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Community of Interest (COI)

Your input is needed to shape the new City Council district boundaries for the City of Santa Maria. Use your voice to help the City Council in creating a list of “Communities of Interest” or “COI” that can help inform the process to develop your community's City Council district lines.

What is a Community of Interest?

A Community of Interest is a connected population that shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single City Council district for purposes of its effective and fair representation as a potential voting bloc in current or future elections. Such groups include (but are not limited to) groups with cultural or historical bonds, shared economic interests, shared racial, ethnic or religious identities, neighborhoods, school districts, media markets, transportation districts, opportunity zones, business improvement districts, communities concerned about environmental hazards, or a shared vision of the future of a community.

How to submit a Community of Interest Form?

1. Fill out the Community of Interest Form online [Closed for Submissions]; or

2. Complete a fillable form [en Español] for printing or emailing and return it by email to redistricting@cityofsantamaria.org or drop off/mail a hard copy to the Records/City Clerk Division at 110 E. Cook Street, Rm. 3, Santa Maria, CA 93454.

During A Public Meeting

The City Council will hold Public Hearings where members of the public can provide comments during the meeting, or electronically prior to the meeting. All members of the community, regardless of citizenship status, are encouraged to participate in-person or by submitting written comments by email to redistricting@cityofsantamaria.org.

Any members of the community who wish to speak utilizing the services of a interpreter or via accommodation pursuant to the American Disabilities Act shall have double the allotted speaking time. To request an interpreter for public comment, contact the Records/City Clerk Division at 805-925-0951 extension 2307. A Spanish interpreter will be available at all City Council Redistricting Public Hearings.

Electronically

All members of the community, regardless of citizenship status, can also provide input to the City Council electronically through the following methods:

Submitting written comments by email to redistricting@cityofsantamaria.org
Submitting a Public Comment Form [Closed for Submissions]
Submitting an online Community of Interest Form [Closed for Submissions]

In Writing

All members of the community, regardless of citizenship status, can mail paper documents or a printed copy of the Community of Interest form to:

Records/City Clerk Division
110 E. Cook Street, Rm. 3
Santa Maria, CA 93454

If you have questions regarding these procedures, please contact the Records/City Clerk Division by phone at (805) 925-0951 extension 2307 or by email at cityclerk@cityofsantamaria.org.