The Santa Barbara City Council narrowly approved a $65,105 contract with RSG Inc. to support the city’s rent stabilization ordinance, passing on a 4-3 vote that exposed sharp divisions among members. Mayor Randy Rouse and two council members opposed the measure, raising concerns about the pace of the process and whether the consultant would provide value.
The decision includes hiring a rent stabilization consultant to address a compressed timeline and the need for specialized expertise.
City officials cited delays in the existing work plan as a reason for hiring a consultant. They noted that RSG Inc. offers over 20 years of experience and specialized technical knowledge to help advance the project…