City of Buellton implementing staffing changes

By Santa Ynez Valley Star Staff · Tue Mar 17 2020

Staff Report

Buellton City staff have been working through a number of issues over the past week dealing with the requirements of the Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer’s Declaration of Local Health Emergency in response to COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus). One of the major issues to be addressed after the immediate issue of cancellation of major events scheduled to be held in the City has been the meeting of the “Social Distancing” mandates, which currently stand at six feet of separation between people. 

"We are finding that for some of our office areas, this separation requirement is able to be met with some arrangement of staff, but in most areas (particularly those areas open to the public), it cannot be met," said Scott Wolfe, City Manager. 

Most other cities in Santa Barbara County are taking action to close their City Hall lobbies and offices to the public. While this is not the City of Buellton’s preferred approach, it is growing more apparent that this is the only way to fully meet the Health Officer’s order and work to slow the transmission of COVID-19 in the community. Further, given that a number of our City staff are themselves, or have members of their immediate families who are, in COVID-19 high risk categories, social distancing by working away from the office may be necessary for their protection.

Beginning on Thursday, March 19, and continuing until social distancing mandates are relaxed or until another viable plan is in place, most City Hall staff members will be working from home. City Hall will be operating, but public access to City Hall facilities will be limited to essential business, largely by appointment only.

City Hall will utilize the following measures to comply with the County Health Officer’s mandate: