Public Safety

What's happening

• The Fire Department was authorized to accept five thermal drone devices valued at $49,994.07 from The Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon.
• Budget Revision Request No. 0011159 was approved to fund related costs.
• The donation activities were determined to be exempt from CEQA review.

Why it matters

The drones will improve fire‑fighting capabilities and safety for the department and the public.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Authorized the Sheriff’s Office to accept a cash donation of $39,562.50 for a one‑year Comms Coach subscription used in the Public Safety Dispatch Center.
• Approved Budget Revision Request No. 0010991.
• Determined the actions are not subject to CEQA.

Why it matters

Improves quality assurance in emergency communications, enhancing public safety for the community.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Brian Fallon was appointed as the Fire Chief representative to the Emergency Medical Care Committee, replacing a retiring member.
• The appointment was determined not to be a project subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The committee coordinates emergency medical services, so the appointment helps maintain continuity of oversight.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board withdrew the recommendation to approve a DSH authorizing resolution and memorandum of agreement for Good Samaritan Shelter’s Life House II project.

Why it matters

The agreement would have let the county submit a funding request for an IST diversion program that provides housing and services for individuals with serious mental illness involved in the criminal justice system.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution naming the week of July 19‑25, 2026 as Probation and Pretrial Services Week.
• The resolution was approved by vote.

Why it matters

Raises public awareness of probation and pretrial services and supports community understanding of the criminal‑justice system.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board received and filed the Sheriff’s Office Overtime Analysis Report for July 2025 through May 2026.
• Board determined the filing is not a project under CEQA.

Why it matters

The report provides oversight of overtime spending, helping ensure responsible use of public safety funds.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Received and filed a report on land‑use regulations for immigration enforcement facilities and detention centers.
• Determined the report does not constitute a CEQA project.
• Directed Planning and Development to monitor private proposals and report back for possible moratorium.

Why it matters

The monitoring directive lets the county track potential detention facilities, protecting community interests and informing future policy decisions.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified and authorized a First Amendment for the CAD system software and maintenance contract with Central Square Technologies, LLC, covering April 1 2026 through March 31 2027, not to exceed $223,700.00.
• The Board determined the activity is not a CEQA project.

Why it matters

It ensures continued operation of the emergency dispatch system, affecting response times for public safety.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Approve six contracts with local vendors to provide treatment, monitoring, and sober‑living services for adult probation clients.
• Authorize the Chief Probation Officer to make limited budget and service changes as long as total contract amounts do not increase.
• Determine the agreements are not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

These services support public safety by helping probation clients receive health, treatment, and monitoring, which can lower recidivism.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute a contract with Triton Technology Solutions for maintenance of the Emergency Operations Center audio‑visual system, up to $10,000 from July 1 2026 through June 30 2027.
• The activity was determined not to be a “project” subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

It ensures the Emergency Operations Center’s audio‑visual equipment remains functional, supporting public safety.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved and authorized the Chair to execute an amendment to the contract with Bodewell Group for all‑hazards community education materials, up to $257,000 through Dec 31 2026.
• The activity was determined not to be a “project” subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

It funds the creation of community education and outreach materials without requiring environmental review.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board authorized retroactive payment of $36,192.26 to Wittman Enterprises for Santa Barbara County Fire Department invoices.
• The activity was determined to be exempt from CEQA review.

Why it matters

It lets the fire department settle past invoices and confirms no environmental review is needed, affecting county finances.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board authorized the Santa Barbara County Fire Department to accept a cash donation of $91,100 from Direct Relief.
• The Board determined the donation and van purchase are not subject to CEQA review.

Why it matters

The funding enables the fire department to buy an all‑wheel‑drive van equipped for unmanned aerial system emergency response, improving public safety capabilities.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution recommending the city apply to the California Department of Health Care Services for a license to run a “Wet and Reckless” and “First Offender” DUI program.
• The Board determined the action is exempt from CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

It would allow the city to start a targeted DUI program for repeat offenders, helping improve road safety.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved, ratified, and authorized the Chair to execute a service agreement with ViaPath Technologies for inmate communications at the Northern Branch Jail and Santa Barbara Main Jail, effective Jan 1 2026 through Dec 31 2028.
• The Board found the agreement is not subject to CEQA environmental review.

Why it matters

The contract provides inmates and their families phone and electronic access, supporting safety and compliance with regulations.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved Amendment No. 2 to the agreement with Federal Engineering, Inc., extending the term to June 30, 2027 for consulting services related to the Public Safety Radio System Replacement Project.
• The Board found the project exempt from CEQA under multiple exemption categories.

Why it matters

Extending the contract ensures continued technical support for the county's public safety radio system replacement, which is essential for emergency communications.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board approved Rodney Williams’s appointment to the Fire Board of Appeal, term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Why it matters

Not listed in the source document.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved first reading of the fire department fee ordinance and scheduled a second reading for May 12, 2026.
• Board exempted the ordinance from CEQA review and directed the fire department to conduct a fee study after twelve months.

Why it matters

The ordinance changes fire department fees for land development and permits, aiming for cost‑neutral rates that affect developers and property owners.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board received and filed the FY 2023‑2024 and FY 2024‑2025 Sheriff Voluntary Response reports.
• The action was determined to be exempt from CEQA.

Why it matters

Ensures oversight and transparency of supplemental law‑enforcement agreements.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The board approved a contract with Community Solutions, Inc. to provide motivational interviewing, evidence‑based practices, case management and professional development training for probation staff.
• The contract may total up to $130,600 for the period July 1 2026 – June 30 2028, with authority for limited budget adjustments.

Why it matters

Improved training helps probation officers work more effectively with clients, potentially reducing recidivism and enhancing public safety.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming May 2026 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Month in Santa Barbara County.
• Resolution No. 26-112 was passed by vote.

Why it matters

It encourages residents to prepare for wildfire risks, supporting safety and resilience in the community.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• Board approved Amendment No. 2 to the fire protection agreement with CAL FIRE, extending the service period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
• The amendment increases the agreement by $854,842.00, bringing the total amount to not exceed $69,873,049.00, and is determined not to be a CEQA project.

Why it matters

It provides continued fire protection for State Responsibility Areas, protecting residents and ensuring the county meets its safety obligations.

Who is affected

How to act

What's happening

• The Board adopted a resolution proclaiming the week of May 3‑9, 2026 as National Correctional Officer’s Week in Santa Barbara County.
• Resolution No. 26-108 was passed by vote.

Why it matters

It raises public awareness of correctional officers’ contributions and supports morale within the criminal‑justice system.

Who is affected

How to act