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Bilingual report — County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors meeting on March 4 — Topics Include: Task Force for Roadside Vending; Arroyo Hondo Bridge as a County Historic Landmark; Budget Status Report

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The next meeting of the County Board of Supervisors is scheduled for
9 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025
County Administration Building
Board Hearing Room, Fourth Floor
105 East Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara
The public may participate virtually, or in person at the County Board Hearing Room in Santa Barbara or Santa Maria. 
Notice about Public Participation
E-mail Clerk of the Board
Reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores en español
(Board of Supervisors’ Meetings in Spanish)
El Condado de Santa Bárbara está ofreciendo interpretación en español de las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores. Véalo en vivo en nuestro canal de YouTube en español, o las personas suscritas a la televisión por cable pueden acceder a la programación secundaria de audio (SAP) en los ajustes de idioma.
 
Aún se requiere pedir con anticipación la interpretación de los comentarios públicos en español.  Para proporcionar comentarios públicos en español, póngase en contacto con la Secretaría de la Junta llamando al (805) 568-2240 antes de las 4:00 p.m. del viernes anterior a la reunión de la Junta.
Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors’ meetings are available in Spanish. Watch live on our Spanish YouTube Channel, or Cable TV subscribers can access Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) in language settings.

Advance requests are still needed to interpret public comment originating in Spanish. To provide public comment in Spanish, contact the Clerk of the Board at (805) 568-2240, before 4:00 p.m. the Friday before the Board meeting. 
The full agenda is comprised of the administrative consent Calendar and departmental policy items. The  departmental policy agenda for this meeting is outlined below.
NOTE:
Due to the anticipated length of some agenda items, the Board may choose to reorder items for the best use of time. Times indicated on the agenda are estimates. You may monitor the progress of each meeting via CSBTV Channel 20 or online at https://www.youtube.com/user/CSBTV20. 

D1) Arroyo Hondo Bridge as a County Historic Landmark
(Estimated Time: 10 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board of Supervisors will consider designating the Arroyo Hondo Bridge on Highway 101 along the South Coast of Santa Barbara County as a County Historic Landmark. The County’s Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission has already determined that the bridge meets the criteria for landmark status due to its historical, architectural, and engineering significance. The Board may choose to confirm the commission’s decision, modify the designation, or reject it altogether.  If approved, the designation would help protect the bridge while still allowing normal maintenance and repairs.
Agenda Item & Attachments

D2)  Enforcement at the Hot Springs Trailhead on Red Flag Warning Days Through 2025
(Estimated Time: 1 hour) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider new safety measures for the Hot Springs Trail in Montecito to reduce wildfire risks and protect the area during extreme weather. The proposal includes developing parking restrictions and temporary trail closures on Red Flag Warning days—when fire danger is high—and ensuring enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office. It also seeks to prevent illegal watershed modification after heavy rainfall. To support these efforts, the Board will consider an appropriation of up to $25,000 to fund enforcement. Similar restrictions have been used successfully in other high-risk areas, like Mission Canyon.
Agenda Item & Attachments

D3) Task Force Formation to Address Unlawful Roadside and Sidewalk Vending
(Estimated Time: 1 hour 30 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board of Supervisors will consider creating a regional Task Force to address the growing concerns over unlawful roadside and sidewalk vending. The group would include local government agencies and key stakeholders, tasked with creating enforcement strategies and public safety measures. The Board will also consider directing staff to review potential updates to the County Code to strengthen regulations, such as requiring permits, maintaining sanitary conditions, and ensuring accessibility.  The actions aim to protect public health, support legitimate businesses, and ensure compliance with safety regulations while balancing economic opportunities for vendors.
Agenda Item & Attachments

D4) Countywide Renewable Energy Development Project Decision
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board will review plans for expanding solar energy projects at eight County sites. These projects support the County’s goals of reducing electricity costs, cutting emissions, and improving energy resilience. The Board will decide whether to finance and own the projects, enter Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with outside providers, or take a mixed approach. If approved, contract negotiations will begin, with implementation needed before the April 2026 deadline for certain energy incentives. The Board’s decision will impact long-term energy savings and sustainability efforts for the county.
Agenda Item & Attachments

D5) Inclusionary Housing Amendments
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board will consider updating its Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to help increase the supply of affordable housing and align with state laws. The proposed changes include replacing outdated terms to reflect current housing policies, extending the affordability period of deed-restricted homes from 45 to 90 years, and applying affordability requirements to rental housing developments. Additionally, adjustments will be made to how rental housing affordability is assessed, ensuring that new projects contribute fairly to the county’s housing needs. The Board will first review the ordinance on March 4, 2025, with a final decision expected on March 18, 2025. These updates are part of the County’s broader efforts to meet housing goals outlined in the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update.
Agenda Item & Attachments

D6) Fiscal Year 2024-25 Second Quarter Budget Status Report
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board will hear a report on the County’s financial status for the second quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year, covering financial performance through December 31, 2024.  The report shows a projected $11.9 million surplus in the General Fund, mainly due to higher-than-expected property tax revenue. However, some departments are experiencing budget shortfalls due to lower revenue or higher overtime costs. Year-end surpluses in the General Fund are used as the primary funding source for fiscal issues, capital needs and Board priorities in the following year’s budget.
Agenda Item & Attachments
The items below are projected to be placed on an upcoming Board of Supervisors’ agenda and are subject to change. These are draft items until the final agenda is created and posted 72 hours or more preceding a Board of Supervisors’ meeting. For information on a particular anticipated item, please contact the department noted. 
For any other questions regarding the Board of Supervisors’ agendas, contact the Clerk of the Board Office at (805) 568-2240.
 
March 2025
Updates on Jail Health Monitoring and CalAIM
Public Health Department
Contact: Mouhanad Hammami
Presentation on Battery Safety
Community Services Department
Contact: Jesús Armas
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2025-2026 through Fiscal Year 2029-2030
General Services Department
Contact: John Green
Environmental Health Services Fees
Public Health Department
Contact: Lars Seifert
Meetings are broadcast live and rebroadcast on CSBTV Channel 20 according to a schedule provided in each agenda. Videos of each meeting and other County programming are available on our YouTube Channel CSBTV20. 
For information about obtaining a videotape of a public hearing or a schedule of CSBTV broadcasts, please call (805) 568-3427.

Helpful Links:

Understanding the Board of Supervisors’ hearing process

2025 Calendar of Scheduled Board of Supervisors’ Meetings