Board of Supervisors learn about preliminary $1.48 billion budget

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, were aboard the U.S. Navy E-6 aircraft to demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of the ALCS system, according to Vandenberg.

Airmen from the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, were selected for the task force to support the test launch “We have a unique ability to strike a target anywhere, at any time, should the commander-inchief deem it vital to our national security and the security of our allies,” said Col. Chris Cruise, 377th Test Evaluation Group commander. “An Airborne Launch Control System test validates that capability, ensures we have redundancy in our weapons systems, and showcases the interoperability with our Navy counterparts.” email: dmason@newspress.com

Santa Barbara Juggling takes over Isla Vista

By ANNIKA BAHNSEN NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

Ever wondered what the life of a professional juggler looks like and maybe get some tips for yourself? Well, now you can.

On Friday through Sunday, jugglers from all over the western United States will come together and showcase their talent and skills for all to enjoy at the 47th annual Isla Vista Juggling Festival. This will take place at the Isla Vista Theater, continuing its streak for hosting the longestrunning juggling festival in the country.

The festival will have many shows and workshops for the public to learn and participate in. There will also be specialty acts, including some fun unicycle shows and comedic additions to the juggling experience.

In addition to the talent being presented, the festival is a fundraiser for Standing Together to End Sexual Assault, which was originally called on A4

Jugglers from around the country come to Santa Barbara each year for the annual Isla Vista Juggling Festival and to support STESA. This will be the 47th year of the festival.

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors continued to review the preliminary $1.48 billion budget and new proposals Wednesday.

Budget workshops began Tuesday, and another workshop is set for Friday.

The budget is a 6.2% increase from the 2022-2023 budget, and among the requests is for close to $3 million for the Sheriff’s Office for drug enforcement.

During Wednesday’s workshop, Harry E. Hagen, treasurer and tax administrator, told the Board of Supervisors what the treasury finance team had in mind for its budget proposal.

The county requested a $150,000 increase to its budget, closing its total operating budget to around $10 million. The budget increase request was made to fund a new position — a veteran’s services supervisor.

This job is intended to keep better track of veteran benefit requests as well as make clearer communication between the veterans and the office.

The Sheriff’s Office requested $3 million as part of its enforcement on drug issues. The money that has been requested will be used for custody bus replacement, a cannabis compliance and enforcement team, and a fentanyl-focused narcotics enforcement team.

Additionally, the department requested a little over $3.75 million in ongoing funding for staffing and hardware upgrades. Additionally, maintenance and capital projects were on the agenda. These were presented by the Public Works Department. email: abahnsen@newspress.com

Within this presentation, $2.2 million was requested for HVAC energy efficiency projects. Within this project, various replacements of boilers, pumps, and HVAC machines will be done in different government buildings. As proposed, this will all be done over a few month period, yet as the department stated, it would take close to 13 years to pay off.

Even with the more serious budget conversations, there were some moments of fun sprinkled throughout the meeting.

General Services Director Kirk Lagerquist shared a quote in his presentation: “There are no traffic jams across the extra mile” which came from Roger Staubach, a previous New England Patriots quarterback. Mr. Lagerquist then made a quick joke dissing the Patriots in which the attendees reacted with laughter.

The meeting ended with public comments from members of the Santa Barbara community. Most of the voices represented were in support or had slight alterations to the budget requests from the sheriff’s office. These people who spoke have a desire to help with the ongoing drug problem but want to make sure it is done in a fiscally responsible manner.