As soon as I press Post on this comment I'm calling. Bonnie, you are our very own Lew Archer - as great a crime investigator as Ross Macdonald's fictional detective. “Where is Joseph Holland?” could have been the title of a Ross Macdonald novel. Have you all read Macdonald, the greatest Santa Barbara writer? If you haven't, pick up one of his novels this weekend - or better, three or four - and you'll have the greatest late summer reading ever. When I lived in NYC I was pleased to find out how many literary writers revered Macdonald. I'm talking about authors whose names you'd recognize and whose work was praised by The New York Times Book Review. When they found out I grew up in Santa Barbara they'd excitedly ask if Macdonald was accurately depicting the wealth, corruption and evil here. Yep. Just ask Bonnie.
I called, dealt with a very helpful person who read back my three questions, gave me the site and a passcode to check up. It took about 15 minutes. Thank you again, Bonnie.
Thank you Bonnie.What is the plan to get out of the big deficit Hole?
Why not open State Street for one. How about all those city jobs become private jobs. The government can't seem to run anything fiscally responsible including the USPS and Amtrack.
If all those employees were actually working for private employers I bet the job would get done faster and cheaper.
That's alot for money just for raises. What is an average raise for a city employee 10%?
The money isn't going to fall from the sky so the City needs a plan to fix this hole.
General rule is you never take money from reserve funds unless you have a clear plan how it will be replaced, and when. Did the city council include this specific, time certain, reserve replacement plan? I think I missed it, nor did I even hear its discussion.
Where is the City Manager, Finance Manager and the City Attorney during these discussions regarding the excessive spending and using funds from reserve? They must direct the council regarding what can and cannot be done, if only for the legal protection if the city.
SW:Keep in mind these key top administrators are government employees too, with perks and pensions to protect for themselves. They must also maintain "labor peace" with the unionized rank and file employees who work under them.
Today the entire system is gamed to protect personal interests which are no longer in alignment with public interests. It wasn't supposed to work out this way, but it has. This is how "regulatory capture" of our government agencies slowly works against the taxpayers, who are still required to fund it.
What is needed and has been missing for a few decades are independent, non-partisan, principled and knowledgeable **elected** officials who, in the intended scheme of things direct city employees; not wait for the city employees to direct them.
Up until after the Mayor Harriet Miller city council, we could count on some degrees of city council member independence working to craft both local policy and budgets. But no longer. "Regulatory capture" by the city employee unions and their self-serving lock on local voter sentiments has pretty much eliminated any possibility of this more prudent and independent model of local governance.
Watch how they play this game both subtly and overtly, as we approach the next round of local elections: city council, board of supervisors, and school boards. Something as disingenuous as flooding the town with lawn signs proclaiming "We Stand with Santa Barbara Teachers". ( AKA: We stand with the SB teachers unions - a wholly different animal.)
I just duly filled out the PDF form to ask why Joseph Holland has not been seen in the office for a very long time and yet continues to draw salary. I suggested his position be filled with someone else, and that the study that was funded to identify deadbeat non-voters be followed up on and remove them from the rolls. The man I bought my house from 26 years ago who has lived that entire time in Germany continues to get jury duty notices and the kind of financial credit spam that is generated off voter rolls.
I ALSO took the opportunity to ask that the draining and closure of the Escondido Reservoir on the Alta Mesa by the City Water Department be investigated, with the goal of getting it back in service. I have an email from the Department Head saying that it is "surplus to needs" and it is preferred to bring any necessary fire suppression water across town from reservoirs at the base of the mountains. I prefer this reservoir be filled and ready, knowing that it is accessible by gravity feed and would not need electricity in a disaster situation. We all saw the effect of the empty reservoir above Pacific Palisades, and we have an identical situation here.
Thanks Bonnie, for explaining how citizens can set the inquiry process in motion.
When Office 365 tried to send your message, the receiving email server outside Office 365 reported an error.
patfish Office 365 sbcgj
Sender Action Required
Policy violation or system error"
So, OK, I've printed out the error messages and the initial PDFs and the email from the Water Department explaining that the Escondido Reservoir will not be put back into service... and a snail mail post of a big envelope will go to them.
