Board of Supervisors - County of Santa Barbara - 06/09/26

The County of Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on June 9, 2026, addressing a variety of administrative and departmental items with significant focus on procurement and budgetary matters. Key procurement discussions included approval of a waiver of competitive bidding for the purchase of a ballot sorting system from Bluecrest Inc., justified by the vendor's widespread use and integration with existing systems, despite concerns raised about the sole-source procurement process. The board also reviewed and approved solid waste tipping fees and franchise collection rates for fiscal year 2026-2027, noting a 15% increase in tipping fees imposed by the City of Santa Maria affecting county customers. Additionally, the board approved funding allocations totaling approximately $3.7 million for housing and community development programs, including federal CDBG and HOME funds, state Permanent Local Housing Allocation funds, and county general funds, emphasizing partnerships with local cities. The meeting included a hearing on financing tax-exempt facility bonds for a housing project in Santa Maria, which required board approval though the county bears no liability. The board also discussed amendments to cannabis business licensing, removing the sheriff's office from certain licensing review roles to streamline processes and reduce duplicative efforts, accompanied by a corresponding fee ordinance amendment reducing fees by about 20%. Budget updates highlighted concerns over sheriff department overtime costs and staffing deficits, with ongoing efforts to improve tracking and management. The meeting concluded with public comments on tenant protections, elder abuse awareness, and cannabis odor enforcement. No votes were taken on policy changes affecting future procurement beyond those noted.