Title
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding an update on Criminal Justice System changes and advancing Racial Equity and Inclusion in Santa Barbara County, as follows: (EST. TIME: 3 HR.)
a) Receive and file a status report on efforts to reduce the jail inmate population and responses to Board direction of July 16, 2020;
b) Direct staff to return at budget workshops with options for funding diversion efforts, improving data analysis and systems, and speeding discovery processes;
c) Direct staff to provide data for an evaluation of racial disparities of the adult incarcerated population;
d) Adopt a statement of commitment by the County to advance equity and inclusion;
e) Receive and file a report by the Human Resources Director on an equity and inclusion framework (J.O.I.N.) and approve funding for the initiative;
f) Receive and file a report by the Community Services Department (CSD) on actions to support community voices and engagement in partnership with other departments and organizations, and approve funding for the initiatives;
g) Direct staff to return with a process for distribution of the remainder of the equity funds;
h) Provide other direction as appropriate; and
i) Determine that the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b) (5) because the hearing is an administrative activity that will not result in a direct or indirect physical change to the environment.
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: POLICY