The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is a Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) responsible for the multi-modal transportation planning, programming, and fund allocation required by state and federal statutes. This includes the annual allocation of Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. As the Congestion Management Agency (CMA), SBCAG implements a county-wide Congestion Management Program (CMP) to reduce auto-related congestion through capital improvements, travel demand management, and coordinated land use planning among all local jurisdictions.
As the Local Transportation Authority (LTA), SBCAG is responsible for administering the ½ cent county-wide sales tax authorized by voter approval of Measure A. This tax is projected to generate $1 billion for local and regional transportation projects over thirty years. SBCAG is responsible for the annual allocation of more than $18 million to local agencies, as well as the development and construction of fifteen identified state and regional projects.
As a Council of Governments (COG), SBCAG also serves as a forum for addressing regional and multi-jurisdictional issues. SBCAG is designated as the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) and administering the Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (SAFE) that includes the operation of approximately 350 roadside call boxes. This system is financed by a $1 annual fee on all motor vehicles registered in the county. SBCAG also administers a county-wide Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program that promotes ridesharing, public transportation, biking, walking, telecommuting, and other transportation alternatives. Traffic Solutions also works directly with employers to assist in developing employee transportation programs. Finally, SBCAG has been designated by the State Department of Finance to serve as the affiliate census center for Santa Barbara County. As such, SBCAG serves as the conduit for government and public access to census data.
SBCAG is a member of the Central Coast Coalition.
The map below shows the completed and planned phases of the Highway 101 HOV Widening Project:
SBCAG recently hired a new Executive Director, Marjie Kirn (mkirn@sbcag.org):
Marjie Kirn is the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Regional Transportation Planning Agency and Local Transportation Authority for Santa Barbara County. The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments is responsible for managing a $1.5 billion 30-year transportation improvement program with 19 employees. Prior to joining SBCAG, Ms. Kirn was the Executive Director of the Merced County Association of Governments for the past four years. She was Deputy Director for the agency for 12 years prior to being promoted to Executive Director. Ms. Kirn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from the University of California, San Diego. She is married and has three children.
The Policy Board is comprised of 8 mayors and Councilmembers from each of the incorporated cities within Santa Barbara County, 5 members representing the County Board of Supervisors, 1 ex-officio member representing Caltrans District 5, 1 ex-officio member representing the 19th Senate District, and 2 ex-officio members representing the 35th and 37th Assembly Districts.
1107 9th Street, Ste. 810
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 557-1170
