Permit revenue significantly increased for Santa Maria in second quarter

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria just released its second quarter financial report, showing that it is on track with promises it has made.

The city received almost $560,000 more than the second quarter of last year through permit and license fees. They say this is due to steady commercial construction.

"Everyone is familiar with what's happened on Betteravia Road, but this construction is happening more towards Battles Road," said Mark van de Kamp, spokesman for Santa Maria. "That's where Honda broke ground this month, and last year a lot of these new apartments started to take shape."

He said the apartments have around 300 units and should open later this year.

Van de Kamp said the city is seeing an interesting trend in housing permits.

There's fewer applications to build single family homes and there's many more for apartments and town homes.

They are also seeing more applications for accessory dwelling units, which are mandated by California and require less local review.

Along with permit revenue, the report shows other areas where the city is on track and growing.

When Measure U passed, the city said 90 percent of funds raised would be spent on public safety, 5 percent on youth services and 5 percent on quality of life.

So far they have spent 93 percent on public safety, with a good portion of that going to the seventeen new fire academy recruits currently training at the Hancock College public safety campus in Lompoc.

They spent 3 percent on youth services and 4 percent on quality of life.

They are holding certain city positions vacant, which has put the city under budget.

The city will discuss the report further on Tuesday night in the city council meeting.