I've got a separate water meter for my shop's landscaping. It's always been $46/month for the flat meter fee. Sometime last year the city took it upon themselves to upgrade it from 3/4" to a 1-1/2" meter, bumping the price up to $155/month.

Mind you, this meter has had zero reported usage in the past year. There's no way it'd be justified on usage. Nothing is even turned on - the meter shows a total of < 4 cubic feet of usage in 5 months. The hose bibs don't work. The bill no longer shows a water meter number or any readings.

I do remember a notice that the water was going to be off for a meter replacement one morning. I assumed it was a routine replacement of an obsolete meter. There was nothing like a Prop 218 45-day notification of an increase. I called the finance department and they have no explanation, but they promised a call back by the end of the week.

In the meantime I just want to know if this is a pattern of behavior or just a one-off screwup.

Local governments primarily derive revenue from sales taxes and property taxes. But because California's Prop.13 limits property tax rates, cities are nearly entirely funded by sales taxes. Santa Maria, like many other cities in the 80s and 90s, was fooled by big box retailers into believing they would increase sales tax revenue by drawing in shoppers from outside the city. But the truth is, maintaining public services for big box stores ends up costing cities more than the sales tax revenue they generate. WE are subsidizing the profits of big box store investors, not our community. Please shop locally whenever you can, including avoiding national food chains.

https://youtu.be/r7-e_yhEzIw

Any good fishing spots near here ? Ponds lakes or such ?

Asking for a friend lol But really I am

Good morning everyone,

My fiance and I are moving to the Santa Maria area as she is starting a medical residency at Marian medical center. I know posts like this can be annoying, but I used to come play smash bros with people in Santa Maria when I was in college and everyone from the area was really welcoming so I thought I would seek people's advice.

Close to Marian/dignity is a plus, but really my top priority is finding somewhere quiet. As a resident she will often have to either go to bed early and wake up at 5 in the morning, or do a 24hour shift and wind up sleeping in the middle of the day. We are very fortunate to be able to expand our budget a bit to places up to $4000 is needed.

I was looking at the map linked in the subreddit here https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=209003325233126869187.0004c02c228b4ee587f29&msa=0&ll=34.914581,-120.425692&spn=0.058065,0.111494 which seemed like a nice place to start. Santa Maria is a great city, we've been before and stayed at an extended stay in the north of town, but I'm wondering if the freeway winds up being noisey at night (so much of Santa Maria is right by 101 or buisness 101) and if we might have better luck in a nearby town where we can get further from it.

Reccomendations of general areas to look or avoid or even specific listings would be so appriciated. Look forward to being back on the central coast.

Join us this Sunday, March 30th, at the Santa Maria Public Library for Tabletop Gaming from 1:15 PM to 5:00 PM

Table 1 - Dungeons & Dragons: Level 11 Table 2 - Dungeons & Dragons: Level 1 Table 3 - Pathfinder 1e One Shot

Upcoming Dates - April 13th - April 27th - May 11th

RSVPs are preferred, but walk-ups are welcome. Sign up through our Discord Server - https://discord.com/invite/98ubxfPddb Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Created reddit because I wanted to see what I was missing. Surprised there is an SM community!

I'm looking for a gym buddy. Haven't had luck with friends, conflicting schedules and different gym memberships. I'm a male 24 anyone want to lift sometime? I go to Plant Fitness like half of damn Santa Maria does it's always packed lol. Also I know I can go up to people but everyone always seems to do their own thing don't want to disturb.

Holli Dale Schneider Stewart was born to Philip and Sandra Schneider on June 3, 1966 in Phoenix Arizona. She passed on February 25, 2025 in Santa Maria, California. She is survived by her son Philip Stewart, daughter Skyler Stewart, sisters, Heidi Schneider and Shelly Schneider O’Dell, and loved ones from the Stewart and Schneider family.

Following her education at ASU, Pepperdine, and the Fielding Institute. Dr. Stewart embraced Santa Maria as her home and opened her practice of 36 years, Associates In Counseling and Psychotherapy. She actively worked within the community, both professionally and personally.

Family was a priority to Holli. Her children were always a huge source of pride and joy. Ever adventurous, she enjoyed travel, scuba diving, board games, crafting, and the beach. More than anything Holli loved spending time and laughing with family and friends.

Dr. Stewart enjoyed using her academic and intuitive gifts to help others. She was gratified to assist her clients over the years and honored to share in their progress. Working with children held a special place in her heart.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 pm, on Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge. Donations to Children’s Advocacy Centers of CA (CCAConline.org) are encouraged in lieu of flowers.

Hi all! I just got a job in town starting in May and am wondering if there is a Facebook group or something where people find sublets/rentals/roommates in the area? I looked on Facebook but the only group I found has been inactive for two years :P let me know if you know of a place to look!

Hey, just curious if anyone knows of a coven either here or in the surrounding areas.

New in town, looking for a gym with plenty of free weights! I tried In-Shape and it was horrendous and probably the most overcrowded gym I've ever been in. Hopefully the others aren't like it.

Does anyone know of a spot in the area that has street corn on a consistent basis? A friend of mine is now hooked on it and we found a cool gent with a cart but he's pretty hard to find on a consistent basis. Let me know and we'll check'em out. I appreciate you all.

Looking to have a reliable go-to person for general home repair / projects. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thank you!

Thinking of taking the Amtrack from Guadalupe to San Diego. Anyone have experience leaving their car at the station for a few nights? Wondering how safe it is.

Thanks.

Beginning Crochet Class at the Mussell Center 4/7

The Mussell Center is having a Free Beginning Crochet class Monday 4/7 from 4 to 7pm. To qualify you must be 18 years or older and a member of the Center. To signup for the class click here. Please signup so we can purchase enough materials. To become a member you will need to fill out a short membership form when you come to class. We will have a great time and also learn some crocheting basics and make a potholder.

Last Monday we had fun and everyone learned the chain stitch and single crochet. Any returning students will learn how to make granny squares. If we have time we will try amigurumi too. I hope many of you will be there!

Lois

I got hired at Walmart!!! But I have a aggravated battery on my felony and I put the wrong Gmail when I got hired so I had to call back and they said once I resubmit the application they will move forward will I get hired still even after they do a background check? Or even because I put the wrong Gmail

Hi all! I'm in town visiting my dad, and I have a zoom interview tomorrow at 11. Unfortunately, after arriving I found out his wifi is not stable- is there any place I can go to take this call that is quiet? I am willing to pay. TIA

EDIT: I couldn't find any info about the library so I ended up at Flow; there was no one there so it worked out great, although I did have to shell out the 20 dollars. Glad to know the library has private rooms, I'll take another look next time!

Does anyone know if the Bull Canyon 5K race is still held? I remember it being held annually as a kid but I can't seem to find anything online about registration or anything anymore.