Show/Hide

Click here for updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) information about City services and local resources 

City Government » Departments

City Manager

Print
Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option
Font Size: + -

TwitterYoutube

110 E. Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454-5190

Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed Fridays.

The City Manager's Office provides overall direction and coordination of City operations to ensure that the City Council's adopted service goals are met or exceeded, and that costs do not exceed budget restrictions. This office continually evaluates the City's organizational structure as it relates to requirements for effective, efficient and economical public service. The City Clerk, Human Resources and Risk Management divisions are part of the office, which also includes contracted services for economic development. The office provides effective communication and transparency about City operations through proactive and responsive relations with the news media, and manages the City website, and oversight of local public access television. The office also oversees the Information Technology division, which recommends equipment and software purchases, configures, installs, maintains, and supports the City's ever-changing information and technology needs. The City Manager's Office works closely with the City Council by developing, advising and making recommendations to the Council on policies, programs and various business matters, and implementing the Council's decisions.  

 

Jason Stilwell photoJASON STILWELL

City Manager

110 E. Cook Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454-5190
Phone: (805) 925-0951 ext. 2200
City Fax: (805) 349-0657

E-mail: jstilwell@cityofsantamaria.org

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT:

  • Ph.D. University of Colorado at Denver: Graduate School of Public Affairs
  • Master of Public Administration, San Jose State University
  • Bachelor of Arts California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo 
  • City Manager, City of Santa Maria
  • Assistant City Manager, City of Santa Maria
  • Director of Information Technology and Financial Planning City of San Luis Obispo (interim)
  • City Administrator, City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
  • Assistant County Executive Officer, County of Santa Barbara
  • Parks Director, County of Santa Barbara
  • Assistant Town Manager, Town of Superior, Colorado
  • Management Assistant, City of Westminster, Colorado
  • Management Analyst, City of Thornton, Colorado
  • Project Manager, City of Mountain View
  • Intern, City of San Luis Obispo 

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

  • Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary
  • Adopt-a-Road
  • Serve Santa Maria
  • Santa Maria Public Library Foundation
  • Santa Maria Police Council
  • Good Samaritan Food Service Team
  • International City Management Association
  • Government Finance Officers’ Association
  • American Political Science Association
  • American Society for Public Administration
  • Municipal Management Association of Southern California
  • Local Government Chapter of the American Bar Association 

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

The City Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the City. Acts as an advisor to the City Council on fiscal and City matters. The City Council sets policy, while the City Manager implements that policy. The Manager works as a facilitator, coordinator and catalyst, developing good working relationships and counting on and seeking out the support of the experts - City department directors, City staff, and the community.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide accurate and timely information and recommendations to the City Council in order to make informed decisions, implement policies and programs approved by Council, and manage the day-to-day operations of City services. 

Life, Well Run (video from International City Manager's Association)

 2020-21 Goals and Objectives

  1. Develop and administer a "structurally balanced" General Fund budget – responding to significant increases in pension, benefits, equipment, and insurance expenses, while maintaining adequate reserves for future years’ financing.
  2. Continue economic development efforts to attract more good-paying jobs and career opportunities, help retain and expand local businesses, and continue advocating for Vandenberg Air Force Base’s expansion of its commercial launch program and Space Force, to aid Santa Maria’s economic development.
  3. Initiate Phase 3 of the Alignment Project by implementing electronic performance management tools linked to the competencies identified through the first phases of this project to further engage, inspire, and develop the workforce.
  4. Operationalize the City’s fiber-optic ring infrastructure and carrier-grade high-speed internet services, to provide departments with robust networking, and to enhance economic development opportunities.
  5. Complete the implementation of and training for Microsoft Office 365 to enhance staff productivity and collaboration and to improve the availability and security of City data and information.
  6. Successfully conduct the City Council’s first by-district elections in District 1 and District 2 in the Consolidated Presidential General Municipal Election on November 3, 2020, along with the at-large election for Mayor, City Treasurer, and City Clerk, by developing an updated candidate election guide, providing election resources and information, and campaign forms and campaign disclosure statements for public viewing on the website.
  7. Implement new public records request portal and software to improve efficiencies, automate workflow, and improve public engagement with a user-friendly portal.
  8. Expand the use of the applicant tracking system to create an electronic onboarding tool and improve recruitment strategies to attract diverse applicant pools and stay competitive with the labor market.
  9. Conduct a comprehensive review of contract insurance requirements for appropriate risk transfer and processes for departments for outside vendor contracts and insurance review and approval to begin services/work with contracted vendors.
  10. Conduct a comprehensive review of workers' compensation and liability claims, status, trends, reporting processes, and costs for discussions with departments to develop safety training and policies in efforts to minimize occurrences.

EMPLOYEES NEWSLETTER MONTHLY ARTICLES:

Citywide Organizational Chart
City Manager's Office Organizational Chart

*The City Manager is an appointed officer identified in Government Code Section 87200 and files statements of economic interests with the City Clerk's office. Copies of the Statements of Economic Interests filed by the City Manager may be obtained by visiting the offices of the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) or the City Clerk. The physical address of the FPPC is 428 J Street, Suite 620, Sacramento, California 95814. The physical address of the City Clerk's office is 110 E. Cook Street, Room 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454. The Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700) for some state and local government agency elected officers may be available in electronic format on the FPPC's website at http://www.fppc.ca.gov. 

 

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Flash Player Windows Media Player Microsoft Silverlight Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer