From: Kevin Walthers <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 7, 2026 12:08 PM
To: David Rowlands <[email protected]>
Cc: CEO <[email protected]>; Kevin Merrill <[email protected]>; Christopher Williams <[email protected]>
Subject: Special Event Fee
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Mayor Patino and Council Members,
My message today comes both as the CEO of Allan Hancock College and as a member of the Santa Maria Fairpark board. Your agenda tonight includes a resolution to adopt new fees, including a new fee for “special events” that would allow for community agencies and non- profits to more easily access support from SMPD for events. This new methodology promotes safety and will be a benefit to both the city and the organizations who host events. According to the staff report, this new fee means that “the SMPD will be able to control and maintain a higher level of service for these events.”
Unfortunately, I have another commitment that will prevent my attendance at tonight’s council meeting, but I wanted to share my views on the importance of this new policy and urge you to support it.
With great thanks,
Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.
Superintendent/President
1-805-346-1001 Office
1-805-868-9651 Mobile/text