Board of Supervisors — 2026-08-18

All right, good morning. I'll call to order the August 18th 2026 regular meeting in the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. Madam Clerk will you please call the roll?

Move approval.

Second? Second. A motion from Hartman, second from Lee. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed? Motion passes unanimously.

No report this morning, Chair.

All right. Not yet. All right. Madam Clerk, are there any announcements or changes to our agenda today?

Thank you. Good morning, members of the board. I just have one quick announcement this morning regarding public participation for information on the Board of Supervisors methods of public participation and instructions on how to provide public comment on items listed on today's agenda or during general public comment. Please refer to page 2 of the agenda individuals who wish Please note that zoom is available solely for the purpose of providing verbal public comment and is not intended for viewing the meeting. Alternative viewing options are listed on page 2 of the agenda. If you have any questions, please contact the clerk of the board's office at area code 805-568-2240 or by email at sbcobcountyofsb.org And that concludes my announcements for today.

All right. Thank you, Madam Clerk.

you for all of your service. Lastly, I'm joined with some friends here and three generations of Firestones and volunteerism in our community is incredibly important to us. And I think if my father would, my mother would say that we have one job here it's to Make sure that we're raising empathetic, curious and interesting children that are willing to go and do the work and get involved. And hopefully I'm doing that. So if that's one thing that I remembered by aside from this amazing resolution, it's that I have raised kids that are also going to be involved in curious and empathetic to our community. So thank you very much. Thank you.

Supervisor Lee.

Thank you, Andrew. I just want to say thank you for all you do for nonprofits and our community. If anyone has seen Andrew in action it's quite the show. You make me want to bid more but I'm not so again from myself I appreciate and grateful of what you do. Thank you. All right. Thank

you. Supervisor Capps?

Yeah, I want to echo that. When I walk into an event and I see that you're the auctioneer or you're the emcee, I just know we're in for a ride. And the physicality of what you do is incredible in the way...I mean, the dollars and the energy and the support that you have brought is immeasurable. And to see you with your family today knowing how much time Your father has spent in this room and how much service your entire family has brought to this community just means so much, and your kids.

And what kind of father and family you all have brought to this community. So it's really wonderful to start off this meeting with you all here today. Thank you.

Thank You Supervisor Kapps. Supervisor Hartman?

Well, just wanted to acknowledge the Firestone legacy I think to Santa Barbara County. The patriarch will be honored here soon so we'll see that legacy continuing in action not just in government but in public service across the board and so you really are a model family saying what can you give back to a community in so many different ways? So thank you.

That's right. Thank You Supervisor Hartman. Supervisor Lavinino

Yeah, well I'd like to get Andrew up to North County. I hear about the amount of money he raises up down here so yeah we'd love to give you up there but you know I was just thinking as I'm leaving and Brooks has been up here before You know, you think about what your legacy is but the reality is it's your family. And that's what it's all about and Andrew as a grandfather now as Brooks is I kind of judge myself on how I see my grandkids and the fact you're raising empathetic curious kids when you said that I'm gonna go home until my kids that's you know, and that's what I see in my grandkids and it's really rewarding even more so than almost anything we do up here. So congratulations to your entire family appreciate it.

Yes. Thank you, Supervisor Labadino. And Brooks has been a mentor and a hero of mine for many, many years and many people in our community. And it's good to see that legacy continue into multiple generations and generations to come that I think will be gracing this boardroom in our community for hopefully many more decades. So thank you.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks to Nelson and members of the board administrative item number 3 is sponsored by supervisor Nelson it is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring deli's Estrada Marco Marrera and Justin Wyckoff at the agriculture commissioners weights and measures office as the August 2026 employees of the month in Santa Barbara County and joining us in person today making their way Whereas Daly's Marco and Justin exemplify the county's organizational values of accountability, customer focus, equity and inclusion, innovation trust and ethics. And whereas Dalys, Marco and Justin model the transformative behaviors a collaborative problem solving alignment with the county's vision risk taking data driven decision making and strategic thinking.

And whereas Daly's, Marco and Justin Agricultural Weights and Measures Inspectors with the Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioners Weights and Measures Office are role models for the office by consistently providing exceptional customer service, demonstrating professionalism, courtesy and an unparalleled dedication to serving the residents and stakeholders of Santa Barbara County.

