Elected officials broke out the pocketbook on Tuesday—and greenlighted massive spending to expand the Northern Branch Jail.
In a 5-0 vote, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved $138.6 million for design and construction and an additional $6.9 million set aside for any unexpected changes in the scope of the project.
The county will contract with Montana-based Sletten Construction Company—and officials plan to work with designers there to refine the design in the coming months, said J.D. Patton, assistant director of the county General Services Department.
“We still do retain flexibility in ultimately what the layout is going to look like,” Patton told the board. “We have had initial conversations with… supporting departments to understand what their space requirements are.”
Members of the public urged officials to embrace a flexible design process that accommodates mental health care and programs aimed at reducing inmate recidivism.
“A facility that can adapt to changing needs has the ability to save the taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Nancy Avoce, assistant director of the Santa Barbara County Action Network, which advocates on social and economic issues.
Looking ahead, the total cost is expected to reach $167.38 million, including an estimated $11 million needed through 2030 to fund code compliance, permitting, inspections, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
The county is looking to expand the jail in the North County as it gradually unwinds operations at the older Main Jail on the South Coast.
After layoffs, more than a dozen county jobs to be restored
A pharmacy technician, seven nurses, two medical assistants and five office staff members will be rehired by the Santa Barbara County Health Department, officials said Tuesday.
In a 5-0 vote, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisor approved a plan to restore the positions, which were cut in the $1.6 billion fiscal year 2026-27 county budget approved on June 16.
What changed?
Elected officials in Sacramento extended for 12 months a specific type of Medi-Cal reimbursement aimed at undocumented individuals who do not qualify for federally funded Medicaid.
“We were hoping it would happen,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann, who represents the Third District.
The changes at the state level will save the county an estimated $6.6 million, said Dr. Mouhanad Hammami, county public health director.
“It’s going to buy us a year,” he said.
The county in total employs more than 4,400 people in 22 departments.
When the budget was approved last month, officials reported 28 layoffs at the Social Services Department, 47 at the County Health Department, one at the Sheriff’s Office and one at the Fire Department.
Orcutt aerospace exec appointed to Santa Barbara County Planning Commission
The pick is in.
Tony Guy will represent the Fourth District on the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission, succeeding former Commissioner Roy Reed.
In a 5-0 vote, the county Board of Supervisor approved his appointment on Tuesday.
“Tony has spent his career solving complex problems, creating jobs, and helping our community grow,” Fourth District Supervisor Bob Nelson, who nominated Guy, said in a statement. “His experience, integrity, and commitment to Northern Santa Barbara County make him an outstanding choice to serve on the Planning Commission.”
An Orcutt resident and aerospace executive, Guy has led engineering, manufacturing and business operations, including helping to establish Adient Aerospace in Santa Maria, Nelson said. In addition, Guy serves on the Santa Maria Public Airport District Board of Directors.
“I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners, county staff, and members of the public to help ensure thoughtful planning that protects our quality of life while supporting a strong local economy,” Guy said in a statement.
The Planning Commission reviews land use, housing, agriculture and development proposals.
Reed, a multigenerational resident of the Santa Maria Valley, left the panel in April to relocate from the area and help raise his grandchildren.