That's why we need Bonnie, who knows how to sleuth out information and can get past the obstacles that are put in place to hamper citizen participation.
A true citizen demands representation and accountability.
Hi Pat. Call. It took me fifteen minutes and that may seem long but ultimately it's shorter than what you've gone through I talked to a real live person. I wrote about it above.
Well, Polly, when you CALL all you are is a check mark in a box on a tally sheet. For or against an issue. One call = one vote. I wrote at length explaining my opinion and attached documentation. IF the system is working as intended those details go into the record. Of course it will probably all be ignored, but at least I have provided details and there's NO chance the "real live person" you talked to wrote down what you said to them.
I just stated what I believe to be true, I wasn't attacking you. If you want to believe the clerk you talked to wrote detailed notes about your conversation and will make sure the Grand Jury gets those points, you have more faith in the civil servants of our bureaucracy than I do.
Pat, I have very limited energy tight now, post-Septic Shock. I do what I can to save Santa Barbara. If I take the time to explain something to you, that's energy I don't have for something I'd rather do. I resent your treatment of me in this.
The meaning of the phrase "A fool and their money are soon parted," which began as early as 1573, should be updated to include democrats with "A fool and your money are soon parted."
Let’s face it the Labor Unions select our officials. Money, fliers, walking the neighborhoods. Thousands of them work for the county, cities and schools plus their families.
They also count the votes at county elections office, when their next bosses are chosen. Another huge conflict of interests. Plus with Director of Elections Joseph Holland missing in action, who in fact is watching the store in the people's name?
I hope we have some courageous leaders step up next election to right the Good Ship Santa Barbara
I didn’t realize that our latest tax increase was already accounted for.
And here they go again, spending like drunken sailors.
Every new Housing Authority and low income rental will further increase a demand for more social service spending. Let’s face facts these are not the folks who support our city. Cheap labor? Think again.
I’m of the opinion you live where you can afford to.
Our existing safety net has ballooned into a circus tent.
"Every new Housing Authority and low income rental will further increase a demand for more social service spending."
Oh how horrid Michael, truly what an abomination. Won't someone please think of the bourgeoise [still refuse to spell boogie properly]!? People in need of assistance seeking assistance? What a disgrace! Only the strong and affluent deserve to live!
This town has a wealth of philanthropic organizations that have always added that extra human touch in times of need, as well a unique enrichment for all our lives in need or not. City tax payers should never been seen as the only source for what are becoming open-ended humanitarian demands.
Let's showcase the levels of philanthropic support this locale already offers for those in times of need. The city may wish to direct others to these already existing organizations; but never to supplant them.
The Paseo Nuevo project proposes to demolish the current Macy's structure, then build 233 units within a 75' high structure. None will rent for moderate income rates. 80 low income units in a 75' high structure will be built adjacent to the Canary hotel (where a parking structure will be partially demolished). I hope the City considers a better alternative: adaptively reuse the Macy's building for moderate income units, and locate the upscale units next to the Canary. Benefit? Two. Adaptive reuse will not require the City to give away the land under the Macy's building, and will not subject State St to the cacophony of demolition.
Concentrating even more low-income persons into the heart of a commercial downtown district makes zero sense. Look at the current subsidized housing map of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown right now. Do the math.
And what of the low income units? Where will they go? Why do the wealthy get a more preferrable location? Why are those with the greatest means prioritized over the least fortunate?
It is better for all. It avoids demolition of the Macy's building, provides the same number of higher cost units, the required number of low income units, as well as a TBD number of market rate, moderate income units. And avoids the cacophony and risk associated with demolition. And avoids the requirement for the City to give away the land under the Macy's site.
That's not a moral justification. Your "simple really" comment is bourgeouise [no I don't care to spell it right] solipism.
"The rich deserve it."
Why?
"Because they're rich."
Give us a Christian and traditionalist reason for this, you cannot of course. You could invoke Mammon... but then you only reveal yourself as anathema to Catholic social teaching and an idolater.
