The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors decided the time isn’t right to put tax increases on the November ballot.
Consultant surveys determined it would be “difficult” to pass sales- or parcel-tax increases this year, and the supervisors decided not to put measures before voters.
The decision comes as the county starts its public hearings on next year’s budget.
County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato says it is a “status quo” budget, with no major expansions or cuts proposed.
The preliminary operating budget is $1.59 billion, which is 6.7% higher than last year’s adopted budget.
Each department will give presentations next week at budget workshops, which are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly Friday, at the County Administration Building at 105 Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.
The supervisors will review the budgets and give policy direction to the County Executive Office.
The recommended budget gets released in May, and the supervisors make final funding decisions in May and June for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which starts July 1.