Meeting Summary
Present: 5-Lavagnino, 1-Lee, 2-Capps, 3-Hartmann, 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
County Executive Officer Report
- The county was selected for the "Aligning Health and Safety Technical Assistance Initiative" to improve behavioral health support in the justice system.
- A virtual ed talk on early childhood resilience is scheduled for October 1, 2026, featuring Dr. Mariam Kia.
Administrative Resolutions
- The board adopted resolutions proclaiming September 2026 as both Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month.
- Resolutions were passed honoring Carlos Santana’s legacy and recognizing Captain Eric Gray and Search Dog D for their deployment to Venezuela.
- Commendations were issued for the Behavioral Health Services Act team and Lieutenant Butch Arnoldi upon his retirement.
County Membership in the Local Government Climate Alliance
- The board voted to join the Climate Collaborative despite one supervisor expressing opposition based on personal and district positions.
- The motion to join the alliance passed with a 4-1 vote.
Utility-Scale Solar Project Amendments and Standalone BESS (Initial Discussion)
- Staff presented options for permitting small standalone battery energy storage systems and distributing a countywide cap on solar facilities.
- The board directed staff to allow Tier 1 agricultural solar up to 15 acres and adopt a 16,000-acre countywide cap without geographic splits.
- Decisions included requiring land use permits for ground-mounted solar on slopes exceeding 20% and waiving insurance requirements for Tier 1 BESS.
Coastal Resources Mitigation Fund – Santa Ynez Unit Mid-Cycle Fee Reassessment
- Staff proposed reinstating the pre-shut-in fee level following the restart of oil production by Sable Offshore Corporation.
- The board approved the staff recommendation to adjust fees, with one supervisor recusing herself.
2026–2027 El Niño Update and Winter Preparation
- Staff presented the weather outlook and preparedness measures while noting resource constraints from previous disaster costs.
- The board discussed coordination with Caltrans, debris disposal, and safety concerns in Isla Vista and riverbeds.
- The report was received and filed unanimously.
Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District Annual Report
- The board reviewed the WID’s first annual report, including marketing activities, financials, and plans for the second year.
- Supervisors directed the WID to incorporate remote participation and propose a formal process for county review of marketing materials.
- The board also requested further feedback on economic impacts and tax revenues before approving the report.
Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Fourth Quarter Budget Status Report
- Staff reported a $11.9 million positive General Fund position, offset by deficits in the Sheriff’s and Public Defender’s Offices.
- The board discussed oversight controls and potential revenue sources while recommending holding the General Fund balance for potential disaster needs.
- The staff recommendation was adopted and the item was received into file.
Firearms Retailer Siting Standards and Interim Urgency Ordinance
- Staff presented a framework including a 1,000-foot buffer from sensitive receptors and a Conditional Use Permit requirement.
- The board approved staff recommendations A through E, directing that the General Package Ordinance be prioritized in long-range planning.
- The motion to approve the standards and interim urgency ordinance passed with a 4-1 vote.
Utility-Scale Solar Project Amendments and Standalone BESS (Final Action)
- Staff presented the revised text reflecting the board’s previous directions on caps, setbacks, and permitting requirements.
- The board approved the recommended actions with the revisions provided by staff.
- The final action on the amendments passed with a 4-1 vote.
Full summary
Meeting Overview
- The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting on September 1, 2026. Chair Bob Nelson called the meeting to order, and all five supervisors (Lavenino, Lee, Capps, Hartman, and Nelson) were present. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
- Item: Approval of the minutes from the August 25, 2026, meeting.
- Action: Supervisor Lavenino moved to approve the minutes; Supervisor Capps seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously by voice vote.
County Executive Officer Report
- Item: Report from County Executive Officer Jana Petersen.
- Discussion: Petersen announced the county’s selection for the "Aligning Health and Safety Technical Assistance Initiative" to improve behavioral health support within the justice system. She also announced a virtual ed talk hosted by First 5 Santa Barbara County on October 1, 2026, featuring Dr. Mariam Kia on early childhood resilience.
