File #: 26-00294    Version: 1
Type: Agenda Item Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 3/30/2026 In control: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
On agenda: 4/7/2026 Final action:
Title: HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Richards Ranch Reorganization Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) File No. 24-08 Tax Exchange Arbitration, as follows: (EST. TIME: 45 MIN.) a) Receive and file a report on the outcome of the advisory arbitration regarding a property tax exchange between the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Santa Maria as required by the proposed Richards Ranch Reorganization Annexation to the City of Santa Maria LAFCO File No. 24-08; b) Reject the property tax exchange offer selected by the contracted arbitrator, based upon certain findings of fact; and c) Find that the proposed actions are administrative activities of the County, which will not result in direct or indirect changes to the environment and therefore are not a "project" as defined for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5). COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE
Sponsors: COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Attachments: 1. Board Letter, 2. Attachment A - Arbitrator's Recommended Offer - City of Santa Maria v. County of Santa Barbara, 3. Attachment B - Findings of Fact for Rejection of Arbitrator's Recommended Offer, 4. Attachment C - Natelson Dale Fiscal Analysis, 5. Attachment D - Willdan Fiscal Analysis, 6. Attachment E - July 1, 2025 Board Action on Richards Ranch Tax Exchange Negotiations, 7. Presentation
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Title

HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding the Richards Ranch Reorganization Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) File No. 24-08 Tax Exchange Arbitration, as follows: (EST. TIME: 45 MIN.)

 

a) Receive and file a report on the outcome of the advisory arbitration regarding a property tax exchange between the County of Santa Barbara and the City of Santa Maria as required by the proposed Richards Ranch Reorganization Annexation to the City of Santa Maria LAFCO File No. 24-08;

 

b) Reject the property tax exchange offer selected by the contracted arbitrator, based upon certain findings of fact; and

 

c) Find that the proposed actions are administrative activities of the County, which will not result in direct or indirect changes to the environment and therefore are not a “project” as defined for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).

 

COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION: APPROVE