SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
SPECIAL DISTRICTS ASSOCIATION
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 24, 2003
Pending Approval

Attendees:

Name Title Representing
Arnold, Chuck Director Montecito Sanitary District
Azoury, Kamil General Manager Goleta Sanitary District
Bernstein, Mitch General ManagerS B Coastal Vector Control District
Blair, Charles Director Vandenberg Village CSD
Braitman, Bob Executive Officer Santa Barbara County LAFCO
Campbell, Tim Director Cachuma Resource Conser. District
Cannata, Diedre Director Montecito Sanitary District
Clark, Peter Director Montecito Sanitary District
Conn, Diane Director Isla Vista Rec & Park District
Emerson, George Director Goleta Sanitary District
Fox, John Director Goleta Sanitary District
Johnson, Derek General ManagerIsla Vista Rec & Park District
Meyer, Larry Director Goleta West Sanitary District
Nation, Mark General Manager Goleta West Sanitary District
Nix, Bruce Director Mission Hills CSD
Raggio, Jim Administrator Lompoc Healthcare District
Schlottmann, Cathy Director Mission Hills CSD
Schwartz, S. David, & Susan DirectorEmbarcadero Muni. Improvement District
Smith, Jerry D. General Manager Montecito Sanitary District
Stone, Thomas F. Attorney Associate
Wilson, Larry Director Montecito Water District

 

Call to Order:
  President John Fox called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. The attendees were introduced.
Approval of Minutes:
Motion, second, to approve the Minutes of the January 27, 2003 meeting. Unanimous.
Treasurer Report:
  Chuck Arnold reported the checking account has $3,140.92 and the savings account has $4,180.74.
Program Committee:
  David Schwartz reported on future programs, including a seminar. Suggestions for future speakers included Joe Holland and Bernice James.
CSDA Government Affairs Conference:
  George Emerson said this will be April 1-2 in Sacramento and encouraged all to attend and meet with their legislators on special district issues. The impacts of the State’s budget will be emphasized. Several handouts were distributed.
Brown Act Changes:
  Thomas Stone noted there are a few changes to the Brown Act. The Brown Act includes a category of "dire emergency." Law enforcement and security personnel can now attend closed sessions. There are also penalties for disclosing closed session discussions.
LAFCO Report:
  Items reported concerning LAFCO include that our next meeting will include a report on LAFCO’s budget because it will be on their April agenda. The terms of John Fox and Carey Rogers will expire in May. There will be a meeting of the Special District Selection Committee for the election of special district representatives on March 24th at the Solvang Veterans Building.
Guest Speaker: Bob Geis, Santa Barbara County Auditor-Controller:
  Mr. Geis said that a meeting of the Special District Selection Committee can be called or an item can be considered by a district or several that represent 10% or more of the assessed valuation in the County. Mr. Geis provided a handout on the percentage of each district’s assessed valuation within their boundaries.

  Mr. Geis noted the County is in good financial shape and the credit rating has increased from A+ to AA-. County reserves have been strengthened. It was noted the County’s tax revenues have increased except for sales tax revenue. Property tax revenue has increased because of the sales of homes and the appreciation of property values. Because of impacts of the State budget, Mr. Geis said it is expected that both the county and the state will have to reduce spending for social services including health and mental health and education. It was noted that approximately half of the County’s budget is personnel costs of salaries and benefits.

  The Auditor-Controller’s web site is linked to the County’s website under departments or it can be accessed directly at www.co.santa-barbara.ca.us/auditor.
New Business: None.

Old Business: None.
Adjournment:
  John Fox adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m. The next chapter meeting will be held on Monday, March 24, 2003 at the Royal Scandinavian Inn in Solvang. It will follow the meeting of the Special District Selection Committee.

 

s/ Cathy Schlottmann

Cathy Schlottmann
 Secretary, SBCSDA