Santa Barbara County Supervisors prioritize new Orcutt library

The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has designated a new library project in Orcutt as a priority, including it in the county’s five-year financial forecast. The proposed facility would be located on Clark Avenue near the OASIS Senior Center.

Two design options are under consideration for upcoming budget discussions in December. Option A, a more expansive 19,700-square-foot plan, includes the library, a veterans memorial, a community green area, a bike path, and parking, with an estimated cost of $44.2 million. Option B is a smaller 14,300-square-foot version focused on the library and parking, estimated at $28.5 million.

While the county has secured approximately $6 million in funding, significant portions of the project remain unfunded. The board voted 4-0 to advance the project, with Third District Supervisor Joan Hartmann abstaining due to cost concerns. Supporters, including Supervisors Bob Nelson and Steve Lavagnino, described the project as a necessary investment for community gathering spaces, noting that the current leased library space is significantly smaller than what population growth requires.