community Services Department presented an annual update highlighting a 6% decrease in overall homelessness.
- Key trends included a 22% increase in transitional-age youth and a significant rise in vehicular homelessness.
- Staff introduced the HARP initiative aimed at achieving functional zero and discussed centralized data hub development.
Utility-Scale Solar Program and Battery Energy Storage
- Staff presented recommendations to amend land use codes to facilitate utility-scale solar development with a proposed 16,000-acre cap.
- Public comment and Board deliberation focused on environmental safeguards, agrivoltaics, and standalone battery storage.
- The Board deferred action to September 1st and directed staff to revise the ordinance with a 10,000-acre cap and other modifications.
Closed Session
- The Board discussed anticipated and existing litigation involving Torgeson, Flying Goat Sellers, and Sable Offshore.
- The Clerk initially reported no action but corrected the record to state the Board authorized the initiation of civil litigation.
- No reportable action was taken regarding the Sable Offshore Corp case.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Administrative Matters
- The regular meeting of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on July 14, 2026, was called to order with a roll call confirming the presence of all members. The Board approved the minutes from the July 7, 2026, meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- The Board observed a moment of silence and paid tribute to former Santa Barbara Mayor Sheila Lodge.
- Regarding agenda management, the Clerk announced an addendum to the closed session agenda concerning litigation involving Leslie Torgerson versus the County. A request was made to withdraw specific items from the administrative agenda. A motion was made to withdraw Item A-9 and all other administrative items except A-11, A-16, A-33, and A-35, which were to be addressed after resolutions. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Administrative Resolutions and Reports
- Probation and Pre-Trial Services Week: The Board considered a resolution to proclaim the week of July 19–25, 2026, as Probation and Pre-Trial Services Week. Staff presented on departmental work, including supervision of adults and juveniles, pre-trial assessments, and rehabilitation programs, with specific discussion on the Youth Serving Secure Youth Treatment Facility and equine therapy. A motion to adopt the resolution was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Workforce Housing Development (117 East Carrillo Street): Staff provided an update on the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement for a workforce housing project, noting alignment with city design standards and the identification of a non-profit management partner. A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Cannabis Licensing Update: The Board reviewed the third-quarter fiscal year 2025–2026 update on cannabis licensing, focusing on the appeal process for license revocations. Discussion centered on exploring alternative options for hearing officers within existing code rather than amending the code. The Board directed staff to report back on these options within six months. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation with this direction was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Sheriff's Jail Healthcare Services Report: The Board reviewed the 2025 Annual Report from the California Forensic Medical Group (CFMG). Discussion covered the increase in the Medically Assisted Treatment program, staffing vacancy rates, and the grievance process, including the possibility of bringing grievance coordination in-house. The Board also discussed aligning future reports with County Health audits. A motion to receive the report into the file was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Federal Correctional Complex Lompoc MOU: The Board considered a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the provision of eligibility workers. Staff clarified the current scope involves providing information to inmates rather than signing them up for services. Discussion included the feasibility of expanding services to include "warm handoffs" for released inmates. A motion to approve the staff recommendation was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Departmental Items and Hearings
- Step Up Housing Bond Hearing (Orchard Project): The Board held a TEFRA hearing regarding the issuance of qualified 501(c)(3) bonds for Step Up Housing to acquire a 120-unit market-rate project in the Orchard area and place it under a 15-year regulatory agreement. Staff and the applicant presented financial details, noting a total debt of $45.7 million and rent restrictions for 33 units. The County Executive Officer raised concerns regarding the public benefit, potential rent increases for some categories, and an estimated annual loss of over $300,000 in property tax revenue. Board members questioned the timing of the item and the lack of internal staff review. The Chair moved to continue the item to the end of the meeting to allow for further discussion. The motion was seconded and passed. Later in the meeting, a motion was made to approve the recommended actions (items A through C). The motion was seconded and passed with one abstention.
- Library Special Tax Rate Adjustment (CSA 3): Staff recommended a 3.2% adjustment to the fiscal year 2026–2027 special tax rate for the Goleta Valley Library based on the Los Angeles Consumer Price Index. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Orchid and Providence Landing CFD Special Tax Levies: Staff recommended adjusting special tax levies for the Orchid and Providence Landing Community Facilities Districts for fiscal year 2026–2027. The Orchid levy was to increase by 3.1% to fund sheriff, fire, parks, and flood services. The Providence Landing levy was to increase by $20 per parcel to fund a community park. Discussion focused on the equity of these arrangements and the unique nature of the districts. A motion to adopt the staff recommendation was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Acela Software Implementation Update: Representatives from multiple departments provided an update on the county's use of Acela software for permitting and licensing. Discussion covered the migration to a cloud-based version, the implementation of the Citizens Access Portal, and future enhancements including the "E-Permit Hub" and AI tools. Staff addressed questions regarding staff training, data reporting, accountability measures, and payment surcharges. A motion to adopt the staff recommendations regarding the Acela system and future priorities was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
- Homelessness Update: The Community Services Department presented an annual update on homelessness, highlighting a shift to annualized HMIS data which indicates higher totals than Point-in-Time counts. Key trends included a 6% decrease in overall homelessness, a 22% increase in transitional-age youth, and a significant increase in vehicular homelessness. Staff introduced the "Homelessness Alliance Response and Prevention" (HARP) initiative aimed at achieving "functional zero." Discussion covered shelter bed reservation practices, the upgrade of the HMIS, and the development of a centralized data hub. The item was designated as a receive-and-file presentation. The Board received the presentation.
- Utility-Scale Solar Program and Battery Energy Storage: Staff presented recommendations to amend land use codes to facilitate utility-scale solar development, proposing a tiered permitting structure and a countywide cap of 16,000 acres for Tier 3 facilities. Discussion focused on environmental safeguards, groundwater protection, agrivoltaics, and the inclusion of standalone battery energy storage systems (BESS). Public comment was received from 14 speakers, with supporters urging adoption to meet energy goals and agricultural representatives requesting modifications to safeguard farmland. The Board deliberated on adjusting the acreage cap, geographic distribution, Tier 1 exemptions, and the permitting of standalone BESS. The Board decided to defer action on the item to a future hearing, tentatively scheduled for September 1st. The Board provided direction to staff to prepare a revised ordinance package including a 10,000-acre cap applicable to Tier 2 and Tier 3 projects, analyze cap distribution options, evaluate expanding the Tier 1 exemption to 15 acres, and develop a proposal for standalone battery storage. A motion to continue the item to September 1st incorporating these directions was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- The Board convened in closed session to discuss anticipated litigation and existing cases involving Torgeson v. County, Flying Goat Sellers v. County, and Sable Offshore v. County. Upon reconvening, the Clerk reported that the Board took no reportable action on anticipated litigation or the decision to initiate litigation. The Clerk subsequently corrected the record to state that the Board unanimously authorized the initiation of civil litigation, the details of which will become public upon filing. A subsequent closed session regarding Sable Offshore Corp v. County resulted in no reportable action.
Adjournment
- The meeting was adjourned, with the next session scheduled for August 18th.