The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors currently provides in-person participation as well as remote participation until further notice.
Board members and the public may participate from the County Administration Building, Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor located at 105 East Anapamu Street in Santa Barbara or the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building Board Hearing Room located at 511 Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria.
The following methods of participation are available to the public:
1. You may observe the live stream of the Board meetings in the following ways:
- Televised in English and Spanish (SAP channel via Comcast and Cox) on local cable channel 20;
- Online at: <https://www.countyofsb.org/1333/CSBTV-Livestream>; and
- YouTube (English) at: <https://www.youtube.com/user/CSBTV20> (Closed Captioning Available)
- YouTube (Spanish) at: <https://www.youtube.com/@csbtv20espanol>
2. If you wish to provide public comment, the following methods are available:
- Distribution to the Board of Supervisors - Submit your comment via email prior to 5:00 PM on the day prior to the Board meeting. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at: sbcob@countyofsb.org. Your comment will be distributed to the Board and posted online. Whether the comment is formally part of the record depends on the agenda item it is submitted for and its length and time of submittal as set out in Board Resolution 91-333 (Land Use). For planning, zoning and subdivision hearings, submissions more than one page in length must be filed with the Clerk no later than 12:00 PM on the Friday before the Board hearing unless the Board by motion and 4/5 vote determines to accept a late submission.
- Attend the Meeting In-Person - Individuals are allowed to attend and provide comments in-person at the locations noted above.
- Attend the Meeting by Zoom - Individuals wishing to provide public comment remotely can do so via Zoom by clicking the below link to register in advance.
Important Note: Zoom is not intended for County staff to view the meeting. Please refer to the viewing methods outlined above.
Register for Public Comment in advance for this meeting:
<https://santabarbaracounty.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_PN8yCAg1RgCxs0RTEo0Lrw>
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing important information about joining the webinar. Please review the Zoom protocols below, as follows:
1. Once the Chair has announced the item you want to comment on, please join the meeting.
2. You will be placed on mute until it is your turn to speak. You will be able to hear the Board meeting live after calling in and will need to turn off or mute your TV or the web stream to avoid sound interference.
3. The Clerk will call you by name. When removed from mute, you will hear a notification that your line has been unmuted. If you are using a touchtone phone, you may need to press *6.
4. Each person may address the Board for up to three minutes at the discretion of the Chair.
If you have any questions or if you are participating in the hearing telephonically or electronically and need a disability-related modification or accommodation or have any issues attempting to access the hearing, please contact the Clerk of the Board's Office at (805) 568-2240 or sbcob@countyofsb.org.
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Board Meeting Procedures
Late Distribution and Ex-Parte Communication
Disclosure of Campaign Contributions
Closed Session
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Disability Access and Accommodation Requests
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9:00 A.M. ..... Convened to Regular Session
Roll Call
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Minutes of the February 24, 2026 Meeting
County Executive Officer's Report
County Executive Officer’s Report: Receive a report from the County Executive Officer (CEO) on County programs, County staff updates and achievements, staff recognitions, updates on major projects, updates on state and federal legislation, and upcoming events of interest to the Board and the public. There will be no Board discussion except to ask questions or refer matters to staff; and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda.
Video Highlight - Your County, Your Services: Citizen Access Portal On-Demand Permits
Administrative Agenda
All matters listed hereunder constitute a consent agenda, and will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Board. Matters listed on the Administrative Agenda will be read only on the request of a member of the Board or the public, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Administrative Agenda and considered as a separate item.
Resolutions to be Presented
Adopt a Resolution of Commendation honoring Fire Chief David Neels upon his retirement from the Montecito Fire Protection District after over 37 years of dedicated service to the firefighting profession locally.
Adopt a Resolution of Commendation honoring Ada Grace, Ashley Benson, Jennie Stitt, Joceline Castillo-Ayala, Linda Oh, Morena Loomis and Romona Cabiles of the County Health Department as the March 2026 Employees of the Month for Santa Barbara County.
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Administrative Items
Consider recommendations regarding a Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) 2028 -2035 Business Plan, as follows:
a) Authorize the Director of the Community Services Department, with the concurrence of the member agencies, to support the submission of the Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) 2028-2035 Business Plan by County of Ventura to the California Public Utilities Commission; and
b) Determine that the recommended action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), as the action involves the creation of government funding mechanisms or other government fiscal activities which do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
Consider recommendations regarding the Outdoor Festival License for Spring Fest in Isla Vista, as follows:
a) Find that the application for an Outdoor Festival License for the Spring Fest in Isla Vista, to be held on April 4, 2026 and organized by the Isla Vista Community Services District, meets the requirements set forth in Article VI, Sec. 6-81 of the Santa Barbara County ordinance;
b) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute the Outdoor Festival License for Spring Fest in Isla Vista, to be held on April 4, 2026 and organized by the Isla Vista Community Services District; and
c) Find that the proposed actions are not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) and 15268, as they involve organizational and administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment and since approval of a qualifying application for an outdoor festival license is a ministerial action.
