Join us for the March 11 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting. Topics Include: Battery Energy Storage Systems, Jail Health Monitoring, Five Year Capital Improvement Program, Environmental Health Services Fees

D1) Battery Energy Storage Systems Informational Report
(Estimated Time: 45 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board of Supervisors will hear a report about battery energy storage systems (BESS).  The report will outline the safety of such facilities and provide information on facilities currently under construction and those in operation in the local area.  Following the report, the Board will have an opportunity to provide direction to staff as appropriate.

D2) Updates on Jail Health Monitoring and CalAIM Justice-Involved Initiative
(Estimated Time: 45 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board of Supervisors will hear an update on Jail Health Monitoring activities, including staffing of key positions, the compliance findings of quarterly healthcare audits of the Jails and Juvenile Justice Center, and the County’s status

on implementation of the California Advancing

and Innovating Medi-Cal program (CalAIM).

D3) Five-Year Capital Improvement Program
(Estimated Time: 35 minutes)

Summary: 

The Board will consider preliminary, non-binding approval of projects in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program that runs from fiscal year 2025-26 through fiscal year 2029-30. County buildings, parks, new and improved roads and bridges, solid waste operations, and stormwater system improvements are included in the 98 capital projects listed. Projects are evaluated based on defined criteria, including the critical need for health and safety, legal mandates, project funding available, maintenance of services and operations, consistency with other County plans, and more.

D4) Environmental Health Services Fees
(Estimated Time: 1 hour)

Summary: 

The Board will consider the adoption of Environmental Health Services (EHS) fee adjustments that achieve full cost recovery and set fees that are consistent with the purpose served by the fee and the cost incurred to provide the service. The proposed fees reflect the findings of an EHS Cost of Services (User Fee) Study completed by Wohlford Consulting and filed with the Board on December 10, 2024. 113 fees across all program areas of EHS are included.