All the hurdles have been overcome so far in Santa Barbara County’s pursuit of state money to build a North County jail, but the biggest one remains: Final approval today from the Corrections Standards Board when it meets in Berkeley.

Paso Robles city officials Tuesday night supported a proposed three-county re-entry facility for state inmates — a necessary move for Santa Barbara County to stay in the running for state funds to build its badly needed jail.

Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and San Benito counties had previously voiced their support for a regional, state-run facility in Paso Robles, but the final decision hinged on the city’s approval.

The Paso Robles resolution stated that although the city is interested in pursuing a regional re-entry facility, if an agreement with the state and the counties has not been signed in 180 days of the city’s resolution, the city’s approval will be revoked.

The time-specific resolution with conditions was approved Tuesday and passed onto the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to be included in Santa Barbara County’s application for funds.

Approximately $56.3 million was conditionally awarded to Santa Barbara County through AB 900 and today at the 10 a.m. board meeting, the award may be finalized.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown was unable to be reached Wednesday, but he was on his way to the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley for the CSA meeting.

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He has stated in previous county meetings that he is confident that the county has fulfilled the conditions set forth by the CDCR for the funding.

The county has been in dire need of a new jail for decades due to overcrowding of its main jail near Goleta, and without the state grant, the county would have to find the full $80 million needed to build a 304-bed North County Jail.

The CSA agenda states that the 19-member board will review the status of the AB 900 jail construction awards, including the proposed Santa Barbara County jail proposed for a 50-acre parcel at Black and Betteravia roads in Santa Maria.

If the county is awarded the first phase of jail funding from the state, the Board of Supervisors would still need to approve an agreement with the city of Paso and find a source of revenue that would cover its $24 million share of construction costs and $13 million in annual operating costs for the jail.

Sam Womack can be reached at 739-2218 or swomack@santamariatimes.com.

September 18, 2008