Approve Budget Revision Request Nos. 0010979; and 0010980. (4/5 Vote Required)
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Consider recommendations regarding the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance and Pilot Program, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Consider the adoption (Second Reading) of an Ordinance amending the Santa Barbara County Code to adopt regulations regarding sidewalk vending countywide;
b) Direct the County Public Information Officer (PIO) to develop a public awareness campaign using earned media;
c) Approve Budget Revision Request No. 0010755 to establish appropriations of $42,022.10 in Fund 990 for staff to initiate a six-month Sidewalk Vending Pilot Program to enforce the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance for the period of April 3, 2026 through October 3, 2026; and
d) Determine that the above actions are exempt under the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), finding that the actions consist of administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
Consider recommendations regarding the Correctional Health Care Services Monitoring Report, as follows:
a) Receive and file a report by the County Health Department on correctional healthcare monitoring, including opportunities for systemic improvements in the quality of medical care provided in the County’s jails; and
b) Determine that the above action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), because it consists of organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
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Consider recommendations regarding a Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a California Department of Justice Local Tobacco Enforcement Grant, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Adopt a Resolution to:
i) Approve, ratify, and authorize the Director of the County Health Department, or designee, to accept Award No. DOJ-PROP56-2025-26-1-05 for the Tobacco Enforcement Grant Program funding allocation in the amount of $578,560.00 from the California State Department of Justice for the period of November 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029, Fiscal Years (FYs) 2025-2026 through 2028-2029;
ii) Approve, ratify, and authorize the Director of the County Health Department, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the California Department of Justice and the Santa Barbara County Health Department for purposes of disbursing grant funds to the County Health Department for tobacco enforcement and education;
iii) Approve and authorize the Director of the County Health Department, or designee, to execute any future amendments to Award No. DOJ-PROP56-2025-26-1-051, upon review and concurrence by the Auditor Controller’s Office and County Counsel’s Office and written notice to the Board within 30 days after execution of any amendments that exceed 10% ($57,856.00) of the total award amount and/or include any significant changes in the scope of work, subject to the Board's ability to rescind this delegated authority at any time; and
iv) Approve and authorize the Director of the County Health Department, or designee, to make and sign all required certifications and to submit any required documents, invoices, and reports required to obtain grant funding related to Award No. DOJ-PROP56-2025-26-1-051;
b) Approve Budget Revision Request No. 0010975 for unanticipated revenue from the California State Department of Justice Tobacco Enforcement Grant in the amount of $130,915.00 in FY 2025-2026; and
c) Determine that the recommended actions are not a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and are exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4), because it consists of the creation of governmental funding mechanisms or other governmental fiscal activities that do not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment.
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Consider recommendations regarding Amendment No. 1 to the General Construction Contract for Project No. 23019 Casa Nueva - Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) and Building Energy Management System (BEMS) Upgrade, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve, ratify, and authorize the Chair of the Board to execute Amendment No. 1 to the General Construction Contract (Agreement) with Mesa Energy Systems, Inc. to correct the contract language to appropriately reflect the base contract amount of $797,426.00, with a contingency amount not to exceed $52,371.00, for a maximum aggregate contract amount not to exceed $849,797.00, for construction and commissioning of new HVAC equipment with BEMS improvements at the Casa Nueva Building located at 260 N. San Antonio Rd. in Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (APN 059-140-029);
b) Continue to Authorize the Director of General Services, or his designee, to approve change orders to the Agreement in an aggregate amount not to exceed $52,371.00; and
c) Continue to find that the project is statutorily exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Sections 15301 (minor alterations to existing facilities) and 15303 (limited construction of small facilities) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations and direct staff to file a Notice of Exemption on that basis.