Theo, go do your homework on how many units are out there for the low-income ALREADY. Not just with the SB Housing Authority, but also with other agencies. AB has offered to put in 80 units of low-income on Parking Lot #2 as part of the Paseo Nuevo project..... Check it out.
It is not enough. There's a huge waiting list that my own family was on. Mr. Johnson proposes things for the wealthy and not the poor - showing a disregard for the least among us.
You also didn't answer the questions I posed - "well there's already-", what purpose does it serve to have 80 units for the lowest income brackets just "erased"? Who does this help, Bonnie?
I also have little interest in your own answers. You have ignored me when I rebuked your "Open Up State Street", so I see little reason to pay attention to you. I gave up on hoping for a response to my well reasoned response long before I aaw any reply.
The City gives certain amount of time off this was started previously. Should not the public demand these employees work a full 5 day a week? Additional time would help solve some problems and reduce employee numbers.
AI is now a fact.
This new and impressive ability to increase work output should also help reduce the number of City Employees in the "white collar" jobs. Fewer employees means reduced costs across the board. It has been suggested that the work force in Calif., when removing Government Employees, has in fact shrunk not increased. This has been proven as the Ag. Industry continues to use mechanization from beginning to end to produce food.
Dononvan listing the size of projects projected for Santa Barbara is telling and crushing the reason people leave other locations to vacation here. The idiotic street changes further make it less appealing to be in Santa Barbara. It appears fewer and fewer tourist are coming to SB which reduces the multiplier effect for each dollar spent by out-of-towners.
Vision Zero is a lame crutch to excuse high density 15 minute cities. When talking with a college student yesterday he was driving at 30 mph on Cabrillo Blvd. an electric motorcycle. He crashed (admitting it was his fault) and his leg is in a full cast because he was driving (note not riding) a vehicle that should be licensed, insured, and have a motorcycle drivers lic. The Council continues to back and spend money for "social" projects the City cannot afford, and often removes housing/property from tax roles. (yet we are faced with $8mil. plus deficit and growing?)
As cities across the state re-open blocked and closed streets this council bury their head in the sand. As cities across the state are demanding limits on welfare as they are faced with deficits this council looks down at their desks.
As the author states "Budgetary Challenges: A Fiscal Hole" and they are driven by social policies that cannot be sustained.
Thank you, Bonnie, for your energy and diligence in reporting on these issues.
Am I understanding this correctly? The total salaries and benefits budget in FY2026 is $155 million. So if the city has 100,000 people, each person is contributing $1550 to city staff salaries and benefits? Did I do that math correctly?
Yes, if the population were 100,000. BUT BUT BUT, if the city council approves the $3,148,334.00 increase, that would take the total to $158,148,334.00. The 2024 population in SB was 87,291. Divide the total (if approved) $158,148,334.00 by 87,291 and you get $1,811.74 each... Remember that in that population total, you have elderly, disabled, and children; it's not just all income-generating people.
Thomas, also read the part where our Finance Director explains that all Labor isn't in the General Fund. Other departments' Labor expense comes out of their budget. AKA Enterprise...
"Labor costs are borne by all funds that pay for their services. The General Fund pays for Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Library, and many other functions.
The enterprise funds run more like a business and fund staff that work in Water, Wastewater, Golf, Waterfront, Clean Energy, Clean Community, Airport, and Downtown Parking."
Knew a lady whose rent was $2.00 monthly. When the Housing Authority discovered she was working at Ace Hardware they threatened to boot her off the rolls.
I read this article by the "Bell of Justice" titled "Labor Negotiations: Fiscal Implications for the City of Santa Barbara" and I of course have a new title "DOJ Negotiations with the Doomed City of Santa Barbara" As the "Bell of Justice" digs deep into the "Mystery of Missing Joe Holland"
We all may want to ask Is there any Sealed Indictments over the Heads of our Doomed
Santa Barbara So-Called Leaders???? I quote from the curious "Bell of Justice" >
"This rapid deterioration underscores the need for careful scrutiny of all new expenditures" AND
"Otherwise, do you see bankruptcy in our City’s future?" AND "projected deficit of $8,052,695.00 for fiscal year 2025"AND"Santa Barbara Grand Jury has started up and is ready for your inquiries"
What we all want to know is there a Secret Criminal Grand Jury Empaneled a long-time-ago?
