Supervisor Gregg Hart
Representing Santa Barbara County's Second District
Hello
I'm Gregg Hart, Chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors. I'm writing today to update you on some of the efforts of my office over the past several weeks. As always, please feel free to contact my office if we can be of assistance to you. You are more than welcome to call my office at (805) 568-2191, email me at ghart@countyofsb.org, or visit my website .
Join me for a Hike!
Hikes with Hart
  • When: Saturday March 14th - meet at 9:00 a.m., begin hiking at 9:15 a.m.
  • Where: San Marcos Foothills Preserve, meet at the trail-head (top of Via Gaitero)

Please join me and my team for a hike on March 14th. We can enjoy the beauty of the Second District and discuss community matters. Please wear comfortable outdoor clothing and shoes that you can safely hike in. Also, be sure to bring water and wear sunscreen.

RSVP is not required, but click here if you would like to let us know that you can attend.

If you are unable to participate in the hike, please know that I will have additional "Coffee with Your County Supervisor" events in the near future. As always, you are welcome to set up an appointment to meet with me or my staff.
My Focus as Chair: Emergency Preparedness
On January 14th, I was elected by my colleagues to serve as the 2020 Chair of the Board of Supervisors. As Chair, I plan on working to increase collaboration between community based organizations and local government in responding to emergencies. Each month, a local community based organization will be featured at a Board of Supervisors meeting, providing the Board, County departments, and community members with an overview of the services that they provide. At the January 14th Board of Supervisors meeting, the Independent Living Resource Center of the Tri Counties (ILRC) gave the first emergency preparedness presentation of the year. In a time of emergency, the ILRC ensures that the daily needs of people with disabilities and seniors are met, assists people with disabilities and seniors with evacuation, and works with local government to make sure that emergency information is accessible. To learn more about the ILRC, please click here.  Also, please click here to view the ILRC's presentation to the Board of Supervisors.

On Tuesday, February 25th, the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade will be featured at the Board of Supervisors meeting. If you are involved with a community based organization that engages in emergency preparedness work, please reach out to my office so that we can learn more about the important work that you do.
Responding to Homelessness
On January 29th, I joined the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, the Santa Maria/Santa Barbara County Continuum of Care, and hundreds of community volunteers to participate in the annual Point in Time Count — a census of people experiencing homelessness in our County. My office conducted the survey in Old Town Goleta. The information gathered from the Point in Time Count is used to allocate local, state, and federal resources to serve people experiencing homelessness. Thanks to everyone who came out at 5:30 a.m. to take part in this important initiative.  

Also, I was honored to be selected to serve as Chair of the Elected Leaders Forum on Homelessness. At our February meeting, we received a report on the applications that are being submitted by the County and Continuum of Care to the State for Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention (HHAP) services funding. Together, these applications request more than $4 million for rental assistance and rapid rehousing programs, incentives for landlords to rent to people who have experienced homelessness, services for homeless youth, and more. For more information, please click here .
Curbing Youth Vaping and Smoking
In December, the Board of Supervisors passed a significant amendment to the County’s Tobacco Ordinance. In response to the local and national epidemic of youth vaping and smoking, the Board of Supervisors voted to prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, as well as the sale of cheap and discounted tobacco products. The Public Health Department has been working with local retailers to prepare them for compliance with the updated ordinance. Enforcement of the new regulations will begin on March 17th. I would especially like to thank the many young people who advocated for the Board to take action on this important public health issue. Please click here for more information.
Diverting People with Mental Illness from the Justice System
The Board of Supervisors recently voted to authorize County departments to begin providing services funded by the State to divert people with behavioral health conditions from the criminal justice system, as part of the Prop 47 and AB 1810 grant programs. The State awarded the County $6 million in Prop 47 funds to operate a sobering center, deploy an additional mental health co-response team (staffed by a Sheriff's Deputy and Department of Behavioral Wellness clinician), and increase the County's supportive housing stock by 20 beds. Additionally, $2.4 million in State AB 1810 funding will be used to divert up to 18 people with mental illness from the jail and into community based treatment over the next three years. I'm proud of our County's work to provide services to people with mental health conditions and reduce the use of incarceration. To learn more about these programs, please click here.
Arroyo Burro Beach Park Improvements
On February 4th, my colleagues and I approved plans for improvements at Arroyo Burro Beach Park. As part of this project, a new ranger office will be constructed, new water-efficient landscaping will be installed near the entrance, additional seating will be added to the bus stop area, and a seating area will be installed for the dog washing station. This project is anticipated to be completed by July. Please click here for more information.
Out in the Community
On January 29th, I walked with Palo Alto Firefighter John Preston, who is walking from Palo Alto to San Diego to raise awareness about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the mental wellness of veterans & first responders as part of the 22 And You project.
On January 23rd, I attended the Isla Vista Youth Projects' Community Partners Meeting. Pictured with Dr. Donna Lewis, Superintendent of the Goleta Union School District.
On January 20th, I participated in the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March down State Street. (Photo: Robert Bernstein/edhat.)
On January 13th, I spoke to San Marcos High School AAPLE Academy students about public service and leadership.
On December 20th, I joined the members of the Maria Ygnacia Neighborhood Safety Association and the County's Flood Control Division to tour the Maria Ygnacia Debris Basin and learn more about the new debris racks that were being installed.
On December 19th, I attended the US Forest Service's meeting on the Cave Fire Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER).
On December 14th, I met with residents in Old Town Goleta during a "Coffee with Your County Supervisor" event.
On December 12th, I hosted the Second District Commissioners Breakfast, a gathering of the Second District residents who serve on County Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
Interested in Serving Our Community?
I am currently accepting applications for appointment to the County Library Commission, Commission for Women, and Veterans Services Advisory Committee. Please click here to learn more about serving on a County Board, Commission, or Committee.