Public Services

What's happening

• Board approved the acceptance of an in‑kind donation of architectural and design services valued at $25,749 for Santa Barbara County Animal Services.
• Board also approved the related budget revision request and determined the action is CEQA exempt.

Why it matters

Provides free design services that will improve animal shelter facilities while saving taxpayer money.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Approve and authorize the Chair to execute an agreement with Serrano Advisors, LLC for administrative efficiencies and cost‑saving services for FY 2026‑2027, with a maximum contract amount of $215,000.00.
• Determine that the agreement is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Why it matters

The contract aims to improve county administrative efficiency and generate cost savings for taxpayers.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding that enables patient referrals and shared dental, specialty, and obstetrics services between the County Health Department and American Indian Health Services from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, with an extension option through June 30, 2030.
• Board determined the actions are CEQA exempt.

Why it matters

Improves access to health services for American Indian patients and streamlines referrals between agencies.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved a contract with Serrano Advisors, LLC for CalAIM Justice‑Involved consulting services.
• The contract runs from July 1 2026 through June 30 2028 with a maximum spend of $315,000.00.
• The action was determined not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

The services will help the county implement the CalAIM Justice‑Involved program, affecting Medicaid delivery for justice‑involved residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved waivers allowing the County to purchase pharmaceuticals from AmerisourceBergen without competitive bidding, covering up to $6,972,000 over two fiscal years.
• Board authorized the County Health Director to execute or terminate agreements with local 340B pharmacies without further Board review.
• Board determined the actions are exempt from CEQA review.

Why it matters

It lets the County secure needed medicines for low‑income patients quickly and avoids delays from bidding requirements.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved calling and giving notice of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
• The Board approved consolidating that election with the statewide General Election.
• The Board approved adoption of candidate regulations for that election and referred the matter to the Clerk‑Recorder‑Assessor‑Elections Department.

Why it matters

It sets the date and process for local elections, ensuring voter participation and clear candidate requirements in Buellton.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute a service agreement with Crestwood Behavioral Health for crisis residential treatment and related services for FY 2026‑2029, with a maximum contract amount of $5,814,680, including $2,464,840 for FY 2026‑27, $2,494,840 for FY 2027‑28, and $855,000 for FY 2028‑29.
• The Board delegated authority to the Director of Behavioral Wellness to make immaterial changes, adjust program goals, increase caseloads, modify rates, and other specified actions without further Board approval.
• The Board determined the agreement is not subject to environmental review under CEQA.

Why it matters

The contract provides essential mental‑health and skilled‑nursing services to county members while setting clear spending limits.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board approved the request of the Lompoc Valley Medical Center to fix its election date and consolidate with the statewide General Election on November 3, 2026.

Why it matters

Consolidating the elections saves costs and aligns voting for district residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved a Services Agreement with Mental Wellness Center to provide mental health, intensive residential, and adult housing support services for FY 2026‑2027, up to $3,811,331.
• The Board delegated authority to the Director to make contract adjustments (rates, staffing, program goals, etc.) without further Board approval.
• The Board determined the actions are not subject to environmental review under CEQA.

Why it matters

It provides funding and flexibility for critical mental health and adult housing support services for vulnerable residents.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved and adopted the final Behavioral Health Services Act County Integrated Plan for FY 2026‑2029.
• Board certified that the County will meet its 2011 realignment obligations under the Welfare and Institutions Code.
• Board authorized the Director of Behavioral Wellness (or designee) to make non‑substantive revisions to the plan and to execute a data‑transfer agreement with UC Davis for research on first‑episode psychosis.

Why it matters

The plan guides county behavioral‑health services for the next four years and enables data sharing for research that can improve care.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute a Services Agreement with Transitions – Mental Health Association for FY 2026‑2027, not to exceed $3,106,595.00.
• Board delegated authority to the Director of Behavioral Wellness (or designee) to make immaterial changes to the agreement without further Board approval.
• Board determined the agreement is not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The agreement provides mental‑health services to adults and youth in the county for the next year.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved a First Amendment to the Psynergy mental health services contract, adding $402,435 and raising the total maximum to $8,891,655 for FY 2024‑2027.
• The amendment updates standard terms, rates, and codes to meet state and federal requirements.
• The Board found the amendment does not trigger environmental review under CEQA.

Why it matters

It increases funding for county mental health services and ensures the contract complies with current regulations.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute an agreement with the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for DUI program administrative services.
• The agreement projects total revenue of $7,800.00 ($2,600 per fiscal year) for July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029.
• The Board delegated authority to the Department of Behavioral Wellness to suspend or modify the services without further Board approval.

Why it matters

It funds administrative support for the county’s DUI prevention program, helping address alcohol and drug‑related driving risks.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board adopted regulations on payment of costs and deposits for candidate statements.
• The board set the General Municipal Election for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
• The board approved consolidating the city’s election with the statewide General Election on the same date.

Why it matters

It determines how candidates fund their statements and sets the election date, affecting voters and candidates.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute a services agreement with CALM, Inc. to provide mental health services to children and youth.
• The contract allows up to $3,012,380.00 for the period July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
• The Board delegated authority to the Department of Behavioral Wellness to make certain changes to the agreement without further Board approval.

Why it matters

It secures funding and authority to deliver needed mental health support to children and youth in the county.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board received the Pre‑Statement of Auditing Standards 114 letter from Brown Armstrong for FY ending June 30 2026.
• The motion to receive and file the letter was approved by the Board.

Why it matters

Filing the audit letter confirms the county’s financial audit follows professional standards, supporting transparency.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board will receive a report from Aging and Disability Services on the Measure K Community Enrichment Project.

Why it matters

Informs the public about how grant funds are used to improve services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a recommendation appointing David Satterwhite and reappointing five other members to the commission.
• Terms run through June 30, 2028 or 2029, depending on the member.

Why it matters

The commission provides civilian oversight of the Sheriff’s Office, influencing public‑safety policies.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution authorizing the President to execute three agreements with the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County for affirmative immigration legal services, rapid response legal services, and removal defense limited‑scope services.
• The agreements cover July 1 2026 – June 30 2028 with funding not to exceed $894,744, $1,212,137 and $1,773,780 respectively, with optional one‑year extensions.

Why it matters

Provides low‑cost legal assistance to immigrants, helping protect their rights and reduce the risk of removal, benefiting immigrant communities.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board will adopt a proclamation designating June 2026 as Immigrant Heritage Month.

Why it matters

It recognizes the contributions of immigrant communities and raises public awareness.

Who is affected

How to act