MINUTES

July 23, 2007 at The Meadows, Solvang

President Jim Raggio called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Attendees introduced themselves.

Approval of Minutes: Motion, second, unanimous, to approve the Minutes of June 25, 2007 as presented.

Treasurer’s Report: Chuck Arnold reported the checking account balance is $4,405.23 and the savings balance is $3,410.72, for a total of $7,815.95.

President’s Announcements: President Raggio said the Nominating Committee will working on the slate for next year’s officers. He asked for volunteers. Nominations for our annual awards are due no later than August 31^st, for Manager, Attorney, Engineer, Accountant, and local contractor.

John Fox announced he will be speaking to the County’s Grand Jury on the roles of special districts.

LAFCO Report: Cathy Schlottmann said that items soon coming before LAFCo include the annexation of the 5 South County beach communities to the Carpinteria Sanitary District, and the Quail Run annexation to the City of Santa Maria. New LAFCo public members are Marty Mariscal, with Bob Short as the alternate.

Guest Speaker: Don Oaks, of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association: Mr. Oaks served for 35 years in the County Fire Department, including Fire Marshall. Don.Oaks said the County Taxpayers Association wants responsible taxation, forthright efforts in seeking taxes, and the spending of taxes as they were presented. He noted the Taxpayers Association did not support Measure D because it had "too many prostitutes and parasites" attached to it. Generally, members are passionate about property rights and fiscal responsibility. Information and statistics were presented detailing California’s submersion deeper into its economic hole. In 1994 the County’s budget was $250 million; the current one is $750 million. Our Board of Supervisors does not vote in blocks, but we do have a fiscal conservative majority. However, there have been a few exceptions, including the recent 3-2 vote regarding medical coverage for uninsured. Mr. Oaks said that statistics that should be up are down, and ones that should be down (like violent crime, defaults and foreclosures) are up. The presentation will be e-mailed to our members.

Mike Stoker is the new President of the Santa Barbara County Taxpayers Association. It is celebrating its 50^th anniversary. This organization is a fiscal watchdog, supporting lower taxes, limited government, and property rights.

Old Business: None.

New Business: None.

Adjournment: President Raggio adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m. The next monthly Chapter meeting will be Monday, August 27 at The Meadows Restaurant, Solvang, California.

Cathy Schlottmann