After nearly 30 years in Boulder County, Colorado, new Santa Barbara County Executive Officer Jana Petersen says California was calling her.

Petersen, who officially began her new CEO role on Thursday, said she and her husband were looking for opportunities in California. The pair decided they were looking for a change since their three children are now adults.

The opportunity came when longtime County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato announced she would be retiring. In May, the board announced Peterson, 56, as their pick to fill the role.

In addition to the area, Petersen said that what drew her to Santa Barbara County was the organization’s motto of “One County, One Future.” She said that value aligns with her view of how local governments should serve the community, regardless of their background, circumstances or situation.

“It’s not the reality for everyone,” Petersen said. “So, seeing that put out there as the vision for Santa Barbara County was incredibly inspiring for me.”

In her previous role, Petersen served as the county administrator for Boulder County. She also has worked for the City of Boulder, including as assistant city manager.

As Santa Barbara County executive officer, Petersen oversees 23 departments and the day-to-day operations of the various services the county offers. The board approved a salary of $380,000 and other benefits for Petersen in June.

In taking on her new role, Petersen said many of the duties of her office are the same as they were in Boulder County. One of the major differences is the size of Santa Barbara County.

Santa Barbara County holds a larger population than Boulder, which has an estimated 330,000 residents living within its borders. Santa Barbara County includes a population of 440,000 people.

In Boulder County, Petersen oversaw departments including a sheriff’s office, elections, disaster responses and other services also carried out by Santa Barbara County.

Boulder County was also facing many of the same issues found in Santa Barbara County, she said.

The county is expecting a financial downturn over the next five years, which includes significant losses in federal and state funding. The county passed a $1.66 billion budget for the current fiscal year, which included some service reductions and layoffs.

“Whether (it’s) changes in federal funding, changes in funding at the state level, or instability of the economy and the impact that that has on local revenues, that unfortunate part of the job is also familiar,” Petersen said, “and something that I’ll be focused on.”

Looking ahead, Petersen said the best thing the county can do during any economic uncertainty is provide stability in its operations. She said Boulder County also had to deal with layoffs amid shortfalls and rolling back county services.

“What’s important about that is being able to communicate to the community about those changes,” Petersen said. “What does that mean? What are we doing as a local government to mitigate the impacts of those changes and to try to get people the services that they need, even if it’s no longer delivered by the county.”

She also praised Miyasato for guiding the county through turbulent times and establishing a solid financial foundation for the county.

Petersen said the county needs to save when it can, and even if it encounters unexpected revenues to not immediately spend it. She said the county needs to be thoughtful in how it uses its limited resources to benefit the community.

Another issue Petersen worked on during her time in Boulder County is criminal justice system reform. She said the government’s role is to consider the impacts of people exiting the jail system and returning to the larger community. She explained that the goal should be to ensure it is safe for residents but also consider how to support people who have completed their sentences.

“I’m thinking about folks who leave, and what happens to them?” Petersen said. “What can county government do to support that transition back?”

Regarding the Northern Branch Jail expansion, Petersen said her goal is help develop a building that will benefit the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and the people incarcerated there.

Petersen’s former role also has prepared her to oversee the county’s response to natural disasters and how to coordinate between departments.

Time in Boulder

Petersen also answered to the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners, which included three members. During a notice announcing her departure, the commissioners thanked Petersen for her work for the county.

The notice highlighted her work in restructuring the county to make it more accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic, and her leadership during some of the area’s natural disasters.

Her office also helped the county develop multiple key infrastructure projects.

“As the county’s first and only county administrator, she has played a critical role in shaping the organization and advancing many of the county’s accomplishments,” Commissioner Claire Levy said.

“While her departure is a significant loss for our leadership team, we are grateful for the strong foundation she leaves behind and look forward to the next chapter for this position and for Boulder County. Santa Barbara County is lucky to have Jana’s talent and commitment to public service.”

Looking Ahead

Even though she is still digging into the top issues facing the county, Petersen said she already has her eye on areas on which she wants to focus.

Petersen said her personal passion is inclusion and diversity in local government. She is interested in diving into the topic of improving outcomes for Black, indigenous and brown residents and aligning that with the county’s motto of “One County, One Future.”

She also has been hearing about concerns such as ADA access for some of the county’s government systems.

Petersen said she is looking for a new home in the area. She hopes to find something close to the courthouse but says she’s aware that her job requires her to travel to all areas of the county.

Petersen attended her first meeting with the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, where she was welcomed by Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson.

“Throughout our nationwide search, the board was impressed not only by Jana’s experience, but her collaborative leadership style, her commitment to public service and her belief in strong, accountable local government,” Nelson said.