PS1- Shakespeare In Santa Barbara (SISB) - "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive" JUST HOW MANY TANGLED WEBS ARE THERE?????
SB2- For all of the Deceit here in SB please find the below FBI Tip Hotline >
Ahhh GM it is really "A Wonder" how these crooks got away with it
for this long. "It’s time to pay the piper"
Definition - Paying the piper is an old term, revived by a 19th-century poet but dating back much further. Its origins are said to stem from a German fairy tale first recorded by the Grimm brothers. The Grim Reaper is the lord of death—a black, shrouded specter who appears when your time on earth has come to an end
and where it is time for those to pay the ultimate consequences for their crimes.
Lets get "Educated" on the what is going down in SB>
I watched the city council meeting on Tuesday regarding 418 N. Milpas, the whole meeting and I heard your name mentioned. I think you gave your time to someone else. Also heard Dale Francisco's name but he had left the meeting. The comments by Kristen Sneddon, a bit long winded but to the point were a surprise. I thought the vote would be 6-1 to deny the appeal with Wendy being the sole supporter.
One of the main points made by Meagan, Eric, Mike and Randy was the fact that it would be a waste to ignore the Sacramento laws and we would risk fines of $10k to $50k per DAY per each unit. So nobody is willing to fight Sacramento for fear of bankrupting our town. I get it, they are all more concerned about keeping their positions on the dais than fighting to preserve the character of SB.
Other cities have brought lawsuits and lost. . . so here's my point. How about the city hire the best lawyers we can find. Some Jonny Cochran types that can win the unwinnable?
Here's how we could have funded it. The city spent,
$800k on the State street study
$250k to beautify State street at the start of Covid
$250k more to do more work on State
$500k for those plastic sidewalks on State street to divert pedestrians off of the sidewalks
$11 million for the State street underpass. . . .
(and I didn't even mention the $500k for the 805 undocufund!)
That's a start. If the council had not spent all of this money on the boondoggle of State street then we could have had a chance to fight SB 330 and Builders Remedy.
It seems that the City of Santa Barbara is on a track of continuous overspending that makes budgeting, the way it is done a somewhat useless process. Has the city management ever used or explored zero-based budgeting which forces every city department to cost-justify their spending proposals? In particular the cost-value of previous performance against the objectives set, and redundances identified. If not, why not?
And, if justified by needs, why these functions cannot be contracted out at lower overall costs and more easily defined and measured performance?
Bonnie, your articles on local public administration just get better and better.
As soon as I press Post on this comment I'm calling. Bonnie, you are our very own Lew Archer - as great a crime investigator as Ross Macdonald's fictional detective. “Where is Joseph Holland?” could have been the title of a Ross Macdonald novel. Have you all read Macdonald, the greatest Santa Barbara writer? If you haven't, pick up one of his novels this weekend - or better, three or four - and you'll have the greatest late summer reading ever. When I lived in NYC I was pleased to find out how many literary writers revered Macdonald. I'm talking about authors whose names you'd recognize and whose work was praised by The New York Times Book Review. When they found out I grew up in Santa Barbara they'd excitedly ask if Macdonald was accurately depicting the wealth, corruption and evil here. Yep. Just ask Bonnie.
Oh POLLY-POLLY-POLLY This Place is WAY BEYOUND NOVELS and approaches
THE "SANTA BARBARA TWILIGHT Z O N E" > INTO ANOTHER DIMESION OF CRIME ........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bxMcXuqyak&list=PLX309sktdcNN0oa19xlmcY67PEAdRWqcj&ab_channel=TheBestOldTimeRadioShows
I called, dealt with a very helpful person who read back my three questions, gave me the site and a passcode to check up. It took about 15 minutes. Thank you again, Bonnie.
Thank you, Polly, for doing your part!!
People can ask to be anonymous. Also say where they want it sent besides Grand Jury.
