Santa Maria City Council

Police Chief Christopher Williams acknowledged the technology could make errors, but said other cities have implemented it successfully.

Currently, council members make $1,706.90 a month, and the proposal would increase salaries by 20%.

If the overlay zone is enacted, a mobile home park would need approval from the city to change its senior-living status.

City staff's budget proposal for fiscal years 2026-2028 had included a recommendation to close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center from December to May.

Fueling the proposed increase is the idea that residents using a specific service should reimburse the local government for the whole cost of providing that service.

The “Santa Maria 2045 General Plan” has been in development since 2020, and it addresses the city’s projected growth of nearly 60 thousand new residents and more than 16 thousand new housing units by 2045.

The city of Santa Maria is considering a new general plan — a document that would act as a guide on land use and planning issues through the year 2045.

The council voted 3-1 to appoint Richardo Batalla to fill the District One seat, which had been empty since Councilmember Carlos Escobedo announced his surprise resignation.

Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu says they’ll be accepting applications until March 26. But, there’s no guarantee that the city council will pick someone from that application pool.

In a phone interview with KCBX, Carlos Escobedo said he thinks people may make assumptions about the timing of his resignation.