County supervisors are scheduled to get a break this week from the big-ticket items such as energy policy and offshore oil drilling that they have been grappling with lately.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors is slated today to decide whether it will continue to fund the county's truancy program, consider an ordinance that would target high-risk onshore oil operators and receive an update on how the national credit crisis will affect new and existing development projects in the county.

During budget hearings in June, the board decided to partially fund the Truancy Intervention and Parent Accountability program through the county District Attorney's Office. Supervisors also directed staff to elicit school districts in the county to sustain the program.

Although school officials would prefer that the program continue, their own budgets have been finalized with many cuts to their own ongoing programs, according to a staff report presented to supervisors.

It would cost the county $166,000 to keep the truancy program running until June 30.

The ordinance for high-risk onshore oil operators would be added to the county Petroleum Code and would increase fines for violations and charge for oil-spill response and cleanup. If approved, it would not take effect until December at the earliest.

In a separate matter, the board will receive a report on how a task force has been formed to locate and investigate struggling developments and foreclosed homes in the county.

Advertisement

There are 11 multi-parcel developments in different stages of construction and there are more than 1,500 foreclosures.

The county will also suffer from reduced home values and a reduction to property taxes, its major source of discretionary revenue.

Also of interest on the agenda was a concern raised last week by North County Supervisors Joe Centeno and Joni Gray on a 3rd District expense.

In the Oct. 7 meeting, 5th District Supervisor Centeno said he was confused as to why the county would pay $3,500 for signage and traffic control in Isla Vista during Halloween, when usually the burden of cost falls on the organizations supporting the event.

It was voted that the item be continued with direction from the board to work on a more consistent policy.

The decision to fund road closure or reconfiguration and restrict parking in Isla Vista during Halloween activities is back on Tuesday's agenda with no apparent change to the staff report presented to supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. in the Betteravia Government Center at 511 East Lakeside Parkway in Santa Maria.

The public can also address the board by using the remote audio and video equipment at the hearing room on the fourth floor of the county Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., and get more information at http://www.countyofsb.org.

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

October 14, 2008