Budget & Taxes

What's happening

• The Board approved a $680,000 grant to CenCal Health for Medi‑Cal outreach and navigation services from August 18, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
• The grant also adds $680,000 to the Social Services budget for salaries, benefits, services and supplies.

Why it matters

The funding expands outreach to help eligible residents enroll in Medi‑Cal and navigate health services.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Received and filed the Inmate Welfare Fund annual statement for FY 2025‑2026.
• Determined the action is not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

Ensures transparency and proper use of funds dedicated to inmate welfare, affecting county budgeting and oversight.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved a revenue agreement with Santa Maria Joint Union High School District to fund early‑intervention and substance‑use treatment services, projecting $65,656.00 for September 15 2026 through June 30 2027.
• The Board authorized the Chair to execute the agreement and make standard term changes.
• The Board determined the action is not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The funding provides critical alcohol and drug services to students, supporting their health and academic success.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved a second amendment that increases the contract amount by $1,181,800, raising the total maximum to $29,571,800.
• The amendment extends the Justice‑Involved Conservatee program to June 30 2027 and allows up to two additional mental‑health rehab beds when available.
• The amendment adds a $15.00 per member per day rate to cover ancillary services for uninsured members.

Why it matters

The changes expand mental‑health and justice‑involved services, ensuring continued care and additional capacity for vulnerable residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Approved Budget Revision Request No. 1729.
• Approved Budget Revision Requests Nos. 1576, 1655, and 1732.

Why it matters

Adjusts county spending, affecting services and tax rates for residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board received and filed an update on cannabis tax collection, land‑use permitting, and business licensing for Q4 FY 2025‑2026.
• Board determined the action is not a CEQA project because it is an administrative activity.

Why it matters

The update informs the public about cannabis revenue and regulatory status, affecting local businesses and county finances.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1694.
• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1660.

Why it matters

The approvals adjust the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board considered and adopted the response to the 2025‑2026 Grand Jury report on property tax bill charges.
• The Chair was authorized to sign the response letter and forward it to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court.
• The actions were determined not to require CEQA review because they are administrative activities.

Why it matters

It clarifies why extra charges appear on property tax bills and directs the tax collector to improve public communication, helping taxpayers understand their bills.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved accepting $1,300,000 PATH award funding for the Sheriff and Probation departments.
• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1601 for $650,000 to fund the County Health Department.
• The Board determined the actions are exempt from CEQA review.

Why it matters

The funding supports health and justice services for individuals involved in the criminal justice system, impacting public safety and community health.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board held a hearing on the Raff appeal of the Transient Occupancy Tax assessment.
• The Board granted a waiver of the tax, penalties, and interest totaling $65,840.11.

Why it matters

The waiver reduces the financial burden on the property owners and could influence future tax policy for short‑term rentals.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1611.
• The Board approved Budget Revision Requests Nos. 1583 and 1614.

Why it matters

These changes adjust the county’s budget allocations, affecting the services residents receive.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and ratified grant agreement (CA26PRP23830) with Sierra Health Foundation for $395,332.
• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1572 to accept the funds and increase county infrastructure for substance use and mental health services.
• The Board determined the action is not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

Provides funding to expand county facilities for substance‑use and mental‑health services.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution establishing property tax rates and levying taxes for FY 2026‑2027.
• The Board determined the action is not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

The rates set how much property owners pay, affecting county revenue and services.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board accepted the Treasurer’s Investment Pool Report for filing for the quarter ended June 30, 2026.
• The Board determined the action is a fiscal activity and is not subject to CEQA.

Why it matters

Filing the report provides transparency about county investments, and the CEQA determination avoids unnecessary environmental review.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board received and filed the state budget report for FY 2026‑2027.
• The board approved the recommendation to file the report.

Why it matters

State budget decisions affect county funding and services.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board adopted a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to apply for the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud Grant with an anticipated award of $362,000.00, up to $452,600.00.
• The board approved future amendments to extend the grant term or increase the award by up to $50,000 with required approvals.
• The board determined the actions do not require CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The grant will fund efforts to detect and prosecute workers’ compensation insurance fraud, protecting employers and taxpayers from fraudulent claims.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved budget revisions and transfers to close the County’s accounting records for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2026.
• The Board determined the actions are not a CEQA project.

Why it matters

Ensures the county’s financial records are finalized on time, maintaining fiscal stability.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board adopted a resolution authorizing the District Attorney to apply for the Life and Annuity Consumer Protection Grant with an anticipated award of $53,500.00, up to $96,700.00.
• The board approved future amendments to extend the grant term or increase the award by up to $50,000 with required approvals.
• The board determined the actions do not require CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

Funding will support consumer protection against fraudulent life and annuity products, safeguarding residents’ financial security.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified, and authorized the Director of the County Health Department to execute Grant Agreement No. 25‑0658‑000‑SO with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, accepting a $50,000.00 grant for Santa Barbara County Animal Services to expand spay/neuter services (Project PetSafe) from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.
• The Board approved Budget Revision Request No. 1574 for unanticipated revenue of $50,000.00 to be used in the Animal Services FY 2026‑2027 budget.
• The action was determined to be exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

The grant expands low‑cost spay/neuter services, helping control pet overpopulation and reducing shelter costs for the community.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified, and authorized the Chair to execute a no‑cost User Agreement with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) effective June 15, 2026 for free influenza reagents.
• The County Health Director was authorized to execute any future no‑cost amendments or to terminate the agreement, subject to County Counsel and Risk Management review.
• The action was determined to be exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

Free influenza reagents enable public health labs to test and monitor flu outbreaks, protecting community health.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board ratified and reaffirmed Resolution 26-139 establishing road maintenance charges for County Service Area No. 41 for FY 2026‑2027 with no increase in benefit assessment.
• The Board directed the Clerk to file the resolution and report with the Auditor‑Controller by August 21, 2026.
• The Board found the action exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

It sets the funding mechanism for maintaining Cebada Canyon Road, ensuring continued upkeep without raising fees for users.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board approved Budget Revision Requests 1570, 1575, 1577, 1581, 1584, 1585, 1586, 1587, 1588, 1590, 1597, 1600, and 1606.
• A four‑fifths vote was required for approval.

Why it matters

These revisions adjust county spending, affecting services and tax allocations.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board received and filed the Real Estate Fraud Prosecution Program Fiscal Year 2025‑2026 Annual Report.
• The board determined the actions do not require CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

Filing the report and confirming no CEQA review keeps the fraud prosecution program transparent and ensures continued funding without environmental delays.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified, and authorized the Chair to execute the Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement (Contract No. IGT-25-0042) for approximately $714,912.00.
• The transfer moves public funds from the County Health Department to the California Department of Health Care Services.
• The action was determined to be exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

It provides $714,912.00 of funding for county health programs and helps maintain health services for residents.

Who is affected

How to act