The Santa Barbara Finance Committee on October 14, 2025, unanimously approved a $4.7 million Measure C budget adjustment to replenish the police station project contingency fund, following a staff recommendation.
The funds are intended to replenish the project contingency and cover unforeseen owner-furnished items.
The main purpose of the request was to cover costs associated with contaminated non-hazardous soil encountered during the early stages of construction.
Removing and hauling the soil to landfills cost about $4 million, using roughly 40% of the initial project contingency within the first two months. The remaining $700,000 in the $4.7 million request will cover the waterline relocation and microgrid controller.
According to city officials, these measures are part of careful financial oversight and proactive project management to keep the police station project on track.
Soil Contamination and Remediation
Committee members also reviewed soil contamination discovered at the Santa Barbara Police Headquarters construction site.
During early construction, the project team encountered contaminated non-hazardous soil.
After the Environmental Health Department requested samples, the project team collected about 60 soil samples across the site.
Tests found that the artificial fill extending down about seven feet was contaminated. The soil was removed and transported to landfills in San Luis Obispo and Kettleman City.
Financial Impact
Contingency funds were used to address the soil contamination. The initial cleanup was estimated at $7 million, but coordination with trade partners reduced the cost to about $4 million.
This cost represented about 40% of the initial project contingency and was used within the first two months of the project, which staff noted was higher than expected.
Impact on Construction Schedule
The construction manager said the soil removal had minimal impact on the overall project schedule. A public commenter cited the $4.7 million soil contamination issue as an example of unforeseen costs in large capital projects.
Staff clarified that this request is meant to replenish the contingency already used. Any funds not spent by the end of the project in September 2027 will be returned to the city, ensuring flexibility for unforeseen needs while preserving taxpayer dollars.
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4.7 MILLION DOLLARS to remove and transport dirt. I recall the city spending a similar amount of money for removing boulders after a winter storm.
How many trucks and how many trips to SLO could it have been?
I want to be a dump truck company owner in my next life!!!
I’m calling bullshoy. This is another example of how the City is completely mismanaged. It goes on and on. They’re getting taken advantaged of because they have dollars sticking out of their bras. I’m glad I don’t live within the City, but I feel for those who do. This is just wrong.
This should have been caught during the environmental studies phase and planned for. This is just like the desal plant and the library,when the city is involved, it is way over budget and late. But don’t sweat it, it’s only tax dollars and they can replenish the money with additional taxes and fees on the people of SB. Win, win for the city.