The Whipping Post Take on SB County Board of Supervisors

COUNTY LEADERS TO TAXPAYERS: 'GET OVER IT, BRIDGE IT, PAY FOR IT!'

Your benevolent Santa Barbara County overlords, fresh from a long weekend of golf and organic kale, have graciously decided to spend nearly half a million of your dollars to fix a bridge they likely i

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9/17/2026 · Inspired by “Consider recommendations regarding an Award of a Contract for Foothill Bridge 51C-0381 Storm Damage Repair, County Project No. 25STM3-1N27, First District, as follows: (4/5 Vote Required) a) Approve the Project Plans and Specifications, on file in the Public Works Department Office, located at 123 E. Anapamu Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101, for the construction of Foothill Bridge Storm Damage Repairs Project, County Project No. 25STM-1N27; b) Award a Construction Contract for the Foothill Bridge Storm Damage Repairs project in the amount of $389,900.00 to the lowest responsible bidder, American Enviro Services, Inc., 15513 Chateau Montelena Dr, Bakersfield, CA 93314, subject to the provisions of documents and certifications, as set forth in the Specifications applicable to the Project, as required under California law; c) Approve and authorize the Chair to execute a Construction Contract, which has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel, Auditor-Controller, and Risk Manager, or their authorized representatives; d) Authorize the Public Works Director, or designee, to approve change orders for the Foothill Bridge Storm Damage Repairs project for a contingency amount up to $33,370.00 plus an additional amount of up to $55,000.00 for supplemental work items, for a total not to exceed authorization amount of $478,270.00; e) Find that the Foothill Bridge 51C-0381 Storm Damage Repair Project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 CCR Section 15301(c) as the proposed project(s) consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to existing highways and streets, sidewalks, gutters, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and similar facilities. Find that this project is also an emergency repair project and is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(d), as this project will fix or restore existing highway and roads damaged by natural disasters and will be initiated within one (1) year of the damage occurring. A Notice of Exemption was filed on this basis on January 7, 2026, and the proposed action is within the scope of that Notice of Exemption. f) Approve Budget Revision Request No. 1696 to establish Fiscal Year 2026 - 2027 appropriations of $558,270.00 in Public Works Roads-Operations Fund (Fund 0015) for Services and Supplies, funded by an operating transfer from the Roads-Capital Maintenance Fund. Establish appropriations of $558,270.00 in the Public Works Roads-Capital Maintenance Fund for Other Financing Uses funded by a release of Restricted Purpose of Fund Balance.” via SB County Board of Supervisors

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COUNTY LEADERS TO TAXPAYERS: 'GET OVER IT, BRIDGE IT, PAY FOR IT!'Follow the Money
SB County Board of Supervisors · The Whipping Post · NO.970 · PANEL 5/6 · SB-7DE

In a move that surprised absolutely no one still capable of critical thought, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors (bless their hearts) rubber-stamped another half-million-dollar 'emergency' repair this week. This time, it's the thrilling saga of Foothill Bridge 51C-0381, a structure apparently so crucial it only warrants attention after a 'storm damage' event – which, in California, is what we call 'winter.' Naturally, this vital piece of infrastructure, conveniently located in the First District where a Democrat reigns supreme, needed an urgent fix that only a Bakersfield-based firm, American Enviro Services, could provide. Because when you need local, you go out of county, right? It just makes sense, if you're a bureaucrat.

The real genius here isn't the repair itself, but the exquisite dance around environmental regulations. The item gleefully declares the project 'categorically exempt' from CEQA under two different clauses! First, it's just 'repair, maintenance, or minor alteration' – nothing to see here, folks, move along! Then, for good measure, it's also an 'emergency repair' because it’s fixing 'existing highway and roads damaged by natural disasters.' So, to recap: it’s both minor maintenance *and* an emergency natural disaster repair. The hoops these people jump through to avoid common-sense environmental impact assessments on routine infrastructure upkeep would be comical if they weren't spending your money.

But here’s the kicker nobody else is reporting: look closely at the numbers. The initial contract is $389,900.00. Then there's an 'up to' $33,370.00 contingency, plus an 'additional amount of up to $55,000.00 for supplemental work items.' That's nearly $90,000 in add-ons built in before the shovel even hits the dirt! When the budget revises for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, the total appropriation balloons to $558,270.00. That’s a 43% markup from the initial contract bid. What’s the over-under on how much of that 'contingency' and 'supplemental' cash gets spent? Our progressive leaders never met a project they couldn't bloat. Just another day in the People's Republic of Santa Barbara, where 'emergency' means 'poor planning' and 'budget' means 'suggestion.'

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