Fire & Police Commission adopts annual work plan, names liaison for community meetings

The Santa Barbara Fire & Police Commission adopted its 2026 annual work plan on March 26 with an explicit addition to include budget and financial review duties.

Vice Chair Lapis recommended adding the financial review to the objectives; staff clarified that financial reviews are part of the commission's regular duties and the commission voted to adopt the plan with that addition. The clerk announced the motion to adopt the final work plan passed.

The commission then considered appointment of a liaison to attend community meetings related to department policy and post-incident briefings. Commissioners debated scope, Brown Act limits (no quorum at community meetings), and reporting expectations; staff said liaison attendance is intended to be a listening and reporting role, not a spokesperson capacity on behalf of the department.

Commissioner Herlinger was nominated and the commission voted to appoint him as the liaison. Commissioner Hill was nominated and voted to serve as alternate. The clerk announced both motions passed.

Chair Jones said the commission would revisit the arrangement as needed and recommended a six-month appointment with a three-month check-in to assess feasibility and scheduling.