ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2025-03 AMENDINGTHE SANTA MARIA
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2 “ADMINISTRATION,” CHAPTER 2-14 “RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION,” SECTION 2-14.06 “RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL: POWERS GENERALLY” AND TITLE 10 “RECREATION AND PARKS,” CHAPTER 10-1 “ADMINISTRATION,” SECTION 10-1.02
“ADOPTION OF REGULATIONS”
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, at its June 3, 2025, meeting approved the methodology for setting fees for recreation programs and services; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of this methodology presents the opportunity to revise the process by which fees are set for these programs and services; and
WHEREAS, Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2 -14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2 -14.06 “Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally” and Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10-1 “Administration,” Section 10-1.02 “Adoption of Regulations” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code provide the authorities granted to the Recreation and Parks Commission by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Parks Commission has reviewed and requests the City Council’s approval of the proposed amendments to the Santa Maria Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to retain final authority for approval of new recreation fees and increases to existing recreation fees, while continuing to p rovide for public hearings and recommendations by the Recreation and Parks Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, State of California, as follows:
SECTION 1 . Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2 -14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2-14.06 “Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 2-14.06 Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally.
The Recreation and Parks Commission may make such recommendations to the City Council as it deems necessary concerning the organization, promotion, conduct and management of programs of community recreation in the City and the establishmen t of systems of playgrounds and recreation, and the acquisition, improvement, maintenance, Attachment A
operation and management of recreation facilities within or without the territorial limits of the City, as well as parkland dedications and subdivision in -lieu fees, residential development taxes, and urban forestry. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have the power and authority to hold public hearings and meetings and to conduct investigations and surveys for the purpose of securing facts and data concerning the matters enumerated in this section. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have the authority to hold public hearings related to fees charged for recreational programs, services, park and facility rentals provided by the Department , and to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding proposed fee changes. Fees shall be developed in accordance with the fee structure and methodology approved by the City Council. Final approval of any new fee or increase to an existing fee shall be by action of the City Council. The Recreation and Parks Commission shall have only such powers as are expressly granted by this chapter or as are granted by motion of the City Council.
The Recreation and Parks Commission shall also perform the duties provided in Chapter 8-3 (Historical Landmarks).
SECTION 2 . Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10 -1 “Administration,” Section 10-1.02 “Adoption of Regulations” of the Santa Maria Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
Section 10-1.02. Adoption of fees and regulations
The Recreation and Parks Commission is authorized to adopt such reasonable regulations for the safe use of City parks as it deems necessary; provided, that the adoption of each such regulation shall be reported to the City Council at its first regular meeting next following the adoption of the regulation. At the meeting the City Council may consider the regulation and, if it deems the regulation unnecessary, unreasonable or not in the best interest of the City and of the public, may order the regulation repealed and voided forthwith, by motion of a majority of the Council, and the regulation shall be then and there null and void; provided, that such acti on shall not affect the validity of such regulations, or actions based thereon, prior to such avoidance and repeal by the Council.
The Recreation and Parks Commission is authorized to hold public hearings related to proposed fees and fee adjustments for recreation programs and services and to provide recommendations to the City Council regarding the adoption of new fees or changes to existing fees. Fees shall be developed in accordance with the fee structure and methodology approved by the City Council. N o fee or fee adjustment shall be effective unless approved by the City Council by resolution or ordinance.
SECTION 3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make m inor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
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Attachment A
SECTION 4. This Ordinance shall be in full force and ef fect thirty (30) days after its passage. Within fifteen days following its passage, the City Clerk shall cause this Ordinance to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with State Law; or when deemed necessary due to the length or complexity of the Ordinance, cause a summary of the Ordinance to be prepared and published at least five days prior to the City Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted. If a summary is published at least five days prior to the Ci ty Council meeting at which the proposed Ordinance is to be adopted, then within 15 days after adoption of the Ordinance the City Clerk shall publish a summary of the Ordinance with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinan ce and shall post a certified copy of the full text of such adopted Ordinance along with the names of those City Council Members voting for and against the Ordinance.
INTRODUCED at a regular meeting of the City Council held on the 3rd day of March 2026, and PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting held on the ____day of ____ 2026, by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAINED:
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________
City Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
_______________________________
Department Director
_______________________________
City Manager
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Rebecca Campbell, Director of Finance
DATE: March 3, 2026
SUBJECT: Measure U Annual Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2025, as Submitted by the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee
Description:
The City Council will receive a presentation from City Staff on the Measure U Annual Report.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive a presentation from City staff on the Measure U Annual Report for the period ending June 30, 2025; and
2. Receive and file the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee F iscal Year 2024-25 Annual Report.
BACKGROUND:
Measure U is a local transaction and use tax within the City of Santa Maria imposed within the incorporated City Limits and applies to gross receipts from any retailers from the sale of tangible property within City Limits. Originally approved and enacted as a one-quarter- cent general transaction and use tax by City voters in June 2012, Measure U was extended and enhanced to a one-cent rate to support essential City services in November 2018.
