Orcutt Library and Senior Center Project: Supervisors Weigh Two Designs, but Construction Funding Is Not Approved

ORCUTT, Santa Barbara County — October 28, 2026. The proposed new Orcutt Library and OASIS Senior Center remains a major community priority, but county leaders have not yet committed the money needed to build the full project. On October 20, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors considered updated designs, cost estimates, financing options and construction-delivery methods.

What did the Board review?

The official county agenda item, File 26-00981, asked supervisors to review the completed planning, design, environmental review, land acquisition, funding and estimated costs. The options included adding the library project to the county’s upcoming FY 2027–2032 five-year budget forecast, developing a strategy involving both cash and debt financing, and choosing between the larger schematic design and a reduced-building-size alternative.

Local reporting from the October 20 meeting described a roughly $45 million design and a scaled-back option closer to $30 million. Those figures are estimates for competing designs, not a new $45 million grant or a guaranteed construction contract.

Where would the facility go?

County materials place the project on county-owned land in the area of Clark Avenue and Foxenwood Lane in Orcutt. The idea is to replace or expand existing community library and senior services with more suitable space. Earlier public design workshops in 2026 gathered community input on the facility’s program and layout.

Was construction approved?

The public docket shows the October 20 item was acted upon, but the recommendation contained several possible paths for funding, design and procurement. Reporting on the meeting says the Board agreed to consider both designs in the next budget forecast; that is not the same as approving full financing or issuing a notice to proceed for construction. Residents should review the posted Minute Order and any future budget action before treating cost or start-date projections as final.

How to follow the decision

The Board’s online record includes the Board Letter, design presentation, cost-estimate alternatives, environmental documents and Minute Order. These are the appropriate materials for verifying which approach was approved and what requires further action.

Sources: Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors — File 26-00981, October 20; KEYT October 20 meeting report. Reported October 28, 2026.

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