Santa Barbara · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Barbara public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
city council candidate forum and Measure C sales tax
Santa Maria council candidates debated Measure C, a half-cent sales tax that would pay for roads, parks, and the library—but could mean layoffs if voters reject it Nov. 3. Supporters say it funds basics; skeptics argue the city has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.
Budget Debate
Santa Barbara’s city budget is looking shaky, and a local columnist says the city should hit pause on new spending or commitments until it gets its fiscal house in order. If you care about where your tax dollars go, this is a budget debate worth watching.
Budget Reserve Crisis
Even with a small ~$400K operating surplus, reserves are projected to fall another $1.1 million, leaving the city roughly $30 million below its reserve policy target. Sneddon pressed whether a budget that drains reserves is truly 'balanced.'
Faro Center and homeless drop-in services
Staff pieced together up to $350,000 for the Faro Center from several funding buckets; councilmembers pressed whether a true downtown drop-in center need remains unmet, with a full homeless-services update due July 28.
Local Housing Trust Fund contribution deferred
The Council's planned $2M transfer from reserves to the housing trust fund would be cut to $1M for FY2027, with a mid-year check to decide on the rest. Council members pushed back, saying housing needs a dedicated funding source, not reserves.