Santa Maria’s budget woes may prompt the closure of the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center for six months a year, according to the draft spending blueprint the City Council is expected to review Tuesday night.

The council is set to review the preliminary proposal that calls for cuts, fee hikes and a proposed tax hike to help close a gap that topped $20 million.

The two-year budget calls for $367.4 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year and $425.3 million for 2027-28. It also includes a $50 million capital project budget the first year and $108.3 million the second year.

However, the budget has “a significant structural imbalance” within the General Fund and Measure U (or sales tax hike) account. 

One proposed cut would close the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center, on South McClelland Street, for six months (between December and May), including unfunding limited service positions amounting to $344,000.

Along with the various users, the aquatic center is the primary home to the Santa Maria Swim Club.

Mike Ashmore, coach of the Santa Maria Swim Club, had not been aware of the proposal before being informed by Noozhawk. 

“It wouldn’t just be us. It would be a lot of people getting hit,” he said, noting that those who participate in lap swimming also would be affected.

He said nobody from the city had bothered to reach out to the swim club, suggesting that they feared pool users mobilizing to stop the plan.

The club also has seen members move on to compete at the college level, and 10 years ago, swim club member Josh Prenot competed in the Summer Olympics and won a silver medal.

The proposed closure would occur as other local pools, such as those at schools, keep busy with their programs.

“There would not be a place for us to go. We would just shut down for six months,” Ashmore added. 

The draft Santa Maria budget also calls for:

• Reducing contract/consulting services, training, subscriptions and other operational costs, trimming $1.45 million
• Increasing projections for less predictable revenues and newly proposed fees for $1.7 million
• Deleting vacant positions and/or reallocating filled positions to other funds, where justifiable, for slightly more than eight full-time-equivalent positions for $1.17 million
• Unfunding limited service positions involving the library, Recreation and Parks, police and Public Works (would impact programs and operating hours), totaling $446,000
• Eliminating subsidies adding up to $70,000 given to United Way, the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society Museum and the Santa Maria Museum of Flight

“While important work remains ahead, this proposed budget positions the city to move forward with a more sustainable financial foundation,” City Manager David Rowlands said in his budget message. “It reflects a deliberate effort to align ongoing revenues with expenditures, preserve critical public services, invest strategically in organizational needs, and maintain the flexibility necessary to respond to future economic uncertainty.”

Following the preliminary budget hearing Tuesday, the City Council will consider adopting the final spending plan at the June 16 meeting, well ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year.

The council also will consider a proposal for fee increases across the spectrum, from permits and inspections to rental costs for parks and other facilities.

The fee hikes relate to the city’s “cost recovery” program or effort to recoup expenses for performing a service, such as the time needed to review plans and issue a permit.

The lengthy list of proposed fee changes can be found by clicking here. The new fees would take effect Aug. 1 with other increases following in 2027.

In another item Tuesday, the City Council will consider approving a measure for the Nov. 3 ballot asking voters to increase the sales tax 0.5%, from 8.75% to 9.25%, to help with financial shortfalls.

Other routine resolutions include calling for the election to fill the council’s District 3 and District 4 seats now held by Gloria Soto and Maribel Aguilera.

This year, the city also will have a two-year term for District 1 following the resignation of Carlos Escobedo and the appointment of Ricardo Batalla.

The City Council is set to discuss the budget proposal and fee increases during the regular session starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 110 E. Cook St.