- Action: No motion or vote was taken.
Administrative Agenda – Bulk Approval
- Item: Approval of the balance of the administrative agenda, excluding Item A12.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman moved to approve the balance of the agenda; Supervisor Capps seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously by voice vote.
Administrative Resolutions
- The following resolutions were adopted without recorded individual vote tallies in the transcript segments, consistent with standard practice for resolutions read into the record:
- Recovery Month: A resolution proclaiming September 2026 as Recovery Month, sponsored by Supervisor Lavenino. Speakers included Tony Navarro and Melissa Wilkins.
- Suicide Prevention Month: A resolution proclaiming September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month, sponsored by Supervisors Nelson and Capps. A representative from the Suicide Awareness Out of the Darkness Walk spoke.
- Carlos Santana: A resolution honoring Carlos Santana’s legacy at the Santa Barbara Bowl, sponsored by Supervisor Lee. Graham Lyons spoke in support.
- Captain Eric Gray and Search Dog D: A resolution recognizing their deployment to Venezuela for earthquake search and rescue, sponsored by Supervisor Capps. Fire Chief Garrett Huff, Captain Gray, and Supervisor Capps spoke.
- BHSA Team: A resolution of commendation for the Behavioral Health Services Act team (Fayan Mutan Raya, Diana Hernandez, Natalia Rossi, and Elise Romachoti), sponsored by Supervisor Nelson. Tony Navarro and Suzanne Grimacy spoke.
- Lieutenant Butch Arnoldi: A resolution of commendation for Lieutenant Ugo Peter "Butch" Arnoldi upon his retirement, sponsored by Supervisors Nelson and Lee. Sheriff Nguyen and Lieutenant Arnoldi spoke.
Administrative Item 12: County Membership in the Local Government Climate Alliance
- Item: From the County Executive Office.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman moved to join the Climate Collaborative; Supervisor Capps seconded.
- Discussion: Chair Nelson stated he would vote against joining due to personal and district positions contrary to the advocacy.
- Vote: Passed 4-1.
General Public Comment
- Six speakers addressed the board on general topics, including complaints regarding Planning and Development enforcement, concerns about ICE presence at the county jail and alleged detainee mistreatment, support for the oil phase-out ordinance, and questions regarding board policies on armed agents staging on county property.
Departmental Item 1: Utility-Scale Solar Project Amendments and Standalone Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
- Item: From the Planning and Development Department. Hearing to consider amendments to the County Land Use and Development Code (LUDC), Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CCO), Coastal Land Use Plan, and Uniform Rules for Agricultural Preserve regarding utility-scale solar projects and standalone BESS.
- Staff Presentation: Staff presented options for allowing small standalone BESS (up to 0.25 acres) under the Tier 1 permitting framework. They outlined four options for distributing a 10,000-acre cap on Tier 2 and Tier 3 solar facilities geographically. Staff proposed a 50-foot setback from sensitive receptors for Tier 1 BESS, did not recommend additional containment standards or financial assurance requirements for small systems, and presented a revision to the Final Program EIR concluding no new significant environmental effects.
- Discussion: The board discussed insurance, fire marshal review processes, thermal imaging technology, and the rationale for cap allocation. Supervisor Capps expressed support for a 16,000-acre cap (the Planning Commission’s recommendation) rather than 10,000 acres. Supervisor Lee raised concerns about view protection and slope limits. Chair Nelson discussed the cap as a "check valve" and questioned the lack of discretionary process and bonding requirements for Tier 1 BESS.
- Public Comment: Numerous speakers addressed the board, generally supporting the ordinance, the quarter-acre BESS allowance, and the 50-foot setback. Speakers cited energy resilience, job creation, and safety data. Some speakers urged the inclusion of caps on agriculturally zoned land and protection for Williamson Act lands.
