SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Santa Barbara County leaders approved a $1.66 billion budget Tuesday after hours of presentations and public comment, with officials acknowledging the county faces increasing financial pressures from rising costs and uncertainty surrounding state and federal funding.
County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato described the spending plan as more challenging than budgets in recent years but said it positions the county to weather future uncertainty.
“This is a more difficult budget than in recent years, but it is also a responsible one,” Miyasato said. “It protects core services, provides financial flexibility, and keeps the county positioned for uncertainty ahead.”…