The Solvang City Council approved a higher contribution for the planned Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Complex on Monday, voting 4-1 to increase its pledge to $500,000.
The decision updates Solvang’s earlier $450,000 pledge for the project at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School, where the Santa Ynez Valley Community Aquatics Foundation is planning a new community pool intended to serve residents across the valley.
Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy said he brought the item back to the council after Buellton approved its own $450,000 pledge in October and indicated that it would raise that amount to $500,000 if Solvang agreed to do the same. He told the council he had committed to presenting the request but was not recommending a specific outcome.
Murphy opened the discussion by outlining Solvang’s earlier pledge and the request before the council, saying the foundation has raised about $4.5 million to date. He said the question for the council was whether to increase the commitment and how the timing of any added funding should be handled.
During public comment, foundation President Lisa Palmer said the recent commitments from Solvang and Buellton have already helped generate new contributions, including two $50,000 grants.
“It is helpful with foundations and individuals who are looking at making pledges or investments to see a substantial commitment by the communities,” she said.
Mayor David Brown asked about other community or agency contributions to the project, and Murphy said the county has committed about $240,000 in development funds and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians contributed between $100,000 and $150,000 in earlier years.
Palmer added that the foundation is in ongoing discussions with the Chumash about increasing their participation. She also reminded the council that Solvang’s pledge would not be released until construction begins and is set to expire in 2028 if the project has not advanced.
Councilman Mark Infanti said the increase would not affect the city’s budget in the short term because the funds would be paid only once the project moves forward.
“It is a pledge to support them,” he said. “If it comes to that, we’ll put the money up, but it’s not something we need to worry about for the next year or so anyway.”
Infanti then made a motion to approve the additional $50,000, which was seconded by Councilwoman Claudia Orona.
The council approved the increase 4-1, with Councilwoman Elizabeth Orona dissenting.
She said she supported the project but questioned whether the city should increase its pledge now, pointing to the city’s limited general fund surplus and uncertainty in upcoming revenue cycles.
“I’m also slightly concerned about pledging more than what we have pledged to the senior center,” she said.
Murphy responded that Measure U revenues were running ahead of projections and that the fund was not fully allocated for the current budget cycle. He said any adjustments tied to an increased pledge would be handled during the midyear budget review, when the city could confirm available funding.