Thank you Bonnie.What is the plan to get out of the big deficit Hole?
Why not open State Street for one. How about all those city jobs become private jobs. The government can't seem to run anything fiscally responsible including the USPS and Amtrack.
If all those employees were actually working for private employers I bet the job would get done faster and cheaper.
That's alot for money just for raises. What is an average raise for a city employee 10%?
The money isn't going to fall from the sky so the City needs a plan to fix this hole.
General rule is you never take money from reserve funds unless you have a clear plan how it will be replaced, and when. Did the city council include this specific, time certain, reserve replacement plan? I think I missed it, nor did I even hear its discussion.
Where is the City Manager, Finance Manager and the City Attorney during these discussions regarding the excessive spending and using funds from reserve? They must direct the council regarding what can and cannot be done, if only for the legal protection if the city.
SW:Keep in mind these key top administrators are government employees too, with perks and pensions to protect for themselves. They must also maintain "labor peace" with the unionized rank and file employees who work under them.
Today the entire system is gamed to protect personal interests which are no longer in alignment with public interests. It wasn't supposed to work out this way, but it has. This is how "regulatory capture" of our government agencies slowly works against the taxpayers, who are still required to fund it.
What is needed and has been missing for a few decades are independent, non-partisan, principled and knowledgeable **elected** officials who, in the intended scheme of things direct city employees; not wait for the city employees to direct them.
Up until after the Mayor Harriet Miller city council, we could count on some degrees of city council member independence working to craft both local policy and budgets. But no longer. "Regulatory capture" by the city employee unions and their self-serving lock on local voter sentiments has pretty much eliminated any possibility of this more prudent and independent model of local governance.
Watch how they play this game both subtly and overtly, as we approach the next round of local elections: city council, board of supervisors, and school boards. Something as disingenuous as flooding the town with lawn signs proclaiming "We Stand with Santa Barbara Teachers". ( AKA: We stand with the SB teachers unions - a wholly different animal.)
" . . . city jobs become private jobs . ." Now You're Talking!
Well, THAT was fun.
I just duly filled out the PDF form to ask why Joseph Holland has not been seen in the office for a very long time and yet continues to draw salary. I suggested his position be filled with someone else, and that the study that was funded to identify deadbeat non-voters be followed up on and remove them from the rolls. The man I bought my house from 26 years ago who has lived that entire time in Germany continues to get jury duty notices and the kind of financial credit spam that is generated off voter rolls.
I ALSO took the opportunity to ask that the draining and closure of the Escondido Reservoir on the Alta Mesa by the City Water Department be investigated, with the goal of getting it back in service. I have an email from the Department Head saying that it is "surplus to needs" and it is preferred to bring any necessary fire suppression water across town from reservoirs at the base of the mountains. I prefer this reservoir be filled and ready, knowing that it is accessible by gravity feed and would not need electricity in a disaster situation. We all saw the effect of the empty reservoir above Pacific Palisades, and we have an identical situation here.
Thanks Bonnie, for explaining how citizens can set the inquiry process in motion.
Pat, Thanks for doing your part!
OOPS. Both of my carefully filled out PDF forms to the Grand Jury were rejected by their system that "reported an error."
Ain't that just like Government.
"Your message to sbcgj@sbcourts.org couldn't be delivered.
When Office 365 tried to send your message, the receiving email server outside Office 365 reported an error.
patfish Office 365 sbcgj
Sender Action Required
Policy violation or system error"
So, OK, I've printed out the error messages and the initial PDFs and the email from the Water Department explaining that the Escondido Reservoir will not be put back into service... and a snail mail post of a big envelope will go to them.
That's why we need Bonnie, who knows how to sleuth out information and can get past the obstacles that are put in place to hamper citizen participation.
A true citizen demands representation and accountability.
Hi Pat. Call. It took me fifteen minutes and that may seem long but ultimately it's shorter than what you've gone through I talked to a real live person. I wrote about it above.