And whereas Dele's, Marco and Justin exemplify outstanding teamwork through their consistent willingness to support their colleagues share knowledge openly and collaborate effectively to ensure departmental programs inspections and outreach services are delivered with efficiency and integrity. And whereas Delis, Marco and Justin positive attitude strong work ethic and dedication to public service serve as outstanding models for the entire office and demonstrate unwavering commitment to their roles. Now therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara does hereby acknowledge Delis Estrada, Marco Marrera and Justin Wyckoff as employees of the month for August 2026

Good morning, Chair Nelson and members of the board. My name is Adriana Rosales. I'm a supervising inspector with Agricultural Commissioner's Office. I'd like to thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge Dallas Estrada, Marco Marrero and Justin Wyckoff as employees of the month. We're constantly inspired by our staff's hard work and dedication to public service.

I am pleased to briefly share a bit about each of them today. Dallas initially worked with the department for two years and a half as extra help, conducting trapping, working through the county. She was later hired full-time when it became clear that not having her full time would be a significant loss. Since then, she has become someone our department relies on across a wide range of programs.

She played an instrument role in getting this year's crop and livestock report published and ensuring that the information provided is both accurate and useful for both agricultural industry and the public. She has also taken on the day-to-day management of our AgPASS program, demonstrating exceptional dedication during emergency incidents by making sure participating farmers receive the support and the information they need during crisis.

Dallas outstanding customer service and consistent willingness to go above and beyond have made a huge, have been a huge benefit to our department. As for Marco, he has been with the department for nine years and has become an invaluable asset to the pest prevention division. He has brought to the department a deep knowledge and love for plant pests and insects just as importantly he has a strong passion for the work we do to protect agricultural and our natural resources in Santa Barbara County Whether assisting a resident or working with someone in the agricultural industry, or conducting parcel inspections and identifying potentially invasive pests, he approaches every task with diligence and careful attention to detail.

He is always eager to share his extensive knowledge with his co-workers. Marco is willing to step in and help wherever he is needed. His enthusiasm for his work is clear, and he understands that the efforts he makes each day have a real and lasting impact on protecting agriculture and the natural environment in our county. Last but not least, Justin has been with the department for a little over two years.

Yet in that relatively short time he has become a tremendous asset to the Environmental Protection Division. He is extremely detailed oriented and inquisitive and doesn't simply accept something just because that's the way we've always done it. He consistently seeks to understand the reason behind processes and is willing to dig deeper to fully grasp an issue or to determine whether there might be a better way to do it.

The curiosity and thoughtfulness he brings to his work are contagious and positively influence staff throughout the division. While Justin learns new topics quickly, his patience and enthusiasm for the details have also made him an effective mentor for other team members. Public service often involves the work that happens behind the scenes. Protecting the agricultural industry and the natural environment, helping our residents and carrying out our responsibilities with care accuracy and respect.

Though this work you do may not always be visible to the public, its impacts is both real and lasting. On behalf of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office it is our privilege to join the Board of Supervisors in acknowledging Dallas Estrada, Marco Marrero and Justin Whitehouse as the Employees of the Month for August 2026. Thank you for everything you do and congratulations!

Good morning Chair Nelson and members of the board. On behalf of my esteemed colleagues, I'd like to thank you all for this very special recognition. I'd also like to acknowledge our respective teammates, our department leadership and our friends and most importantly our family. Their support allows us to be the best versions of ourselves both professionally and personally and make better versions of ourselves every day. Thank you all.

Thank you. I think as a supervisor, we're not supposed to have favorites just like the parent with kids but I think everybody knows that commissioner offices is definitely one of my favorites and I appreciate all the work that you guys are doing out there. All right. I think we can continue item 8-4 in the meeting is I think that's what I think it's the order of business. I'll second that yeah, we got

a second.

Yeah, we might need to continue that to a future meeting

2027 27. That's right sounds

good. All kidding aside, Madam Clerk will you please read administrative item number four into the record.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks to Nelson and members of the board administrative item number 4 is brought to us by the Board of Supervisors it is to adopt a resolution of commendation honoring Mona Miyasato upon her retirement from the county of Santa Barbara after over 12 years as the county executive officer in over 30 years of combined service to the communities

At this time, I'd like to invite my colleagues to join me at the podium for the presentation of this resolution.

And I now have the honor to read the resolution. Whereas Mona Miyasato began her distinguished public service career more than 30 years ago, serving the communities of Santa Monica and Marin County before joining the Santa Barbara County in 2013 bringing with her a rare blend of calm leadership sharp insight integrity and collaboration And whereas Mona has spent the last 12 and a half years as county executive officer leading a 1.7 billion dollar organization with 23 departments and 4700 employees with her signature steadiness and clarity guiding the county through fiscal pressures disasters and even a global pandemic I'm so excited to be here with you today. I want to start by saying thank you to the board of Supervisors for their hard work all while making the complex seem understandable and the impossible see manageable and whereas Mona's leadership goes beyond budgets and operations she has helped shape a clear vision mission and set of values for the county grounded in service accountability customer focus equity and inclusion innovation trust and ethics under her leadership these And whereas Mona's decision-making is rooted in listening, analyzing and inviting multiple perspectives enabling her to ask the tough questions, chart clear goals and design solutions that last.

