Concerns about Santa Barbara County executive salaries

Dear Councilmember Santamaria, On June 9, 2026, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the hiring of Jana Petersen as the new county executive officer with an annual salary of $380,000. They also granted County Counsel Rachel Van Mullem a nearly 5% performance-based raise, raising her salary to $341,833. These decisions were made during a board meeting that has raised eyebrows among residents who pay taxes in Santa Barbara. It’s alarming to see such high salaries approved when many community members struggle to make ends meet. As a resident of Santa Barbara, I pay taxes here, and I am concerned about the priorities reflected in these decisions. Our local government should prioritize the needs of its residents rather than inflating salaries for top officials. The rise in these salaries does not align with the economic challenges many in our community face. This raises questions about accountability and transparency in our local government. What will you do to address these salary increases approved by the Board of Supervisors? I would like to know your stance on this matter and how you plan to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly. Sincerely, Eric Rosenfeld