Paul Nelson Aquatic Center’s year-round access has been saved for now, but Santa Maria residents can expect to see their first parking-related fee as the city continues to close a budget gap.
Meanwhile, members of a union representing the largest number of city workers called for equity, contending they have been asked to forego salary hikes and absorb increased benefits costs.
The Santa Maria City Council this week adopted the 2026-2028 spending plan spanning two fiscal years, with $369 million for the 12 months starting July 1 and $425.3 million for the following year.
After an initial proposal to shut the city pool from December through May prompted a strong outcry from swimmers of all ages, the adopted spending plan keeps it open.
Funding will come from a postponed baseball field lighting maintenance project, estimated at $200,000, and the cancellation of plans to install recreational vehicle hookups for park hosts, amounting to $100,000.
The city also expects to get $44,000 in revenue from the Santa Maria Valley YMCA. That group’s pool will be closed starting this fall for up to 10 months, a speaker said during the June 2 council meeting.
“We’re looking to provide this one-time solution to keep the pool open during those winter months,” Finance Director Rebecca Campbell said.
Discussions on other solutions also centered on fundraisers to help boost the budget, modifying lifeguard staffing and reviewing contracts with the school district for the pool’s use.
Earlier this month, the council adopted a new fee schedule that increases various fees.
“We also want to look at our revenue options so we can bring in additional funds,” Campbell said.
That includes a first-time parking fee of $5 for visitors to the city’s Los Flores Ranch Park, southeast of Santa Maria. The fee plan also includes an annual pass for $85.
The new and revised fees, including those at Los Flores, will take effect Aug. 1.
This fall, Santa Maria city voters also will be asked to approve a 0.50% sales tax increase to help with the financial woes with the funding directed to general services.
If approved, the existing sales tax rate of 8.75% would bump to 9.25%. It needs more than 50% voter approval to pass.
While the Measure U sales tax hikes approved by Santa Maria voters have been directed to public safety, the new tax proceeds would go into the city coffers for general uses.
“We have done a ton of work to get here, but I want to also point out we have a lot of work ahead of us as well,” Campbell said.
The city plans to keep its hiring chill in place, which has helped avoid layoffs so far. Santa Maria has 713 positions, a decrease of 39 positions from 2025-26.
Union Members Call for Equity
Members of the Service Employees International Union Local 620 again spoke out after holding a rally in front of City Hall before the meeting.
Earlier this month, the SEIU representatives said they sought equitable cost-of-living (COLA) adjustments and fair medical benefits.
Initially, the union members were asked to approve 5% pay cuts and 20% reduction in medical contributions, different from proposals for unions representing police officers and firefighters.
The newest proposal lacked a cost-of-living adjustment and asked the members to absorb insurance rate hikes, according to Nicole Bryant, representing SEIU Local 620 and the city’s general unit employees who work in all departments across the city.
“SEIU members are still not being offered equitable cost-of-living adjustments or healthcare contributions compared to police and fire,” Bryant said. “A zero percent cost of living adjustment for SEIU in the face of rising inflation is still a real cut to our members’ purchasing power and financial security.”
She noted the council was poised to approve a 4% COLA for firefighters while police officers received 1% base salary equity adjustment on top of a 5% COLA in January.
Several union members also spoke about the impact of the city’s offer.
Maia Hoffman, regulatory compliance supervisor in the Utilities Department, called for SEIU members to be treated like others serving the city.
“We’ve kept the city safe, compliant and functioning. All we ask is to be treated with the same dignity and respect of the other units you rely on,” Hoffman said. “Please do the right thing. Treat us fairly.”