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County committee approves 2026 critical projects list, adds fire station candidates for federal earmark consideration
Summary
The Legislative Program Committee approved a 25-item list of critical projects for state and federal funding, discussed federal earmark eligibility and criteria, and asked staff to add two fire-station projects for consideration and write short project summaries.
Santa Barbara County’s Legislative Program Committee approved a 25-item list of critical legislative funding projects on March 2 and asked staff to add two fire‑station projects for federal earmark consideration.
County legislative staff described the list as a broad menu of projects the county will use to pursue state and federal funding opportunities, including the current congressional community project funding (earmark) window. Don Gilchrist explained that earmark criteria vary by subcommittee and that certain accounts favor projects benefiting disadvantaged communities; he emphasized scalability and alignment with guidance when selecting projects for submission.
Several members proposed adding Fire Station 10 (in Galita) and Station 25 (Orcutt) to the list. Chief Huff described Station 10 as a unique joint arrangement with the city that could be eligible for HUD Economic Development Initiative or other accounts, and the committee asked staff for one‑paragraph project summaries for each proposed fire station to support submission.
The committee voted to forward the list — with the proposed additions and follow-up summaries — to the Board. Staff said selection from the list for specific federal submissions will be guided by House and Senate appropriations criteria and by consultation with federal and state advocates.
Next steps: staff will prepare one‑paragraph project descriptions for the added fire stations, collect applicable appropriations guidance for subcommittees, and coordinate with the county’s federal advocates to identify the most promising funding accounts and delegation offices.