And through this reflective yet forward thinking approach she helped transform the county into a more modern transparent and accessible organization introducing digital services and permits launching enterprise systems such as Workday and expanding public transparency through newsletters plain language board summaries and an online budget tool And whereas Mona has long been the behind-the-scenes force who brings people together powered by collaboration, late night phone calls and countless meetings all in service of the greater good. And because of her persistence the county has made significant strides in serving vulnerable residents reducing homelessness and improving criminal justice and diversion systems. And under her guidance new programs now offer early legal support I'm here today to talk about housing.

Housing is one of the most important parts of our community. It provides access to medication and mental health services while interim supportive housing sites in 3 communities across And whereas she guided the county through 40 emergency operations center activations including the Thomas fire, the January 9 debris flow numerous wildfires and winter storms and the COVID-19 pandemic never rattled always prepared. And while leading staff through some of our counties darkest moments she somehow found time to accidentally adopt more than one rescue dog at need. Whereas Mona is not only an exceptional leader but an incredible human being humble warm Witty, funny and supportive.

Whose legacy will endure in the modern system she built, the people she mentored, the community she strengthened and the culture of integrity and collaboration she leaves behind. And as we prepare to wish her well in retirement, we extend our heartfelt thanks to her husband Dave. Thank you for sharing such a brilliant and remarkable person with us all these years.

Now, therefore be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors honors and thanks Mona Miyasato for exceptional decades of public service and her outstanding leadership as County Executive Officer and congratulates her upon her well earned retirement passed and adopted today.

All right. Mona, we're going to actually give you the last word here. So if you'd like to sit down just for a moment, we're going to go to public comment and then we've got a few presentations. Madam Clerk, I understand we have a couple of public commenters on this item?

Chair Nelson and members of the board. Yes, we do have 2 requests to speak from the public on this item and that is true. We want to give Mona the last word so we are going to go to Robert Shaw here in Santa Barbara to be followed by doctor Lee Heller.

And I really wanted to come down to thank Mona for her time, but to thank the board for allowing Mona to spend time serving as a operations board director at Central Coast Community Energy. Serving on our executive committee as our vice chair and doing so at a really transformative point in our agency. Your guidance, her commitment to this really set sort of the standard for governance within our agency. What informed and meaningful oversight of the agency was I really appreciate all of the guidance. The agency, the region are better for Mona's service.

Thank you. Thank your family. We have a small appreciation token just recognizing your dedicated and distinguished service with Central Coast Community Energy.

And we did have one additional request to speak from Dr. Lee Heller here in Santa Barbara.

Good morning, Chair Nelson and members of the board. I'm going to try really hard not to cry and I'm not here for 821 but yay spay neuter money. And thank you Andrew Firestone for your service. I've seen you and you're amazing. I've been an activist for a long time with this county. I saw Mike Brown, I saw Chandra Waller and then came Mona. And it's been an incredible 12 1⁄2 years knowing she was at the top of the pyramid, knowing how hard she worked. I remember pulling into the county parking lot at 9 45 p.m. with Darcelle Elliott after seeing a movie and the light was on in Mona's office. And Darcelle was texting her because she was still working. So that's Mona And we are going to miss her so much. But now she's going to have more time for her husband, more time for her rescue dogs and somehow I will go on.

Somebody said recently oh this is the new PIO for animal services. Oh yeah I've heard a lot about you and I said uh-oh what did you say? Oh Lee gets shit done sorry. If that can be said of me, imagine how many more times that could be said of Mona Miyasato. So thank you, Mona. We will miss you so much but I look forward to the next level of enjoyment and relaxation and having your phone off at night. Thank you.

And at this time, we now have a short video to be presented or to show.

For more than three decades, Mona Miyasato has devoted her career to public service. From leadership roles in Santa Monica and Marin County to joining the County of Santa Barbara as county executive officer in 2013. She helped navigate some of the most challenging moments in our county's history leading emergency operations through the COVID-19 pandemic, wildfires and the 1-9 debris flow with calm and clarity.

And she helped build lasting protection for the future, including new debris basins and a regional fire communication center providing countywide emergency fire and medical response. Mona strengthened the County's safety net expanding behavioral health care and supporting a new approach to homelessness with three interim supportive housing communities that have helped hundreds of unsheltered residents find stability healthcare in a path to permanent housing.

