Budget Hearings Start with a Looming Projected Deficit of about $70-million

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - The budget preparation workshops have begun in Santa Barbara County with a "clear eye discussion".

That was the first message from County Chief Executive Officer Mona Miyasto. She said there are always mandates expectations and great complexities.

"The hardest decisions we make are about what to stop not what to start," said Miyasato.

The county has a projected deficit of about $70-million. Last year, departments were warned and asked to begin coming up with solutions.

The final budget hearings will be in June for the new budget July 1.

Departments looking to make cuts or have proposed hiring freezes could include the Sheriff's Office, Health, Housing and Human Services and other essential services.

Some of the cities in Santa Barbara County have a contract for first responders instead of having their owner police and fire but it all has to be provided by those departments for the cities and area that are unincorporated.

Funding from federal and state sources are being cut and locally there will be changes to balance the local budgets.

One of the first hearings will deal with Santa Barbara County Health. Cuts could reduce clinic operations and that could send more people to a more expensive solution at the emergency rooms locally.

Some of the speakers will be talking about cuts to Cal Fresh and other support programs for the poor.

(More details video, photos and details will be added here later today.)