The City of Santa Barbara wants to fill four law enforcement positions, boost library hours and fund affordable housing using money from the half-cent sales tax measure that passed in November.
The City Council is set to vote on how to prioritize Measure I sales tax money during Tuesday’s meeting. It’s part of a jam-packed day of issues, including an update on plans for State Street.
Santa Barbara voters in November approved Measure I, which is expected to rake in about $15.1 million annually. Without the money, the city was looking at a projected $10.7 million budget shortfall.
The Measure I revenue is projected to give the city a $4.4 million surplus. In the past two fiscal years, city departments made operating budget reductions totaling about $5.4 million.
The city staff is preparing next year’s budget and will work the council’s recommendations into the proposed budget, set to be released in April.
Budget officials recommend spending $511,000 to unfreeze three police officer positions and $234,000 to open up a sergeant position. They also recommend spending $385,000 to extend library hours, restore security services and hire a bilingual employee.
Other suggestions call for setting aside between $1 million and $2 million for the Local Housing Trust Fund, and spending about $142,000 on junior high after-school sports and a second Summer Fun site.
“Nothing is cast in stone yet, but yes, replenishing those empty police positions are a priority, at least for me,” Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse said.
He said he supports the staff recommendations.
Also on the council agenda: City staff will present an update on State Street, including the status of efforts around bicycles, outdoor dining, transit and vehicles on the street.
The City Council meeting is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at City Hall, 735 Anacapa St.
Earlier in the day, beginning at noon, the city’s Ordinance Committee is scheduled to discuss changing the vending from vehicles ordinance.
The proposed changes include a prohibition against vending earlier than 7 a.m. or later than 10 p.m. Vehicles, such as food trucks, also would be banned from vending at one location for a period of more than four hours.