Well, Polly, when you CALL all you are is a check mark in a box on a tally sheet. For or against an issue. One call = one vote. I wrote at length explaining my opinion and attached documentation. IF the system is working as intended those details go into the record. Of course it will probably all be ignored, but at least I have provided details and there's NO chance the "real live person" you talked to wrote down what you said to them.
Pat, why are you being nasty to me? We're on the same side. Have a great weekend.
I just stated what I believe to be true, I wasn't attacking you. If you want to believe the clerk you talked to wrote detailed notes about your conversation and will make sure the Grand Jury gets those points, you have more faith in the civil servants of our bureaucracy than I do.
Pat, the hotline number is not run by SB civil servants.
Pat, I have very limited energy tight now, post-Septic Shock. I do what I can to save Santa Barbara. If I take the time to explain something to you, that's energy I don't have for something I'd rather do. I resent your treatment of me in this.
The meaning of the phrase "A fool and their money are soon parted," which began as early as 1573, should be updated to include democrats with "A fool and your money are soon parted."
Voters who keep re-electing this same deficit spending mind-set are the fools. Or else have skin in the game themselves.
Let’s face it the Labor Unions select our officials. Money, fliers, walking the neighborhoods. Thousands of them work for the county, cities and schools plus their families.
It’s a blatant conflict of interest.
They also count the votes at county elections office, when their next bosses are chosen. Another huge conflict of interests. Plus with Director of Elections Joseph Holland missing in action, who in fact is watching the store in the people's name?
The people working there (leads) and covering this up better not be who they put on the ballot........
Boy you can say _that_ again!
I hope we have some courageous leaders step up next election to right the Good Ship Santa Barbara
I didn’t realize that our latest tax increase was already accounted for.
And here they go again, spending like drunken sailors.
Every new Housing Authority and low income rental will further increase a demand for more social service spending. Let’s face facts these are not the folks who support our city. Cheap labor? Think again.
I’m of the opinion you live where you can afford to.
Our existing safety net has ballooned into a circus tent.
"Every new Housing Authority and low income rental will further increase a demand for more social service spending."
Oh how horrid Michael, truly what an abomination. Won't someone please think of the bourgeoise [still refuse to spell boogie properly]!? People in need of assistance seeking assistance? What a disgrace! Only the strong and affluent deserve to live!
Bernie Sanders redux. You are good liberal Democrat Theo.
Suffice it to say Michael Self is spot on.
Input filed. Thank you for the convenient link.
Cate, Thank You for doing your part!
This town has a wealth of philanthropic organizations that have always added that extra human touch in times of need, as well a unique enrichment for all our lives in need or not. City tax payers should never been seen as the only source for what are becoming open-ended humanitarian demands.
Let's showcase the levels of philanthropic support this locale already offers for those in times of need. The city may wish to direct others to these already existing organizations; but never to supplant them.
The Paseo Nuevo project proposes to demolish the current Macy's structure, then build 233 units within a 75' high structure. None will rent for moderate income rates. 80 low income units in a 75' high structure will be built adjacent to the Canary hotel (where a parking structure will be partially demolished). I hope the City considers a better alternative: adaptively reuse the Macy's building for moderate income units, and locate the upscale units next to the Canary. Benefit? Two. Adaptive reuse will not require the City to give away the land under the Macy's building, and will not subject State St to the cacophony of demolition.
Concentrating even more low-income persons into the heart of a commercial downtown district makes zero sense. Look at the current subsidized housing map of the neighborhoods surrounding downtown right now. Do the math.
And what of the low income units? Where will they go? Why do the wealthy get a more preferrable location? Why are those with the greatest means prioritized over the least fortunate?
How is your solution better - for whom?
The low income units would be part of the Macy's adaptive use units.
It is better for all. It avoids demolition of the Macy's building, provides the same number of higher cost units, the required number of low income units, as well as a TBD number of market rate, moderate income units. And avoids the cacophony and risk associated with demolition. And avoids the requirement for the City to give away the land under the Macy's site.
The wealthy get preferential locations for the same reason they get perks when they fly first class.
Simple really.
That's not a moral justification. Your "simple really" comment is bourgeouise [no I don't care to spell it right] solipism.