On September 4, 2012, the City Council adopted a Resolution establishing the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee (Committee). The Committee consists of five residents who ensure oversight of the revenue generated by and expenses made in relationship to Measure U are consistent with the City Council’s intended use for said tax proceeds. The Committee is not charged with decision -making responsibilities on spending priorities, funding decisions, or financing plans. Rather, Committee Member duties consist of reviewing the annual independent financial audit on the Measure U generated revenue and associated expenses during the previous fiscal year (2024-25), as well as reviewing any other relevant financial reports necessary to advise the City Council of its findings.
On March 5, 2019, the City Council set goals and objectives regarding the use of Measure U proceeds. The goals are to first maintain services, and second, to make service enhancements. The objectives are to make Santa Maria safer, with more services for youth, and to improve the quality of life. To meet these goals and objectives, the City Council authorized Measure U proceeds, beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20, to be used 90 percent for public safety, 5 percent for youth services, and 5 percent for quality of life. The City Council also indicated a desire to create a Measure U reserve to help ensure these vital services can be sustained during a temporary or cyclical reduction of revenue. The City Council set an eventual goal of a 20 percent reserve.
The Measure U Fund began the year with a fund balance of $12,583,667, and because revenues ($25,946,335) were lower than expenditures ($29,875,299) by $3,928,964, the ending fund balance as of June 30, 2025, was decreased to $8,654,703.
DISCUSSION:
On January 26, 2026, the Committee reviewed the draft (unaudited) Measure U financial statements prepared by City staff and pending completion of the annual independent financial audit performed by CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (the City’s Auditors).
For FY 2024 -25, approximately $25.7 million in tax revenues were estimated and actual receipts came in at $25.9 million (or 2.9 percent under budget). The $770,000 negative variance in Measure U revenues is attributable to concerns about the economy as reflected in consumers reducing spending in the categories of general consumer goods in discount stores, home furnishings, and electronics, as well as autos-transportation because of the challenges posed by elevated auto process, escalating financing expenses, and diminished access to credit.
On the expenditure side , on June 18, 2024, the City Council approved FY 2024 -25 total Measure U appropriations of $31,129,953. The Fire, Police, and Recreation and Parks departments’ remaining FY 2023 -24 appropriations totaling $6,444,901 were carried over to FY 2024-25. Including the budget carryover, FY 2024-25 appropriations increased to $37,574,854.
The City Council authorized Measure U FY 2024 -25 revenue to maintain a variety of municipal services and programs performed by 137.60 full -time and part -time positions.
Attachment A provides the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee FY 2024-25 Annual Report , and Attachment B are the unaudited financial statements for the Measure U Fund which presents the budgeted versus actual revenue and expenditures. Accordingly, the budgeted expenditures comply with the City Council’s direction.
ATTACHMENT(S):
A. Annual Report City of Santa Maria Measure U (unaudited) for the Period Ending June 30, 2025 B. Measure U (Unaudited) Financial Statements for the Period Ending June 30, 2025
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
ATTACHMENT B
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
(5)
BALANCE SHEET
JUNE 30, 2025
General
ASSETS
Cash and Investments
$ 4,089,443
Accounts Receivable 4,231,203
Prepaid Items 2,030
Total Assets 8,322,676
LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES
Accounts Payable (5,590)
Accrued Liabilities 0
Total Liabilities (5,590)
Fund Balances:
Restructured 6,131,206
Total Fund Balances 6,131,206
Total Liabilities and Fund Balances $ 6,125,616
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
(6)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
General
REVENUES
Sales Tax
$ 25,739,345
Use of Money and Property 206,990
Total Revenues 25,946,335
5EXPENDITURES
Legal
-
City Manager 882,033
Library 982,789
Finance
Recreation and Parks 2,793,260
Fire 11,576,844
Police 12,819,252
Community Development 821,120
Total Expenditures 29,875,299
EXCESS (DEFICIENCY) OF REVENUES OVER (UNDER) EXPENDITURES (3,928,964) Fund Balance - Beginning of Year 12,583,667
FUND BALANCE - END OF YEAR $ 8,654,70 3
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
(7)
BUDGET TO ACTUAL
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
Variance with
Final Budget
EXPENDITURES
City Manager:
Salaries and Wages 155,413 155,413 0
Contracts and Services 73,000 19,238 53,762
Capital 1,200,000 700,420 499,580
