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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 urged the city to prioritize affordable housing funding as part of the budget debate. The presentation lays out where Measure I revenue would be appropriated and sets the hearing calendar the council will use to refine the plan and adopt the budget in June.
Key elements of the recommended plan
- Measure I distribution: Staff proposed appropriating all forecasted Measure I revenue for FY 2026–27, continuing existing programs and establishing two new ongoing transfers: $1.5 million per year to a general-purpose housing and homeless services fund and $1.5 million per year to the local housing trust fund for capital investment in affordable housing projects.
- Organizational changes: The recommended budget would create a new deputy city administrator position to oversee housing and human services, community vitality initiatives (including the State Street master plan and ombuds program) and a newly organized downtown services program (parking management, plaza support and downtown ambassador services). To offset the deputy’s cost, the Community Development Director position would be held vacant for part of the year.
- Downtown parking: Staff proposed maintaining core parking operations in the enterprise fund while shifting certain downtown services back to the general fund (eliminating a prior cross‑subsidy). Proposals include piloting pay‑by‑plate at Helena Lot, discounted rates to encourage downtown activity, affordable off‑street parking options for downtown residents and a pause on capital projects to complete a comprehensive needs assessment.
- Budget transparency and schedule: Budget Manager Natalia Glusak demonstrated the city’s online budget book, which includes a Measure I landing page and searchable department pages. Council approved the proposed schedule of hearings and workshops that will culminate in budget adoption on June 17. The council vote to approve the hearing schedule was 6–0 (Council Member Sneddon motion; Council Member Santa Maria second; roll call yeses: Harmon, Santa Maria, Sneddon, Gutierrez, Jordan; Mayor Randy Rouse yes; Council Member Friedman absent).
Quotes from staff and advocates
“Measure I enabled us not to make further reductions this year,” DeMartini said during his presentation.
Natalia Glusak, budget manager, demonstrated the online budget book and emphasized the administration’s aim to make financial documents more accessible to the public: “We continue to try and improve our overall accessibility, taking feedback from our various board commissions and the public.”
Public comment and next steps
Speakers during the public comment period included representatives from nonprofit housing providers and homeless services who urged larger, dedicated investments in deeply affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity, New Beginnings and the Housing Authority urged increased allocations to the local housing trust fund, arguing local gap financing leverages state and federal dollars.
The council approved the schedule of hearings and public meetings that will allow staff to return with detailed line‑item information and proposed fee updates. The next comprehensive budget hearing is scheduled for May 6, with final adoption targeted for June 17, 2025.
