Local Assistance Center to Close for Memorial Day

Santa Barbara County’s Local Assistance Center will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day. The center, which has helped residents, property owners, and businesses affected by the Jesusita Fire clear debris and prepare their property for rebuilding, may soon close if demand for its services continues to diminish. Richard Abrams, a manager with the county’s Office of Emergency Services said a decision on how long the center will remain open will be made next week. “We are currently evaluating the effectiveness of the Assistance Center in serving the needs of the people who need help. The center will remain open only if there is a need,” Abrams said in a prepared statement.

Thus far, the county has issued 33 permits to property owners for demolition and debris removal as a first step toward rebuilding, according to Mike Zimmer, county building official.

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Property owners who do not know the name and telephone number of their project case manager can call Petra Leyva with the County Planning and Development Department at (805) 568-2071.

For debris removal questions, contact Shannon Barcelona with the Public Works Department at (805) 882-3605. For questions concerning asbestos removal, contact Michael Broughton with the Air Pollution Control District at (805) 961-8872.

Questions about septic systems should be directed too Marilyn Merrifield with the County Public Health Department, Environmental Health Division, at (805) 681-4900.

Insurance questions or concerns should be sent to the California State Insurance Department’s Hotline at 1 (800) 927-HELP (927-4357).

The center is located in the lobby of the County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu Street and will re-open at 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 26.