Chumash funds help public agencies
NORA K. WALLACE, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
March 2, 2007 12:00 AM
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians will help pay for remodeling at the Solvang Fire Station, continued funding of five sheriff's deputies and design work on the widening of the Alamo Pintado Bridge.
The Santa Barbara County Indian Gaming Community Benefit Committee approved $1.46 million in grants Thursday. The funds for public agencies are part of a state-required Special Distribution Fund: California's tribes that have casinos must pay some profits into a fund that provides grant money to jurisdictions directly affected by casinos.
Locally, that means only Santa Barbara County, Solvang, Buellton and nearby special districts can apply for payments related to the Chumash Casino Resort on Highway 246 in Santa Ynez.
This year, members of the tribe's Business Committee voted on 11 grant requests and funded eight.
They are:
• The city of Solvang will receive $300,000 to continue work on the widening of Alamo Pintado Bridge on Highway 246.
• Solvang will receive $125,000 to start remodeling of the Solvang Fire Station.
• The city of Buellton will receive $151,000 to supplement its fire department services.
• Buellton will receive $114,000 for additional law enforcement services.
• The Santa Ynez Community Services District will receive $29,000 for an emergency generator.
• Santa Barbara County will receive $253,677 to continue funding five deputy positions in the valley. It will receive an additional $25,809 in 2008.
• The county will receive $452,300 to continue funding a firefighter/paramedic position in the Santa Ynez Valley.
• The county will receive $24,097 for the cost of connecting a public safety radio repeater.
A number of requests were made, including one by the city of Solvang for funds to help defray the costs of local sheriff's units who respond to emergencies by casino patrons. The Santa Ynez Community Services District did not get the funds it sought for an emergency air compressor, and the county did not receive money to expand the Solvang sheriff's substation.
"We felt it was important, number one, for law enforcement and the fire department (to receive funds) for the purpose of public safety," said Chumash Chairman Vincent Armenta.
Solvang City Council members Edwin Skytt, Jim Richardson and Linda Jackson serve on the committee, along with 5th District Supervisor Joe Centeno and 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone.
"We got everything we wanted," Mr. Richardson said. "We're happy to receive it. We plan to work closely with the tribe in the future."
In past years, the Santa Ynez Community Services District has been largely unsuccessful in getting its grant requests approved. On Thursday, it got the go-ahead for one of the two projects it sought. The grant will be used to buy a generator, which will be used in an emergency to power the Highway 246 pump station. That station pumps all wastewater from Santa Ynez to the city of Solvang, and is also used when wastewater is diverted from the Chumash Wastewater Plant to Solvang.
"We're thankful for anything we can get," said Bobbie Martin, general manager of the community services district. "We're small. This will help out a lot."
Though the public agency and law enforcement representatives at the meeting appeared pleased overall with the grant allotments, there was some disappointment. The Sheriff's Department did not receive funding for several projects.
Lt. Phil Willis, who is based at the Solvang substation, said the department appreciates the funding and recognizes that the tribe is "taking steps to mitigate these impacts."
Still, the department this year will not be able to expand a cramped substation that already houses more than 30 people, among other needs.
"There is a significant increase in traffic in town," Lt. Willis said. "We wanted the money for traffic enforcement and education at the schools. We will do the best we can with the resources we have . . . We'll try and find the money elsewhere, but the chances of finding it are slim to none."