# State of the City 2026 - City of Santa Maria

Santa Maria’s 2026 State of the City address, delivered by Mayor Alice Patino and city department leaders on October 16, 2026, focused on growth, infrastructure, public safety, and city finances. The city cited adoption of its General Plan 2045, which anticipates about 16,000 housing units and 24,000 jobs, and discussed downtown redevelopment, a $2.1 million REAP grant for a downtown sewer line, and a wastewater master plan expected to require investment of more than $500 million. Public Works described roadway rehabilitation plans, including roughly $800,000–$1 million in materials for in-house paving, $4.5 million secured for Foothill Road improvements, and planned Highway 101 interchange projects. The 101/135 project was described as a $90 million project expected to begin construction in 2029, followed by the Betteravia project. The city also reported a pilot of AI-based road condition surveys costing $10,000, compared with about $150,000 for prior annual surveys, and eight solar projects totaling 2.6 megawatts.

Other procurement- and investment-related topics included two newly acquired fire engines, potential vendor selection for a red-light camera pilot, and a planned drone-first-responder program; no contract award or vendor selection was announced. The city is reviewing development impact fees, and officials described financing programs that can help developers fund streets, sewers, and other public improvements. The City Manager presented Measure C, a proposed sales-tax increase, as a potential source for parks, streets, community facilities, and services, with annual spending plans, public reporting, an oversight committee, and independent audits if approved. No spending or procurement vote was reported during the address.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Transportation
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 16, 2026

### Sources
- [State of the City 2026 - City of Santa Maria](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39YhSVPwxRw) - City of Santa Maria, California