The city of Santa Maria is seeking individuals to serve on the Block Grants Advisory Committee and the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee.

The city has a number of committees and their members serve an important role in shaping the community. The city adopts practices that value and include diversity at all levels of the organization as an essential step to developing strategies that meet the needs of a multicultural community.

Individuals interested in making a difference in their community, contributing ideas, and being a part of the city team, are encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of the City Council, per Resolution No. 88-2 adopted May 17, 1988, to appoint, whenever possible, residents of the city of Santa Maria. Unless otherwise noted in the membership description, the mayor shall appoint members to all official city commissions and boards, and they shall be ratified by the City Council.

Block Grands Adivsory Committee: (four vacancies total – three to fill terms ending in July 2026 and one to fill an unexpired term ending in July 2025).

This 15-member committee assesses the community’s needs, conducts public workshops and hearings, reviews applications for funding, and makes recommendations to the City Council for the allocation of funds under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Applicants should have an understanding of housing and community development needs and a knowledge of, or background in, providing human services to the community.

The members are nominated by individual councilmembers, appointed by the mayor, and confirmed by the City Council. The committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m.

Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee: (two vacancies to fill terms ending in July 2027, and/or coterminous with nominating councilmember’s term).

The Oversight Committee ensures transparency and oversight of the revenue generated by and expenses made in relation to Measure U. Funds generated independent of Measure U are outside the purview of the Oversight Committee.

Oversight Committee duties consist of reviewing the annual independent financial audit (performed by an independent auditor on the Measure U generated revenue and expenses during the previous fiscal year) as well as a review of any other city financial reports necessary to advise the City Council of its findings.

The Oversight Committee’s findings are presented annually in a written report to the City Council during the first quarter of the calendar year. The written report is based on the previous fiscal year ending June 30.

Members must live within city limits and cannot be current city of Santa Maria employees, officials, contractors, or vendors of the city. Past employees, officials, or vendors may be eligible to serve on the committee, provided that no conflicts of interest exist. Meetings are held annually on the fourth Monday of January.

• Members of the Block Grants Advisory Committee and Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee are required by the Political Reform Act (Govt. Code Section 81000-91014) and the City’s Conflict of Interest Code to file Statements of Economic Interest, Form 700, disclosing personal assets and income within 30 days of appointment, annually thereafter, and upon leaving office. Board Members must also disqualify themselves from participating in decisions which may affect their personal economic interests.

Applications for the vacancies may be completed and submitted via email from the city’s webpage.

For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office, 805-925-0951 ext. 2306.