COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Christopher Williams, Chief of Police
DATE: January 20, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application for the 2027 California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant
Description:
The City Council will consider authorizing the submission of an application for the 2027 Grant Program Cycle of the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the submission of an application for the 2027 Grant Program Cycle of the California Office of Traffic Safety Selective Traffic Enforcement Program Grant; and
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee , to submit the application, appropriate and expend the funds awarded to the Santa Maria Police Department.
BACKGROUND:
Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) is a partnership effort between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the State of California. Each year OTS develops a highway safety plan identifying the key highway safety problems in the state and the most effective measures to address them.
The Santa Maria Police Department (SMPD) has received Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grants from OTS since 2009. The awarded grant funding has been used for staff overtime working targeted traffic operations and for the purchase of equipment.
The SMPD is currently operating on a one-year OTS Grant that was awarded in October 2025. This grant has paid for overtime for specialized Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement, DUI/driver license checkpoints, repeat DUI offender stakeouts, equipment, traffic safety presentations, distracted driving enforcement, and bike/pedestrian operations.
DISCUSSION:
The SMPD would like to submit a grant application for the Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Cycle to continue the previously implemented STEP and DUI Checkpoint programs. If awarded, the new OTS grant will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and allow the SMPD to continue to supplement its enforcement efforts in critical traffic areas of the 2 city and target traffic factors that lead to fatal and injury collisions. Funding will include overtime and fringe benefits, training, trave l for officers, and traffic/DUI enforcement supplies/equipment.
Fiscal Considerations
There are no matching funds required for this grant application.
Impact on the Community
With this funding, enforcement directed at making Santa Maria’s roads safer will have a positive impact on the community. This grant will provide funding for t raffic officers to continue their educational and enforcement efforts to combat the traffic issues within the City.
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Resolution – 2027 Office of Traffic Safety Grant Application