The Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association believes that discussions about the proposed pay increase for the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors should be approached with careful thought and fairness.
Currently earning $115,000 annually, the proposed increase to $170,000 raises important questions.
While taxpayer dollars must be handled transparently, it’s essential to recognize the demands and challenges of being a supervisor.
Serving as a supervisor requires substantial time, expertise and dedication.
The role extends beyond regular board meetings to include participation in critical regional organizations, public engagement and numerous community meetings — often exceeding 40 hours a week.
Considering Santa Barbara County’s $1.6 billion annual operating budget, it’s reasonable to question whether the current salary adequately reflects the scope of responsibilities.
Comparing Santa Barbara to neighboring counties sheds light on this issue.
Monterey County compensates its supervisors $169,000 annually, and Ventura County pays $171,000.
Meanwhile, San Luis Obispo County supervisors earn just $105,000.
Total compensation in the private sector would be far higher considering the expertise and commitment required.
If salaries aren’t competitive, they may limit who can afford to run — favoring those who are financially secure.
It is hard work to be an elected public official and keep the bureaucracy accountable to the will of the people.
Truly talented professionals in the heart of their careers, those with the requisite energy, ideas, innovation and vision, will likely be deterred from choosing to run for supervisor if they literally cannot afford to do so.
It’s important to note that an ad hoc committee was formed in 2015 to address this issue. The committee, consisting of six members from both the private and nonprofit sectors, included a Santa Maria city council member, the presidents of the Lompoc Valley and then-Santa Barbara chambers of commerce, the president of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association, a bank president and a local business representative.
This committee provided a thoughtful review of supervisor compensation, demonstrating a collaborative approach to determining appropriate pay for public officials.
The decision to raise supervisor pay shouldn’t be made by the board itself.
A compensation committee, comprised of community representatives, would be a more impartial way to assess appropriate salary adjustments, based on the full scope of the job and the county’s financial health.
The Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association recommends formation of a compensation committee at this time.
In the broader context of national trends, the emphasis on accountability and business-minded leadership in government highlights the need to attract top talent.
Government should be run efficiently, and leaders should be compensated based on their expertise and the responsibilities they shoulder — much like executives in large companies.
This shift in mindset is key to improving public services and achieving better results for taxpayers.
In conclusion, while we recognize concerns about the proposed pay increase, we believe it’s essential to ensure the Board of Supervisors is fairly compensated for their critical work. The position demands significant time, expertise and strategic leadership.
We urge the Board of Supervisors to engage in a broader performance review and form a compensation committee, ensuring that compensation decisions align with tangible improvements in county governance.
By doing so, Santa Barbara County will remain a place of thoughtful leadership and effective governance for all its residents.