1/2 Cent for New Santa Barbara Jail

In a push to get the new Santa Barbara County Jail off of the ground, Sheriff Bill Brown says it will take a half-cent public tax increase. This would essentially amount to an added $30 million a year over 10 years for the new jail facility. The funding would also be aimed at recidivism programs.

Through Assembly Bill 900, the state has committed $56.3 million toward the construction of the new jail facility. It seems as though everything has come into alignment for the build. However, there are bridges yet to be crossed.

Budget costs just to run and operate the new facility would be in excess of $15 to 17 million per year. When you add the states fiscal woes to the mix, it creates an overal proposal that some believe can’t be met. The County would still have to come out of pocket another $23.7 million to meet the needs of the facility. However, Brown also said the 10-year tax increase could create enough money to build the new 304-bed jail, and have enough left over to pay for it’s operation annually.

Details are yet to be released regarding the county’s problem of overcrowding at Santa Barbara jails. It could lead to the early release of inmates creating a public safety issue. Sheriff Brown’s proposal of the half-cent tax to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, would need to be met by two-thirds a super-majority of the county’s voters to pass. Since the vote may help to relieve jail overcrowding, 45 percent of people claimed they would support the ballot measure.

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