County to hold budget hearing June 11
By Santa Ynez Valley Star Staff · Tue Mar 17 2020
Staff Report
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will hold a budget hearing beginning at 9 a.m. on June 11, and June 13 if needed, at the County Administration Building, Fourth Floor Hearing Room, 105 East Anapamu Street. Remote testimony and public comment will be available at the Joseph Centeno Betteravia Government Administration Building at 511 East Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria.
Budget workshops were held in April to provide the Board an opportunity to review the preliminary recommended budget, discuss special issues and receive public input in order to provide the County Executive Officer direction on policy issues or items for consideration prior to completion of the Recommended FY 2019-20 Budget for the Board’s consideration and adoption on June 11.
The recommended budget is balanced with total operating revenues of $1,141 million and total operating expenditures and net increase to reserves of $1,141 million. Operating expenditures include both ongoing and one-time costs; ongoing costs are largely supported by ongoing revenues. This is the first time since FY 2017-18 that no service level reductions were required of any County department to balance revenues and expenditures.
Revenues are expected to continue moderate growth in FY 2019-20. Discretionary revenue sources, including property, sales and transient occupancy taxes, have largely recovered from the impacts of the Thomas Fire and debris flow that occurred in winter 2017-2018, and new revenues from cannabis taxes and hotel openings will boost available funds. State and federal funds for ongoing services are anticipated to improve slightly. Cannabis tax revenue is expected to reach $5.6 million next year, which will allow full support for enforcement operations as well as one-time funding for certain Board-identified items.
Funding recommendations were based on consideration of state and federal requirements, Board priorities, established needs, and areas in which the County could face significant financial, legal, health, or safety risk or liability. They include criminal justice system enhancements and funding for farm stays land use policy, and regional climate action planning.
“Fiscal Year 2019-20 will be a milestone year with the culmination of major initiatives, some in the making for more than 10 years,” said County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato. “These projects are the result of the County’s commitment of resources, over decades in some cases, and continued prioritization. The County continues its commitment to Renew 2022 to transform how we do our work. By being open to working differently, employees are equipped to thrive in the present, adapt to tomorrow, and anticipate the future.”
The milestones in FY 2019-20 that Miyasato referred to include the following: