Big Box Sheriff's Substation Moves Forward in Goleta

Santa Barbara Newsroom
By Tom Schultz
June 5, 2007

The Goleta City Council on Monday backed a proposed deal that would create a new Sheriff's Department substation at Camino Real Marketplace, agreeing to give the idea final consideration later this month during a hearing on city budgets and overall law enforcement spending proposed for coming years.

In a series of 5-0 votes Monday, the council also agreed to consider the acceptance of annual donations from the bix box shopping center that would total more than half a million dollars over the next five business cycles — a proposal officials say could enhance policing citywide.

"It's such a great opportunity that we shouldn't miss out on," said Councilman Roger Aceves, a recently retired veteran Santa Barbara Police officer.

The discussion comes as the city considers a five-year budget contract with the Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services that would cost the city more than $5 million annually.

The council will consider the contract on June 18, the same day it will consider overall city budgets for the next two fiscal years.

In full, the city would take in an estimated $15.41 million and spend $15.3 million in 2007-08. The following 12-month cycle, the city would collect a projected $15.6 million and spend $15.72 million — meaning costs would exceed revenue for the first time since Goleta incorporated in 2002.

Goleta currently operates on a more than $14.3 million spending plan, with about $14.7 million in revenues.

The city has contracted with the Sheriff's Department for police services since 2002, with a minimum 33 deputies planned for under the proposed agreement — a number reflecting current staffing levels.

Under the proposed memorandum of understanding with Camino Real, the shopping center would carve an around-the-clock substation from a storefront space, providing 1,100 square feet for free to accomodate four to six deputies who would use the facility as an operations base.

Camino Real estimates the space would otherwise rent for $56,000 annually. Its deal with the city would last five years, concurrent with the proposed agreement between Goleta and the Sheriff's Department.

In addition, Camino Real would give the city more than a half-million dollars over the next five years — at an average of more than a $100,000 annually. The money, city officials say, could be used for a "community resource deputy" specifically assigned to dealing with citizens' concerns.

These duties would include: liaison activities with business owners; coordinating neighborhood watch and business watch programs; planning city and domestic violence prevention and outreach programs; and, connecting with youth and community organizations.

Recently, Councilwoman Jonny Wallis raised questions about a potential public perception that Camino Real would reduce private security and in effect buy the services of public servants under the deal.

On Monday, Wallis said she was reassured by officials who have stressed that deputies would not be required to patrol the property. Marketplace officials say they may indeed reduce private security staffing levels as a result, adding that Camino Real would benefit from a general presence of Sheriff's deputies at the shopping center but not from any formal patrols required of them.

Whether to use the donated funds for a new community resource deputy was a point of contention Monday, with Councilman Eric Onnen questioning the timing of the idea in light of Goleta's tight overall budget projections before lending his support.

At one point, Onnen suggested Goleta use the donations for some other purposes.

But moments later, Camino Real president Mark Linehan stressed that the donation was aimed at somehow enhancing law enforcement services in Goleta.

"Our donation is dependant somewhat on you guys hiring somebody," he told the council.

"We're nice people," he said. Still, "We're not here to fund your annual budget."

Key provisions of the proposed contract with the Sheriff's Department cited by city officials include: enhancing the city’s participation in the deployment of resources and orientations of new deputies; ensuring the continuance of a motorcycle traffic unit; establishing cost reimbursements for use of city-owned equipment; and, boosting the city’s participation in the selection and evaluation of the "police chief," who is typically a lieutenant appointed to the position by the sheriff.

In addition to the Goleta council, county administrators must also sign off on the contract before it is finalized.

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