Santa Maria · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Maria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
PARS post-employment benefits trust
Joining the PARS trust program would let the city set aside money for retiree benefits — a behind-the-scenes fiscal move that affects long-term city finances and employee retirement security.
Measure C2026 Town Hall Meetings
The city will hold four town halls in September and early October to explain Measure C2026 and answer resident questions, with Spanish interpretation at each.
City Workforce Vacancies and Proposed Employee Concessions
City workers in SEIU Local 620 say they're being offered 0% cost-of-living raises and higher health costs while police and fire get increases. They packed the chamber asking the council to direct its bargaining team toward equity across units.
FY 2027-28 CDBG funding priorities
The city got about $25,000 more than expected in federal block grant money, letting it fund 13 public services agencies including two previously unfunded ones. Final approval comes May 5.
City Council Salary Increase
The council gave itself a $341.31-per-month raise via Ordinance No. 2026-09. It passed 4-1 after being pulled from the consent calendar, with Mayor Pro Tem Flores voting no.
General Fund Reserve Policy and Section 115 Trust
The finance director proposed reworking the city's reserve targets and moving OPEB and pension reserve funds into a Section 115 trust for higher returns. The council pulled the item, wanting to weigh it alongside budget decisions given the city's deficit.
Local Preference in City Contracting
The tire contract fight exposed that the city's purchasing policy has no local-preference provision. Councilmembers want one, and the city manager promised a local preference ordinance within about two months.
Landscape Maintenance District Assessment Pause
An audit found nearly $200,000 in landscaping work was approved and performed without council sign-off. The new parks director laid out tracking safeguards and pledged accountability, and the council approved the needed funding increase.
Recreation Budget Limitations May Limit Programs
Staff warned that budget cuts are squeezing the department — seasonal employee hours are nearly maxed out, which could limit the ability to add new programs even though summer camps and swim lessons are selling out.
Event Policing Fees and Retroactive Relief
Parade and festival organizers said police fees are eating the money they'd otherwise give back to local nonprofits. The council adopted a cheaper overtime billing method and made it retroactive to April 1, 2026, covering the Elks Parade and Strawberry Festival.
FY 2026-28 budget and structural deficit
The city adopted a two-year budget that leans on nearly all of its LEAF reserve and 37.8 more position cuts to balance year one. A half-cent sales tax on the November ballot is the main plan for closing the year-two gap.
SEIU labor contract equity
City workers in SEIU Local 620 say they're being offered 0% cost-of-living raises and higher health costs while police and fire get increases. They packed the chamber asking the council to direct its bargaining team toward equity across units.
Solid Waste Collection Rate Increases 2026-2029
New disposal fee schedule for MarBorg Industries at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill, phased in through 2027.