About Us
Our vision is to support and advocate on behalf of these industries while fighting for beneficial tax policies to ensure economic success and abundant quality of life.
Our Mission
SBCTA is dedicated to ensuring that taxpayers have a voice in policy decisions. We support the following:
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Reasonable tax rates to fund the rightful and necessary activities of local governments and districts.
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Thoughtful policies and regulations which encourage a robust county economy to provide ample tax revenues rather than increasing tax revenues through excessive rates and fees.
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The responsibility of our county government to create a nurturing business environment which supports existing business and encourages new ventures and development by adopting more business-friendly approval and regulatory processes.
Our pledge to our members is to hold our County accountable for prudent stewardship of taxpayer-provided resources and for adopting fair, transparent, and beneficial tax policies.
We don’t play favorites but champion all businesses and individuals who contribute to our local economy. Our goal is to work with business, community members, and local governments to allow our Santa Barbara County economy to reach its full potential.
Taxpayers' Bill of Rights
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SBCTA’s position regarding taxation is reasonable tax rates are necessary for the rightful and necessary operations of government and districts.
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Government shall not create tax burdens which are excessive, punitive, of confiscatory, or which confer on government the ability to determine winners and losers in specific situations.
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Taxpayers have the right to expect that funds provided to government are used in a prudent and transparent manner.
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All legal businesses must receive the same treatment relative to taxes and tax rates unless specifically authorized and agreed to during the approval/licensing process.
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Any legal business/industry which employees people, supports families, and generates tax revenues for Santa Barbara County deserves respect and the right to operate unmolested by excessive or punitive taxes and/or regulation.
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SBCTA supports and demands county approval/licensing processes which are unbiased, fair, and timely. Too often, extended licensing/approval processes become financially burdensome obstacles to responsible economic development.
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SBCTA advocates for County policy that minimizes unnecessary appeals and challenges projects and business approvals/licensing that result in untimely delays and increased expenses, as these challenges have often produced an environment hostile to economic development.
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SBCTA supports creation of more affordable housing in Santa Barbara County. No-growth, slow-growth policies, restrictive zoning, and extended and expensive approval processes have unquestionably contributed to the present, and unacceptable, situation. SBCTA encourages county governments to create greater access to affordable housing through more development-friendly approval processes.
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Taxpayer Value should be the benchmark for government spending. Since revenues provided by taxpayers fuel government operations, it is the right of taxpayers to demand prudent stewardship of those revenues. If an expenditure does not result in demonstrable value for taxpayers, it should be prohibited.
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Taxpayers deserve, and SBCTA demands, full transparency and accountability from government to ensure fiscal prudence, diligence, and responsibility relative to use of taxpayer-provided funds.