She also brought together criminal justice partners to expand diversion and early intervention programs. Her steady leadership earned the county a AAA bond rating, while new digital tools and plain language reporting made county government more accessible to the community. Mona's dedication throughout the years is appreciated by those throughout the county, state, and country.

For years you've guided the county with integrity, calm and an unwavering commitment to community. And through challenges and change you brought people together solve problems and kept the focus where it belongs on serving residents with excellence

I've had the chance to work with you for a number of years while you've been our head leader, CEO of the county. And I can't thank you enough. You've been there through wildfires, through debris flows, through emergencies, through budgets, through so many different things and you have helped us work together and you've also helped our community move forward. Can't thank you enough! You will be missed and I wish you the best of luck in the next chapter of your life.

Being part of hiring you was one of the best decisions I am most proud of and I knew Santa Barbara was in good hands when I headed to Congress. From my time in the county, to our partnership while I've been in D.C., your exemplary leadership and dedication have been a constant. You proved that you were exactly the leader we needed during these unprecedented times. Your tenure has been, as I used to say on the board dais, a win-win-win for Santa Barbara County and I along with our community cannot thank you enough.

I wish you all the best as you start this next chapter. Take time to smell the roses. You deserve it!

Thank you Mona Miyasato for your years of service and dedication to Santa Barbara County

All right, I think we got a few things to say and then we'll get into the last word. Supervisor Lee?

I'll go first. I think in the video Steve, Bob and I were wearing the same outfit.

I only have one.

Wow Mona what haven't you done? Yeah, I think you've done everything the county has ever offered I'm not going to say goodbye, so this is more like I'll see you at Costco later walking up and down the aisles. But I want to thank you for being patient with not just myself but with my team. We had some very interesting conversations in our office and Mona got to witness it all. So thank you for your mentorship. Thank you for being patient with me and teaching me about County Works and being part of a team because through you I learned about North County and how Central County, how things work and that we are one big family that supports each other. So with all you teaching me that, I'll be a different place but thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you Supervisor Lee. Supervisor Kaps?

Yeah, thank you. I'm focusing a lot on all the things that I learned from you over the last three years and it's a lot. All of our conversations your intense knowledge. I would bring up a street in the second district and you would have the The incredible knowledge of what was happening in the history. And I think, oh my gosh you have that knowledge about all five districts and how many years does that go back? And I could go on and on and this is not the time for it but when I think of how to describe you it's the perfect combination of being This confident yet quiet powerhouse and to achieve that is a rare gift professionally and personally. And that's why it was said repeatedly at a reception for you last night, you are I believe the greatest thing that's happened to this county.

I do in nearly the 13 years that you have blessed us all, not just us in this room and the department leaders and the supervisors. The 11 that have had the honor of working with you but the entire population of this county. And so when Leaders, you don't remember all the decisions that they make but you remember how they made you feel and when things were uncertain you instill confidence.

And when decisions were difficult you listened and I'm going to remember how you also got creative. You assessed and then you often came up with decisions that were like oh wow I didn't think of it we could do it that way And that's really a legacy of a good leader. And we'll always share that foster dog, Buddy, that I had first for a few weeks and found a forever home with you. And so here's to more time with Buddy, more time with Dave, more time with the dog that you had to get so that Buddy would be happy.

And no more Tuesdays in this room, but we will miss you so much. I think we're all in shock and we're going to brace ourselves, but we'll all feel your presence forever and ever. Thank you.

Thank you for those beautiful words Supervisor Kapp. Supervisor Hartman?

If I can get through this. Twelve years ago, Santa Barbara County was 23 separate departments doing 23 separate jobs and Mona made us a team one county one future. She took a county that had lurched from crisis to crisis and taught us to treat emergencies just like Tuesday's Because under her, they practically became that 43 plus fires floods a pandemic. And still the work of this county never missed a beat.

Mona you did it with something rare can do practicality real polish but not one ounce of ego. We had a party last night, it was supposed to be all about Mona. It turned out being all about us. And so she did this by giving us 12 plus years of her undivided attention. Time she didn't spend on our health, on her own interest, on her husband Dave who I suspect has been patiently waiting for this day for a very long time. So Dave thank you.

I grew up at a time when women didn't lead counties, in fact women didn't lead much of anything. So for me watching Mona run this operation with total grace and command of the room every room she entered has been one of the great privileges of my career. Now she's headed off to coach, to help other public sector leaders and that's exactly what somebody this accomplished should do.

