Fire and Police Commission - July 23, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Fire and Police Commission meeting on July 23, 2026, included several key procurement and operational discussions. The commission approved a staff-recommended increase in tow rotation fees for fiscal year 2027, addressing rising costs such as fuel and maintenance for contracted towing companies. The meeting also featured presentations on the Santa Barbara Police Department's strategic plan for 2026-2029, emphasizing modernization, community trust, and resource allocation, though specific budget allocations and timelines for implementation remain under development. Additionally, the Santa Barbara Fire Department reported on the adoption of a new incident reporting system, National Emergency Response Information Systems (NERIS), which enhances data collection and reduces manual workload. Other topics included updates on police misconduct complaints, mission strategy reports, and community engagement programs like the Police Activities League. No new contracts or capital improvement projects were directly awarded during this meeting, but the tow fee adjustment reflects procurement-related financial decisions.