Included in the 2012-2013 SDF funding cycle for Santa Barbara County is: $515,000 to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department for one firefighter/paramedic position (five shifts); $83,376.20 to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department for one full-time position; $83,376.20 to the City of Buellton for additional law enforcement services; and $55,000 to the City of Solvang for additional law enforcement services.

“State and county budget pressures continue to impact local fire and law enforcement agencies,” said Reginald Pagaling, IGLCBC Chairman. “The safety and health of our community is of the utmost importance to us. The special distribution fund is a way to help alleviate some of those economic pressures.”

The SDF, which originated when the tribal compacts were signed in 1999 by then-Governor Gray Davis, is designed to help local governments handle off-reservation impacts of tribal gaming by permitting cities and counties to apply for grants funded by tribal contributions to the state SDF.

The IGLCBC is composed of representatives from local cities, the county and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Representatives from the tribe are Tribal Elder Reginald Pagaling, Tribal Administrator Willie Wyatt and Sam Cohen, the tribe’s legal and government affairs specialist. The other members of the committee are 5th District County Supervisor Steve Lavagnino, 3rd District County Supervisor Doreen Farr, Buellton City Council Member Ed Andrisek and Solvang City Council members Joan Jamieson and Hans Duus.

Responsibilities of the Indian Gaming Benefit Committee include awarding grants, ensuring that funds are allocated according to priorities established by law, establishing all application policies and procedures, and assessing the eligibility of applications for grants from local jurisdictions impacted by tribal gaming operations.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians owns and operates the Chumash Casino Resort, located on the Santa Ynez Reservation. The tribe also owns Hotel Corque, Root 246 and the Hadsten House Inn all located in Solvang.

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