Consider recommendations regarding a Professional Service Agreement for Gaviota Mariposa Reina Site (Project) Reverse Osmosis and Wastewater Treatment Plant Assessment, County Project No. PRJ-000091 (20036)-Gaviota Mariposa Reina, Third District, as follows:
a) Approve, ratify, and authorize the Chair to execute an Agreement with GHD Inc. (Consultant) for professional consulting services to assess the Reverse Osmosis and Wastewater Treatment Plant at the Project, in the amount of Seventy-Four Thousand Nine-Hundred Thirty-Nine Dollars and Zero Cents ($74,939.00);
b) Authorize the Director of General Services or his Capital Division Chief designee to approve Supplemental Service Orders in an aggregate amount not to exceed Seven Thousand Four Hundred Ninety-Three Dollars and Ninety Cents ($7,493.90) to address changes or additions to the work being performed under the Agreement with Consultant;
c) Authorize the Director of General Services to (i) amend the Agreement to extend the Term of the Agreement by up to six (6) additional months, and (ii) terminate the Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement; and
d) Find that the proposed action(s) are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15262 of the CEQA Guidelines, which exempts feasibility and planning studies for possible future actions that have not been approved, adopted, or funded by the agency.
Consider recommendations regarding Approval of Amendment No. 1 to the professional services contract with Robert Brown Engineers for engineering consulting services, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Services of Independent Contractor with Robert Brown Engineers to increase the contract amount by $220,000.00 for a total contract amount not to exceed $550,000.00 for continued engineering consulting services to the Energy, Minerals and Compliance Division for the period of July 1, 2025, through to June 30, 2026;
b) Approve the Budget Revision Request No. 0010961 to increase appropriations by $220,000.00 for additional engineering consulting services; and
c) Determine that the proposed actions do not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) and Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines, because the actions are organizational or administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes to the environment.
Consider recommendations regarding the Fish and Wildlife Commission Grant Awards, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve and authorize the Director of Planning and Development to award grants to Los Padres Forest Association, International Bird Rescue, Fish Reef Project, and Reel Guppy Outdoors, Inc.;
b) Approve Budget Revision Request No. 0010958 to increase appropriations by $88,511.00 in the Planning and Development Fish and Wildlife Fund for services and supplies funded by the release of restricted fund balance (4/5 Vote Required); and
c) Determine that the award of Fish and Wildlife Commission Grant funds is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15333, 15301, 15304, and 15322.
Consider recommendations regarding a First Amendment to the Contract for Hummel Drive and Union Valley Parkway Traffic Signal, County Project No. 862453, Fourth District, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required)
a) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a First Amendment to the Contract with G. Sosa Construction Inc., P.O. Box 2367, Nipomo, CA 93444, for the Hummel Drive and Union Valley Parkway Traffic Signal, increasing the contingency amount by $77,205.00, resulting in a revised total not-to-exceed contract amount, including contingency, of $849,256.00; and
b) Determine the project to be exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to 14 CCR 15301(c) (as the proposed project(s) consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities). On December 9, 2025, a Notice of Exemption was filed on that basis, and the proposed action is within the scope of that Notice of Exemption.
Consider recommendations regarding an Ordinance Amending Chapter 17 of the County Code for Mandatory Service in Isla Vista; Second District, as follows:
a) Approve the adoption (Second Reading) of "An Ordinance Amending Chapter 17, Solid Waste Services, of the Santa Barbara County Code"; and
b) Determine that the above-recommended actions are exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) and 15321 (Enforcement Actions by Regulatory Agencies) and approve the posting of a Notice of Exemption on that basis.
Consider recommendations regarding a Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Santa Barbara Family Care Center dba Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County, as follows:
a) Approve, ratify, and authorize the Chair to execute a Fourth Amendment to the Agreement with Santa Barbara Family Care Center dba Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara (a local vendor), to provide Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children to increase the total contract amount not to exceed to $2,087,835.00 for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026; and
b) Determine that the activity is not a “Project” subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review per CEQA Guideline Section 15378(b)(5), since the activity is an organizational or administrative activity of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
Board of Supervisors
Approve the appointment of Gina Cortez to the Human Services Commission, term ending June 30, 2028, Fourth District.
Approval of Administrative Agenda
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Public Comment Period
THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD IS RESERVED FOR COMMENT ON MATTERS WITHIN THE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. EACH PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIR, FOR A TOTAL PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD OF NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES. (Resolution No. 09-368) (26-00002)
WHEN TESTIFYING BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, PERSONAL ATTACKS AND OTHER DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR ARE NOT APPROPRIATE.
12:00 P.M. ..... Recessed to Closed Session
Closed Session
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
(Paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Government Code section 54956.9)
Significant exposure to civil litigation: 1 case.
Raul Vasquez submitted a claim “estimated to be in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the Superior Court of the State of California,” as attached to this Agenda item.
