The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will spend two days poring over the details of next year’s $1.69-billion budget, which is expected to avoid cuts to services.
Budget workshops start at 9 a.m. Monday and Wednesday at the County Administration Building in Santa Barbara, at 105 E. Anapamu St. If the supervisors need more time, they’ll meet again Thursday at 12 p.m.
The county is expecting leaner times in upcoming years, so budget staff recommend not committing additional money to ongoing expenses such as expanding programs.
They’re expecting state revenues to slow down, potential federal funding cuts, and operating costs to outpace revenue growth.
Some major cost increases on their minds are employee salaries, benefits and pensions; the Northern Branch Jail expansion; and the jail healthcare contract.
Salary, pension and health benefit costs will increase by $51 million over the next five years, and about $10.2 million of that is within the general fund.
Expanding the Northern Branch Jail will cost an estimated $179 million, and the operating costs will be higher when it’s done, according to budget staff.
The new jail medical and mental health care contract with Wellpath (California Forensic Medical Group) will increase staffing and costs by $15 million over the next five years.
Splitting dispatch services into separate Sheriff’s Office and fire/emergency medical centers – which should happen soon – will cost about $1.5 million more each year, according to budget documents.
“As we navigate the uncertainties of tomorrow with lower expected revenue and potential federal cuts, our commitment to sustaining progress and prudent planning will serve as our guide,” County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato said in a statement when releasing the preliminary budget.
“I am thankful for the foresight of our board over the past several years to set aside money, allowing us to better weather the shifting tides while continuing to advance our priorities.”
The supervisors already committed to spending a $10 million surplus from this year on capital projects next year.
“In tight times we have not been able to do this,” Miyasato said during a March 11 meeting. “I just want everyone to appreciate that it’s $10 million; it may not happen every year.”
The supervisors said that past planning is paying off, with fewer financial challenges than some other local governments.
“Neighboring jurisdictions are not having the same conversation,” Supervisor Bob Nelson noted at the time. “We should all pat ourselves on the back that we’ve been good stewards of these funds… We’ve done big things in this county and been able to do that with fiscal prudence.”
At next week’s budget workshops, leaders from each department will present reports on their budgets, accomplishments and goals for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
In recent years, most major funding decisions get discussed and made during these workshops.
A recommended budget will come out in May, based on board direction from the workshops, and the supervisors will adopt a 2025-26 budget in June.
Budget documents are posted online here.
Monday and Wednesday’s meetings start at 9 a.m. and can be attended in person or watched remotely through the county’s website, YouTube channel, and cable channel 20.
Public comment can be made in person at the Santa Barbara or Santa Maria board hearing rooms, or virtually over Zoom.