Departmental Agenda
Planning Items and Public Hearings
1)
SUPERVISOR LEE, SUPERVISOR CAPPS
HEARING - Consider recommendations regarding prohibition of unauthorized use of
County-owned property such as immigration enforcement; Safeguard the integrity of
County-administered elections and the protection of ballots once they are cast and Evaluate, where
legally permissible, to prohibit immigration detention or enforcement facilities within the
unincorporated County, as follows: (EST. TIME: 1 HR. 30 MIN.)
a) Protect access to County services by adopting the “Use and Preservation Policy for County
Owned Property and County Parks and Recreation Areas” clarifying that County-owned property
shall not be used for unauthorized purposes and that immigration enforcement activities at County
parks and recreation areas are special events;
b) Take further actions to safeguard our upcoming elections, inform the public, and assure voters
that they can vote safely and their vote will be counted in Santa Barbara County. These include but
are not limited to:
i) Request the Clerk Recorder Assessor Registrar of Voters (Elections Division), in coordination
with the District Attorney, Sheriff’s Office and County Counsel, report on protocols and training for
the June and November 2026 election cycle to prevent voter intimidation and to address any
attempted use of polling locations or County property for immigration enforcement or other
activities that could interfere with voter access by May 5, 2026;
ii) Receive a report on County Employee Election Officer Program that encourages County
employees to be trained poll monitors on election day and be paid their regular wages (similar to
employees working in the Emergency Operations Center during times of emergencies); including
efforts as to how awareness of that program can be increased and the program might be expanded
upon, by May 5, 2026;
iii) Request the Elections Division in coordination with the Public Information Officer to issue clear,
user-friendly, public guidance as to how ballots will be protected from any interference, including
federal, state, county, and local entities, by May 5, 2026; and
iv) Request that County departments assist with the distribution of a “Know Your Rights” voting
flyer. This flyer will be distributed to all members of the public, non-profit organizations, educational
institutions, etc. prior to the June and November 2026 elections;
c) Direct the Planning and Development Department to analyze and report back to the Board on
land use, zoning, and permitting tools that may be used to prohibit the siting, expansion, or use of
immigration enforcement facilities and detention centers in unincorporated areas of the County,
