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Santa Barbara previews two‑year budget; Measure I proposed to fund police, fire, libraries and housing
Summary
City administrators presented a two‑year recommended budget that incorporates the first full year of Measure I sales tax revenue and proposes new staffing and reorganizations for housing, downtown services and public safety. Council set the public hearing schedule for final deliberations and adoption in June.
City Administrator Keith DeMartini presented a recommended two‑year financial plan to the Santa Barbara City Council on April 22, 2025, proposing that the first full year of Measure I sales tax revenue be used to restore public safety and services and to seed housing and homeless programs.
DeMartini said the administration expects Measure I to generate about $15.1 million in fiscal year 2026 and roughly $15.5 million in fiscal year 2027. “Measure I enabled us not to make further reductions this year,” DeMartini said, adding staff proposed using the revenue to fund police officers, firefighters, library staff and homelessness contracts that previously relied on one‑time funds.
The proposal would allocate Measure I dollars to restore 34 full‑time police officers and 19 firefighter positions; add eight Parks and Recreation positions including restoration of after‑school programs; and fund five library positions and security and digital collections that were previously sustained with one‑time grants.
Why it matters: Council members and members of the public…
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