Report from Closed Session
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Departmental Agenda
Planning Items and Public Hearings
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding an Extra Help Service and Retirement Waiver for the County Executive Office, as follows: (EST. TIME: 5 MIN.)
a) In accordance with California Government Code Section 7522.56(f)(1), certify that the appointment of retired County Employee, Tanja Heitman, is necessary to fill a critical need in the County Executive office before 180 days have passed from her date of retirement;
b) Approve and authorize the County Executive Office to appoint retired employee, Tanja Heitman, as an Extra-Help employee to provide assistance with specialized policy and administrative services on a part-time limited duration basis, not to exceed 960 hours of annual service, with a start date of March 30, 2026; and
c) Determine that the above actions are organizational and administrative activities of government that are not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15378(b)(5) of the CEQA Guidelines.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara Issuance of Tax-Exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Obligations for San Simeon Oaks Village, as follows: (EST. TIME: 5 MIN.)
a) Hold a public hearing in compliance with the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) regarding the issuance by the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue obligations, for the benefit of FLT San Simeon Oaks, LP, and consider public comment;
b) Adopt a Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara approving a plan of finance for the issuance of multifamily housing revenue obligations for San Simeon Oaks Village by the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara for FLT San Simeon Oaks, LP in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $30,000,000.00, to finance the acquisition, construction, development and equipping of a 106-unit multifamily rental housing facility to be located in the unincorporated area of the County of Santa Barbara at the northeast corner of the intersection of San Simeon Drive and South San Marcos Road, Goleta, California; and
c) Determine that the above actions involve government funding mechanisms and/or fiscal activities and are not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Section 15378(b)(4) of the CEQA Guidelines.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 Preliminary Budget Outlook Update, as follows: (EST. TIME: 1 HR.)
a) Receive an informational update on the FY 2026-2027 preliminary budget outlook and Fiscal Year 2027-2028 projected deficit;
b) Provide guidance on questions outlined in the report to better inform the April Workshops;
c) Provide other direction as appropriate; and
d) Determine pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15378 that the above activity is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 Second Quarter Budget Status Report, as follows: (EST. TIME: 40 MIN.)
a) Receive and file the FY 2025-2026 Second Quarter Budget and Status Report as of December 31, 2025, showing the status of appropriations and financing for departmental budgets adopted by the Board of Supervisors;
b) Provide feedback on County Executive Office’s (CEO’s) proposed additional oversight and review of Sheriff’s Office expenditures, as discussed in the report;
c) Provide other direction as appropriate; and
d) Determine that the above actions are not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), because pursuant to sections 15378(b)(4) and 15378(b)(5) the recommended actions consist of organizational, administrative, or fiscal activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE
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HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Five Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-2027 through FY 2030-2031, as follows: (EST. TIME: 35 MIN.)
a) Receive and file the detailed Five-Year Capital Improvement Program, FY 2026-2027 through FY 2030-2031;
b) Review and grant preliminary, non-binding conceptual approval of the projects contained in the CIP;
c) Refer new CIP Projects to the Planning Commission and request analysis of these projects proposed for planning, initiation, or construction in future fiscal years for conformity with the County Comprehensive Plan per Government Codes 65401 and 65402;
d) Determine that the proposed actions do not constitute a “Project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5) as they consist of organizational or administrative activities of government that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment; and that the proposed actions do not constitute “Approval” within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15352 as they do not commit the County to a definite course of action in regard to any project.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Economic Impact of the Creative Economy in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, as follows: (EST. TIME: 30 MIN.)
a) Receive and file the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Economic Forecast Project’s 2025 Economic Impact of the Creative Economy in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties Report and Santa Barbara County Creative Economy Snapshot; and
b) Determine that the recommended actions are not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5), because they consist of administrative activities that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE
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Adjourned at 2:00 PM
Adjourned to
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building
Board Hearing Room
511 East Lakeside Parkway
Santa Maria
Challenges
IF YOU CHALLENGE A DETERMINATION MADE ON A MATTER ON THIS AGENDA IN COURT, YOU MAY BE LIMITED TO RAISING ONLY THOSE ISSUES YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE RAISED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING DESCRIBED IN THIS NOTICE, OR IN WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AT, OR PRIOR TO, THE PUBLIC HEARING.
Announcements
The meeting of Tuesday, March 3, 2026 will be telecast live on County of Santa Barbara TV Channel 20 at 9:00 AM, and will be rebroadcast on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM and on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM on CSBTV Channel 20.
http://www.countyofsb.org
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