"The rich deserve it."
Why?
"Because they're rich."
Give us a Christian and traditionalist reason for this, you cannot of course. You could invoke Mammon... but then you only reveal yourself as anathema to Catholic social teaching and an idolater.
Theo, go do your homework on how many units are out there for the low-income ALREADY. Not just with the SB Housing Authority, but also with other agencies. AB has offered to put in 80 units of low-income on Parking Lot #2 as part of the Paseo Nuevo project..... Check it out.
It is not enough. There's a huge waiting list that my own family was on. Mr. Johnson proposes things for the wealthy and not the poor - showing a disregard for the least among us.
You also didn't answer the questions I posed - "well there's already-", what purpose does it serve to have 80 units for the lowest income brackets just "erased"? Who does this help, Bonnie?
I also have little interest in your own answers. You have ignored me when I rebuked your "Open Up State Street", so I see little reason to pay attention to you. I gave up on hoping for a response to my well reasoned response long before I aaw any reply.
You were the one who didn't answer on "Open State Street." Remember, I even offered to buy you lunch if you joined me on State to go over your list.
The City gives certain amount of time off this was started previously. Should not the public demand these employees work a full 5 day a week? Additional time would help solve some problems and reduce employee numbers.
AI is now a fact.
This new and impressive ability to increase work output should also help reduce the number of City Employees in the "white collar" jobs. Fewer employees means reduced costs across the board. It has been suggested that the work force in Calif., when removing Government Employees, has in fact shrunk not increased. This has been proven as the Ag. Industry continues to use mechanization from beginning to end to produce food.
Dononvan listing the size of projects projected for Santa Barbara is telling and crushing the reason people leave other locations to vacation here. The idiotic street changes further make it less appealing to be in Santa Barbara. It appears fewer and fewer tourist are coming to SB which reduces the multiplier effect for each dollar spent by out-of-towners.
Vision Zero is a lame crutch to excuse high density 15 minute cities. When talking with a college student yesterday he was driving at 30 mph on Cabrillo Blvd. an electric motorcycle. He crashed (admitting it was his fault) and his leg is in a full cast because he was driving (note not riding) a vehicle that should be licensed, insured, and have a motorcycle drivers lic. The Council continues to back and spend money for "social" projects the City cannot afford, and often removes housing/property from tax roles. (yet we are faced with $8mil. plus deficit and growing?)
As cities across the state re-open blocked and closed streets this council bury their head in the sand. As cities across the state are demanding limits on welfare as they are faced with deficits this council looks down at their desks.
As the author states "Budgetary Challenges: A Fiscal Hole" and they are driven by social policies that cannot be sustained.
Great work, Bonnie. Keep holding their feet to the fire.
Thank you, Bonnie, for your energy and diligence in reporting on these issues.
Am I understanding this correctly? The total salaries and benefits budget in FY2026 is $155 million. So if the city has 100,000 people, each person is contributing $1550 to city staff salaries and benefits? Did I do that math correctly?
Yes, if the population were 100,000. BUT BUT BUT, if the city council approves the $3,148,334.00 increase, that would take the total to $158,148,334.00. The 2024 population in SB was 87,291. Divide the total (if approved) $158,148,334.00 by 87,291 and you get $1,811.74 each... Remember that in that population total, you have elderly, disabled, and children; it's not just all income-generating people.
Thomas, also read the part where our Finance Director explains that all Labor isn't in the General Fund. Other departments' Labor expense comes out of their budget. AKA Enterprise...
"Labor costs are borne by all funds that pay for their services. The General Fund pays for Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Library, and many other functions.
The enterprise funds run more like a business and fund staff that work in Water, Wastewater, Golf, Waterfront, Clean Energy, Clean Community, Airport, and Downtown Parking."
Wow. So the number is probably around $3000 per working person.
Correct! Yet most likely even more because you have to consider all the under-the-table workers...
Knew a lady whose rent was $2.00 monthly. When the Housing Authority discovered she was working at Ace Hardware they threatened to boot her off the rolls.
She quit Ace and continued her subsidized rent.
