Just weeks after Santa Barbara County leaders approved plans to expand the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria, officials are unveiling early design concepts and seeking community input on the project.
In July, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors approved adding one-and-a-half new housing units totaling 384 beds to the facility. The county held two public meetings this week to gather feedback on the expansion plans; one in Santa Maria on Wednesday and one in Santa Barbara on Thursday.
“We really want to hear from the public because right now we are in that design phase,” said Kelsey Buttitta, Santa Barbara County public information officer…