The supervisors approved spending $25,000 to get outside legal advice on the county’s options with regard to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ intention to annex 1,400 acres of noncontiguous land to their reservation. These efforts have been the subject of intense community concern, particularly in the Santa Ynez Valley, and have been opposed by the county supervisors. Initially, the supes had been asked to approve a $150,000 contract for outside legal advice, but that amount included the possibility of litigation services. The fees were dropped because some supervisors felt uncomfortable including litigation in the quiver of options. The board has insisted that if the tribe wishes to pursue housing and economic development schemes on land off the reservation, it needs to follow the same development review process required of all county residents.