- Board Decisions:
- 1. Allow Tier 1 agricultural solar up to 15 acres. 2. Adopt a 16,000-acre countywide cap for utility-scale solar with no geographic split. 3. Proceed with uniform rule amendments. 4. Require a land use permit for ground-mounted solar on slopes exceeding 20%. 5. Maintain the exemption for Tier 1 BESS unless the applicant requests a setback less than 50 feet, in which case a land use permit would be required. 6. Waive the insurance requirement for Tier 1 BESS.
- Action: The board directed staff to trail the item to allow for the drafting of language reflecting these decisions. No formal vote was taken on the ordinance in this segment.
Coastal Resources Mitigation Fund – Santa Ynez Unit Mid-Cycle Fee Reassessment
- Item: Mid-cycle reassessment of fees for the Santa Ynez Unit (SYU) for 2025–2027.
- Discussion: Staff proposed reinstating the pre-shut-in fee level of 6 points ($318,600 annually) following the restart of oil production by Sable Offshore Corporation. The board discussed who owes the fees and the precedent for retroactive adjustments.
- Action: Supervisor Capps moved to approve the staff recommendation; Supervisor Lee seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously (4-0), with Supervisor Hartman recusing herself.
2026–2027 El Niño Update and Winter Preparation
- Item: Update on El Niño conditions and winter preparedness from Public Works, Flood Control, Transportation, Fire, and Community Services.
- Discussion: Staff presented the weather outlook, preparedness measures, and resource constraints due to high disaster costs from previous years. The board discussed coordination with Caltrans, debris disposal, bluff safety in Isla Vista, and outreach to homeless individuals in riverbeds.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman moved to receive and file the report; Supervisor Lee seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District Annual Report
- Item: First annual report from the Santa Barbara County Wine Improvement District (WID).
- Discussion: The WID CEO presented marketing activities, financials, and plans for the second year. The board discussed metrics for success, coordination with tourism boards, and the absence of agritourism marketing. Public comment included opposition from vineyard owners citing a pending lawsuit and criticism of the WID’s marketing priorities.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman directed the WID to incorporate remote participation in meetings and to return with a proposal for a formalized process for the county to review marketing materials. Chair Nelson directed the WID to provide further feedback on economic impacts and tax revenues. Supervisor Hartman moved to approve the annual report and accept the directions; Supervisor Capps seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Fiscal Year 2025–2026 Fourth Quarter Budget Status Report
- Item: Q4 budget status report for FY 2025–2026.
- Discussion: Staff reported a $11.9 million positive General Fund position, offset by deficits in the Sheriff’s Office and Public Defender’s Office. The board discussed the Sheriff’s deficit, oversight controls, potential new revenue sources, and the projected deficit for FY 2027–2028. Staff recommended holding the General Fund balance in anticipation of potential disaster-related needs.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman moved to adopt the staff recommendation and receive the item into file; Supervisor Lee seconded.
- Vote: Passed unanimously.
Firearms Retailer Siting Standards and Interim Urgency Ordinance
- Item: Proposal to establish countywide standards for the siting, review, and security of firearms retailers in unincorporated areas.
- Discussion: Staff presented a framework including a 1,000-foot buffer from sensitive receptors, a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement, enhanced security standards, and a 45-day interim urgency ordinance. The board discussed the definition of child-serving facilities, home occupations, and state laws regarding buffers. Public comment was largely in support of the buffer zones and moratorium, with one speaker opposing the measure.
- Action: Supervisor Capps moved to approve staff recommendations A through E, with the direction to prioritize the General Package Ordinance in the long-range planning schedule; Supervisor Hartman seconded.
- Vote: Passed 4-1.
Utility-Scale Solar Project Amendments and Standalone BESS (Final Action)
- Item: Final action on the amendments to the LUDC, CCO, Coastal Land Use Plan, and Uniform Rules regarding utility-scale solar and standalone BESS.
- Discussion: Staff presented a recap of the board’s direction and the revised text, including the Tier 1 exemption for agricultural solar, the 16,000-acre cap, uniform rule amendments, slope requirements, and BESS setback provisions.
- Action: Supervisor Hartman moved to approve the recommended actions with the revisions provided by staff; Supervisor Capps seconded.
- Vote: Passed 4-1.