COVID and Protests Dominate Santa Barbara County Budget Hearings
Public Calls to Redirect Public Safety Money, Board Approves Equity Fund and Budget
Planning for the future amid a pandemic may seem like a shot in the dark, but the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Tuesday to approve next year’s budget, which takes into account the county’s projected $21.7 million loss in revenue as a result of the stay-at-home order and the looming question of how much state and federal relief funding the county will receive, if any.
“Today marks the adoption of our budget for the new year 2021,” said County CEO Mona Miyasato. “But this year the budget also represents a transition. We’re moving in that place that is a new beginning and an ending, and that is why there is so much uncertainty — that in itself is a sign that we are in a transition.
“How we do this budget today will likely set our path for the next several years to come.”