Cost Allocation Transfer-Out 6,807 6,807 0
Total City Manager 1,435,220 881,877 553,343
Finance:
Contracts and Services 2,757 157 2,600 Total Finance 2,757 157 2,600
Library:
Salaries and Wages
757,391
757,391
-
Materials and Supplies
67,053 55,977 11,076
Contracts and Services 28,317 20,417 7,900
Capital 45,000 32,057 12,943
Cost Allocation Transfer Out 116,948 116,948 0
Total Library 1,014,709 982,789 31,920
Recreation and Parks:
Salaries and Wages
2,301,677
2,065,224
236,453
Materials and Supplies 177,975 35,247 142,728
Equipment and Operations 116,068 116,448 (380)
Contracts and Services 246,673 92,337 154,336
Capital 197,019 34,294 162,725
Cost Allocation Transfer-Out 449,709 449,709 0
Total Parks and Recreation 3,489,121 2,793,260 695,861
Final Budget
Actual
Positive
(Negative)
REVENUES
Sales Tax
$ 26,544,951
$ 25,739,345
$ (805,606)
Use of Money and Property 171,354 206,990 35,636
Total Revenues 26,716,305 25,946,335 (769,970)
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
STATEMENT OF REVENUES, EXPENDITURES, AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES See accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
(8)
BUDGET TO ACTUAL (CONTINUED)
FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
Variance with
Final Budget
Positive
Final Budget Actual (Negative)
EXPENDITURES (CONTINUED)
Fire:
Salaries and Wages $ 9,935,596 $ 10,172,049 $ (236,453) Materials and Supplies 99,902 94,532 5,370
Equipment and Operations 553,718 554,083 (365)
Contracts and Services 1,092,422 138,507 953,915
Capital 5,916,136 276,360 5,639,775
Cost Allocation Transfer-Out 341,312 341,312 0 Total Fire 17,939,086 11,576,844 6,362,242
Police:
Salaries and Wages 10,940,223 10,940,223 0
Materials and Supplies 76,732 67,663 9,069
Equipment and Operations 916,393 920,203 (3,810)
Contracts and Services 532,222 508,224 23,998
Capital 73,884 52,719 21,164
Cost Allocation Transfer-Out 330,220 330,220 0 Total Police 12,869,674 12,819,252 50,422
Community Development:
Salaries and Wages
743,662
743,662
0 Equipment and Operations 79,999 76,832 3,167
Contracts and Services 626 626 0
Total Community Development 824,287 821,120 3,167
Total Expenditures 37,574,854 29,875,299 7,699,555 NET CHANGE IN FUND BALANCES $ (10,858,549) $ (3,928,964) $ 6,759,536
Fund Balances - Beginning of Fiscal Year
$ 8,654,703
CITY OF SANTA MARIA
MEASURE U FUND
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(9)
JUNE 30, 2025
NOTE 1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A. Reporting Entity
In a June 5, 2012 election, City of Santa Maria (City) voters approved Measure U, establishing a temporary quarter-cent transaction sales and use tax. The Measure U Fund (Fund) was established to accumulate revenues transmitted by the State Board of Equalization (BOE), the agency responsible for administering and collecting the transactions and use taxes for the City at that time and apportion them to essential services outlined within the approved expenditure plan. In 2017 administration of transaction and use tax was transferred to the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
In the November 2018 election, City voters approved to extend and enhance Measure U at a one cent rate. The rate became effective April 1, 2019.
The financial statements presented only the activity of the Measure U Fund and are not intended to present the financial position and changes in financial position of the City of Santa Maria, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in t he United States of America.
B. Basis of Accounting
The Measure U Fund of the City is maintained on the modified accrual basis of accounting.
As such, revenues are recognized when they become susceptible to accrual, that is, when they become both measurable and available to finance expenditures of the current period.
Expenditures are recognized in the accounting period in which the liability is incurred (when goods are received or services rendered).
C. Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
NOTE 2 CASH AND INVESTMENTS
Cash and investments at June 30, 2025, consist of the following:
Pooled Cash and Investments with the
City of Santa Maria
$ 4,089,443
Please refer to the notes of the City’s June 30, 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report regarding cash and investments for additional detail.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David W. Rowlands, City Manager
DATE: March 3, 2026
SUBJECT: Continued from September 16, 2025, City Council Meeting - Discussion on a Request to Form an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee
Description:
The City Council to discuss a request to form an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Council to discuss a request to form an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
BACKGROUND:
At the August 6, 2025, City Council meeting it was requested by Councilmember Soto to bring back to City Council a discussion on forming an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee and consider holding a meeting with stakeholders.