City of Santa Barbara shares upcoming projects in proposed 2023 budget
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - There are big plans ahead for the City of Santa Barbara.
“We have a lot of capitol projects that are wrapped in the budget that will bring a lot of benefit to our community. We’re really excited about getting those projects moving forward," said spokeswoman Shelly Cone of the City of Santa Barbara.
More than $300 million in capital projects are in the overall plan for the city.
“Those include improvements to our street and infrastructure as well as activities for the community.”
Some of those projects include the De La Guerra Plaza project, the state street master planning efforts, and the Carrillo Gym renovations," said Cone.
“And other parks and other infrastructures such as library buildings and we have continued investment … A lot of services provided to the community," said financial director Keith DeMartini of the City of Santa Barbara.
Several departments in the city are excited about the projects including the Santa Barbara Parks and Rec Department.
“Very excited about the Carrillo gym getting renovated. It was first built in 1927 by Julia Morgan. So it’s quite an old historic structure and it’s very well used," said assistant director Jazmin Leblanc of the Santa Barbara City Parks and Rec Department.
“My hope is that this budget is the beginning of a much longer more in-depth process with the community and the city Council … and seeing where there are challenges in the future … what are the needs and priorities of the community … and where we can address those challenges for the long run," said DeMartini.
City leaders hope to finalize the budget plan at the next meeting on June 21st.
Some of the priority projects that will be included in the proposed budget being deliberated by council include: State Street Master Planning Process, De La Guerra Plaza Project, Carrillo Gym Renovation and Lease purchase of two Fire Apparatus.
The City Council is scheduled to formally adopt its budget at its June 21 meeting.
The City’s recommended budget for FY2023 can be found by accessing the new, online budget tool at www.SantaBarbaraCA.gov/budget [santabarbaraca.gov].
The complete agenda and instructions for public participation can be found here:
Santa Barbara City Council Regular Meeting Agenda (santabarbaraca.gov) [records.santabarbaraca.gov]