Monopoly Money

by Bonnie Donovan

Monopoly: Santa Barbara Edition. Photo courtesy of Goodwin and Thyne

Over $7 Million in Deficit

The Santa Barbara City Council and staff have consistently emphasized their commitment to hiring the best employees by conducting a nationwide search during the recruitment process.

These employees are compensated well for their services. 

However, despite this, there seems to be a recurring need to engage external consultants, incurring additional costs for the city.

City of Santa Barbara Needed Help With the Problem of State Street

For instance, in 2019, Kozmot and Associates were hired by the council at a cost of $87,000. 

Following this decision, Kozmot and Associates conducted interviews with hundreds of individuals to gather information and insights on the matter at hand. Subsequently, Kozmot provided a detailed report to the city based on their findings and recommendations.

Upon reviewing the report submitted by Kozmot and Associates, questions arise regarding who authorized deviating from the recommendations provided or not implementing the proposed change. One of the key findings in the report was the suggestion of a two- or three-block pedestrian mall.

YES, a two- to three-block Pedestrian Mall!

This raises concerns about the decision-making process and the need for clarity on who ultimately authorized the changes or lack of action based on the consultant's recommendations. 

Another one of those nationwide searches gave us Jason Harris as the Economic Director, costing us nearly one million dollars for his short four- year employment. A recommendation staff and council went with Kosmot's recommendations.

Then Covid hits and Governor Newsom shuts everything down.

The City of Santa Barbara acted by closing approximately 12 blocks of State Street to create a pedestrian promenade.  

We were all in on letting parklets go up all through town to try and save the restaurants.

However, this decision was met with mixed reactions from the community. Concerns were raised about the influx of bikes in the area, leading to reports of near misses and accidents involving cyclists. 

Despite these challenges, city staff recommended maintaining the emergency COVID-related closure even after the pandemic subsided.

This decision led to further complications, with parklets occupying free city property and disputes arising over rent. 

The escalating costs associated with various consultants and projects, such as hiring Jason Harris for nearly $1 million dollars for a short four-year employment. Thank goodness Rebecca Bjork cut his position because of the looming over $1-million deficit forecasted.

Yet still the City Council hired MIG for $800,000, raising questions about the council’s financial management. 

As the situation unfolded, various other initiatives were implemented, such as continuing the free rent contract with Bcycle and allowing street vendors to operate without sales tax revenue. 

The city found itself facing a substantial deficit of nearly $7 million, prompting questions about the financial implications of these decisions on taxpayers.

Now they want you to pay by asking for a ½ cent sales tax increase.

When are our taxes considered our earned cash, and not monopoly money?

     $87,000.    Kozmot

$1,000.000.   Jason Harris

   $800,000.   MIG (might get some of this back?)

$3,000,000.   Implement shutting 12 blocks of State Street down (as of my PRAR 2 years ago)

There you can see almost five million of the city's deficit.

It calls out to hire Economics Development Director, Jason Harris and we spent:

Jason Harris, Santa Barbara City’s Million Dollar Man. Courtesy photo

2020 - $198,767.73

2021 - $264,527.85

2022 - $283,607.91

2023 - $202,908.36

Total $949,811.85 just under a million dollars for four years.

More Housing… and Make ‘em Small

Calls for housing in the downtown and make some of them micro-units…  as they also say to add amplified music after 10 pm. Who wants to live where the music is blaring when you need to get to sleep?

Let alone the housing near completion and taking applications now on Gutierrez behind the old Staples building. At these rents I don’t think residents want the loud music.

But back to the recommended pedestrian mall suggested, who in the city missed the actual recommendation? Clearly states two to three blocks.

Who in the city authorized the closure of 12 blocks and allowed businesses to die?

Clearly it states homeless issues need to be taken care of and more police presence is needed. Then why would you close off 12 blocks when it cuts off the ability for our police to patrol easily and frequently as they did with an open State Street?

In the Kosmot report, it says to offer a free shuttle service on State Street.

Why four years and over $5 million later are they just starting to talk about a shuttle?

Many Places to Cut Spending

During the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday July 23, 2024, Staff presented South Coast Chambers proposal for a start of $250,000.00 of a total of 1 million dollars for them to collect data etc.

Isn’t their purpose to do this anyway?

How much money does the city give them, Downtown Organization and Visit Santa Barbara?

The annual cost for each council member is $84,000. Additionally, there are 12 holidays throughout the year that result in the cancellation of council meetings. Furthermore, the annual Fiesta also cancels the council meetings, along with a few other events. As a result, there are approximately 14 Tuesdays during the year when council meetings do not take place.

When considering the 52 weeks in a year and subtracting the 14 Tuesdays for paid days off, it leaves 38 meetings. Therefore, when dividing the annual cost of $84,000. by the 38 meetings, it means that each council member is being paid $2,210 per meeting. It is important to note that being a council member is not intended to be a full-time job, as most of them have other full-time employment. Why do they receive benefits for this part-time job?

 With this in mind, the deadline for submitting candidacy papers to run for council is approaching. Additionally, there has been a recent hiatus for the council, and it is concerning that they will be off again for Fiesta. The lack of clarity on the number of weeks the council meets, despite the annual cost of $84,000, is a point of concern, especially when considering that the council does not meet for the full 52 weeks of Tuesdays in a year.

Recently, the council has been on vacation for two weeks and is returning this week, only to find out that they will be off again for Fiesta. 

Last but not least, the Kosmot report calls for parties and celebrations on State Street. Would that not mean parades?

VIVA LA!

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