D1) Retirement Waiver for

County Health Department   
(Estimated Time: 5 minutes)  

Summary: 

The Board will consider a request to hire a retired employee as a contractor from the County Health Department. The Board must approve these hiring decisions because less than 180 days have passed since the retirement of this employee. 


 

D2) Appeal of the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Transient Occupancy Tax Audit Final Determination  
(Estimated Time: 20 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will hear an appeal of an audit conducted by the Treasurer-Tax Collector of the short-term rental activity of Aida Abolahrar for the period of June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024. The purpose of the audit was to determine compliance with the Santa Barbara County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Ordinance. As a result of the audit, the Treasurer-Tax Collector determined that the amount due was $31,170.72, and this amount was assessed against Ms. Abolahrar. 

D3) Solid Waste Tipping Fees, Maximum Franchised Collection Rates, and New Cuyama Parcel Fees for FY 2025/26 
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider approving updated solid waste fees for Fiscal Year 2025/26, including a 3.97% increase in tipping fees at County-operated facilities (from $189 to $196.50 per ton) and related adjustments to residential and commercial collection rates. Parcel fees in New Cuyama will remain unchanged, and staff will ask to begin work to restructure collection rates in Isla Vista to better meet community needs.

D4) Santa Barbara Foothill Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Santa Barbara Foothill Community Transportation Study 
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider adopting the Santa Barbara Foothill Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which outlines strategies to reduce wildfire risks, in the foothill communities just above the City of Santa Barbara, primarily in the Mission Canyon and surrounding wildland-urban interface areas. The Board will also receive and file a related transportation study that was conducted for the area.

D5) Designated Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones 
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider the adoption of Fire Hazard Severity Zones in unincorporated Santa Barbara County developed by CAL FIRE. The Board will hear about the State’s process of map development and the subsequent local process to adopt revisions to the maps provided by the State Fire Marshal’s office. These new maps, reflecting local risks like evacuation challenges, will help guide wildfire prevention, development review, and safety measures to better protect residents and firefighters. 

D6) Amendments to the Cannabis Business Licensing Fee Ordinance 
(Estimated Time: 30 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider updates to cannabis business license fees to reflect current staffing costs and ensure more accurate cost recovery for licensing and compliance activities. The proposal also eliminates a fee previously charged to cannabis businesses for participation in a state data platform that is no longer needed.  

D7) Amend Chapter 50 of the County

Code – Licensing of Cannabis Operations Acreage Cap Reduction Discussion 
(Estimated Time: 60 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider updates to cannabis licensing rules that would change who must undergo criminal background checks. One option aligns with state law by limiting checks to owners and those with a significant financial interest, while another option from the Sheriff’s Office expands requirements to more workers with access to sensitive areas. The Board will also review possible reductions to the total acreage allowed for cannabis cultivation in the county.  

D8) Cannabis Tax Revenue and Uses Budget Direction 
(Estimated Time: 60 minutes) 

Summary: 

The Board will consider reducing ongoing County programs funded by cannabis tax revenue by at least $1.2 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year due to declining cannabis tax income. This adjustment aims to balance spending with available revenue, primarily by cutting enforcement and administrative costs related to the cannabis program.