Construction of Northern Branch Jail near Santa Maria approaching completion

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Construction of the Northern Branch Jail is in its final stages.

If construction continues on schedule, it will open within 90 days as required by state grants that helped fund the new Santa Barbara County facility.

In January, the Board of Supervisors approved a $1.86 million increase in jail construction-related services and supplies.  

The cost of operating the new jail is estimated at $19.3 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year, based on a November budget report.