# Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) - County of Santa Barbara - 11/05/26


**Body:** County of Santa Barbara — CSBTV20
**Date:** November 04, 2026
**Jurisdiction:** SLED

**Tags:** Public Safety, Physical Infrastructure


The November 5, 2026 meeting of the Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved the October minutes and consent calendar. On the alternate public-member appointment, the commission approved publicizing the vacancy—including through NewsHawk—and bringing candidates before the full commission, without an ad hoc screening committee. The motion passed with four votes in favor and Chair Stark abstaining; the appointment is expected to be considered at a future meeting for a four-year term.

LAFCO received an informational update on its draft municipal service review of fire, EMS, and law-enforcement services. The review noted rising service costs and the need to maintain or upgrade facilities and equipment, and recommended studying a possible Montecito Fire–Carpinteria-Summerland Fire merger for potential savings, while monitoring regional dispatch costs and possible changes to law-enforcement service arrangements. The report and related sphere-of-influence determinations are expected to return for consideration in December; no contract awards, purchases, or funding approvals were made. After closed session, the chair reported no final action and continued the matter to December, mentioning a possible one-month extension of a current contract to allow negotiations to conclude, but no approval was reported.

**Source:** County of Santa Barbara — CSBTV20