Dear Madam Mayor Patino,
My name is Gavin Harrington, and I am a member of SEIU Local 620 and work for the City of Santa Maria as a Water Operator II. I have served our community for 10years, and my role involves maintaining and repairing the city’s water distribution system.
I’m writing to ask for your support for equitable COLAs, fair medical benefits, and greater financial transparency.
The City has emphasized a structural deficit and the need for concessions. However, last year—with full knowledge of this same structural deficit—the City approved 4% COLAs for Fireemployees and 5% COLAs for Police employees set to take effect this July, along with 100% family medical coverage- in line with current inflation and actual cost of living. We are simply asking for fair and equitable treatment.
At the same time, key information remains unavailable, including updated audited financials and a clear explanation of the deficit assumptions, and costing of funded vacant positions. Transparency is essential to building trust and making informed decisions.
The proposed changes would impact my family significantly by causing a major financial strain. I am the sole provider for my family. Our youngest son was diagnosed on the autism spectrum he receives extensive therapies most days of the week. If my wife was forced into the work field due to these changes our son will no longer be able to continue his therapy or have the care he needs from his mother.
I support responsible solutions, but I respectfully ask that you require transparency and authorize fair treatment for all city employees.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gavin Harrington
May 28, 2026
City of Santa Maria
Re: Support Fair COLAs for SEIU and Transparency
Dear Madame Mayor,
My name is Patrick Crowley, and I am a member of SEIU Local 620 and work for the City of Santa Maria as a Senior Crew Leader/Maintenance Specialist. I have served our community for a little over 2 and a half years and my role involves overseeing the Graffiti-shopping cart programs, Rec & Park Fleet, Annex management, and event and equipment support.
I’m writing to ask for your support for equitable COLAs, fair medical benefits, and greater financial transparency.
The City has emphasized a structural deficit and the need for concessions. However, last year—with full knowledge of this same structural deficit—the City approved 4% COLAs for Fire employees and 5% COLAs for Police employees set to take effect this July, along with 100% family medical coverage- in line with current inflation and actual cost of living. We are simply asking for fair and equitable treatment.
At the same time, key information remains unavailable, including updated audited financials and a clear explanation of the deficit assumptions, and costing of funded vacant positions. Transparency is essential to building trust and making informed decisions.
The proposed changes would impact me and my family by taking away $1000-$1500 from my income, which affects my son’s college tuition and his ongoing medical expenses due to a heart medical condition. Additionally, with the recent removal of any overtime pay, my decrease in income has been substantial. This has and will be a financial burden to my family.
I support responsible solutions, but I respectfully ask that you require transparency and authorize fair treatment for all city employees.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Patrick Crowley
Dear Mayor Patino,
My name is Tiffany Pelletier, and I am a member of SEIU Local 620 and work for the City of Santa Maria as a Police Records Technician II. I have served our community for 3 years and my role involves processing police reports to be filed with the District Attorney’s Office and helping the public get copies of their reports.
I’m writing to ask for your support for equitable COLAs, fair medical benefits, and greater financial transparency.
The City has emphasized a structural deficit and the need for concessions. However, last year— with full knowledge of this same structural deficit—the City approved 4% COLAs for Fire employees and 5% COLAs for Police employees set to take effect this July, along with 100% family medical coverage- in line with current inflation and actual cost of living. We are simply asking for fair and equitable treatment.
At the same time, key information remains unavailable, including updated audited financials and a clear explanation of the deficit assumptions, and costing of funded vacant positions.
Transparency is essential to building trust and making informed decisions.
The proposed changes would impact me and my family by making it unaffordable for me to stay with the City of Santa Maria. I rely on the family health insurance plan and my full salary. It would be close to $800 a month cut for my family. I have 2 small children, 3 and 5 years old and I would not be able to afford the childcare that my family requires in order for me to work, and my family depends on my salary to help with our living expenses. I actually left a higher paying job where I commuted to come to the City of Santa Maria in order to be closer to my children because family is the number one priority in my life, however with the proposed cuts I would look for other employment. I am already at the top step here in my classification and would have no room to grow as others do at the bottom steps, only simply to take a major cut.
I support responsible solutions, but I respectfully ask that you require transparency and authorize fair treatment for all city employees.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Pelletier