COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Donna G. Schwartz, Chief Deputy City Clerk
DATE: September 15, 2026
SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendments to the City of Santa Maria’s 2026 Conflict of Interest Code
Description:
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution approving amendments to the City’s 2026 Conflict of Interest Code.
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:
Adopt a Resolution approving amendments to the City of Santa Maria’s 2026 Conflict of Interest Code.
BACKGROUND:
The Political Reform Act of 1974, as amended, requires that local government agencies adopt a Conflict of Interest Code (COIC) listing those employees who make or participate in the making of governmental decisions which may foreseeably have a material effect on any financial interest and are not covered by Section 87200 of the Government Code.
Section 87200 of the Government Code specifies those positions which are required by State law to file Statements of Economic Interest. They include the Mayor, City Council, City Treasurer, City Manager, City Attorney, and Planning Commission.
The Political Reform Act also requires that the COIC be reviewed every two years in even- numbered years to ensure it is still valid and includes all the classifications that should be filing Form 700 “Statements of Economic Interests.” This Biennial Notice must be submitted to the Code Reviewing Body (the City Council) no later than July 1 st of even- numbered years. Any changes to the COIC must then be submitted t o the City Council by October 1st.
The last amendment to the COIC was made by the City Council on October 1, 2024, on recommended revisions and approved classifications and job specifications. On August 15, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-116, approving the establishment of GIS Analyst classification and corresponding job specification (via Resolution No. 2023-103).
2 On November 21, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023 -145, approving the establishment of Lead Police Services Technician and Investigative Specialist I/II Flex Series classifications and corresponding job descriptions (via Resolution No. 2023-103).
On December 19, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023 -160, approving the establishment of Legal Office Specialist classification and corresponding job specification (via Resolution No. 2023-103).
On February 20, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-21, approving one full-time Deputy City Attorney/City Prosecutor position, for the City Attorney’s Office, one full-time Deputy Building Official, for the Community Development Department, and one full-time Account Clerk I/II for the Recreation and Parks Department. Additional positions were approved but the three positions noted would be required to file under the COIC.
On February 20, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024 -22, approving the establishment of three new job classifications of Administrative Leader, Program Leader, and Business Leader and corresponding job specifica tions. Due to the establishment of the three new job classifications the Business Program Leader was eliminated.
DISCUSSION:
Before submitting the Biennial Notice to the City Council, staff is to determine if amendments are necessary to include new positions, reclassifications, and eliminated positions that manage public investments from the list of designated positions, review disclosure categories, review the title of existing positions, or delete titles of positions that have been abolished. This procedure ensures that the COIC remains current and consistent with the classifications and positions held by City employees.
On March 18, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025 -33, approving the establishment of a Special Districts Planning Technician classification.
On July 1, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025 -105, approving updates to new and previous ly established classifications. Reclassification and establishment of a Crime Analyst Flex I/II and a Digital Forensics Examiner Flex I/II and authorizing an amendment to the Senior Police Records Technician salary.
On December 2, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2025-204, approving the establishment of two new job classifications in the Utilities Department; a Lead Account Clerk-Scale House and a Utilities Office Specialist.
On August 4, 2026, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2026 -129, approving the establishment of a new job classification in the Police Department deleting 1.0 Dispatcher II and adding 1.0 Public Safety Communications Manager.
Attached (Attachment A) is the Biennial Notice noting amendments to the COIC to include new positions, revise titles of existing positions, and delete titles of positions that have 3 been abolished and/or positions that no longer make or participate in making governmental decisions in accordance with the law.
As a result of the personnel changes from March 18, 2025, through August 4, 2026, inclusive of the Budget for Fiscal Years (FY) 24-26 and 26-28, it is necessary to amend Appendix A of the City’s Conflict of Interest Code to reflect new, reclassified, and eliminated positions and ensure that the COIC remains updated and consistent with State Law.
Fiscal Considerations
There is no fiscal impact associated with this agenda item.
Impact on the Community
The Biennial Notice and amendments to the COIC ensure that the City’s code is regularly updated in even -numbered years to provide the general public with current information regarding designated employees’ economic interests
ATTACHMENT(S)
A. Biennial Notice
B. Resolution
Exhibit A (Appendix A-D) to Resolution