State of the City

Mayor Alice Patino has dedicated decades of service to Santa Maria in many ways, as the City's first female Mayor, as a City Councilmember, as an educator, and on numerous nonprofit organization boards. She is in her fourth term as Mayor.

She began her career as a teacher, then a board member in the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, and holds various leadership positions with the City of Santa Maria.  She grew up in Santa Maria, and attended Allan Hancock College, later transferring to San Jose State.

She became the first female Mayor in Santa Maria's history in the November 2012 election, and was re-elected in November 2016, and again in November 2020, and in November 2024. She has served on the City Council since 2000 (by appointment), then was elected in 2002.

Her community service activities are numerous.  She was named "Elks Citizen of the Year" in March 2019 for her work as a youth advocate. She has served in the Rotary Club of Santa Maria, the Minerva Club, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria Valley Republicans, Santa Maria Valley Beautiful, California Women for Agriculture, was Secretary for California High School Rodeo Association District 7, is a Board Member of Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, and is on the Marian Medical Foundation Board.

David Rowlands is the City Manager for Santa Maria. He began the position in late November 2024. He is a third-generation city manager and has 30-plus years' experience in local government with over 22 years serving as a city manager in Ohio and California. Prior to coming to Santa Maria, he was City Manager in Fillmore.

The Santa Maria City Manager serves as the chief executive officer and is responsible for coordinating and oversight of the activities and operations of the City's 10 operating departments, including approximately 700 employees, and an overall budget of $291.4 million. He directs administrative services of departments, prepares annual budgets, hires department directors, advises and assists the City Council, and networks with civic leaders to improve the community's overall quality of life.

He grew up in Northern California and attended California Lutheran University where he played on the men's basketball team.

Brett Fulgoni is the Director of the Department of Public Works, serving in that capacity since October 2022. He served as Interim Director from January to October 2022. Mr. Fulgoni joined the City in April 2020, serving as the Assistant Director of the Recreation and Parks Department. Prior to joining the City, he was an Operations Manager for Monterey County.

As Public Works Director, Fulgoni oversees five divisions, 71 employees and an approximately $37.7 million overall budget. He provides leadership and strategic planning in City-owned transportation infrastructure and facilities, transit services and capital improvement.

Christopher Williams became Santa Maria's Chief of Police in April 2025. He brings a wealth of law enforcement experience, including 28 years with the Oxnard Police Department where he promoted to assistant police chief. The Santa Maria Police Department has 200 positions and a budget of $54 million. It is the largest of the City's 10 departments.

Brad Dandridge became Santa Maria's Fire Chief in 2023. He was the Deputy Fire Chief then Interim Fire Chief. He previously served 17 years with the City of Fresno Fire Department, culminating as a Battalion Chief. He is a graduate of Santa Maria High School. The Santa Maria Fire Department operates six fire stations. The Department responds to approximately 12,000 service calls annually.

Chenin Dow is the Director of Community Development. She joined the Santa Maria in January 2025. Prior to coming here, she had 15½ years of experience with the City of Lancaster, managing the economic development, housing, and film offices functions for the City. She previously served as Senior Manager of Real Estate and Economic Development, and prior to that was the Assistant to the City Manager. The Community Development Department is responsible for the Planning and Building Divisions as well as Code Enforcement and the Community Programs Division. The department has 33 employees and an overall operating budget of approximately $8.4 million.

Shad Springer has served the City since 2007. He was appointed in 2014 as the new Utilities Director. He previously was acting director of Public Works/City Engineer. Mr. Springer has had key roles in numerous construction-related projects, including the Police Department facility on Betteravia Road, Public Library, Transit Center, the Union Valley Parkway road project and the construction of two City Fire Stations.