Commission approves two‑year operating and capital budget for FY2026–27, includes Southfield Phase 2 parking expansion

The Santa Barbara Airport Commission voted unanimously on May 21 to approve the airport’s two‑year operating and capital budget for fiscal years 2026–27.

Business Manager Jonathan Abad presented the proposed budget. Abad said the airport is an enterprise fund that receives no general‑fund subsidy and relies on tenant rents, user fees and federal grants. The commission approved a budget that staff said funds operating needs while advancing capital projects including long‑term parking, terminal improvements and a taxiway extension.

The approved budget as presented includes about $8.5 million in capital projects for FY26 and roughly $4.9 million in FY27. A major FY26 item is Southfield Phase 2, described in the presentation as a parking expansion project estimated at about $5.8 million that would add roughly 400 parking spaces…