What’s wrong with this situation?
Working the system!!!!!! She should have been reviewed to pay back rent while working at ACE and show she was/is capable of getting and working a job!
There's a course in Politician Math at SBCC explaining it: 2+2=3 for taxpayers. 2+2=5 for government.
I read this article by the "Bell of Justice" titled "Labor Negotiations: Fiscal Implications for the City of Santa Barbara" and I of course have a new title "DOJ Negotiations with the Doomed City of Santa Barbara" As the "Bell of Justice" digs deep into the "Mystery of Missing Joe Holland"
We all may want to ask Is there any Sealed Indictments over the Heads of our Doomed
Santa Barbara So-Called Leaders???? I quote from the curious "Bell of Justice" >
"This rapid deterioration underscores the need for careful scrutiny of all new expenditures" AND
"Otherwise, do you see bankruptcy in our City’s future?" AND "projected deficit of $8,052,695.00 for fiscal year 2025"AND"Santa Barbara Grand Jury has started up and is ready for your inquiries"
What we all want to know is there a Secret Criminal Grand Jury Empaneled a long-time-ago?
https://legalclarity.org/what-is-a-secret-indictment-and-how-does-it-work/
Where is Joe Holland > Has Joe Flipped??? I think we are all about to FIND OUT!!!!
https://janetuhlar.com/flipping-a-witness-can-it-be-abused/ NOT IN SANTA BARBARA!!!!
Howard Walther, Member of a Military Family
PS1- Shakespeare In Santa Barbara (SISB) - "Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive" JUST HOW MANY TANGLED WEBS ARE THERE?????
SB2- For all of the Deceit here in SB please find the below FBI Tip Hotline >
https://tips.fbi.gov/home
Makes you wonder.
Ahhh GM it is really "A Wonder" how these crooks got away with it
for this long. "It’s time to pay the piper"
Definition - Paying the piper is an old term, revived by a 19th-century poet but dating back much further. Its origins are said to stem from a German fairy tale first recorded by the Grimm brothers. The Grim Reaper is the lord of death—a black, shrouded specter who appears when your time on earth has come to an end
and where it is time for those to pay the ultimate consequences for their crimes.
Lets get "Educated" on the what is going down in SB>
https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~spok/grimmtmp/
I watched the city council meeting on Tuesday regarding 418 N. Milpas, the whole meeting and I heard your name mentioned. I think you gave your time to someone else. Also heard Dale Francisco's name but he had left the meeting. The comments by Kristen Sneddon, a bit long winded but to the point were a surprise. I thought the vote would be 6-1 to deny the appeal with Wendy being the sole supporter.
One of the main points made by Meagan, Eric, Mike and Randy was the fact that it would be a waste to ignore the Sacramento laws and we would risk fines of $10k to $50k per DAY per each unit. So nobody is willing to fight Sacramento for fear of bankrupting our town. I get it, they are all more concerned about keeping their positions on the dais than fighting to preserve the character of SB.
Other cities have brought lawsuits and lost. . . so here's my point. How about the city hire the best lawyers we can find. Some Jonny Cochran types that can win the unwinnable?
Here's how we could have funded it. The city spent,
$800k on the State street study
$250k to beautify State street at the start of Covid
$250k more to do more work on State
$500k for those plastic sidewalks on State street to divert pedestrians off of the sidewalks
$11 million for the State street underpass. . . .
(and I didn't even mention the $500k for the 805 undocufund!)
That's a start. If the council had not spent all of this money on the boondoggle of State street then we could have had a chance to fight SB 330 and Builders Remedy.
It seems that the City of Santa Barbara is on a track of continuous overspending that makes budgeting, the way it is done a somewhat useless process. Has the city management ever used or explored zero-based budgeting which forces every city department to cost-justify their spending proposals? In particular the cost-value of previous performance against the objectives set, and redundances identified. If not, why not?
And, if justified by needs, why these functions cannot be contracted out at lower overall costs and more easily defined and measured performance?
If anyone needs a reminder...
https://www.sbcurrent.com/p/where-the-heck-is-joe-holland