Santa Barbara County Association of Governments
www.sbcag.org
Contact:
Jim Kemp
Executive Director, Association of Governments
Mailing Address:
260 N. San Antonio Rd.
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
Phone Number: (805) 961-8911
Legal Authority:
Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Federal Grants-in-Aid Program formed 8/29/66 by Resolution No. 66-460, 23 USC 104,134 SAFETEA-LU Sections 1107, 6001. Government Code §65600-65604. County Joint Powers Agreement -- October 26, 1966.
Membership:
Thirteen members in total; Five members of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors and one elected official from each of the eight incorporated cities in Santa Barbara County (Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Solvang). Ex-Officio: Caltrans, District 5; State Senator; State Assemblyman.
Term:
Coincides with term of office for members of the Board of Supervisors, City Council representatives serve at the pleasure of their appointing council.
Duties:
SBCAG’s responsibilities have evolved over time from an advisory planning body in 1966 to a full range regional agency with roles in planning, programming of funding, and the operation of a number of direct government services. SBCAG currently serves in the following capacities for Santa Barbara County:
• Local Transportation Authority (LTA):
As the Local Transportation Authority (LTA), SBCAG administers the 1/2 cent county-wide sales tax authorized by Santa Barbara County voter’s approval of Measure D in 1989. Measure D sales tax will contribute almost $500 million for local and regional transportation projects over twenty years. SBCAG annually allocates more than $20 million from Measure D revenue to local agencies for transportation projects. SBCAG has also led the planning and construction of fifteen regional Measure D transportation projects with a total cost of more than $180 million.
• Congestion Management Agency (CMA):
As the CMA, SBCAG is responsible for the development and implementation of the county-wide Congestion Management Program (CMP) required in all urban counties in California. The CMP is a comprehensive program designed to reduce traffic congestion through capital improvements, travel demand management, and coordinated land use planning among all local jurisdictions.
• Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO):
SBCAG has been designated by the Governor as the agency responsible for all transportation planning and programming activities required under federal law. This includes the development of long range transportation plans and multi-year funding programs, and the selection and approval of transportation projects using federal funds.
•Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA):
Designated by the Secretary of the California Business, Housing and Transportation Agency, SBCAG is responsible for the multi-modal transportation planning, programming, and fund allocation required by state statutes. This includes the annual allocation of Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds.
•Traffic Solutions:
SBCAG also administers an interagency Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program that promotes ridesharing, public transportation, biking, walking, telecommuting, and other transportation alternatives on a county-wide basis. Traffic Solutions works directly with employers to assist in developing employee transportation programs and administers the Clean Air Express, a commuter subscription bus service.
•Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE):
This program is responsible for the installation, operation and administration of the system of approximately 350 roadside call boxes in Santa Barbara County. This system is financed by a $1 per year fee on all motor vehicles registered within the county.
•Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC):
SBCAG is designated as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and is responsible for protecting public health, safety, and welfare by ensuring that vacant lands in the vicinity of airports are planned and zoned for uses compatible with airport operations
•Affiliate Census Center:
SBCAG has been designated by the State Department of Finance to serve as the affiliate census center for Santa Barbara County providing a conduit for government and public access to census data.
•Other Programs / Projects:
SBCAG conducts other regional planning activities including the preparation of the Regional Housing Needs Allocation Plan and the development of regional growth forecasts of population, housing and employment. SBCAG also provides technical assistance to local agencies on a cost reimbursement basis.
Meeting Date and Location:
Third Thursday of every month, hearings are held either in the Santa Barbara or Santa Maria Board of Supervisors hearing room.