But we grieve losing her it's a real comfort knowing that her strategies, her playbook, her insights into issues they've shaped this county in this culture in a way that will continue and now she's going to help other leaders Inculcate them with the same values. So Mona, you've been the captain of this county that we needed and we're really going to miss you.

Supervisor Leveny. Thank you chair. You know the reason why it was all about us is because I got the assignment like six months ago that I was gonna roast Mona and what do you say? Like There's no faults, there's no ego that you can attack. We're easy targets I mean. Very. So I had plenty of material without going after Mona but what I've found in life is pretty much timing is everything and I think the board was very lucky that I think we all have commented on this that Greg Hart was the chair during COVID because he had such a calm demeanor. You don't want me Or Bob.

Running COVID meetings and you definitely didn't want Peter doing it, so Greg was perfect and I was there when you know as part of the group that hired Mona. And that timing was perfect because for those who don't remember we were in real financial trouble like you think this budget was bad 13 years ago it was disastrous and we were laying off all kinds And the previous CEO had dealt with that. Mona came in and it was like springtime, it was like okay we need to rebuild this county and how do we do it? Had the perfect leader at the right time, a positive person with zero ego, and to kind of piggyback on Joan, to me I think your biggest legacy is that, and I know you were just honored at Girls Inc., but how many little girls, how many young women we've seen in this room that have attended our meetings and witnessed how we're struggling with these major issues, and we're looking to you for guidance and for direction.

And you always pointed us in the right direction so it's been a great ride. I spent most of my career with you and wouldn't have done it with anybody else so love ya. Oh by the way Mona does mean little noble one What does Miyasato mean? And we don't know what Miyasato means. That was for last night.

Well, it's an honor for me to get to wrap up the comments here with my colleagues about Mona. I feel like that you heading to coaching makes a whole lot of sense because you've been coaching me for my entire career at the county and I think in many ways you've helped me be a better representative and a better supervisor and I really thank you for that. Something that a lot of people don't know about Mona though is that amount of selflessness. You know, you think there's long hours but many times she put her own And so I think that's the type of leader that I think we can all.

Look to and that's type of coach that we all want to have is someone there that we respect him in honor in that way. And so Mona on behalf of the constituents of the 4th District and the entire County, we were blessed to have you as our CEO for the last 12 1⁄2 years and we wish you the best of luck and God bless you.

Thank you board members. You know, I appreciate all the kind words about all the achievements. Thank you for the beautiful resolution as well and officially we redesigned the resolution for the county's 175th anniversary but unofficially my husband has a very impressive one that's gilded from the city of Los Angeles and I was going to be darned if I'm gonna bring home one that looks like came off on my printer So that's, yeah the board staff are laughing. That's the real reason but you know it's difficult to say goodbye at the end of almost 13 years being here and for today this morning I'm going to try to keep my remarks short because that's what I've been preaching over the last 13 years So serving as a County Executive Officer has been the privilege of my life and of my career.

The job has taught me a lot about county government, but also that county government is where many of the toughest social problems land. Homelessness, behavioral health, invasive pests, flood control, adult protective services, judicial system, difficult budget list goes on and on and everyone in this room is familiar with that. And sooner or later someone from the public says, so what are you going to do about it County?

And for nearly 13 years I've had the privilege of working with all of you. With all our department directors and staff because they've answered the call every day and we've been through extraordinary events together. We've rebuilt modernized and strengthened this county organization in our finances and through the way We had to make very difficult decisions.

I'm most proud of though, not just one single accomplishment but it's the strength of this whole organization and the people who continue to work here all of you. I always say that a good CEO should leave an organization that is less dependent on that CEO. And I hope that I have done that. To members of the board Current supervisors and the one who served before you, thank you for your trust in me.

We've not always agreed and sometimes you've not agreed with each other which always makes my job interesting but I've always respected the responsibility that you carry on your shoulders as elected officials and I have been honored my whole career to help you govern. To our department directors, my executive team, the CEO's office and the thousands of county employees, I just want to say thank you Most people will never understand what you do on a day-to-day, in your day-to day jobs.

And when Supervisor Lavinia and I are speaking it's because our lot of our work is about prevention. A good day is when nothing evidently happened. People just expect government to work and because of all our employees it does. To our partners and other government agencies, community organizations, nonprofits and even the media. Thank you for working with us. The county does a lot we achieve much but we don't do it alone.

It takes all of us working together. And finally to my husband David in my family My sister Marla and her husband Russ, my brother Matt his wife and all my nieces and nephews. Thank you for sharing me with this job. And I said last night in particular Dave he gave up a job he loved so we could move here and I could take this job. He's been my partner, my counselor, my reality check and my support.